"Ms. Irina Ysobel Samonte, You don't know JFK? Hello, Ate naman taga saang dimension ka ba?" Sagot nya sabay upo sa queen-size kong kama.

Transcription

1 BOOK DETAILS [BOOK NAME] MISTAKENLY MEANT FOR YOU [TO BE PUBLISHED] [TOTALPARTS] [ BOOK DESCRIPTION ] I am Irina Ysobel Samonte. My friends call me Ice. I had everything planned - pag-aaral, pag-aabogasya then travel around the world. Unfortunately for me, fate has a sense of humor. And it all started with a glass of water. Who would have thought isang basong tubig lang gugulo na buhay ko? ******************************************* [1] MISTAKENLY MEANT FOR YOU ******************************************* AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'm new to WattPad. I'm definitely a romantic and would like to share my stories (and daydreams, ahem) with you. In this story, wala pang K-12 program kasi di naman yun naabutan kaya di ako familiar ^_^ So dito, they start Highschool at 13 and graduate at 16. My lead female character is Irina Ysobel T. Samonte - matalino, cowboy, mayaman, palaban, maarte kapag kailangan ^_^ while my male lead Fire Zamora is a not-so-typical boy-next door - athletic, matalino, gwapo, mayaman, mabango ^_^ pero loyal. I rewrote the chapters because I found the pacing too slow for my liking. This story has been going-on in my head for years now and I just need to write it down. Be aware that this story tackles themes that might be too much for young readers so please heed the rating. If you have questions/suggestions feel free to leave me a message. ENJOY! jenni ******************************************* [2] Chapter 1: Ice ******************************************* "Ate! Alam mo ba na lilipat sa school natin si JFK?!" Excited na tili ng nag-iisa kong kapatid na si Ingrid. I had to roll my eyes. Sino na naman tong JFK na to? Isip ko habang patuloy na nagba browse ng available ebooks sa isang site. "JFK? Patay na kaya yun. Ano ka ba." Sagot ko sa kanya habang sya ay halos magka seizure na sa kilig sa tabi ko. Huminto sya sa kanyang happy dance at namewang na tumabi sa akin. "Ms. Irina Ysobel Samonte, You don't know JFK? Hello, Ate naman taga saang dimension ka ba?" Sagot nya sabay upo sa queen-size kong kama. "Of course I know who JFK is, Ms. Ingrid Yelen Samonte. He was assassinated November 22, 1963." I replied. Bakit may ibang JFK pa ba? I thought.

2 "Geez, Ate you're such a geek! Nag-aaral ka na ba eh wala pa ngang pasukan." May pagmamaktol nyang sagot. Oh-oh, I smell a tantrum brewing better start a tantrum-dodging maneuver. "Fine. Who is this JFK guy who's given you a temporary epileptic attack? Pagtatanong ko habang inikot ko ang silya para humarap sa kanya. As if on cue, tumili sya ulit at niyapos ang magazine na dala-dala nya. "Seriously, hindi mo sya kilala, Ate?!" "Alam mo redundant yang tanong na yan." "Ate Ice! Sya yung star player ng St. Lorenzo Academy! Athlete slash model slash hottie!" Pagtitiling sagot ni Ingrid. "Ito sya o!" Buong pagmamalaki nyang pinakita ang front page ng magazine na hawak hawak nya. "O tapos?" Sagot ko. Dapat ba akong ma excite dahil may athlete slash model slash hottie na mapapadpad sa school namin? "Anong so?" Pagtataray na sagot ni Ingrid. "Hindi mo ba alam na ang daming naghahabol na school at babae sa kanya, ang dami nyang offers pero pinili nya ang school natin?! Ano ka ba naman, Ate as St. Bernadette Academy's student council president ay dapat excited ka!" May halong lecture at kilig nyang sabi. "Yey..." Walang kalatoy-latoy kong sagot. "Enough na ba yan to show my excitement?" "Gosh, you're hopeless, Ate!" "Ingrid, isn't it enough that I support you in all your boy craziness? Kailangan talaga makikitili at makikiseizure din ako every time may bago kang prospect?" I tiredly answered her. "Ate Ice naman eh, bakit ba ang geeky at boring mo? Kasing ganda naman kita, although mas maganda ako sayo ng kaunti --" "Debatable." Pabiro kong tugon. "Mas maganda ako!" "Sinong may sabi?" Paseryosong tanong ko sa kanya. Magkahawig kami ni Ingrid sa pisikal na anyo - parehong mahaba ang buhok, may dimples sa magkabilang pisngi, maputi at slender ang build. Pero the likeness ends there, kung anong sineryoso ko sa pag-aaral ay yun namang sineryoso ni Ingrid sa paghahanap ng true love. "Sabi ni daddy mas maganda ako!" May pagmamaktol na sagot ni Ingrid. I couldn't help but laugh. "Oo na, mas maganda ka." I replied to pacify her. "I know." Kikay na sagot nya as she flipped her hair. "Marami kayang nagsasabing ako daw ang younger version ni Sandara Park." "Sige, ikaw na ang younger version ni Sandara Park, good luck sa paghahanap mo ng G-Dragon." I replied with a wink as I swiveled my computer chair to face my desk. "Kelan ka pa naging appler?"

