"What is the meaning of Luna del Fuego?" The proctor in front of us asked. We're having a quiz bee in front of the audience right now.

Today marks the last day of the annual week-long festival commemorating the foundation of our province, Luna del Fuego.

I silently wrote down my answer on the paper.

Moon of Fire...

We're now down to last 3 questions, masyadong tirik ang sikat ng araw ngayon, na kahit nandito na kami sa taas ng stage ay ramdam na randam pa rin but it's better than raining though. Well, para sa akin lang naman because I hate the rain.

"Who's the first governor of Luna Del Fuego?" Bumalik ang atensyon ko sa quiz when I heard the question. I actually know the answer kaya sinulat ko na kaagad.

Genova del Estrella

I smiled. He's my great great grandfather.

"Last question, and maybe the most difficult." My grip tightened. Challenging. "Enumerate the 10 most influential family in Luna del Fuego." I rolled my eyes while writing.

Seriously? That question?

Mukhang alam ko na ngayon kung bakit todo pilit sa akin ng mga profs ko na ako yong magrepresent ng school.

This quiz bee is not just the usual one na about the different subjects in school because it's mainly about our province. Actually, it's the first time na nagkaroon ng quiz bee na ganito dito sa amin.

I continued writing.

Del Estrella

Yu

Singson

Song

Gosiengfiao

Harisson

Lim

Cardenas

De Almeida

Ausan

I looked at the first two and sighed.

"Time's up! Pass your papers!" Hinintay ko yong proctor na kunin 'yong papel ko. Iginala ko muna pagkatapos no'n yong paningin ko sa mga tao na nasa baba. I saw Kristianna Isabella waving at me, nakaupo siya sa tabi ng mama at papa niya, the governor of our province and the mayor of Luna del Fuego City. I waved back and smiled a bit, I'm a little bit tensed while waiting for the result, I hope I really got the right answers.

"Okay, we now have a winner."

We're actually 4 na nagparticipate sa quiz bee, since we have 4 colleges here in our provinces and 1 student magrerepresent per school.

Pinatayo kami sa gitna, I fixed my long wavy jet black hair na nagulo dahil sa malakas na ihip ng hangin.

Kristianna gave me thumbs up, maybe to cheer me up, halata kayang kinakabahan ako? I need to look strong and unbothered so I fixed my posture and facial expression.

"With the score of 40 over 40." I looked at the emcee. The winner got a perfect score? I tried to remember my answers and I'm actually hoping that it's me.

"Congratulations, Julianna Astrid Del Estrella of Harisson University." I smiled when I heard my name, there are flashes of cameras while I'm receiving the trophy and certificate.

"Congratulations, Miss Del Estrella." The governor greeted before he shook hands with me.

I said thank you and the camera man took photos of us, together with the people who facilitated the quiz.

Kristianna immediately approached me right after I went down the stage.

"Congrats! Ineexpect ko na agad na ikaw mananalo!" She cheerfully said and I smiled at her.

"Thanks! It's actually hard." I responded. My eyes roamed around para tingnan kung nasa paligid ba pinsan ko.

"Hard? Perfect ka nga eh!" I just smiled at her because I don't know what to say anymore. We actually know each other since we were kids pero hindi kami naging magkaibigan no'n dahil magkaiba kami ng school, nagkikita lang kami tuwing gatherings. Our families are close, simula pa sa great great grandparents namin.

She's actually nice and very cheerful, she's gorgeous too and she has that mestiza vibes. We actually started to become friends last year, right after she returned from France and decided to join the student council, in which I am the President.

"Hinahanap mo si Lorraine?" Tumango ako sa kanya. Kinuha ko yong phone ko sa bulsa ng aking uniform para tawagan siya.

"She returned to school. May gagawin daw, inutusan yata ng prof! Babalik ka pa ba ng school?"

"Uh, yes. Iniwan ko bag ko sa SC office. Sige, balik na ako do'n!" I glanced at my watch. "It's already 3 pm, I need to go."

"Ah! Oo nga pala! You're coming tonight, right?" Excited niyang tanong, uh yeah, the fiesta sociedad.

