Zyron's POV;

Khryzette, that's her name. Name of the girl I want to marry since she stepped into the classroom.

We were seated next to each other in the classroom. It was our first meeting, and I already sensed that she's not easy to get along with. My intuition was correct as she frequently gets into fights.

Hindi niya hinahayaan ang sarili na hindi makaganti sa taong nanakit sa kaniya. Pero nababasa kong hindi naman talaga siya ganoon. Napapaisip tuloy ako. Paano siya pinalaki ng mga magulang niya? Hindi ba siya nagagabayan ng mga ito? Kasi hindi naman magiging ganito si Khryzette kung minahal nila ng lubos. Kung binibigyan nila ng buong atensyon. Na siyang ginagawa sa akin ng buo kong pamilya.

When I was younger, my aunts always viewed me as a good role model for their children. I tried to ignore their comparisons, especially when they compared me to their own kids.

One of them is Arden. During family reunions, the entire family tends to compare him to me. I understand why he might resent me for that, but it's unfair for him to be upset with me because I'm not his parent. Another cousin, Zabrinah, is also frequently placed in comparison with me. However, she chooses to disregard it because she isn't bothered. What matters to Zabrinah is our cousin relationship. Being the only children of our respective parents, we have always had a close bond since childhood.

Hindi lang maiiwasan na pagkamalan kaming magkarelasyon minsan kapag sabay kaming naglalakad sa public place. Lalo na kapag tumatawa si Zabrinah, nakakakuha siya ng maraming atensyon mula sa iba dahil sa malakas niyang tawa.

We attended the same school and were occasionally classmates. However, we have now parted ways as we enter Senior High. Her parents relocated her to another area. Despite the distance, we can still communicate when we're free, even through our cell phones. I prefer texting over calls.

Zabrinah Celes Paldez
Hiii, Couz!! Boring now, luwas ka rito!!

May 3 days camp kami bukas. Tutulog na ako.

Zabrinah Celes Paldez
Ahhh sige!! Pabayaan mo na lang ako rito magtampo

Sino ka ba para suyuin ko?

Zabrinah Celes Paldez
Pinsan mo lang naman 🙂
Pero sige, dahil understanding naman akong person, matulog ka na. Unahin mo 'yang Khryzette mo. Parang ang laki ng ambag niyan sa childhood mo ☺️☺️

She's coming to the attic, plastic.
Go back to being plastic.

Zabrinah Celes Paldez
Haluhh, marunong ka pa lang kumanta. Parinig nga 😍😍

Ayoko. Sino ka ba?

Seen 1 minute ago.

Natulog na lang ako nang i-seen niya lang. Marami naman siyang kaibigan pero ang hilig akong guluhin. Porket alam niyang kaya ko siyang puntahan kung nasaan man siya.

The following day, I was the first to arrive at school to organize the bus numbers. I noticed that the other numbers had not been affixed as the other teacher was occupied. Approaching them, a Humss teacher promptly instructed me to attach the bus numbers to the headrest of each seat.

I picked up the unattached numbers and retrieved the list containing the names and corresponding seat numbers of my classmates. Planning to follow the list alphabetically, I came across Khryzette's name beside her assigned seat number.

Deliberately seeking out both our numbers, I placed them next to each other randomly to avoid suspicion that I intentionally placed them together.

Upon securing all the seat numbers, I exited the bus. My classmates arrived one by one, storing their belongings in the bus compartment. Even though our camp lasted only three days, they brought gear as if they were staying for three years.

"Ang section na may kumpleto nang mga kaklase, pumasok na kayo sa mga bus niyo para makaalis na ang bus!" Malakas na anunsyo ng isang guro.

Some students boarded the bus noisily. I glanced at my classmates who were standing, clearly eager to find a seat. I shifted my attention to Criziwine, who was usually accompanied by Khryzette. Since Khryzette hadn't arrived yet, I decided to check the attendance to see who else was absent.

"Pres, hindi pa tayo papasok sa bus?" tanong ni January.