3 "Now lang." Pabirong sagot ko. "Nabasa ko lang FB wall mo, di ko nga kilala si G-Dragon." "Hwag mo na syang kilalanin, Ate kasi akin lang sya!" Tili ni Ingrid. "Sige, sayo na." Sagot ko habang tinuloy ang pagbabrowse. "Ate Ice naman eh! Tingnan mo muna si JFK!" May pag-uungot nyang sabi habang binandera sa mukha ko ang cover ng magazine na hawak nya. "Ang gwapo at hot nya di ba, bagay sa kanya ang nickname nya!" "Okay." Sagot ko, di naman talaga pansin kasi wala pa yatang 2 seconds yung pagsulyap ko dun sa magazine. "At kelan mo naman hiningi yung opinyon ko tungkol dyan sa mga boys na finafangirl mo?" "Ate naman eh, aminin mo munang gwapo sya kasi!" Pagdidiin ni Ingrid. "Oo na, gwapo na sya." Pagsang-ayon ko. I seriously want the conversation to end. "Yey! Ayan! Mommy! May nahanap na akong magiging boyfriend ni Ate!" Sigaw nya bago patakbong lumabas ng kwarto. Boyfriend? What boyfriend? Nag hang yata utak ko sa salitang boyfriend. Dami ko pang pangarap sa buhay no, aanhin ko naman yang lalaki. "Where are you guys seated?" Tanong ko sa phone habang hinahanap ang mga kaibigan ko. Sabado, 2 days before classes start at naisipan naming magbabarkada na magkita. "Ice!" Narinig ko ang boses ni Celine. "Over here!" "Hey, girls!" Masaya kong sambit nang makalapit sa mesang kinauupuan nila. "Itanong mo kay Ice, Maia. Itanong mo!" Diin ni Celine na bestfriend ko mula Grade 2. "Ang alin?" Nalilitong tanong ko. "Is Liz coming?" Dagdag ko, referring to our other barkada, Elizabeth. "Girl, you wouldn't believe this." Pa suspense na bulong ni Maia. "Believe what?" I asked quirking an eyebrow at Celine. "Si Liz may boyfriend na." Sagot ni Celine at tumingin ng masama sa kanya si Maia. "Ano ka ba, ako dapat ang nagsabi!" Naasar na sambit nito.

4 "Wait. What? Kelan lang yan? We got together last week wala naman syang nasabi or clue man lang na nagka-color ang lovelife nya." Sabi ko at tumango-tango sina Maia at Celine. "I was surprised too, biglaan nga. I learned about it yesterday kasi nagkita kami ni Therese sa skating rink kahapon, I was with my baby brothers at nung tinanong ko kung nasaan Ate nya she said kasama daw ng boyfriend." pagkukwento ni Celine. "I don't know if I should feel slighted ha." Dugtong ni Maia. "Ano yun wala syang balak sabihin sa atin?" "Girls, ano ba naman kayo. Let's let Liz be. Dun sya masaya, we should support her." Sabi ko. "Wow, si peace-to-all-mankind humirit na naman." Celine sarcastically replied. "It's pointless to get mad at her because she got herself a boyfriend and we're all single by choice." I joked. "Pero, she should have told us." Maia insisted. "She will tell us in her own time, kailangan ba nating ma-stress dyan sa lovelife ng friend natin? Besides, 2 days na lang pasukan na! Aren't you excited? Tanong ko sa kanila. "Ice, ikaw lang ang kilala kong walang crush sa school, walang boyfriend pero excited magpasukan." "Anong walang crush, paano si Biendavid Morellos? Nakangiting tukso ni Maia. "Dave is my friend." I replied noncommittally. "My gosh you're boring." Maia replied before taking a sip from her chocolate chip smoothie. "Alam mo naman to si Ice, Maia may relasyon sila ng mga libro sa library. Mutual understanding kumbaga." Pagbibiro ni Celine. "Har har," Sabi ko pero nakitawa na rin ako sa kanila. "Wait! Nakalimutan ko na tuloy yung hot news ko sayo!" Maia exclaimed. "Di mo ba alam--" "Si JFK Zamora lilipat sa school natin." Dugtong ni Celine. "Ano ka ba naman, Celine! Ang KJ mo, wala man lang sense of suspense!" May halong inis na reklamo ni Maia. "Suspense? As in gagawan mo ng suspense? Di mo ba alam na si Ice yang kausap mo malamang di nya alam kung sino si JFK Zamora kaya masasayang lang effort mo." "Di ba sya ang basketball star slash model slash hottie ng St. Lorenzo's?" Sabat ko. "Huh?" Tanong ni Celine.