"Yes! I need to be there, mom will scold me if I won't come." She laughed at me. I bid my good bye saka ako tumungo sa parking lot ng Luna del Fuego Capitol kung saan nakapark 'yong BMW namin. Agad akong pinagbuksan ng driver ng pintuan no'ng makita niya ako.

"Sa Harisson, kuya." It's actually a short drive lang dahil malapit lang yong capitol sa school, 3 km to be exact.

Ilang minuto lang ay matatanaw na yong nagsisitaasang pine trees na madadaanan paakyat ng Harisson University. Our school is located above the hill, hindi naman gano'n ka taas na burol pero sakto na para matanaw 'yong buong Luna del Fuego pati yong ilog na nagbabahagi ng probinsya namin, at sa kabilang bahagi naman nito ay matatanaw ang malawak na karagatan at ang mga beaches na dinadayo ng mga turista.

Malawak 'yong Harisson U dahil sakop kasi nito 'yong kabuoan ng burol. I really like it there dahil refreshing 'yong air pati 'yong tanawin.

I immediately saw the tall silver gates of Harisson U after few seconds. I texted Lorraine to ask where she is, pero hindi siya nagrereply.

Bumaba na ako sa sasakyan at diretsong naglakad sa field na papuntang college department, it's actually hot dahil tirik pa rin yong sikat ng araw but I don't care, minsan ay sinasadya ko pang maglakad sa initan because I'm hoping that it will decrease the fairness of my skin complexion.

"Pres!" Lumingon ako dahil sa tumawag and I saw one of the SC directors running towards me while holding an umbrella.

Jennica, that's her name.

I smiled because I remembered something.

"I know maputing maputi ka, pero uhm.. you should shield yourself to prevent skin cancer." She said and smiled at me.

"Oh, sorry. I forgot to bring an umbrella." Nakangiti kong sagot. Wala pang masyadong tao ngayon sa school dahil next week pa magiistart yong first semester ngayong year. 'Yong mga nandito lang ngayon ay 'yong mga nagsusummer, athletes, some student council
officers, staffs, the professors, and some visitors.

"You won! Congrats!" Tinuro niya yong trophy na hawak ko.

"Thank you!"

May mga athletes na naglalaro sa soccer field no'ng dumaan kami. Nagulat kaming pareho ni Jennica no'ng may dumaang bola sa harapan namin at muntik pa kaming matamaan.

"Sorry! Sorry! Miss—" He stopped when he saw me. "Hi Pres! Sorry, napalakas!" He smiled at me bago siya tumalikod at kinuha 'yong bola.

I sighed.

That person reminds me of someone sa tuwing nakikita ko siya. I don't know, maybe because they have the same nose, jaw, brows, lips, and body figure.

I shrugged the thought out of my head and continued walking.

I thanked Jennica when we reached the SC office. I got my things, I also called Lorraine and we agreed to meet on one of the benches near the soccer field. Sinadya kong bagalan din yong lakad ko pabalik dahil alam kong mabagal kumilos 'yon. Binilisan ko lang 'yong lakad ko no'ng makita kong nando'n na siya. She's just wearing civilian dahil nga wala pa rin naman kaming klase.

Nakangiti siyang kumaway sa akin.

"And she came back with victory!" Agad niyang kinuha 'yong trophy sa akin.

"Let's take a selfie!" She excitedly said. I'm actually not fond of taking pictures but since she looked so happy, then I'll do it.

"Okay." I smiled at the camera.

"I'll post this on ig! Ugh, you're so white." Pinakita niya 'yong photo sa akin. Unlike me, Lorraine is kinda morena, but I really like her skin color because it looks healthy, hindi tulad no'ng sakin na ang putla. I'm really too fair and I hate it dahil kahit nasa malayo ako at madilim, kitang-kita pa rin ako, also add the fact that I have a jet black hair, mas lalo lang nahahighlight kaputian ko.

