Chapter 2

"Break na kami ni Polly."

I looked up at him in surprise. Well, not really. He breaks up with his girlfriend after a month or two and acts as if it's the most natural thing in the world.

"Really?"

He shrugged and glanced at me. I am still in my high school uniform. Blake has become a trusted family friend that when nobody is available to fetch me from school, Mama would call him if he's available to pick me up. Minsan nga ay nahihiya ako sa kaniya, lalo pa't pinagkakaguluhan siya ng iilan sa mga kaklase kong babae.

"Yes."

"Kailan lang?"

"Kahapon lang."

I tried to search his face for any sign of morose, but failed to find any. He's always like this when he talks about his exes and break ups. Parang hindi siya apektado. Blake changes his girlfriends regularly as if he's just changing clothes.

Napabuntong-hininga ako. I'm not sure how to react about it. I'm still sixteen and an inexperienced girl. The girls in our school are always gushing about their crushes and boyfriends, while I sat in the corner and listen to them talk about boys. Gustuhin ko mang sumali sa kanilang usapan ay hindi ko rin naman magawa. I don't know how I ended up being a lone wolf at school, but I am. Albeit I am attending the same school with Denise and Shanna, they barely pay attention to me. Kung nagkakasalubong man kami sa hallway, hindi naman nila ako pinapansin. Pero kapag nagpupunta sila sa party namin sa mansion, they act like my best friends.

I squirmed in my seat silently and glanced at the coastal roads. Tahimik lang kaming dalawa sa loob ng sasakyan. Blake likes to listen to music, but his genre is entirely different from mine. While I adore soft, classical music, he drowns himself in maddening rock songs. Kaya palagi lang kaming nag-aaway kapag may isang gustong makinig ng musika sa aming dalawa.

And his scent is all over the car. His civic is just as sexy and gorgeous as him. It's sleek and screams wealth in every corner. Isa ito sa mga nagustuhan ko sa kaniya. Him being so neat for a boy. I couldn't spot ashes of cigarette or empty bottles of beer whenever I climb inside. Ito kasi ang inaasahan kong makita, given his lavish lifestyle with his elite friends who like to party every night.

I met three of his brothers last year. They're all good-looking and just as dangerous as him. I think the Sobreval brothers would be the death of any female who'd see them. They're all centered on running their business with the Sobreval Senior, and each of them possesses talent in business management, including of course, the youngest Sobreval, Blake.

Nang makarating ako sa mansion ay magalang akong nagpasalamat sa kaniya sa paghahatid sa akin pauwi. I even invited him for a cup of coffee, out of courtesy, but he declined and said he has affairs to go in town. Nagpasalamat ulit ako at lumabas na sa kaniyang sasakyan. I waved at him goodbye as I watched the dark mirrors of his car roll up and conceal his handsome face.

Napansin kong hindi pa umaandar ang civic hangga't hindi pa ako pumapasok. I shrugged and went inside, then I heard the roaring of his engine. Pinagbuksan ako ni Baste, na mukhang gulat na makita ako.

"Uh... nandito ka na pala, Anna." Mahinang wika niya sa akin.

I grinned at him widely. "Hi, Baste!"

"Susunduin ka na sana namin ni Tatay. Kakarating lang namin mula sa hacienda."

"It's okay. Alam kong busy ngayon sa hacienda dahil sa pagpapaanak sa mga kabayo." I told him and went inside. Kapag ganitong abala sa hacienda ay pati si Mama sumasama kay Papa upang makatulong. Mag-isa lang ako palagi sa mansion hanggang sa maghapunan. It really didn't bother me. At such a young age, I completely understand that what they are doing is to secure my future. Many times I've tried to take interest on running the hacienda, but failed miserably. Papa is cool with it. He says I should be unapologetic in not indulging myself on the things that do not interest me.

But I know one day, the Hacienda De la Rua will need an heiress. And being the only child in the family, I know the burden of responsibility will fall on my shoulders.

I glanced again at Baste, and gave him a polite smile. Alanganin din naman siyang ngumiti pabalik sa akin. My relationship with the children of our hacienda workers has gotten better because of him. Ngayon ay pinapansin na nila ako, dahil nakikita nila akong kinakausap si Baste. And I could still remember how I am a few inches taller than Baste when we were younger. But I stopped growing and he never did. Ngayon ay mas matangkad na siya sa akin.