5 "Oh my goodness bakit mo alam, fangirl ka rin ba nya?" Excited na tanong ni Maia. "Duh. Mukha ba akong fangirl? At bakit rin ibig sabihin fangirl ka nya?" Sabi ko. "Alam ko yung pagtransfer nya sa school because of Ingrid." "Oo nga pala, malamang alam ni Ingrid at kilala nya si JFK." Tumatangong sabi ni Maia. "Seriously, JFK name nya? Sobrang idol naman ng mommy nya masyado yung dating presidente ng US." Natatawa kong sabi. "Ito ang scoop, his mom was reading JFK the president's biography while she was pregnant with him kaya tuloy JFK name nya." Maia proudly volunteered the information. "And you know this because...?" Celine asked. "Fangirl nga daw sya ano ka ba?" I laughingly replied. "Unless my sariling wiki page yang si JFK na yan paano naman nya malalaman yung info na yun? Niresearch mo talaga, Maia?" Tanong ni Celine. "Wow, sis that's desperate." "So what kung niresearch ko?" "Tama na nga yan, mag-aaway pa kayo dahil sa isang lalaking di naman kayo kilala." Sabi ko. "Excuse me pero friend ko sya sa FaceBook kaya magkakilala kami." May pag-irap na sabi ni Maia. "Friend mo sya sa FaceBook? Malay mo ba kung poser account lang yun!" Celine asked. "I'm sure totoong account nya yun!" Sagot ni Maia kay Celine. "At paano mo naman nalaman?" "Celine, stop annoying Maia. Seriously, girls." Natatawa kong sabi. Kapag si Maia at Celine ang magkasama di maiwasan ang mga ganitong klaseng banters. Nagsimula yan nung nasa Grade 5 kami dahil yung crush ni Celine ay crush din ni Maia at sa tingin ko although lumipas na yung stage na yun di pa rin mawala sa kanila yung pagiging competitive sa isa't isa. "I'm thirsty, I'll buy bottled water." Sabi ko sa dalawa sabay tayo. "Do you girls want anything?" "Napaka health freak mo, water lang? Di man lang smoothie or juice or soda or iced coffee?" Maia inquired. "Okay na ako dito sa frappe ko." Celine said. "Alam nyo bang those drinks you mentioned ay puro sugar lang? Di sana kumain na lang akong asukal." Sagot ko. "Dapat nga siguro kumain kang sugar para maging sweet ka naman kahit papano." Narinig kong sabi ni Celine habang papalayo ako sa mesa namin. "Whatever." Sabi ko sabay dila sa direksyon nila.

6 "Good morning, Ma'am may I take your order please." Sabi ng nagbabantay sa counter. "Just bottled water." I replied smiling at her. "Ma'am, sorry but we don't have bottled water currently wala po kasing delivery. If you want po we have filtered water available, yun po ang tubig na ginagamit namin with our drinks and yun din po ang tubig na iniinom namin so be assured na malinis po yun." Nakangiting sabi nya. "Okay." Sabi ko nang biglang nag vibrate ang phone ko. "Ingrid, what is it?" Tanong ko habang nag si-signal ng wait lang sa babaeng may dala ng tubig ko. Ngumiti sya at nilapag ang tubig sa tabi ng counter bago tinakpan ng tissue. "Thank you." I mouthed at her. "Ate! Do not forget to buy the new CD I told you about last night ha!" "Yes, it's on my list." Sabi ko. "Is that the only reason why you called?" "Yep! Ay wait pala! Buy me anything sweet from Parvati's! Thanks, Ate." "Okay. See you later. Bye." I was about to pocket my phone when I saw a guy moved to the counter. Matangkad sya, I think he's almost a foot taller than me and considering na 5'5'' na height ko. Gwapo. Naisip ko when I saw his profile. Di man ako mahilig sa lalaki pero nakakaappreciate ako ng kagwapuhan. I hid a smile. "Hi, beautiful." Sabi nung lalaki sa girl na nasa counter. "Water please." Dugtong nya, lumingon sya kung saan ako nakatayo at ngumiti. What the hell. Para akong nasilaw. What in the world was that? I asked myself when I felt myself blush. Ngiti lang yun, Ice mukha kang tanga! I silently chastised myself. "Do you want my autograph?" Tanong nya. I must have been gawking at him like some hungry vulture. Do you want my autograph? What he said echoed in my head and stayed there. It took me about two seconds to process it all. Wait. Whattt??Ang kapal! "No." Sabi ko. Heller, ikaw na gwapo kuya kailangan autograph talaga? "Oh, come on, I caught you staring at me. Don't go shy on me now." Presko nyang sabi at yung liwanag na nakita ko sa ngiti nya kanina ay napalitan ng paninilim ng paningin. Bwisit. "You are so full of yourself it's a wonder you're not overflowing." I sarcastically replied. "Whooaa, baby. Chill." He laughingly replied as he touched my cheek. Ewww. "Whatever." Tinampal ko ang kamay nya and he laughed. For the first time ay nawalan ako ng sasabihin. I'm a debater pero yung kakapalan ng mukha ng lalaking ito ay sobra to the point na namatay na yata kalahati ng brain cells ko. I moved forward sabay kuha sa baso ng tubig na dala ng babae kanina para sa akin. "Whooaa, baby that's mine." Sabi ni Mr. Thickskin grabbing the paper cup from my hand.