Tumingin ako sa gate ng school, nagbabakasakaling papasok na ng school ang sasakyan ng Dad ni Khryzette. Umiling ako sa mga kaklase ko. "Kailangan kumpleto tayo. Kapag pumasok tayo sa bus, aalis na 'yan dahil kumpleto na ang Humss," sagot ko.

"Pasok na tayo, Zyron," sambit ni Maya. "Sino pa ba kasing wala?"

"Si Khryzette," I replied.

Umirap siya sa kawalan. "Chat niyo nga sa group chat. Sabihin niyo, hindi siya VIP para hintayin natin nang pagkatagal-tagal," ani Maya.

"Pres, una na kaya tayo, 'wag na natin hintayin si Khryzette. Masyado siyang pa-VIP. Syaka baka mang-away lang siya roon," sinabi ng isa.

I gazed at them all with seriousness. "As the SSG President and your class president, I hold responsibility for each one of you. If Khryzette doesn't arrive within the next ten minutes, I will message her not to come," I announced. "We must wait for her to acknowledge my message before departing. I'm concerned that she might have unexpectedly joined us without informing anyone. It is my duty to ensure her safety in case of any unfortunate events."

They fell silent, none daring to defy my instructions. With just two minutes remaining, a car pulled into the school premises. I gasped as I recognized it to be Khryzette's father's car. She emerged from the back seat, seemingly unaware of being late for the designated time.

As she approached us, she noticed her parents trailing behind. I observed the two of them closely, feeling a mix of unease and happiness. It appeared that her parents cared for her well. I recalled having a conversation with her father once in the waiting shed. Perhaps she inherited her assertiveness and bravery from her mother. I recalled a time when her mother rushed into the classroom in anger after being mistreated by fellow students.

After bidding farewell to her parents, Khryzette joined us. Being the smallest in our group, she stand in the front, behind me as I took the lead. Upon boarding the bus, I promptly settled in the seat beside Khryzette. I couldn't help but chuckle as I noticed her irritation at our adjacent seats. Once everyone was seated, the bus set off. Khryzette gazed out the window, observing the passing scenery.

After a stopover to purchase food, I occupied myself by scrolling through my cell phone. I felt Khryzette's head rest lightly on my shoulder as she drifted off to sleep. I paused what I'm doing and gazed at her, now in a peaceful sleep.

Shifting to face her, I cradled her head against my chest and ran my fingers through her hair gently to prevent any disturbance. January and Criziwine turned their attention towards us, and I deliberately placed their seat numbers together. They exchanged secretive smiles before alternating glances between Khryzette and me.

"Pres, may nakapagsabi na ba sa 'yo na magkamukha kayo ni Krizzy?" tanong ni Criziwine. Hindi ako umimik. "Tapos may past lover theory akong nababasa. Na kapag magkamukha kayo nung tao, ibig sabihin soulmate kayo!"

"Anong soulmate pinagsasasabi mo riyan?" takang tanong ni January. "Sabi nga nila, may pitong tao tayong kamukha sa buong mundo. Baka gano'n sila. Hindi sila soulmate."

"Palibhasa, hindi tayo magkamukha," irap ni Criziwine. Bumalik ang atensyon niya sa akin. "Pero totoo talaga 'yon, Pres."

I chuckled softly before shaking my head.

I gently held Khryzette's hand, intertwining our fingers. I embraced her as if she belonged to me. At school, I find myself frequently gazing at her hands. For some reason, I have developed a fascination for them.

I retrieved my cellphone from my pocket and captured a photo of Khryzette and my intertwined hands. I also took a picture of her resting on my chest while asleep. I saved these images to her album in my gallery.

Kaagad ko naman siyang ginising nang makarating kami sa camp site, pero lalakad pa kami papunta sa mismong lolasyon. Kinuha ko ang bag ni Khryzette at ako na ang nagdala.

Upon our arrival at the campsite, I noticed a change in her behavior towards me. It was as if she wasn't the same Khryzette I knew. The Khryzette I was familiar with would always irk me for no apparent reason. She frequently teased Maya, so I understood why she behaved that way towards me. It seemed like she was pretending we were in a relationship just to teased Maya.