Deciding that I will spend the night writing poetry inside my room, I went upstairs and changed clothes. Iginugol ko ang oras ko sa harap ng aking Macbook hanggang sa marinig ko ang ugong ng sasakyan sa labas, nagpapahiwatig na narito na ang mga magulang ko.

They told me about their day, and how tiring it could get in the hacienda when it's peak season. I listened to their stories, and smiled in affection whenever Papa leans closer to kiss Mama in the forehead. They're just so in love that it wipes away the sadness that I feel every time I see them. Nagpapasalamat ako na sila ang naging mga magulang ko. I don't know what I would do without them.

Feeling better that night, the next morning, a letter and a red rose surprised me. Ito ang una kong nakita nang pumasok ako sa classroom namin. My classmates are so busy with either typing something on their phone or talking to each other. Nagpalinga-linga ako sa paligid, wondering where this note and rose came from. Or if it is for me in the first place.

Nahihiya naman akong magtanong sa katabi kong halos hindi ako pinapansin, kaya sa huli ay binuksan ko na ang note at nakita ang makalat na sulat-kamay ng isang lalaki.

Good morning, Anna. Smile!

Kumunot ang noo ko. Para sa akin ba talaga 'to? It would've put my mind on ease if my full name is written on the note. Paano kung ibang Anna pala ang tinutukoy niya? It would've put my mind on ease.

But if it's really for me... my heart thumped at just the thought of it. Kung para sa akin talaga iyon, parang ang hirap naman atang paniwalaan na may magkakagusto sa akin.

Boys don't like sad girls.

I'm a sad girl. Alam na iyon ng lahat. I have little to no friends, I isolate myself from most people, and the only thing I'm good at is dancing ballet. I don't even excel in school and I just came from a rich family. Iyon lang, at wala ng iba pa.

Still, the thought that someone has put an effort of giving me a note and a rose made me smile. At least, I know that I am not completely invisible in this world.

Hindi matanggal ang ngiti ko sa mukha habang dala-dala ang rosas at lumabas ng school upang hintayin si Blake sa waiting shed. He's picking me up, again. Paulit-ulit kong binasa ang note, pero iyon lang talaga ang nakasulat. For an innocent girl like me to receive a note and a rose all of a sudden is just overwhelming.

Apparently, Blake is not willing to share my happiness with him.

"Kanino yan galing, ha?" una niyang tanong nang buksan ko ang pinto ng kaniyang kotse. He stared at me darkly, then his gaze went down to the rose. Mas lalong tumalim ang kaniyang tingin. Pakiramdam ko ay may balak siyang silaban ang rosas gamit ang mga mata niya.

Even so, I shrugged and happily climbed inside the car. "I don't know. Nakita ko lang 'to kaninang umaga sa desk ko."

He looks pissed, as his jaw clenched and he went silent. Nagtataka ko siyang tiningnan. I'm wondering what pissed him off. Wala naman akong ginagawang pang-aasar sa kaniya.

"Hindi ka dapat tumatanggap ng kung anu-ano sa kung sinu-sino, Anna." Mariin niyang wika sa akin habang pinapaandar ang sasakyan.

I stared at him innocently. "Bakit naman? I wouldn't if it's food. Hindi ako tumatanggap ng pagkain sa kung sinu-sino. But it's a rose, Blake. What harm could it do to me?"

Tumahimik siya nang ilang minuto. His shoulders remained tense while he's driving. Then I caught him cursing under his breath. Nagpakawala siya ng isang malalim na buntong-hininga.

"May problema ba?" hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili kong tanungin siya.

"Wala." He grumpily shook his head and glanced at me briefly. Medyo nawawala na ang inis sa kaniyang mga mata, but I could tell he's still in a foul mood.

Hindi rin ako nakaimik kaagad. He drove fast and dropped me at our mansion. When I bid goodbye, all I got was a noncommittal grunt before he drove away. I watched his car disappear from my line of view before entering the mansion.

"You got a suitor, Anna?"

I almost choked on my food while we were eating breakfast one morning. Tatlong araw na akong nakakatanggap ng rosas at notes mula sa parehong tao na hindi man lang nag-abalang magpakilala sa akin. Isang beses lang akong nakita ni Mama na may dalang rosas, pag uwi ko galing sa paaralan. But she didn't get to question me about it, because she was busy entertaining guests at that time. She just smiled and asked how my day went, before turning back to her visitors and I went upstairs.