7 "No. This cup of water is mine." I replied stubbornly as I grabbed the paper cup back. Some of the water sloshed onto my blouse and I opened my mouth in disbelief. I'm going to kill this jerk! "Why don't I just give you my autograph and you give me the cup of water?" He asked with a smirk. Grabe, di man lang napansin ng damuhong ito na nabasa ako! "I've never met someone who's so desperate for my autograph that she had to grab my glass of water." He said with a wink and all my Emotional Quotient just evaporated. Ang kapal. Ang kapal! Ang KAPAL! "Sure." I said with the sweetest smile I could muster. "Here." Sabi ko sabay saboy ng tubig sa mukha nya. I heard someone gasp and a few people were whispering behind me. Para akong na-transport sa twilight zone as I looked at the guy's dripping front and my hand still holding the now empty paper cup. "OH MY GOSH!" Narinig kong sabi ni Maia. I felt someone take the cup off my hand at yung isang waiter ay dali-daling pinupunasan ang basang mukha at t-shirt ng lalaki. "Ice!" It was Celine's voice as she pulled me towards the door and away from the guy and the crowd. "Are you okay?" Pagmamadali nyang sabi. "Where are you parked?" Tanong nya pero di ako makasagot. I didn't know what came over me. I pride myself for always being calm and I just doused someone with water. In public at that. "Shit." I whispered as Celine grabbed my phone. She dialed a number. "Manong Ben, nandito po kami sa may entrance puntahan mo kami dito." Narinig kong sabi nya, she apparently called my driver. "I should apologize." Sabi ko sabay lakad pabalik sa coffee shop. "What came over you ba? Hindi mo ba kilala kung sino yun?" Maia asked in disbelief. "Kilala mo ba sya?" I absentmindedly asked, I still couldn't believe what I just did. "Ano ka ba! That was JFK Zamora!" WHAT?? ******************************************* [3] Chapter 2: Ice ******************************************* "Honey, are you okay?" Tanong ni mommy while we're eating dinner. "Are you feeling ill? Why are you so quiet?" "May iniisip lang ako 'mmy." Pangiting sagot ko. "Uyyy, iniisip ni Ate si JFK Zamora..." "And who is JFK Zamora?" Tanong ni Dad. "Sya ang magiging boyfriend ni Ate, Daddy!" Hirit ni Ingrid. "Aba, dalaga na pala ang Ate mo." Pabirong sagot ni Dad.

8 "Dad, wag kayong maniwala dyan kay Ingrid gawa-gawa nya lang yun." "Dad, di ba you wouldn't mind having a son-in-law that's an excellent athlete and model?" Ingrid piped in. "Can it, Ingrid." Sabi ko na may halong inis. Yung bwisit na JFK Zamora na nga ang tumatakbo sa isip ko dahil sa coffee shop incident na yun tapos pati ba naman dito sa bahay sya ang topic? I have a feeling na malas ang dala ng taong yun sa buhay ko! "Ingrid, that's enough naasar na Ate mo." Sabi ni mommy who softened the warning by smiling dotingly at my younger sister. "Mom, bakit naman maasar si Ate pag tinutukso sya dun eh di pa nga sila magkakilala. Besides pag nakita ako ni JFK Zamora I'm sure di nya papansinin si Ate. But, since I am a generous baby sister, ibibigay ko na lang si JFK Zamora sa kanya!" Pilyang tugon ni Ingrid. "Iyong-iyo na sya." Sabi ko. "Bakit pa ako maghahanap ng ibang gwapo eh nandyan naman si Dad?" May halong lambing na sabi ko. "Aba, yan gusto ko sayo baby girl, you have an excellent taste." Daddy jokingly replied. The atmosphere became lighter at nakalimutan ko pansamantala yung JFK Zamora na yun. Sana naman di na mag krus landas namin although I know I still need to apologize. Apologize??He asked for it! Pagtatanggol ng maldita self ko. Ayoko na muna syang isipin, I need to prepare for the opening of classes at meron pang induction ball ang current student council officers, I need to coordinate with my VP, Dave. I cannot believe I'm in my senior year, I promise to make this year memorable! Monday came too soon, not that I'm complaining. Nasa loob kami ng kotse, as a first day of school tradition ng family ko, si Mommy at Daddy mismo ang naghahatid sa amin. "Ingrid, is that lipstick?" Tanong ni mommy habang tinitingnan ang nakababata kong kapatid through the rear view mirror. "Aren't you too young for that, honey?" "Mommy naman, lipgloss lang to, strawberry flavor. Tita Anne gave this to me last week nung nagpunta tayo kina Lola." "Look at your Ate, di na kailangan pa ng kahit anong make-up just to look pretty." Sabi ni mommy. "Hon, pabayaan mo na lang yang bata." As usual pagtatanggol ni Dad sa kapatid ko. "Spoiled." I mouthed at Ingrid. "Inggit ka lang." Sagot nya sabay ngiti. "Gusto mo, Ate?" Pilyang sabi nya habang inaabot ang pink nyang lipgloss sa akin. "No, natural beauty ako." I replied and playfully pouted my lips.

