"You're my betrothed." "Naliligaw ka, Miss." Inis na isasara ko na sana yung pinto ng humarang sya doon. "I don't think so. You're Terry Alcatraz right?" Terry has never been terrified all her life, ngayon lang. As she is now standing infront of a Goddess in the form of this woman with 5'10 height, pinkish white skin na hindi yata sanay sa araw, ash gray hair, at yung malalamlam na mga mata na akala mo laging inaantok. Am I still dreaming? "Sino ka ba?" "I'm your betrothed." Hay nako. May baliw na naman na naligaw. I pity her. Maganda nga. Baliw naman. "You got it wrong. Babae ako, Miss." Tsk. Bibigyan ka na nga lang din ng kapareha. Babae pa na mas maganda sayo at may saltik sa utak. Where's justice? "No. I'm in the right place. We're engaged." "Baliw ka ba?" Asar na tanong ko na sa kanya. Nauubos na ang pasensya ko dahil inaantok pa ko. Nagtatakang tiningnan ako ng mga matang kulay tsokolate na iyon. "Me?" Hinagod pa ako nito ng tingin mula ulo hanggang paa. "Shit, why am I trapped with you? I wonder. I could have atleast chose a better one. My toenails is way more appealing than you!" Ano daw? Sa sobrang inis ko ay hindi ko napigilang hubarin ang suot kong house slippers at batuhin sya niyon. Sino ba naman ang hindi maiinis? Kagigising mo lang ay may kakatok na sa tapat ng pintuan nyo para lang mangtrip. Pagkatapos sasabayan pa ng panglalait. Tila naman umurong lahat ng tapang ko ng mag angat ng tingin mula sa tsinelas na tumama sa pisngi nito ang babaeng iyon na may pares ng kulay tsokolateng mata. She gave me a chillin' smile pagkatapos ay dinampot ang tsinelas ko saka ubod ng lakas na binato din sakin yung tsinelas ko. Fudge! My pretty face! "There, we're quits. That's what engaged people do. They give and take." pagkatapos ay ngumiti ng pagkatamis tamis na akala mo santita. "Hmm. Bakit parang mas maganda pa sayo yung slippers mo? You could have bought a face too." Ano daw? Papatayin ko talaga tong baliw na babaeng ito. ***

Written in Taglish • Slow-burn troupe • Haciendera x CEO

AA & Riri

Herrera X Del Valle

A first-year student from a small farm in the province receives a scholarship to a prestigious academy in Manila. Eager but overwhelmed by the big city and new environment, she meets a brilliant, young professor who is not only talented but also the heart of the academy. As the professor guides her through the challenges of academic life, the student finds herself confused by her feelings-unsure whether it's admiration and friendship, or if she's truly falling in love with this remarkable woman.

"I'm just your musician, Viya - I'm not chosen to be your partner in life" ~ riss alea

Amara Zarienne Martinez is a transfer student who topped the scholarship exam with beauty and brains, is what she'd like to say. She may have the brains, but she does not have the confidence to call herself a beauty. Born with the need to wear glasses, she's worn them her whole life, making her insecure about her appearance. Yukiharu Astrid Villafuerte is a top student beaming with confidence from head to toe. Known for being cold and distant to everyone, she has always come off as nonchalant, but is she really? What do you think will happen when two people with different views cross paths with each other? Will they despise each other every encounter? or will they come to love another and find the beauty within? Date Started: April 26, 2024