"May nanliligaw sa iyo, Anna?" seryosong tanong sa akin ni Papa.

Bahagya akong ngumuso. "Hindi naman po nanliligaw, Papa." I clarified. "Binibigyan niya po ako ng rosas araw-araw."

"And who is this young man?"

Umiling ako. "Hindi ko pa po kilala."

Nagkatinginan sina Mama at Papa. I know none of them are against me having a boyfriend. Sa katunayan, sa tuwing binibiro si Papa ng kaniyang mga amigo sa pagkakaroon ko ng nobyo ay tumatawa lang siya. He just wishes that I find a good young man, one that is interested in hacienda, of course.

"Basta't ipakilala mo sa amin yan, Savannah, kapag tuluyang nanligaw na sa iyo." Si Mama na nakasuot ngayon ng white suit at heels. I think she has an affair in the city with Papa, who wore his usual black suit.

"Opo..."

"The oldest Sobreval son just got engaged." Papa announced. "Nagkita kami ni Cristophe kahapon at nag-usap."

"Really? That's a delight to hear."

My ears perked up upon the mere mention of the Sobreval family. Nagpatuloy sa pag-uusap sina Mama at Papa tungkol sa pamilya niya.

"Eh si Blake?"

I automatically freeze in my seat at the mention of his name. Against my own will, I remembered his pair of dark eyes and how he watched me like a hawk when he saw the rose I was carrying the other day.

"What about Blake?" tanong ni Papa.

"Wala bang syota ang batang iyon? He's not getting younger. I heard he's taken part in managing their own hacienda as well."

"He's still young, Anastasia." Papa chuckled quietly. "Their oldest, Gabriel, got married at 31. Blake is still in his early 20's. I'm sure he'd like to explore women and date several girls before he settle down..."

Umusli pababa ang mga labi ko sa naging komento ni Papa. It is true in so many levels. Blake likes to explore girls. I think he's dated different kinds of girls already. With his wit and charm, no one could ever say no to him. Hindi ko pa siya nakikitang mag-seryoso sa babae, so the thought of him getting married any sooner is not possible.

And I don't think that at this young age, I'd be able to accept the fact that he's going to get married.

When I went to school that day, I was a bit disappointed to see that my desk is empty. Siguro ay nasanay na akong araw-araw akong nakakatanggap ng rosas at note. Tapos ay pinag-usapan pa namin iyon ni Mama at Papa kaninang umaga. Ngayon ay wala na pala.

Trying to hide my disappointment, I settled to my chair and pulled out my air pods. Tahimik lang akong nakikinig ng musika hanggang sa dumating ang aming guro at nagsimula na ang klase.

During lunchtime, I always eat alone. Wala naman kasing gustong sumabay sa akin. Albeit some of my classmates are starting to smile at me, they don't go as far as inviting me to sit down and eat lunch with them. They have their own groups and cliques, and I have to admit the fact that I could never belong in there.

Kapag maraming tao ay pinipili kong huwag nalang kumain sa loob ng cafeteria. There's a small bench near the Mango tree that everyone ignores. I always bring my lunch with me to eat there in peace. Nakasaksak pa rin ang air pods sa tainga ko kaya hindi ko namalayan ang papalapit na anino.

"Anna..."

I almost jumped in surprise when someone tapped me in the shoulder, spilling some of my orange juice on my white skirt and embarrassing myself, long before I get to have a glimpse of the intruder.

"Alex..." I said breathlessly, staring at our star varsity in shock.

Nginisihan niya ako. "Yung juice mo..." aniya pa, sabay nguso sa nagkamantsa ko ng palda.

Uminit nang husto ang mga pisngi ko at mabilis na inilapag ang hawak kong box ng orange juice. Bago ko pa man mabunot ang panyo mula sa bulsa ko ay inialok na niya ang sa kaniya.

"T-Thank you..."

I could see pairs of eyes watching over us intently, as this is a very rare sight to them. The school's sad girl talking to the most popular boy. It's almost like a cliché in a teen fiction novel. Only that in those fictions, the girl always ends up getting so pretty that the guy would fall for her.

I am not that girl.