9 "Sige na, malay mo magkita kayo si JFK Zamora ngayon at least pinkish ang lips mo." Pagpupumilit ni Ingrid. "Ano ba, Ingrid pwede bang wag natin syang pag-usapan!" "Ingrid, stop teasing your sister." Mommy said while Dad laughed. "We're here, girls." Sabi ni Daddy matapos i-park ang kotse sa isa sa mga parking spaces katapat ng school entrance. Bumaba kami ni Ingrid sa kotse. "Enjoy your first day of school, girls!" Masayang sabi ni Mommy sabay kaway sa amin. "We will!" Tugon ko sabay kaway din. "Bye, Mom! Bye, Dad!" Masayang tugon ni Ingrid returning mom's wave. "Manong Ben will pick you up later." Pahabol na sabi ni Daddy. "Okay, Dad. Bye!" Sagot ko. Hinawakan ko kaagad ang kamay ni Ingrid at naglakad kami papuntang school gate. Isang malaking banner na nagsasabing "Welcome Back, Saints!" na nakaabang sa may entrance. "Bakit ba Saints tawag sa mga students ng St. Bernadette? Di man lang something cool like wolves, pythons, cats?" Tanong ni Ingrid habang papalapit kami sa gate. "Saints kasi mababait daw tayong lahat, pino kumilos, demure, mahinhin..." I replied as I smiled at the other students who were also on their way to the gate. "Ate, ikaw yata model nila nung i-coin nila yang pangalang Saints." "Ha ha. Funny." Sagot ko nung makalampas na kami sa gate. "Sabay tayo lunch?" Tanong ko sa kanya. "Ate naman eh! Di ko naman kailangan ng yaya!" "Hahaha! Sige, enjoy!" Sabi ko as I headed towards the stairs. Madaming estudyanteng nagkukwentuhan sa corridor. I miss this. Naisip ko. Iba yung gulo sa loob ng school, yung tawanan, biruan, halakhakan na parang wala nang bukas. "Heya, Ice!" "Morning, Ice!" "Looking good, Ice!" "Hi, Ice!" "Good morning, Ms. President." I smiled at them all and returned the greetings. Mula kinder sa St. Bernadette na ako nag-aral and humility aside I've always been popular. I've always been an achiever and I've represented my school in almost all Academic competitions. "Ice!" Narinig ko ang boses ni Celine.

10 "Cel!" Natutuwa kong tugon sabay kaway sa kanya. "Aba ready na ready ka na yatang mag exam kahit kakasimula pa lang ng klase." Pabirong sabi ni Celine na nakatingin sa Advance Calculus na librong hawak ko. "Free elective ko." Tugon ko. "Wow, yung free elective ko Baking tapos yung sayo calculus?" Natatawang sabi nya. "Akala ko ba we'll make our senior year fun?" "Oo nga. Pwede namang maging fun kahit meron akong advance calculus." "Ice! Cel!" "Hi, Maia!" Sabay na sagot namin ni Celine. "Girls!" "Oh lookie, it's the girl with the golden tattoo...este boyfriend." Natatawang biro ko. "Uy grabe naman, balak ko naman talagang sabihin pero naunahan lang ako nung kapatid kong walang kasing daldal." "Liz, we're hurt nagtatampo kami sayo." Sabi ni Celine na kunyari ay malungkot. "Oo nga Liz, di nga ako makatulog sa kakaisip what I did wrong, bakit you tried to keep it a secret." Bwelta ni Maia. "Sorry na, girls. Sorry na talaga." Paglalambing ni Liz. "Ikaw ba, Ice nagtatampo ka rin?" Malungkot na tanong ni Liz habang papunta kaming locker room. Usually iniiwan muna namin ang mga gamit namin before we head to the school quadrangle for the flag ceremony. "Hi, babe." Biglang may umakbay sa akin. Natigilan kaming apat at sabaysabay na tumingin sa lalaking nakaakbay sa akin. "Sino yan?" Pabulong na tanong ni Liz. "You've got to be kidding me..." Nasambit ko sabay tanggal sa kamay nyang comfortable na nakasukbit sa balikat ko. "Ikaw na naman?!" "Irina Ysobel Tan Samonte." He said with a smirk. "So we meet again." I decided to be the mature one and apologize. "Look, I'm sorry if I thought you needed a bath kaya kita sinabuyan ng tubig that was very rude of me." I quipped, smiling amiably at him. "Is that a joke? Because it isn't funny." Seryosong sagot nya at nagpigting agad ang tenga ko. Ang kapal! "Seriously, I don't care what you think so you might as well get out of my sight." Pagmamaldita kong tugon. May ibang estudyanteng huminto at nakiusyuso but I don't really care, nag sorry na nga ako talagang nangiinsulto pa. "Tara na, girls." Sabi ko sa mga kaibigan ko sabay alis.