I warned her to cease her actions, stating that if she persisted, I would make her my real girlfriend. When our classmates inquired about the nature of Khryzette's and my relationship, I played along with Khryzette's wishes.

Throughout the three-day camping trip, not a day passed without Khryzette and Maya engaging in disputes. Despite Khryzette's occasional wrongdoings, as she retaliated against Maya's provocations, I found myself naturally siding with her. In private moments between us, I would advise her not to confront Maya physically. However, Khryzette wouldn't be herself if she didn't push back.

"Bakit ba palagi na lang ako ang pinagagalitan mo? Dapat si Maya e!" sigaw niya sa akin nang pumasok kami sa tent.

Once again, she and Maya got into a heated altercation while doing laundry at the waterfall, an activity they engaged in. It didn't come as a shock when Maesi contacted me to report the ongoing fight between the two. Upon arriving at the scene, I witnessed Khryzette nearly submerging Maya in the water. She was so relentless that no one could intervene to stop her.

"What you did was wrong, Khryzette," I said calmly.

"I was wrong?! Sino ba ang nanguna? Siya naman e. Bakit palaging ako?!" galit niyang sigaw.

"Hindi mo dapat kasi 'yon pinapatulan. Mas ibinababa mo lang ang sarili mo sa pakikipag-away," mariin kong sinabi.

"Ayaw ko ngang na-aagrabyado ay nagmumukha akong mahina! Hindi mo ba maintindihan 'yon?!" sigaw niya.

"You can reach out to me whenever she says something hurtful. Fighting isn't always the solution to resolve your conflicts," I stated firmly.

This was a self-imposed rule I enacted when we entered grade 12 and my cousin Arden transferred to the same school that I attended, even ending up in my section. His words affected me deeply. It was acceptable to compete with me, but involving Khryzette in the conversation was a different matter.

Observing Arden and Khryzette eating together filled me with agitation. Their closeness often led to quarrels involving Khryzette. Other students believed I was covering up Khryzette's misconduct. They assumed that Khryzette had deceived me and replaced me with my cousin. I had not anticipated that our fabricated relationship would become a topic of discussion throughout the school.

Before Khryzette and Arden's relationship intensified, I confessed my feelings. The daily encounters at school became unbearable for me. Witnessing them together felt like a torment. Fortunately, Khryzette deterred me. Her parents even consented to my courtship, albeit within the confines of their home.

I visited Khryzette's house almost daily to court her, enduring her occasional rudeness without complaint. I remained steadfast in my affections for her, prioritizing her presence, observing her, and demonstrating my love. I strived to dispel any doubts she might have about my intentions.

On my route to her residence, I never failed to stop by the flower shop to purchase red roses for Khryzette. Although she never requested this gesture, I aimed to build a collection that would remind her of me even in my absence. I endeavored to fill her room with red roses, ensuring she would always recall me.

I resolved not to allow her to move on from our relationship, as I knew I would struggle to move on from her. Upon formalizing our relationship, I intensified my efforts to demonstrate the depth of my affection. I consistently advised her to moderate her coffee intake and reminded her of her schedules to compensate for her forgetfulness. Occasionally, I assisted with her makeup while she ate, employing various methods to express my love. I made every moment count in ensuring she felt valued and cherished.

I executed all these actions to solidify her affection towards me, fearing the prospect of her losing interest. The mere thought of her suddenly leaving me drove me to despair. Waiting for her outside the mall's cosmetic store, I refrained from entering the barbershop to afford her ample time to make decisions without haste. Delighting in waiting for her, the anticipation of her reactions and revelations brought a smile to my face.

However, all moments of happiness must come to an end. I never imagined that the woman I envisioned marrying would turn out to be my twin.

Struggling to come to terms with this revelation, I was summoned by Khryzette's parents one day, which stirred a sense of nervousness within me. Their refusal to permit me to visit their house without Khryzette present was unsettling. Upon encountering both my parents and what seemed to be a girl of similar age, tears were shed as they divulged the truth, presenting me with a DNA test result.