"Uhm..." tumikhim ako at pinagmasdan ang kaniyang panyo. I bit my lower lip. "Lalabhan ko nalang muna 'to tsaka ko isasauli sa iyo."

"Sige ba." He answered and didn't bother asking for permission when he sit next to me. Prente siyang nakaupo habang ako ay halos himatayin na sa sobrang kaba dahil sa presensiya niya.

"Nagustuhan mo ba ang mga rosas na ibinigay ko sa iyo?"

I turned to him, my jaw dropping in shock. Siya ang nagpapadala sa akin ng mga rosas at notes?

"Sa iyo... sa iyo yun galing?" I asked weakly, as my entire face heated up in embarrassment.

He nodded smugly. Ni wala man lang bakas ng kahit anong pagkahiya sa kaniyang mukha. If anything, he looked so arrogant revealing that he's the one leaving roses at my desk.

"Yes, Savannah."

"Uhm..." I started to panic at the inside, not knowing what to say next. For a moment, I wish I was Denise or Shanna. They're so good at the art of flirting. They would know what to say next, what actions to do to please a guy. I have no idea what to do right now.

"Salamat." Sa huli ay nasabi ko nalang.

He chuckled softly, as if he's amused at what I am experiencing right now.

"Ihatid na kita mamaya?" biglang tanong niya sa akin.

"Uh..." biglang pumasok sa isipan ko si Blake. I bit my lower lip in shame. "Kasi, may maghahatid na sa akin pauwi. Hindi ko naman siya pwedeng itaboy paalis mamaya."

"Hmm. Sige. O, eh di bukas nalang?"

I stared at him briefly, then glanced away. Why is he suddenly so interested in me right now? Alex is the most popular boy in our school. His parents are rich, too. That makes him more popular. I don't know why he suddenly wanted to hang out with me. Sa mga nobela lang naman kasi yun nangyayari.

And I don't want to appear like a little kid to him by saying that I'll ask permission first from Blake. Siya kasi ang palaging naghahatid sa akin pauwi, kaya malamang baka magtaka siya na biglang hindi nalang ako sasama sa kaniya. So I nodded at Alex and told him he could drive me home tomorrow.

"Tomorrow?" kumunot ang noo ni Blake dahil sa sinabi ko. Kanina pa siya tingin nang tingin sa akin. I am not carrying a rose today, and he's in a better mood after seeing me empty-handed. "Bakit?"

"Uhm..." I trailed off. Albeit we're close friends, I'm not really comfortable sharing these things to Blake. Siguro kung mayroon lang sana akong kaibigang babae. This kind of stuff... boys and dating... it's a topic for a girl's night talk. Sadly, no matter how grandiose our mansion is, I haven't invited anyone to come to our house for a slumber party. Siguro nga kasi wala naman akong kaibigan.

"Kasama ko kasi ang mga kaibigan ko bukas..." pagsisinungaling ko sa kaniya.

"Who?"

Natahimik ako saglit. Blake knows my lack of friends. He tried to introduce me to some of his friends but they are way older than me and I cannot relate to them. And they all see me as Blake's little sister. Kaya naman walang nagkaka-interes sa kanila na kausapin ako nang matagal.

"Sila... Dryx... Maxine... Michi..." inisa-isa ko nalang ang mga pangalan ng mga kaklase ko, kahit na hindi ko naman sila kaibigan.

Blake frowned deeply. He's probably wondering why I haven't mentioned having friends before. Bigla akong kinabahan sa dilim ng tingin niya sa akin, na para bang sinisisid niya ang katotohanan sa mga takot kong mata.

Nag-iwas kaagad ako ng tingin at tumikhim. "Sinabihan ko na sina Mama at Papa. Pumayag naman sila. Kapag ginabi ako, pwede naman akong magpasundo kina Baste." Turan ko pa.

He doesn't seem really happy about it. And it's scary when he's in a foul mood. Blake is a 6'2 tall guy with muscles in all the right places. He could be scary if he wants too. And it doesn't really help that he has the usual snobbish looks.

"Okay..." sa baritono niyang boses na sagot.

Nakahinga ako nang maluwag sa sinabi niya. We drove again in silence until we reached our mansion. I said my goodbyes and went inside, with Baste watching me silently.

Kinabukasan, kabadong-kabado ako. Ang paghahatid sa akin ni Alex ang iniisip ko buong araw. I even used my most expensive perfume, just for this day. And I took a few minutes of doing my hair, so that I look presentable.

