Months have passed since I was transported into what may be the Philippines in the 1800s, and I have not been sleeping well since then. Even the slightest rustle awakens me, fearing the real daughter of Ana will arrive and expose me as an impostor who took advantage of her family friend's graces and took her place in this Escuela Pia. She and Segunda's family might even think I am a tulisanes out to steal from them and have me incarcerated.

Even waking up in the morning is a pain, for I found myself not wanting these to be just a beautiful dream. Then again, no one can tell me that the murmurs I hear coming out of Segunda's mouth when she was asleep, the smell of the freshly cooked tuyo and sinangag served in our quarters, and the touch of Segunda's hair whenever I help her fix it were all just figments of my imagination.

It is also impossible that I only made up what transpired on the day that we traveled to the Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepción de la Concordia, days after I had first set foot in this era. I could vividly recall Segunda's shivers and her grateful smile as I locked her in an embrace and shielded her from getting her clothes ripped open by a group of men who we unfortunately got at the mercy of along our way to the Colegio.

Escaped tulisanes, they say, and they were on their way to raid a nearby town. We just so happened to get in their way before the guardia civil stopped them and saved us. Segunda asked the cochero not to go back to not make her mother worry, and because of that, she warmed up to me and I believe she learned to trust me as well.

Segunda started referring to me as her amiga and started fondly calling me just "Kaye", and I felt like we had each other's back since then. So, no one can blame me for not wanting to think that everything that happened was just a dream. My heart believes all of these to be real.

*****

Segunda looked sideways before holding her skirt with two hands, skipping two steps with every stride, her anticipation apparent as she careened down the stairs with a smile. She eventually let go of her skirt and smoothed it out as soon as she got down the last step, with me tailing her far behind.

"Move faster, Kaye! Do not be like a tortoise!"

I tried to catch my breath as I got down the last step, holding the banister for dear life.

"What's the rush, anyway? He isn't even the person you're engaged with," I said mindlessly as I held my chest with my right hand, still not letting go of the banister.

Segunda scowled but chose not to answer because we both knew that I was right—she was already engaged to Manuel Luz, a relative, and it was a matter of time before the wedding ceremonies were held.

I did not intend to tell her off like that, though, because I knew how she always looked forward to Pepe's visits. She could not even say Pepe's name without blushing, and I could always see the spark in her eyes whenever he was around. I looked at the back of her camisa as she walked down the hallway, eager to get outside the building, where visitors were allowed.

Finally, we saw a young man leaning on a pillar, his shoulders poised, as if to make him look larger than he really was. However, this was in vain, as his slightly oversized camisa chino made him look smaller instead. A young lady who looked slightly older than him stood beside him, her body tense from what I could tell was a failed attempt to stifle her laughter.

"Ipia!" Segunda called as soon as we got near enough for them to notice us. "And S-Señor P-Pepe."

I raised my left eyebrow as I marveled at how Segunda became more coy when Pepe was around, but I can relate to her. I must admit that I feel self-conscious and uneasy as well whenever we see Pepe. I could not help but think that he was not looking at Segunda, but at me.

There was even this one time when he was asked to draw Segunda, and the finished portrait bore a closer resemblance to me. I think they noticed that, too, but they brushed off the slight difference as artistic freedom. To be fair, Segunda and I really do look alike, and we were often mistaken for each other at the Colegio.

"Mi amigas," Olimpia, or Ipia as we endearingly call her, beamed with an impish grin on her face. "My brother now seems to want to have a novia. Look, he even brought some roses."

"Do not listen to her teasing," Pepe said as the red on his cheeks reached his neck and ears. Pepe bowed down and revealed two white roses from his hatband, handing them over to Segunda and me at the same time.

"If I may, please accept my gifts. It is a sign of my appreciation of our growing cordiality," Pepe said with a smile.

"T-thank you, S-Señor P-Pepe. I will keep this rose for the rest of my life," she said giddily as she received her rose, closing her eyes as soon as she placed its tip on her nose to take in its fragrance. I tried not to look too eager, but my heart skipped a beat as I took the rose from him, and our fingers brushed against each other while doing so.

"Pepe and I appreciate the amity we have all shared. We find it a delight to have you around."

"Si, si! She is indeed a pleasant sight to be around," Pepe said while nodding. He was facing Segunda, but I swear I could feel him looking at me from the corner of his eye. "A lady had never enchanted and allured me like this before."

I always knew that Segunda found Pepe swoon-worthy, as expected of the hero who was reputed to be a ladies' man. Ipia and I just shook our heads as we looked at him and Segunda flirted, but I felt my heart ache as I watched them, as if wanting that much attention from him to myself. As much as I hate to admit it, I also found myself captivated by his charms, and I also looked forward to seeing him as much as Segunda did, probably even more eager.

The bells rang and Pepe and Ipia bid us goodbye as we parted ways after praying to the Angelus.

"If I may be so bold, amiga, you do not wish to be Pepe's novia ... Do you?" Segunda said firmly as we prepared for bed.

Of course, I knew what she expected me to say. "No way! I just saw him as a friend," I said, which pleased her.

"Muy bien," Segunda said as she tucked herself under her covers.

"Just know that I value our friendship more than anything," I replied. Segunda did not answer, but I heard her murmurs moments later. I smiled while looking at her sleeping face. I am so thankful that I got to know her.

"Good night, Segunda," I said as I tucked myself to sleep.