Shocked by this revelation, my thoughts were solely consumed by how Khryzette would react upon learning the truth. "Reinald, call Felicienne," Aunt Lici commanded her husband coldly in an attempt to steady her emotions.

"Ano?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Tito Reinald.

Napatayo na rin ako dahil sinabi ni Tita Lici. "Tita, hindi pwedeng malaman 'to ni Khryzette. Alam niyong masasaktan—"

"Mas maigi na 'yon kaysa lumaki siya sa kasinungalingan!" putol niyang sigaw sa akin. "Matagal na niyang hinahangad na magkaroon ng kapatid na magiging kasangga niya sa lahat, Zyron. Ibibigay ko iyon sa kaniya ngayon."

"But she will be devastated, Aunt Lici. Please, not now. Allow me to break the news to her," I pleaded with my biological mother.

However, she disregarded my pleas and instructed her husband to summon Khryzette and bring her home. Witnessing Khryzette in tears that day was heart-wrenching. She begged in a manner I had never witnessed before, not even directed towards me.

'Yung babaeng iniingatan ko at hindi pinaiyak sa loob ng mga taong magkasama kami. Ngayon, umiiyak siya dahil sa isang katotoohanang magpapabago sa relasyon namin.

I devised a drastic plan to confess the truth. I intended to end the relationship by admitting to cheating on her, hoping she would develop immense hatred towards me. It was clear that our love for each other had diminished. I anticipated that every encounter with me would evoke tears as she reminisced about our time together.

That evening, I chose not to return home. Instead, I opted to stay at Khryzette's residence initially. I felt compelled to monitor her closely, fearful of any actions she might take in her bedroom.

Remaining outside her room, I was pained by the sound of her anguished cries echoing loudly. The sound of objects being hurled within her room intensified my distress. Her weary sobs and harsh exclamations felt like a stab to my heart, causing tears to well up in my eyes in unison with hers.

Kasi iyon naman ang pinangako ko sa aking sarili. Kapag masasaktan siya, masasaktan din ako. Kapag nahihirapan siya, nahihirapan din ako. Kapag umiiyak siya, iiyak din ako.

We shared not only the happiest moments but also the most painful ones. That is what love signifies for us.

Our relationship taught me that not all perfect relationships are enduring. Regardless of how strong a relationship appears, if the individuals involved are not compatible, it will not stand the test of time.

If we are not destined to be together, I will come to terms with that reality. However, it doesn't mean I will erase her from my memory. I will regard her as a sibling, but she will always hold a place in my heart as my girlfriend, my wife, my life.

Before she departed on vacation, we spent several nights together at her home. I was unaware of her intentions as her mother informed me. Initially, I bombarded her with messages but ceased promptly, believing it was her way of moving on from me.

Buti pa siya gumagawa nang paraan para makaahon mula sa aming dalawa. Ako, wala akong ginagawa. Kung makakalimutan ko man ang pagmamahal ko sa kaniya, tadhana na ang gumawa.

"Hi, couz!" One day Zabrinah suddenly met me. "Tagal nating hindi nagkita. Sa pagkakaalala ko, nung napa-hospital ata ako nung huli nating kita. College ka pa!"

Hinayaan ko siyang magdaldal habang kumakain ako. That's Khryzette's favorite food. Medium stake.

AN: 'Yung tinutukoy po riyan na Medium ay 'yung pagkakaluto. Hindi po 'yung size hehehe.

"What do you need?" I asked her impatiently.

"Wala ka sa mood? Bakit?" tanong niya ulit. "Hmm, hulaan ko. Nakalimutan na naman ni Khryzette na ngayon ang monthsary niyo 'no? Ilang taon at buwan na kayo?" Hindi ko siya sinagot. "Huy, para kang tanga. Ang tahimik mo."

Bumuntong hininga siya bago ilipat ang usapan. "Magpapasama sana ako sa 'yo na bumili ng mga bago kong make-up. Sa Watson tayo." Tumango lang ako.

