Kronack Crown

Prologue

"PASENSYA na, hija, pero kailangan mo nang umalis sa bahay na 'to. Naipagbili ko na ang lupa sa isang businessman at pagtatayuan nila ng resort ang lugar," saad ng may-ari ng lupa na kinatatayuan ng bahay na naging tahanan na ni Kalisz sa nakalipas na tatlong taon.

Tumango siya. "Naiintindihan ko po. Salamat sa maagang paalala at pagbibigay sa akin ng isang buwan na palugit para makalipat ng bagong titirahan."

"Kung gusto mo, hija, may mga kaibigan akong nagpaparenta ng apartment sa siyudad. Pwede kong iwan sa 'yo ang numero nila para makapagtanong ka," suhestisyon nito.

"Hindi na po. May kaibigan po akong pwedeng hingan ng tulong sa paglipat," sagot niya na may kasamang pag-iling.

"Gano'n ba... Oh, siya, tawagan mo na lang ako 'pag aalis ka na, huh?" paalam nito.

"Opo."

Kalisz didn't feel bad that the owner sold the land, but a part of her was sad. The house has become a part of her. Leaving it and knowing it would be demolished saddened her.

This place was beautiful; no doubt it was sold quickly. It offered her the peace she wanted, the comfort, and it made her sad to leave. But she couldn't do something about it. She didn't have enough money to purchase the land.

"Hmm... What to do? What to do?" bulong niya sa sarili.

Ilang sandali pa siyang nakaupo sa bangko sa tapat ng bahay niya habang pinapanood ang alon ng dagat at nag-iisip nang magpasya siyang tawagan ang kaibigan na alam niyang matutulungan siya.

Kalisz took her phone from her oversized jeans' pocket and dialed her friend's number. It rang a few times before a soft, sweet voice answered the call.

"Hey, sweet Kalisz... You surprised me. This is the first time you called me first. Is everything okay?" salubong sa kanya ni Auri.

Napangiti si Kalisz sa sinabi ng kaibigan. Indeed, it was true that this was the first time she called Auri first. It's usually her friend who rang her first.

Kalisz sighed before answering, "Well, not so much..."

"Huh? What do you mean? What happened?" nag-aalalang tanong nito.

"Well..." Kalisz hesitated. ''I- I... kind of need your help to find me a new place to live. Somewhere cheap and affordable," nahihiya niyang sagot dito. "Binenta na kasi yung lupa kung saan ako nakatira, and I have one month to abandon the place," Kalisz informed Auri.

Kalisz heard Auri sigh.

"You know... you don't have to feel embarrassed about asking me if you need help. I promised you, right? I'll help you anytime," Auri said after sensing the hesitation in her voice.

Alam niya na tutulungan siya ng kaibigan. Para kasi rito ay malaki ang utang na loob nito sa kanya, pero sa panig ni Kalisz, wala lang yung pagtulong niya kay Auri noon. She helped her because she wanted and needed to. Subalit mukhang malaking bagay para sa babae ang pagtulong niya rito.

"So... you need a new place to live?"

"Uhm yeah..." Kalisz replied in a low voice. "Preferably outside the noisy and polluted place of Manila or other big cities around the Philippines. You know, I kind of prefer a quiet place away from populous cities." She sighed, feeling the loss of something valuable to her. "I would love a place like here."

Auri hummed from the other line, probably thinking hard if she had a place to offer. Alam ni Kalisz na medyo mahihirapan itong hanapan siya dahil kilala niya ang babae bilang city girl. Hindi nga niya alam kung paano 'to nakatagal ng tatlong buwan sa bahay niya.