2 Simula

The vast ocean flashed a violent waves as the wind blustered everything that blocked it off. The leaves danced like a drunk man, creating a deafening sound. The thunder that roared in the sky sent chills into our bones. But there I was, standing on the sandbar across the wild waves, smiling like an idiot while watching the scene. My hair was straining to fight against the wind while my halter floral dress danced along.

"Solaire, what are you doing here?" I heard my Mom Kenya's voice behind my back. Although I heard her footsteps towards me, I still ignored her.

I closed my eyes as the wind was blustering my face. Nothing can be compared to this scene. I didn't know how I so loved chaos while everyone's screaming helplessly.

"Solaire, go back inside the house." It was mom with her threatening voice.

I fluttered my eyes open and saw the same scene. Just in, I felt mom's presence behind me.

"What are you doing here, Solaire?" Vexation was written in her voice. I turned around to face her and had to smile 'cause she's mad. But when she saw me smiling, she calmed down.

"It's getting dark, baby. Why are you still here? Your father might get angry at you." She muttered but her eyes showed how worried she was.

"I'm fine here, ma ma. I just wanna be alone." I looked down as I drooped my shoulders in sadness.

I just lost my birnman cat named Tian. She's the sweetest cat I've ever known. She died earlier this morning and until now, I still don't know the reason behind her death.

I heard mom sighed and I looked up to meet her eyes in despair. She plastered a faltered smile then tucked my loose curly hair behind my ear.

"We will buy another cat-"

"No!" I half yelled, cutting her line. "No one can replace Tian."

I broked down into tears and she hoisted me up and clung my legs around her small waist.

"It's okay, baby." She shushed me down in a soothing manner. "We will find another Tian."

"No," I cried and shook my head. I wrapped my arms around her neck and burried my chin on her shoulder. "Wo ai Tian." [I love Tian.]

I was three years old back when I had my first heartbreak. Losing my cat was a torment. I used to cuddle and sleep beside her. She was already my cat since I was one year old. But when she's gone, a part of me died as well.

"Sol, maligo tayo sa dagat!" Philia, my second cousin, shouted as she was running towards the shore.

I watched at how great she was as a swimmer. She has lived her whole life here while I had mine in China. I can't speak and understand tagalog well but I was learning slowly. Philia helped me in coping up with basic words like "kumusta?" "Magandang umaga." And other greetings. Good thing we can communicate through English language.

"Solaire! Come here!" She shouted again, beckoning me to come near to her.

"I-I don't know how to swim." I faltered. Although I love beaches, the fact that I can't swim, I can't trust myself for walking towards her.

"It's okay! I can teach you. Come here!"

I swallowed hard. I really wanted to play with her but I was afraid I might get drowned... or atleast drink the seawater. Dad might get mad at me. I was prohibited to play here for some reasons. I can't defy him no matter how I love being with Philia.

"N-No, Philia. I-I'm sorry." I turned around and ran back to our house. My feet were wobbling in fear. I ignored her calling me and just stayed in the patio.

I was sitting on a wooden chair when I heard the door cracked open and I twisted my neck just to find out my mom was talking to a boy around fourteen.

The boy looked friendly although his eyes were deep. His plump lips were in peach shade and they looked bright with his smiles.

"Solaire! Come and meet a new friend." My mom invited and beckoned me to go to her. And I smiled as I saw the boy waved at me.

I ran towards them. My mom reached me out as she placed me beside her.

"This is my daughter, Solaire." Mom introduced me to the boy.

"Hello, Solaire. Ang cute mo naman." He said with a friendly smile and I scrunched my brows 'cause I found it hard to understand what he just said.

"Konti lang ang naiintindihan niyang tagalog kaya dapat mag-english ka." Mom stated. I was just listening to their chitchats though I can't understand them.

The boy lowered down to level our eyes. He has a dark brown eyes that were closed to smokey black. They were glistening in amusement. And I felt comfortable with the stranger.