11 "Alam mo ang taray mo." Sabi nya. "My intel about you was right, mataray ka daw, maldita, feeling maganda." I stopped walking and turned around to face him. "Your intel was right except for two things, una maganda talaga ako, pangalawa I have brains unlike you." Humagalpak syang tawa na lalo kong kinaasar. Ano ba tong taong to, reincarnation ng lahat ng langgam na napatay ko and out to torture me?! "Wow, I love how you're so full of confidence." Sabi nya habang tawa ng tawa. "I like confident girls." He added. "Ha ha ha. Is that a joke?" Sarcastic kong sabi as I resumed walking. "Irina!" Sigaw nya but I ignored him. "Irina Ysobel Tan Samonte!" Tarantado. Bwisit. Magbigti ka na! "Sino yun ang gwapo." Pabulong na tanong ni Liz. "Isang bwisit na tinubuan ng kamay at paa!" Sagot ko. "Hey, Irina! Suplada!" Tawag nya. "Let's just ignore him." Sabi ko sa mga kaibigan ko but he followed us to the quadrangle. I was bent on ignoring him as he stood beside me. "Irina." Sabi nya ulit but I pretended not to hear him. "Hey, earth to Irina!" Pangungulit nya sabay hablot sa headband ko. "Aray, ano ba?!" Naasar kong sabi as the flag ceremony started. "Give that back!" I hissed. "I know something about you that you don't..." He replied with a wink as I grabbed my headband from him. I was irritated and some of the teachers were giving us censoring stares so I proceeded to ignore him again. "Will you quit it?" I murmured. "Hindi mo pansin, may flag ceremony?!" I whispered in annoyance and he heeded. I nearly sighed with relief, at least di na nangungulit yung bwisit. The flag ceremony ended and our principal, Mr. Delgado, went up the stage. "Today, I welcome back the old students of St. Bernadette, may this year be filled with learning and fun and may you continue to do this school proud as you've done in the past years. To our teachers who will serve as guides in molding our young students' minds, kudos to you. To our nonteaching staff, I know you'll do a great job like what you've always done. To our new Supreme Student Council officers, headed by our student council President Ms. Irina Ysobel Samonte, who will be taking their oath in 2 weeks, good luck and thank you in advance for what will be an enjoyable and productive year for St. Bernadette students." We clapped our hands politely and I smiled at the students who whispered their congratulations at me. "Ikaw na ang sikat." Biro ni Celine. "Go, Ice!" Cheer ni Maia at Liz.

12 "Sikat ka pala." Hirit ng bwisit na nasa bandang kaliwa ko. I threw dagger looks at him before I shifted my attention back to the stage. "I see new faces and my heart fills with joy as I welcome you to our school, I hope that you'll find your niche here as our students have. This school year is very exciting for St. Bernadette Academy as we welcome someone, who I'm sure, most of you are familiar with. Students, faculty and employees I am proud to say that this year the basketball championship will surely be added to our list of achievements as St Bernadette welcomes John Fitzgerald Kennedy Zamora into our roster of achievers!" Nagpalakpakan lahat. The girls went crazy. There were catcalls and whistles as the jerk beside me smiled and waved like he was some Korean hallyu star. Kapal ng mukha! "Speech! Speech!" Sigawan nila. "Let us hear what the man of the hour has to say." Sabi ng principal namin and the students went crazier. "Ang gwapo nya!" "Buti nag transfer sya sa school natin!" "Grabe mahal ko na sya!" "Bigyan nyo akong tubig di ako makahinga!" "Ang bango bango nya!" "I love you, JFK!" Pathetic. Naisip ko habang nagsisigawan ang mga babaeng schoolmates ko. At hindi sya marunong mahiya dahil talagang umakyat sya ng stage! Ang kapal talaga! Everyone quited down as JFK took the microphone our principal handed out to him. "Ang gwapo nya..." Maia uttered in a breathless voice. "Okay ka lang? Gwapo ba yan?" Tanong ko and I received death glares from the two girls who were standing in front of me. "Yes?" I asked and they turned their heads and resumed ogling the jerk. "Paano kayo nagkakilala nyan?" Tanong ni Liz. "He's such a dreamboat..." "Gosh, don't tell me ikaw rin?" Tanong kong may halong yamot. "Joke lang, loyal to." Sagot ni Liz. "Pero pag ako niligawan nyan hihiwalayan ko boyfriend ko." Pilya nyang sabi. "I found him first!" Seryosong sabi ni Maia. "Wow, parang aso merong claim tag." Hirit ni Celine and I laughed. "Cel, good thing you're not joining his fangirls or else I'll go crazy." Sabi ko.