After our meal, we headed to the nearest mall to visit Watson. I accompanied her as she browsed inside the store. I trailed behind her as she perused the whitening lotions. I came across Khryzette's preferred lotion brand and discreetly held it, ensuring Zabrinah remained unaware. At that moment, I was so immersed in Khryzette's presence that I could only hear her voice echoing in my mind.

"Dito lang ako pumuputi. Try mo rin 'to, para magkasing puti na tayo."

"Next time, bibilhan kita nito. Parang may para sa lalaki naman."

"Babe, wala ng malaking ganito! Ubusan na naman. Next time sa online na lang ako bibili. May alam ka bang bilihan ng mga ganitong lotion, babe?"

"Couz!" malakas na tawag sa akin ni Zabrinah kaya nawala ang boses ni Khryzette sa isipan ko. Tiningnan niya ang lotion na hawak ko syaka kinuha iyon. "Bakit hawak mo 'to? Nakakaputi ba 'to?"

I took the lotion from her before returning it to the shelf. "That's not whitening," I replied before pulling her away.

"Anong hindi whitening? Ang sabi whitening lotion times 20," sinabi niya.

"Scam 'yon," saad ko.

Namimili siya ng shampoo nang bigla siyang humarap sa akin at nakangisi. "Alam ko na kung bakit ka badtrip. Ngayon ko lang naalala," aniya.

"Wala na kayo ni Khryzette, 'no?" taas kilay niyang tanong. "Sino nakipag-break?"

"How did you know?" I asked.

"Facebook, malamang," obvious niyang sagot. "Inistalk ko kasi si Khryzette. Tapos nakita ko 'yung status niyang ‘it's complicated’. Tapos ganoon din 'yung sa 'yo. Sinong nakipaghiwalay?"

"Don't ask too many questions," I said.

Natatawa niya akong tinuro. "Si Khryzette, 'no?" natatawa niyang tanong. "Hindi ka naman kasi ganiyan ka-badtrip kung ikaw ang nakipag-break. Syaka first love mo 'yon. Ang sabi nila, mahirap daw kalimutan ang first love ng mga lalaki. Ngii, ayokong ma-i-inlove sa mga may first love. Goodluck na lang sa susunod mong magiging girlfriend." Ang daldal talaga ng babaeng 'to.

She accompanied me as I ascended to view the prices displayed above the shelf. I gently grasped her waist before lifting her up, a gesture of care that remained despite the realization that she was no longer my cousin. While scanning a shelf, a sudden commotion caught my attention. As a woman emerged from Watson, I furrowed my brow upon recognizing her distinctive hair.

Swiftly, I set Zabrinah back down. "I'll wait for you outside; I need to go somewhere," I informed her abruptly, without waiting for her response, and hurriedly exited the store.

Outside, I caught sight of the woman who had emerged from Watson. As she turned away, her demeanor indicated that she was in distress, akin to how she walked when upset. "Khryzette," I uttered under my breath.

Just as I was about to approach her, an unfamiliar man intruded, covering her face and guiding her towards the fire exit. Startled, I intended to follow them but was halted by someone gripping my arm. Turning, I found Zabrinah before me. "Saan ka pupunta? Tapos na akong mamili," aniya. Ang bilis naman. Pasok ka ulit sa Watson.

I peered in the direction where Khryzette had vanished with the unknown man. Letting out a sigh, I gently tugged at Zabrinah. She wouldn't just follow a stranger; I knew her well.

Fate proved to be truly unpredictable. The following day, as I was about to be introduced as Yanzon, we made the shocking discovery that Khryzette was not biologically related to me. A mistake made by the nurse and my real father had led to a significant revelation: the child saved by the nurse was not my twin.

Confusion and conflicting emotions engulfed me. While I desired happiness knowing Khryzette and I were not blood relatives and our love was genuine, I grappled with the ethical dilemma of loving the daughter of the woman responsible for my twin's demise. Yet, I reasoned that our parents' past animosity should not dictate our present realities. Any misconceptions existed solely in the notion of Khryzette and I being twins.