"You are so cute, Solaire. By the way, my name is Guillaume."

Guillaume?

I hid behind my mother's body. I was embarrassed for unknown reason. I didn't like talking to a guy no matter what age he was. I was always afraid of my father and the thought that he's mad, I always felt like he's going to strike me.

I heard my mom cracked a soft laugh and my cheeks heated up even more. I wanted to run away but I couldn't be rude in that way.

Guillaume smiled breathily. I tightened my grip to mom's dress and I wished nothing but to kick him.

"Nahihiya ang anak ko. 'Di kasi palakaibigan sa lalaki." Mom stated between a soft laugh. She held my hand and tried to loosen up from me but I was stubborn so she gave up.

"I won't bite you, baby. Don't worry." Guillaume grinned, revealing his little dimple below his lips.

"Here you go, baby." Mom hoisted me up and I pouted while Saturnine stood up on his feet. He still had his smiles with him.

"Masasanay din siya sa'yo. My daughter's friendly. Kilala mo naman si Philia. She's her second cousin and bestfriend at the same time."

The boy just nodded and smiled at me. He flinched my cheek carefully and I could feel him wanting to pinch me hard.

"Chinese din po ba siya?" He asked.

"Yes. Papa niya ay Chinese and she was born in China."

"Ah," the boy nodded. "Kaya po pala 'di nakakaintindi ng tagalog. Pero mabuti po dahil nakakaintindi ng english."

"Yeah. And soon enough, kapag masanay na siya rito, bihasa na siyang magtagalog. She needs time and someone to help her."

"Nandiyan naman po si Philia kaya alam kong matutulungan niya si Solaire."

"I hope so. Philia is a good daughter. Magiging mabuti siyang kaibigan sa anak ko."

"Opo naman po. Kilala ko po si Philia. Mabait po siya."

"What are you talking about, ma ma?" I asked, curious about what they were talking.

"Nothing, baby." She smiled and kissed me on my cheeks.

"Sure po akong maraming magkakagusto kay Sol, tita," Yumi said as he held my hand. "Baka marami 'tong paiiyaking lalaki."

"Naku, 'wag naman sana." Mom laughed softly and I was like a potato that needed an attention.

I was four years old when I met Guillaume. He was friendly and bubbly. He has many friends and one of them was Philia.

"Babalik pa ba tayo rito, ma ma?" I asked mom as she was packing her things up. She told me we had to fly back to China for my school. Philia suggested I will have my kindergarten here in Romblon but mom disagreed.

"Of course, baby. We'll be back here in summer." She replied reassuringly.

Nalungkot ako nang sinabi ni ma ma na uuwi na kami ng China. I was having good time with Philia and Kuya Gilau. They were so funny and comfortable to be with. 'Di nauubusan ng mga pakulo and corny jokes.

"Bakit sa China po ako mag-aaral if I can have my school here?" I asked but mom just sighed as she finished packing.

"Your ba ba won't allow you to school here, baby. Please understand him."

I nodded helplessly. I wish dad would send me to school here. I don't want to leave my friends here. I would have a hard time to adjust with new surroundings and people. And I have to speak Mandarin to communicate with them.

I was five years old when I had to go back to China for my education. Kahit anong gawin kong pagkumbinse kay ba ba na dito nalang ako mag-aaral, hindi pa rin siya papayag. Gusto niyang sa China ako lalaki for me to cope up with their traditions and cultures. Ma ma is a filipino but ba ba wants to keep me as his own race. Ayaw namang sumalungat si ma ma. I don't know why.

Habang nag-aaral ako sa China, I was also studying Filipino language. Mahirap kapag 'di ko naiintindihan ang mga taong nasa paligid ko. Back when I was four, lagi akong napapatatas dahil 'di ako marunong magsalita at mag-intindi ng lenguwahe nila.

"Maayos na ba ang mga gamit mo, anak?" Mom asked.