13 "Oo naman, ako pa?" Sagot ni Celine. "Pero in fairness ang gwapo nya." "Oo nga!" Liz seconded. "Wait, you haven't told me yet paano kayo nagkakilala ng hunk na yan!" "Mahabang kwento." Sabi ko. "At wala akong balak ikwento dahil ayokong ma-stress." "Shhh... Ayan na magsasalita na sya!" Kinikilig na sambit ni Maia. "Hi." Sabi ni JFK testing the mic and the quadrangle went wild na para bang sinabi nyang sya na ang magbabayad ng lahat ng utang ng Pilipinas o kaya ay nadiscover na nya ang murang gamot sa AIDS. I rolled my eyes but opted to keep my mouth shut. "It is an honor to be part of St. Bernadette Academy and I'm sure I'll find new friends here and I will have a grand time." "Oh-em, ang gwapo nya tapos ang tali-talino pa nya!" Nagtitiling sabi ng mga babae sa harap ko. Seryoso? Isang sentence lang matalino na agad? Ano ba! "Thank you, JFK." Narinig kong sabi ng principal namin habang nakakabingi ang sigawan at palakpakan. The school anthem played and we all sang. When it ended ay kanya-kanyang balik na ang mga estudyante sa mga classrooms. "Hi." That familiar voice. That familiar very annoying voice. Dedma. "Irina!" He called my name and with a sigh I stopped to look at him. "Mauna na kayo, susunod ako." I told my friends as I watched him run up to me. "What?" I asked as soon as he was in front of me. "Make it quick, I don't want to be late for class." "I know something about you that you don't know yet." Sabi nya sabay kindat. I arched my brow. Matindi talaga ang saltik ng lalaking to. "Okay, fine. Humor me, ano yung alam mo tungkol sa akin na din ko alam?" Tanong ko as other students curiously stared at us. He pulled me with him to a secluded corner. "Ano na?" I asked and he bent his head close to my face. "You're in love with me... You just don't know it yet." Sabi nya and my temper skyrocketed. I smiled up at him and tiptoed as I whispered back. Bwisit bakit ba ang tangkad nitong lokong to? I thought when I had to strain just to be level with his right ear. "You wish..." Bulong ko. "Oh, but I'm absolutely sure." He replied with that same arrogant smile. "Sa dami ng girls na may gusto sa akin, how could you be different? Ano ba, may tao ba talaga na ganito kakapal ang mukha?? "IQ. Mataas IQ ko." Sabi ko kanya as I turned around to leave him. "Hindi mo kayang tanggihan charm ko." Sabi nya at with confidence pa daw talaga. Nakakabwisit! "You're delusional." Sabi ko as I started walking away.

14 "Pakipot pa to halata namang gusto ako." Sabi nya as he smiled playfully. I can't believe this jerk! Grabe! "May nakapagsabi na ba sayo na sobrang kapal ng mukha mo?" Tanong ko, I had to clench my fists kasi nanggagalaiti na talaga ako sa inis. "Wala pa, pero meron nang nagsabi sa aking I'm the man of their dreams..." "You know what, you're sick in the head!" Sagot ko sabay alis. "Bye, babe!" He said with a jaunty wave. "I know you'll miss me but I need to go to the principal's office for my schedule." "Go to hell!" I said and I could hear him laughing as I walked towards my friends. "What was that all about?" Tanong ni Celine when I caught up with them. "My gosh, hindi ko kaya ang kakapalan ng mukha ng lalaking yun! I swear pag ako di nakapagtimpi!" Galit na galit kong sabi. "Ba't mo ba kasi sya sinabuyan ng tubig?" Tanong ni Maia as we were nearing our classroom. "Sinabuyan mo sya ng tubig??" Gulat na tanong ni Liz. "Oo!" Sagot ko. "At sana Holy Water sinaboy ko sa demonyong yun nang nalusaw na syang tuluyan!" "Uyy..dyan nagsisimula yan." Tukso ni Celine. "Yuck. Not in this lifetime or the next." Sabi ko as we entered our classroom. Buti na lang di ko sya classmate! Maniniwala na talaga akong may nagawa akong sobrang sama kung magiging classmate ko pa yung taong yun! ******************************************* [4] Chapter 3: Ice ******************************************* Ano ba, Lord? Nagsisimba naman ako every Sunday bakit nyo ba ako ginaganito? Ang bait-bait ko namang tao, wala akong bisyo, wala akong pinatay, sinaktan o inagawan ng boyfriend pero bakit?? Tanong ko sa isip ko habang nakatulalang nakatingin sa nagsasalita naming Principal. It has only been a few days since school started and here I am asking myself when all this will end. "As I was saying Ms. Samonte, Mr. Zamora, I want both of you to be our representatives in the Inter-School Youth Conference." Nakangiti at expectant na nakatingin sa amin si Mr. Delgado. Sir, your idea is as ridiculous as your wig! Gusto kong sabihin sa sobrang asar ko. And to think I forewent my lunch for this! Kung alam ko lang sanang yun ang announcement nya sana kumain muna ako kasama nina Celine, nawalan tuloy akong gana! "I'm okay with the idea, Sir but I think Ms. Samonte is not so happy with it." Nakangiting sagot ng talipandas.