Biting my lower lip, I glanced at my wristwatch again. Ang usapan namin ay magkikita kami sa waiting shed sa tapat ng school alas kwatro y media. Tamang-tama at tapos na din ang kanilang practice sa basketball. Palingon-lingon ako sa paligid. I'm so anxious right now. And it doesn't help that I'm getting weird looks from some of our schoolmates.

"Anna..."

Mabilis akong lumingon at muntik nang matumba sa kinauupuan nang makita ang nakangising mukha ni Alex. Two of his friends are at his back, grinning widely as well. Bigla tuloy akong kinabahan. I blinked several times and smiled at him.

"Alex... n-nandito ka na pala."

He smirked at me and then confidently wrapped his arms around my shoulders. Inilapit niya ako sa kaniya, while I fought so hard not to scream because of discomfort.

"Ano? Uwi na tayo?"

I immediately panicked. Kung kanina ay gustong-gusto kong makita na siya at maihatid ako pauwi, ngayon ay gusto ko nang tumakbo palayo. Abot-abot na ang tahip ng puso ko. I've been really close with Blake before but it was always calming and comfortable. Hindi katulad ng ganito na halos pagpawisan na ako ng malamig.

"Uh... ano..." my stupid brain tried to make some excuses, just to get away with him, but I couldn't come up with any. Inipit ko ang pang-ibabang labi sa sobrang frustration.

"Tara... daan muna tayo sa bahay namin, ah? Sandali lang..." halos pabulong na niyang wika sa akin.

I was about to open my mouth when I heard an angry, deep voice thundering from a distance.

"Savannah!"

I turned in horror and saw Blake storming towards us with a murderous look on his face. Napatingin din sa kaniya si Alex at mabilis na namutla. Pero nanatili ang kaniyang brasong nakapulupot sa balikat ko.

"B-Blake..." I almost whimpered.

"Ito na pala sina Dryx, Maxine, at Michi ngayon?" hilaw niyang tanong sa akin, masama na ngayon ang tingin kay Alex at sa dalawa niyang kaibigan.

Hiyang-hiya akong nag-iwas ng tingin. I am in the verge of tears, because of the panic and the embarrassment.

"Let's go." He said firmly. Bakas sa tono niya na kailangan ko siyang sundin ngayon din.

I tried to get up, but Alex only tightened his arms around me. Napatingin ako sa kaniya. Mukha na siyang iritado ngayon, at nakatingin kay Blake.

"Ihahatidi ko si Savannah sa kanila."

Blake turned to him sharply, pissed and in a foul mood.

"Ako ang maghahatid sa kaniya." Mariin niyang wika.

Hindi naman nagpatinag si Alex at nakipagtitigan rin. Maybe it's his male ego talking, but he fired back at him.

"Bakit? Sino ka ba?"

"And who the hell are you?"

Lumapit si Blake sa aming dalawa. Hinigit niya ako mula kay Alex. Though I could feel the anger radiating from his body, his touch is gentle. As if he's afraid he might hurt me.

"Nililigawan ko si Savannah!" he retorted back, like a child in a tantrum.

"Well, you better find someone else to fool around, Alexandre Torres."

"And why the hell should I do that?"

Some of the students are startled at the angry voices of the two young men that they had started gathering around us. Gusto ko nalang lumubog ngayon sa kahihiyan dahil sa mga mapanuyang tingin nila sa akin.

"Because you don't deserve her." His reply was short and simple, but it cut straight to the bones. We heard a series of oohs from the audience, and Alex's face is reddening in so much anger.

Bago pa siya makasagot ay tuluyan na akong hinigit ni Blake palayo sa kaniya. Nagpakaladkad din naman ako, hiyang-hiya sa kaniya at sa sarili. I know Alex would be very mad at me and Blake. But right now, I just wanted to say sorry to him for lying.

"Blake..."

Hindi niya ako sinagot kaagad. I could tell from the tensed shoulders and the pursed lips that he's still mad at me. Pinagbuksan niya ako ng pinto.

"I'm sorry..." I said, barely audible.

"Sakay na." he said coldly. I stayed rooted in the ground for a few seconds, and when I sensed that he's not going to say anything anymore, I climbed inside his civic with a heavy heart.