"Another visitor?" Kuya asked as the doorbell suddenly rang outside the house. We had just finished snacks, and my friends had just left.

"Let me, Aling Nita," I said to the old woman as she was about to step outside to check on the person at the door. I walked out and opened the gate for Sir Zade's car, then followed it until he parked in the garage of the house.

When he emerged from the car, he gave me a slight smile. "Is there someone inside with you?" he asked.

I nodded before inquiring, "Why are you here?"

"Your parents mentioned you've been secluded in your room. I thought of dropping by in case you're unwell," he answered with a shrug. "I'm just concerned as your fiancé."

"Thank you, Sir," I replied.

"Don't call me Sir outside of school," he said. "Come inside, we have much to discuss." He headed straight to the front of the house, and I followed him. "By the way, who is your visitor?" I was about to respond when he opened the door.

He seemed taken aback momentarily before turning to me. "Ate and Kuya are my guests... Zade," I informed him.

Moving ahead, I approached Ate Grapes. I noticed her tensed fist while staring at Zade. Did she harbor a grudge against him?

"Bro!" Kuya Mark called out to Zade, walking over for a fist bump. "It's been a while. I heard you've become a teacher now." Kuya Mark glanced at Ate Grapes. "Imagine, leaving the girl you love and now having to marry her sister," he said jestingly.

"Kuya," nagbabantang tawag ni Ate Grapes sa kaniya. Tumayo si Ate Grapes bago naglakad palayo nang walang paalam.

Kuya patted Zade's shoulder. "My little sister still cares for you. Make wise decisions in life. I don't want Grapes to suffer any longer," Kuya stated seriously before following Ate.

Zade and I sat in silence after they left the living room. I waited for him to speak, but his thoughts appeared to be elsewhere.

"Zade..." I called out to him since he mentioned we had much to discuss. "Let's begin our conversation."

"Your Ate Grapes..." He began. "Is she still the same?"

"What do you mean?" I inquired.

"Is she still the girl who adores purple, dislikes sweet foods, avoids studying and dreaming to avoid disappointment, speaks assertively to your parents, defends you but not herself, and holds resentment towards me for everything I said and did to her?"

"Ang dami mong alam sa kaniya," nakangiti kong sinabi.

"Because I believe that if you love someone, even after you've been apart for a long time, their likes and dislikes are still imprinted in your heart and mind," he expressed.

"I aspire to be loved and understood like Ate Grapes," I stated.

"Alright, let's focus on the two of us," he redirected the conversation. "In school, let's maintain the student-teacher dynamic. With our parents, let's portray the desired image. It's that straightforward."

"Can I share this with my friends?"

"If you wish to, go ahead," he replied. "I just prefer not to publicize our arranged marriage throughout the whole school. Such a relationship between student and teacher is against the rules."

Zade and I delved into discussions about arranged marriage. I can't help but feel sorry for both of us as we approach marriage. It's ironic – desiring someone else but ending up marrying each other.

"Here's a candid question and answer, Aphle," he began. "Do you wish to marry me?"

I shook my head. "I have feelings for someone else, Zade," I admitted honestly.

He nodded. "No need to worry, if you ever choose to marry me, I'll treat you with respect. I'll cherish you as my wife, regardless of your feelings towards me."

"Ako rin. Ita-try kong mahalin ka kung sakali mang maikasal tayo sa isa't-isa."

That's where Zade and I concluded our conversation. He promptly departed, aware that Ate Grapes wouldn't exit the room while he was in the house.

As night fell, we, as siblings, shared a meal together. They mentioned that they would return home early the next morning as they hadn't brought anything with them. I glanced at Ate Grapes, noticing her quiet demeanor.

"Mahal mo pa?" I was taken aback when Kuya Mark suddenly posed that question while gazing at Ate Grapes. I was unsure if his question was meant as a joke.

Ate Grapes glared at him. "Ikaw? Mahal mo pa si Claudine?" Balik-tanong ni Ate kay Kuya.

I furrowed my brow as I recalled hearing the name Claudine before. I believe I heard that name from Sovie, if my memory serves me right. Interestingly, that is also the name of the girl whom Kuya Zhack has liked for a long time. Could it be that the Claudine mentioned by Ate Grapes is the same person as the one Kuya Zhack has feelings for?

Because of Ate's question, Kuya became silent. Mahal pa, halata naman.

***
The first day of school finally arrived. We observed changes in our classmates; some had changed schools, while others had ceased their studies. We also welcomed three new transfer students.

As it was only the first day, the focus was on self-introductions. I had prepared in advance for some subjects, so I was ready when other teachers posed questions. This seemed to be the approach of other teachers as well – no prior warning. Even on the first day, a brief discussion took place.

During the break, Sovie and I headed to the canteen together. Upon arrival, we spotted Kuya Zhack and the others. Yhael appeared reserved, while Janser and Daniel engaged in light-hearted teasing. "Hello, Kuya!" bati ni Sovie kay Kuya Zhack. Instead of looking at his sister, he immediately looked at me.