"I'm so excited for later na talaga!" She exclaimed! Uh yeah, the ball again. "Ako mag-aayos sayo ah? Nasabihan ko na si tita, sa inyo na rin ako mag-aayos." Lorraine and I doesn't have the same interests, she's an avid party goer, she like socializing with people, while I hate all of that, I just love staying at my room and doing stuffs like studying and watching movies and series.

But I'm thankful that she decided to study here in the Philippines. Kahit magulo siya, nagpapasalamat ako na nandyan siya kasi hindi ako nagmumukhang alone. Sa US kasi siya nag-aral during elementary and junior high, she's actually older than me, but I got accelerated kaya nagkasabay na kami.

Another ball rolled in front of us when we passed by the soccer field, buti nalang ay hindi na lumilipad katulad ng kanina.

And again, siya nanaman 'yong kumuha.

He looked at us and smiled apologetically.

"Sorry again, Miss President." He glanced at Lorraine and playfully winked at her. "Lorraine, Hi!" He said before walking way.

"That freak." We continued walking.

"Why?" I asked her dahil inis na inis siya.

"Kaklase ko siya sa isang subject last sem, nagkatabi lang kami ng isang beses, tapos sinabi na niya na may gusto ako sa kanya." What? I actually want to laugh but laughing is not my thing so I just shrugged off the idea.

"He looks nice though, and...." I'm not sure if I will say the next thing but I decided to say it, wala namang malisya. "He's handsome." I'm just being honest.

"Whoa! Type mo ba siya?" Nanlalaki ang mata niyang tumingin sa akin. I glared at her.

"He's not my type! Naisip ko lang na type mo 'yong mapuputi, matatangkad, gwapo at muscular na lalaki, so baka type mo rin siya?" She rolled her eyes.

"She's not chinito, I like chinitos, you know." Chinito. I remembered someone.

"And guess what?" Bigla siyang tumili, napatingin ako sa kanya at umiling dahil sa inasta niya. She looked so pissed earlier pero ngayon ay mukhang kilig na kilig and she's also blushing.

"What?"

"May transferee na chinito, matangkad, gwapong-gwapo, matalino daw and galing din daw ng US like me! I saw him earlier here in school. Grabe! Makalaglag panty!" Napatulala ako bigla, because I remembered something not because kinikilig rin ako or what. Galing US? Impossible. Pero chinito, matangkad, matalino? Tss. Dami namang gano'n.

"Tara na nga! 4 pm na!"

I stared at myself on the vanity mirror. Lorraine just finished applying make up on my face, light makeup lang, 'yong saktong nahighlight lang 'yong features ko because I really hate heavy make ups, ang hirap tanggalin.

I'm also wearing a simple cream-colored ball gown at hinayaan ko lang 'yong mahaba kong buhok na nakalugay.

"You're stunning! Mukha akong yaya!" She exclaimed. I rolled my eyes and looked at her. She's wearing a silver mermaid gown na naghighlight lalo sa curves niya, naka bun 'yong buhok niya, at bumagay sa kanya 'yong nude make up na inapply niya.

"You look like a beauty queen, I'm serious."

Medyo naconscious ako no'ng dumating kami sa venue dahil sa tingin ng mga tao, but of course I have to maintain my posture and gracefulness because I'm a Del Estrella. Nauuna 'yong parents namin at nakasunod lang kaming dalawa ni Lorraine sa kanila. I immediately saw Kristianna at agad din siyang lumapit sa amin, and she's with two people, a girl and a boy.

"Uy Tres pakilala ka!" Tulak niya do'n sa kasama niyang lalaki, I know him actually because he's from one of the most influential families here in Luna del Fuego, we already had few interactions back then but I don't know if naaalala pa ba niya.

"Amadeus Horace Lim lll, pero Tres nalang." He extended his hands at agad ko ring tinanggap 'yon.

"Julianna Astrid Del Estrella." I also introduced myself kahit na alam kong kilala na rin niya ako.

"Of course, I know you already." I smiled at lumipat ang tingin ko isa, I know her, syempre.

"Charlie." I smiled at her. I know her because she's a SC Director, hindi lang kami masyadong nakakapag-usap because I know she's also busy with her personal stuffs. I'm actually amazed because she's still doing well with acads and extracurriculars kahit busy siyang tao.