Dahil bakasyon na at kagaya ng ipinangako ni ma ma sa'kin, uuwi kami ng Pinas para bumisita sa mga kamag-anak namin. Sa Romblon pa rin kami panandalian. And the thought of meeting Philia was very exciting. I miss her so much.

"Yes, ma ma. All are ready." Sagot ko.

Mabuti at pumayag si ba ba na uuwi kami ng Pinas. I promised to him that I will excel in class kapalit ng ticket pabalik sa bansa. So, I had no time in chitchatting with my classmates dahil abala ako sa pag-aaral. Luckily, nangunguna ako sa klase.

"You look so excited, baby." Nakangiti niyang komento. But there was a hidden message behind her smile.

"I can't wait to see Philia again, ma ma. I miss her so much."

"For sure she misses you too, baby."

I was six years old and it was officially summer when we flew back to the Philippines. Sa Romblon kaagad kami pumunta ni ma ma dahil excited na akong makita ang turkesang dagat, buhangin, nagtatayugang puno ng niyog at gusto ko na ring maramdaman ang simoy ng hangin.

"I already told Lola Tharri na sa Romblon na tayo didiretso. She said it's fine at doon na rin sila maghihintay." Mom informed me when we were inside the moving car.

"Make sure nandoon si Philia, ma ma, okay? She's the reason why I want to go back here." Ngumuso ako.

"Of course, baby. That's a promise." She smiled and kissed me on my forehead.

As soon as the car stopped in front of a house, binuksan ko ang pinto ng sasakyan saka bumaba agad. Narinig ko ang halakhak ni ma ma pero binalewala ko lang 'yon. I was too excited to see my second cousin.

Bago ako nakarating sa mismong bahay na tinitirhan namin pansamantala, binaybay ko muna ang mahaba at makitid na daan papunta roon. Mayroong nagtatayugang puno ng niyog at may iilan ring kubo na madadatnan. May nakita akong mga pamilyar na mukha and they greeted me when they recognized it was me, Lian Wan Vega Chuatoco, also known as Solaire.

I greeted them back at pinagpatuloy ang pagtatakbo papunta sa bahay. Nag-uumapaw sa galak ang nararamdaman ko ngayon.

"Ni hao! Hello! Kumusta!" Bati ko nang nakarating ako sa veranda ng bahay. I heard noises from the house na parang nawindang sa biglaan kong pagsigaw.

"Solaire?" I heard a familiar voice behind my back. I whirled around and spread my lips in happiness.

"Philia!" I yelled and ran towards her. Sinalubong niya ako ng yakap at niyakap ko naman siya ng mahigpit.

She was coughing kaya kumalas ako mula sa kaniya.

"Sorry." Sabi ko, grinning.

"You almost choked me to death." Aniya, umuubo.

"I was just too excited to see you. You see? I'm back!" Tumalon talon ako sa galak.

"Good." Tumango siya. "I thought you already forget about me."

"Duh," I rolled my eyes. "Why would I forget someone like you? How can I forget when you're always in my mind?"

"Weh?" She scoffed, pulling her head behind to give more emphasis to her words. "You never forget me even once?"

"Yes!" I nodded. "I even dared ba ba to buy me ticket if I excel in class. And guess what?" I laughed, so she was.

"We're home!" Deklara ni ma ma. We turned to her, who just removed her sunglasses. She looked fabulous in her black tight jeans and white blazer with white shirt inside. She was wearing a chunky heels that complimented her long legs.

"Hello, tita!" Bati ni Philia saka nakipagbeso kay ma ma.

"Hi, Philia. It's so good to see you again. Tumangkad ka yata."

"Kasi si lola, eh. Laging karne at gatas ng kalabaw ang pinapakain sa'kin."

"Oh," mom laughed, so did I.

"Tara na po sa loob." Aya ni Philia at bumalik muli sa akin. "Let's go. I'm sure you miss eating adobo." She wiggled her brows at me. Bago pa ako makasagot ay hinila na niya ang kamay ko saka tumakbo kami papasok.