YOUR FIRST LOVE IS YOUR FUTURE
How do you overcome the uncertainties of loving someone so deeply?
Is your first love the person you're meant to spend forever with-or the heartbreak you'll carry into your future?
For Rainier and Alexine, love begins...
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Two weeks had passed, and they were still enjoying their summer break in Cadberry town.
Jun suggested another party for the homecoming of his brothers, some childhood friends and Angelina's recent arrival. He wanted an intimate gathering again, just like their previous feast, where everyone could eat, laugh, drink, and spend time together without worrying about anything else.
This time, however, Jun also wanted to introduce his older brothers to his friends.
And more importantly, he wanted Alexine to join them.
Gusto lang makita ni Jun na masaya ang matalik niyang kaibigan na si Rainier.
He knew how much Rainier had been looking forward to spending time with Alexine. If this summer was going to be their last long vacation before college, Jun wanted his best friend to have memories worth keeping.
That afternoon, Rainier and Alexine met to ride their bicycles to Alexine's home.
For the first time, Rainier would finally see how Alexine lived with her family and younger siblings.
They rode slowly along the narrow provincial road.
The afternoon sun was warm, but the breeze coming from the rice fields made the ride comfortable. Grass swayed gently beside them, and somewhere in the distance, a farmer was calling his carabao.
Alexine's home soon appeared ahead of them.
It was a simple house made of bamboo and nipa, surrounded by a small garden and several fruit trees. Beyond it stretched endless rice fields, their green leaves shimmering beneath the sunlight.
Rainier slowed his bicycle.
He looked at the house.
This was where she grew up.
This was where she woke up every morning.
This was where she helped her family, studied, worked, dreamed, and quietly carried responsibilities that most people their age never had to think about.
Something about seeing it made his chest feel strangely warm.
"Jun is inviting me to go with your small party," Alexine said.
"It would be fun. What do you think?"
She looked at Rainier, waiting for his recommendation.
Honestly, Alexine felt conscious around wealthy kids, especially the Zamora family.
She knew Jun was her childhood friend. She knew his family had always treated her kindly. Still, there were moments when she couldn't help but compare herself to them.