"Hi, Miss President." She greeted. I noticed the green highlights of her hair, it's cute.

"Just call me Julianna, wala naman tayo sa school." I smiled at them.

Umupo na kami sa upuan nakatalaga sa amin, our parents are busy talking with people, probably about business nanaman.

It's 9pm when they started dancing, I hate stuffs like that but I must be patient and wait for this to finish. Lorraine is busy dancing with some guys, so I'm alone.

I decided to go to the wash room para icheck 'yong mukha ko and I accidentally bumped into someone on the hallway.

"Sorry." I said in low voice bago ko tingnan 'yong nabangga ko.

"Oy! Nagkita tayo ulit. Hi Miss Pres!" He smiled at me and I awkwardly smiled back.

"Uh, hello." I really have a problem in dealing with strangers that's why I probably sounded so awkward with my greeting.

"See you around." He smiled at me again before walking away.

They really have the same features, maliban sa mata.

I looked at myself in the mirror, okay pa naman make up ko. Another reason why I hate putting on make up is that hindi ako mapakali kapag may nakalagay sa mukha ko, halos kada-minuto ay gusto kong icheck to make sure na matino mukha ko.

Sinuklay ko 'yong buhok ko gamit ang daliri ko.

May pumasok na dalawang babae and they're acting like kilig na kilig, parang si Lorraine lang kanina. They looked at me for a second pero tinanggal naman nila agad.

"He's back! He's really back."

Nadia De Almeida.

Kaklase ko siya no'ng elementary at junior high school, and now she's with someone I'm also familiar with pero nakalimutan ko lang ang pangalan, basta kaklase rin namin siya dati.

"I thought he will not came back! But like omg! Nandito talaga siya ngayon!"

I'm not eavesdropping pero ang lakas naman kasi ng boses nila, kahit pa ayaw kong marinig 'yong sinasabi nila pero wala na akong magawa kasi naririnig ko na. Maybe it's not a private matter naman dahil mukhang they don't mind naman kung may makarinig sa kanila. Like seriously, mukhang visible naman ako sa paningin nila.

"Akala ko guni-guni ko lang kanina! Pero nakita mo naman siya dibaaa?"

"Ano ba girl, oo nga diba?"

"Biruin mo, five years din yon, umalis siya no'ng grade 10 tayo, just a day before moving up, right?"

I automatically dropped my hand because of what I heard. It really sound familiar.

What if?

Napaisip ako.

Yong transferee na tinutukoy ni Lorraine.

At yong tinutukoy nila Nadia.

What if iisa lang sila?

What if bumalik na talaga siya?

Pero hindi naman siguro...

I went out of the comfort room. Parang ayaw ko pang bumalik do'n, parang gusto ko munang magpahangin. Parang gusto kong pumunta do'n.

Or maybe I am just trying to avoid seeing him, kung sakali mang totoo ang hinala kong bumalik na siya.

Umakyat ako sa hagdan na patungong balcony. I actually know this place well, this hotel is old but still the grandest here in Luna del Fuego, taon taon din na dito ginaganap 'yong society ball. Maganda 'yong interior design, it has a Spanish Colonial Revival vibes.

Agad na sumalubong sa akin ang sariwa at malamig na hangin pagdating ko sa veranda. Buti nalang ay walang ibang tao dito because I just want to be alone with those beautiful stars.

Kinapa ko ang aking kwintas na may star pendant before I started tracing them using my index finger.

"Pretty." I smiled as I looked at those stars na kumikislap ngayon, the sky is clear, walang ulap na nakaharang.

"So you still love the stars?" I froze when I heard that voice behind me.

I don't want to turn my back dahil boses palang alam ko na kung sino 'yon, but my body betrayed me.

Lumingon ako and there I saw him. He's looking at me intently with that familiar gaze of him.

"It's been a long time, Astrid."

I also looked at him with the same intensity, umihip ang malakas na hangin ngunit nanatili lang kami sa gano'ng ayos, without even moving a bit.

"Yeah, it's been a long time." I smirked.

It's true then.

He's really back.

My archenemy is back.