Sovie sat next to Daniel and hit the man to stop teasing Yhael because Yhael didn't seem happy. "Bakit niyo inaasar si Kuya Yhael?" tanong niya sa lalaki.

I sat next to Yhael. He gave me the plate of carbonara that I always order here at the canteen.

"Tanungin mo kaya 'yan si Yhael," natatawang sagot ni Janser. "Sino nga ulit 'yung kaklase natin, Yhael?" Nang-aasar nitong tanong.

Confused, I turned to Yhael. He shook his head at me like a puppy. "Sino?" tanong ko.

He sighed before answering. "Si Ashla."

"Sino si Ashla?" Sabay naming tanong ni Sovie.

"Naalala niyo 'yung kinukwento namin na first love ni Yhael?" tanong ni Janser. "Siya 'yon. Si Ashla."

I nodded before shifting my gaze to Yhael. I offered him a smile as he didn't appear pleased upon hearing the name of his first love. "Are you glad to see her again?" I inquired. There's nothing amiss in him acknowledging his happiness. I won't be upset or sullen about it.

I do like Yhael. However, my feelings for him don't provoke jealousy in me.

Tumango siya. "Masaya ako dahil nakita ko na ulit 'yung una kong kaibigan. Pero hanggang doon na lang ang pagkakatuwa ko. Sinabi ko naman sa 'yo na hindi ko na gusto 'yon," aniya.

Nakangiti akong tumango. "Hindi naman kita aasarin e." Sambit ko.

Sovie redirected the conversation as she was unaware of Yhael's past. I simply ate while Sovie vented about our subjects. "Pangalan pa lang ng subject, parang gusto ko na lang maglaho," aniya.

"General Biology namin 'yung adviser niyo rati," sinabi ni Daniel.

"Ang alam namin siya ang UCSP namin," ani Sovie. "Sana siya nga. Ang bait niya kasi."

I was quietly eating when the canteen door suddenly opened, and a familiar figure walked in. Sir Zade immediately locked eyes with me. He glanced at his phone, prompting me to do the same with mine. I noticed Sir Zade's name in my notifications. Quickly, I lowered the brightness since Yhael was next to me.

Zade
Go to canteen. Eat breakfast. I'll see you there.

I glanced at Sir Zade. He simply nodded in my direction before exiting the canteen. The five men with us were taken aback when a beautiful woman walked in. Could it be her?

Her gaze shifted towards our table, and I noticed her eyes brighten upon seeing Yhael. However, her expression shifted to sadness when she noticed me. She then headed to the counter, appearing to be alone.

I turned to Yhael, who quickly averted his gaze from the girl. It seemed like he didn't want me to catch him staring at his first love. "Samahan mo," nang-aasar kong sinabi.

He glared at me, then tousled my hair and moved my chair even closer to his. Feeling unsettled, I took a sip of water as my appetite suddenly waned.

Later, I noticed the woman standing beside me. Ashla. "Hello," she greeted me with a sweet smile.

"Hi!" masigla kong sinabi.

"Uhm... pwedeng maki-share ng table? Puno na kasi 'yung ibang table," sinabi niya.

I observed Daniel and the others who were at a loss for words. That's why I responded to Ashla. She seemed pitiful, being smaller than me but carrying more food. "Uhm, pwede naman—"

"Wala ng upuan, Aphle," pagputol sa akin ni Sovie.

I surveyed our table, which was only suitable for the seven of us. Ashla had nowhere to sit.

As I had finished my meal and planned to study inside the room, I stood up. "You can stay at my spot. I'm done eating," I informed the woman with a smile. Her grin broadened as she set down the food she had been carrying on the table.

"Aphle," seryosong tawag sa akin ni Yhael. "Hindi pa ubos ang pagkain mo. Upo."

"Busog na ako," sinabi ko. "Babalik na lang ako sa room kasi kailangan ko pang mag basa-basa nung mga dala kong reviewer."

I was surprised when he suddenly stood up and adjusted his chair. "Ihahatid kita," sinabi niya.

"Ha? Hindi na. Ayos lang—"

"Hindi kita ihahatid kung mananatili ka rito hanggang sa matapos ang breaktime," putol niya sa akin. Bumaling siya kina Kuya Zhack nang hindi ako magsalita. "Ihahatid ko na si Aphle. Daniel, hatid mo na lang mamaya si Sovie."

Pagkasabi niya ay kaagad niyang hinawakan ang kamay ko paalis doon.

I shifted my gaze to Ashla, who stood there watching as Yhael held my hand.

Upon leaving the canteen, I withdrew my hand from Yhael's grasp. He halted his steps and turned to me. "You could have stayed there," I remarked.

He rubbed the bridge of his nose before stating, "And leave you to return to your room alone? I can't do that."

"Nandoon si Ashla," bulong ko.

"Pero nandito ka," mahina niya ring sinabi. "Kung nasaan ka, dapat nandoon din ako."

-iamlunamoon