Chapter 12

"We're walking in the roadside after we finally escaped from that hell house, looking for someplace to stay in, and fortunately, my Mom found someone else. She'd seen Daddy Tyrone in a cafeteria, having a business meeting, I guess. We're about to continue walking, but Mom didn't move, she's just looking at the cafeteria, we're so curious at that time, but we decided to just stay and be quiet. Then, she suddenly said that the man we're seeing is her first love, first boyfriend..." I paused when I've seen how her facial expression changed. I don't know if she felt the 'kilig' or she was like, 'oh, corny', "...and first heartbroken," and there, she also felt the pain, her eyes were telling it, "sa totoo lang, we don't know what was she talking about that time, we're just 6 years young and we don't know anything about romantic relationship," she laughed, "then, Mom suddenly said that we're gonna cross the road because she needs to talk to him. Sumunod na lang kami sa kanya, then the man who was about to go to his car stopped at lumapit siya kay Mommy, then Mom suddenly cried. After crying in that man's shoulder, pumasok kami sa cafeteria, and there Mom told this man everything that happened to us. Naaalala ko pa sabi niya ipakulong si Grandma, pero ayaw ni Mommy dahil matanda na rin naman siya. After we're done eating, isinama na niya kami sa bahay nila. Akala ko nga paaalisin kami nang makita kami ng mga magulang niya, but no, Daddy Tyrone's parents are way too different from Tatay's parent. Our life changed again, but that time, it changed positively."

"Amazing," she uttered as her smile appeared, "that's the only word I can utter, amazing."

"God is amazing," I said. "No matter what circumstances we've been through he never leave us. I never questioned him for what is happening to our life, instead, I asked for his guidance. And I've seen how amazing he is when he sent us to a place where we can find the real meaning of freedom, love, and happiness."

"Sky, I didn't know such a man like you still exist," she said out of herself.

I smiled, "madami pa kami, I'm sure," I replied.

"Sana lang."

"Yeah. So, that's it, what happened to my Mom is the reason why I don't like seeing women being in pain and in sadness, it kills me," I uttered.

"That's why you were Veia's Knight in Shining Armor in the past?" she asked, smiling.

I didn't know she already knew about it. "Yes," I replied. "Just like you, Veia was a victim of bullying."

"Why?"

"Gaya ng mga estudyante sa MU, ang mga estudyante rin dito ay makikitid ang utak."

"Mas makikitid nga lang sa MU."

"Pareho-pareho lang siguro sila," she shrugged and I just smiled, "sobrang kitid ng utak nila, they couldn't just let Veia study here without messing her around," I continued. This time, she's just looking at somewhere else, "we're in our 9th-grade when she transferred, nagkaroon kasi siya ng scholarship kaya nakaya niyang pumasok dito though her family somehow struggling when it comes to financial needs. Veia is very smart and she can still enhance her skills and capability if she studies here," she nodded. I thought she's not listening kung saan-saan lang kasi siya tumitingin, "she's very excited and nervous on the first day of class, but what welcomed her are those bullies who get her bag and hide it somewhere. But, despite having nothing on the first day, she still went to the classroom, listen to our teachers, without them telling that she's being bullied. I approached her and asked her what happened why her bag was missing, but she suddenly stood up and run, she thought at that time I'm gonna bully her, too. Days continued to pass by and she was still bullied, it's because the students knew that she didn't come from a wealthy family and she doesn't have money to buy new things. Halata kasi na 'yong mga gamit niya ay luma, even her notebooks, halatang recycled, but it doesn't mean they're gonna bully her because of those nonsense reasons. Because of them, she barely went to school, she doesn't want to talk with anyone, she doesn't speak. Tapos narinig ko 'yong mga teacher, they're talking about her, sabi nila, what happened to Veia raw, she's a top student and she's a scholar, but she's not participating in class and she's not always present. After knowing about it, I took all my courage and strength to protect her from all those bullies, so she can still study despite those people who are messing her around. Gaya mo, she kept on pushing me away, but I didn't mind it, I continued helping her, until such she appreciated my effort and we became friends, then she happened to become my first ever girl best friend."

We're placed in silence. I thought she's not gonna ask me some questions more, but she just did. "Am I somehow remind you of Veia?"

I looked at Hillary, who is now staring back at me, "y-yes," I replied.

"I get it now."

"But...as time passes by, hindi na 'yon ang dahilan kung bakit kita tinutulungan. I know, Hillary, you're not silent, lonely, and cold, you're hiding, and I want you to get out from your comfort zone."

"Naniniwala ka ba na hindi ako gano'n?"

"Yes. Hillary, don't be afraid to show who you really are. Just remember that I'm here, I'm one call away when you need help."

"S-Sky, why are you doing this?"

"Because I believe in you."

We're now staring at each other's eyes. None of us are planning to speak. Binabasa ni Hillary ang mga mata ko and I am also studying the emotion her eyes were showing.

She was the first one to took her eyes away from me, she then said, "p-pero, Sky, paano na ngayon? You were crying over the phone dahil sila na ni Sun, 'di ba?"

"I don't think if sila na, but one thing's for sure, they already know each other's feelings."

"Magmomove on ka na?"

"I think so."

We're placed in silence again. After a minute, napagpasyahan ko nang umalis na kami dahil medyo dumidilim na.

I was about to stand up when she speaks, "let me help you."

"Ha?" I asked, confused.

"Let me help you to get back what you really owned. You're the first man she'd known, the first man who became her friend, the man who loves her first. You deserve to have her."

I don't know what should be my reaction. I'd love to get Veia and be mine, but I don't think we can do what she'd said. I can't imagine being my twin's rival.

But, sh*t...I am still hesitating!!