"Are you sure about that Nevi? I mean— you're graduate and soon to be the heiress of Falkin Group. You don't need to enter a school again."
I shrugged my shoulders and crossed my arms. Thalia's right.. but wrong. Why can't she understand what I'm saying.
"You're smart but slow." I commented.
Napasimangot naman siya, "Ikaw kaya ang hindi nakakaintindi. I mean, Atticus is handsome, hot, and heck! His body structure is damn! How can you distase that? Tell me! How?" she shrieked.
Thalia, the daughter of a successful business tycoon is head over heels with that man.
"Thally, he's hot but he's not my type. I don't like boys in engineering. I like boys in education."
"A nerd? Come on!"
Napangisi naman ako, "I don't like nerds Thally."
Kumuha siya ng unan na nasa kama ko at niyakap ito ng puno ng panggigigil.
"So? Ano plano mo?"
Plans? Oh yes. My plans.
"Pupunta ako bukas sa La Cuesa, I'm gonna use chopper para mas madali ang pag punta d'on."
Nanlake naman ang mga mata niya sa narinig, "What! La Cuesa? Sa lumang bahay ng lola mo? Don't tell me–"
She didn't finish her words when she recieve a 'yes' look at me. Mas lalong lumake ang mata niyang nakatingin sa'kin.
"No way! You're not gonna do that. Alam ba 'to ng mommy mo?"
Umiling naman ako, "Ang alam niya lang ay magbabakasyon ako dito sa Pinas to clear off my mind before the wedding."
I'm in arranged marraige with a man who I just met in a family gatherings. He doesn't like me so do I either. I never had created a plan in my whole life because I always depends on my family not until...
"Mom?"
"Come here."
I followed what she says to me. Pumunta ako malapit sa kanya, may kinuha siya sa bag niyang isang picture ng lalake at ipinakita ito sa akin.
"What's this?" I asked and get the picture. I look at the printed man. His dark blue eyes were shouting coldness. His face was perfectly defined. And his hair, fashionable brown hair. I remember him. I shook my head and stop looking at the details of his face. I faced my mom.
"What is it?" I ask. I think I know where this conversation were going.
"I told you last month that if you won't have a man to marry with. You'll be forced to marry someone."
Napa-iwas kaagad ako ng tingin sa kanya. I didn't gave her the reaction she wants to receive. Dahan dahan akong napatango.
"Okay."
I always put in my mind the quotes 'parents knows the best for their children'. That's why, noong bata ako ay hindi ako nag-aaral sa mga Universities sa labas. I did not argu. I have my private teacher since kinder until college. Home schooled ako. I'm not fond on approaching people. I just considered Thalia as my friend because she once saved me from a forthcoming truck.
"Nevs, hindi ba pwedeng ma-move ang sched ng pag-alis mo? I want to come with you too! 'Kainis naman, may family gatherings kami this whole week. Pupunta kaming Palawan. 'Kainis talaga!"
Napailing naman ako sa pagwawala niya, "Pwede ka namang huwag ng sumama. Apat na buwan lang ako d'on–"
"No way! Susunod ako doon Neviah! Chopper nalang din ako para hindi matagal ang pag kakarating ko d'on."
I think I can't change Thalia's mind so I just nod. I made sure that no one knows my plan on leaving the house. Mom trust me so I knew she didn't hire people to look after me. Wearing my simple floral dress paired with a flat sandals, I get out of the house. Na una ng ipadala doon ang mga damit at mga kakailanganin ko kaya wala ng sagabal sa chopper na sasakyan ko.
"Ma'am, this way."
Sumunod naman agad ako. Malayo pa lang, kita ko na ang private chopper namin na pagsasakyan namin papunta d'on. I wear my black vintage sunglasses before accepting Dominico's hand, saka umupo sa front seat. Inayos ko ang seat belt ko hanggang sa maging komportable na ako sa inu-upuan ko. Si Dominico ay isa sa mga magpapalipad ng chopper kaya katabi ko siya. Sa likod ay ang apat kong bodyguard na pinasama ko. Until we're flying in the mid air papuntang La Cuesa.
Agad akong bumaba nang makarating sa pupuntahan namin. Napatingin ako sa mga bukid sa harap. The view from here is completely amazing. I can feel and breathe fresh air here than the cities. I looked at the house where I'm staying. The big old vintage house is shouting for it's class and elegance. Malayo ang bahay na ito sa mga bahay na pinagtugpi tugpi sa labas. You need to ride a vehicles to reach this place.
Inayos ko muna ang sunglasses ko bago pumasok sa loob. I look at the sorroundings. Maluma na ang bahay na ito pero every after two years ay piare-renovate ito nila mom. Kaya hindi mo makikitaan ng ebidensiya ng kalumaan ang bahay na ito. You can see lots of antiques inside. Dumeritso ako sa taas kung saan matatagpuan ang silid na nakadesinyo para sa'kin.
Pagkapasok ko ay hindi na ako nagulat na wala man lang nag bago sa ayos ko dito eight years ago. Pinalinis ko ito kahapon pero mabuti naman at wala man lang nagalaw sa mga picture frame at mga antiques na niregalo ni lola-tita sa'kin. I'll be fumed in anger if they touch my things. I go straight to my antique mirror na regalo ni lolo sa'kin na galing pang Europe. The thorns that well scalptured on the woods of the mirrors were still beautiful in my eyes. Hindi nakakasawa.
Kinuha ko ang hairbrush na nasa loob ng maliit na aparador nitong salamin at saka umupo sa upuan kaharap ng salamin at nagsimulang suklayin ang mahaba kong alun-alon na kulay-kapeng buhok. Matapos ay binalik ko ito sa loob at tiningnan ang repleksiyon ko sa salamin.
'Tomorrow, I am going to a school where I can find him. The man I've been searching for four years. The man who can ace my accessories.'