Following that revelation, Khryzette vanished from my sight. Despite tireless efforts to locate her, she remained elusive. Nevertheless, I refused to give up hope and continued to frequent the condo, harboring the belief that she may return one day. Even if she avoided me, her mere presence would suffice.

The absence of Khryzette left my family in anguish. My father's work suffered as he grappled with his emotions, while my mother sought solace in alcohol. In my solitude, I sought refuge in work, immersing myself in tasks to distract from the pain. I remained steadfast in saving for both Khryzette and myself, convinced that the bond between us remained unbroken. I held onto the conviction that we would reunite, for without each other, neither of us could move forward in marriage.

Regular visits to Khryzette's birth mother in prison became a ritual. I attended every visitation, hoping for insights into Khryzette's whereabouts. I harbored a strong suspicion that she possessed knowledge of Khryzette's location, further convinced that Lyzander, Khryzette's true cousin, played a role in her disappearance.

"Trust that Khryzette will return to you, Zyron. Patience is key. She will come back on her own terms when the time is right," her mother assured me repeatedly.

Gradually, I accepted her wisdom, realizing that I needn't force the search for Khryzette. She would return when ready, of her own volition. Despite my yearning, I understood the importance of allowing her journey back to me to unfold naturally.

In the years that followed, I dedicated myself to self-improvement. My cousin Arden and Zabrinah became my partners in building our hotel. Together, Arden and I set aside past grievances, focusing on our professional collaboration. Eventually, I was elected as the hotel's president.

Zabrinah, preoccupied with motherhood, redirected her focus from the business. Arden and I stepped in to support her in raising her child, as the absent father had abandoned them. Fulfilling a paternal role for the child was a natural extension of my bond with Zabrinah, who longed for a father figure.

Upon learning that Lyzander, Khryzette's cousin, managed a prominent hotel, I reached out to propose a collaboration between our establishments. Beyond business interests, my aim was to uncover Khryzette's whereabouts, believing Lyzander held crucial information that would lead to our reunion.

While addressing mess at Lyzander's hotel, my phone abruptly rang. Upon seeing Zabrinah's name on my cellphone screen, I furrowed my brow, mindful of her presence at school with Zia for the family week event. "Yes?" I answered, awaiting the head chef whom I had summoned to the kitchen.

"Guess what?" medyo malakas niyang tanong.

"I don't have time to speculate with you, Zab. What's up?" I asked her.

"Ex mo nandito... kanina?" hindi niya siguradong sagot.

"Ex? Wala akong ex," sagot ko.

"E' ano si Khryzette?" tanong niya.

"Girlfriend ko pa rin," sagot ko.

"Kadiri, asim mo," komento niya. "Ito na nga, couz. Nakita ko siya kanina. Nandito sa school! May dalang anak!"

"Where are you? Why is your voice so loud?" I asked her.

"Nasa class room nina Zia," sagot niya. "Basta, nakatitigan ko 'yung isa niyang anak kanina. Tarantado, kamukhang-kamukha niya 'yung parang maldita. Tapos 'yung isa naman, kamukha mo!"

"Mga ilang taon na?" tanong ko.

"Pota, malamang six lang din kagaya ni Zia!" sigaw niya mula sa kabilang linya. "Sige, kindergarten pero ten years old."

"Are they still there?" I asked her.

"Wala na e. May lalaki siyang kasamang umalis. Emergency ata. Hindi sinama 'yung dalawa—maya na ulit, couz. Nandito 'yung kambal," putol niya sa sinasabi.

"Remember to picture the twins and show me later," I reminded her before ending the call.

As I suspected, Khryzette's twin turned out to be my daughter. Now, I am fortunate to be in their presence, not just with the twins but also with Khryzette.

Despite the tears she shed in the past, now that she is reunited with me, I am determined to prevent her from experiencing such pain again. I will care for her twice as much, along with our future children.

With her by my side once more, every moment from falling asleep to waking up is precious. I vow not to let her slip away again. She is now my treasure, my wife, my world, and my life. Our daughters and son are my breath.

-iamlunamoon