15 "Not that I'm not happy with it but the student council president and vice-president have always represented St. Bernadette in the Inter-School Youth Conference, Sir." I replied trying to hide my annoyance. "Well, Ms. Samonte I have spoken to Mr. Morellos and the young man said okay lang sa kanya for Mr. Zamora to go in his place." Bwisit ka, Dave. Traydor! Naisip ko as I tried to calm myself. Biendavid Morellos is the student council vice-president and a very good friend. And it is unfair na sa kanya ka magalit, Ice! I told myself. "Are you not comfortable going with such a good-looking classmate, Ms. Samonte?" Biro ni Mr. Delgado at sa isip ko ay hinablot ko na ang wig nya at sinaksak sa baga ni JFK Zamora. Nag ring ang phone sa taas ng mesa ni Sir and he answered it totally ignoring us standing in front of his table na para bang bibitayin na kami. Ako lang pala kasi yung katabi ko tuwangtuwa sa buhay nya. "Oo nga naman, Irina. Di ka ba comfortable makasama ako?" Bulong ng unggoy na wala nang misyon sa buhay kundi ang bwisitin ako. "Siguro ayaw mo akong makasama ng overnight kasi mahihirapan kang pigilan ang sarili mo. Gwapo ko kasi." Dedma. "Totoo ano?" Dagdag nya habang pangiti-ngiting mukhang tanga. "Aminin mo na kasi na crush mo ako, di naman kita babastedin..." Argh! Sabi ko na nga ba walang dadalhin ang lalaking ito sa buhay ko kundi bwisit at malas. Simula ng unang araw ng klase puro kabadtripan lang binigay sa akin ng pangit na to. FLASHBACK "To your seats. Now!" "Ang taray talaga ni Ms. Vargas." Bulong ni Celine habang dali-dali kaming umupo. "Kaya nga miss pa yan eh kasi takot ang mga lalaki." Dugtong ni Maia. "Ano ba, baka marinig kayo." Pabulong na sabi ko. Hinintay muna ni Ms. Vargas na makaupo ang lahat bago tumikhim at inikot ang paningin sa klase. Si Ms. Vargas ang aming section adviser at lahat kami ay takot sa kanya. She has a reputation as someone you do not want to butt heads with. Matanda. Dalaga. Istrikta. "Diamonds, welcome." Tipid nyang bati. "Kakanta yan mala-rhianna." Bulong ni Liz. We couldn't help but giggle. "What's so funny, Ms. Samonte, Ms. Gallardo, Ms. Fuertes and Ms. De Castro?" "Nothing, ma'am." Mabilis kong sagot. Kumusta naman first day of classes singled out agad. Yan ang mahirap kapag yung first section adviser nyo nung sophomore ay nilipat at ginawang first section adviser ng mga senior.

16 "I see very familiar faces." Ms. Vargas continued. "The student council president and vice-president are both in this class." She added as her gaze fell on me and then on Dave. "There's no need then to introduce ourselves since I am quiet sure that we all know each other. However, a new student will be joining us and I want all of you to show him just how welcoming us Saints are." "Meron pang ibang transferee aside from JFK?" Pabulong na tanong ni Maia. "Baka sya yan." Sagot ni Liz. "Impossible, jock tapos first section? Sya na ang talented." Sabi ko. I felt the pull of someone's gaze and I turned my head. I smiled at Dave who was staring at me. "Hi!" I mouthed at him and he shyly smiled back. Kelan pa naging mahiyain to? I thought. "Quiet!" Sigaw ni Ms. Vargas sabay hampas ng libro sa mesa nya. Wow ha, si Ma'am aga-aga bayolente. "The new transfer student was his school's Math and Science Olympiad champion. Hindi sya yan. I sighed with relief. I joined and won the National Math and Science Olympiad last year and as I remember babae ang representative ng St. Lorenzo. "Aba matalino." Bulong ni Maia. "Tapos lalaki pa." Pilyang dagdag nya. "May kumpetensya ka na, Ice." Biro ni Celine sabay ngiti sa akin. "Sana gwapo para worth the effort." Dugtong nya. Pinandilatan ko sya ng mata dahil tumingin na naman sa amin si Ms. Vargas. "Halika na, Iho." Sabi ni Ma'am at tumaas ang kilay ko kasi nun ko lang sya nakitang ngumiti. Yuck naman si Miss, iho talaga? I thought as someone walked in. What?? "Oh-em-gee!" Narinig kong excited na bulong ni Maia. "You've got to be kidding me." Di makapaniwala kong sabi. "Introduce yourself to your classmates, Mr. Zamora." Nakangiting sabi ni Ms. Vargas. Ano ba yan pati si Miss fangirl?? "Hi, I'm John Fitzgerald Kennedy Zamora, you can call me Fire because I'm hot." Nagtawanan at nagpalakpakan lahat. Liban sa akin. Ang kapal! Hot?! Yuck! "Okay, that's enough. Irina Ysobel Samonte, raise you hand." Automatically, I raised my hand at tinuro ako ni Ms. Vargas. "Sa likod ni Ms. Samonte ka uupo, Mr. Zamora." Shit. Hindi ko sya tinitingnan habang papalapit sya kung saan ako nakaupo. Just ignore him, Ice. I thought. If you'll just ignore him mapapagod din yan sa kakaasar sayo. I said to myself. "Miss me?" He whispered as soon as he reached his seat. "Feeling." I whispered back gritting my teeth in anger. Wag mo na kasi syang pansinin! I berated myself.

17 "Ito o para sayo." Bulong nya. May nilagay sya sa harap ng desk ko but I did not look down to check kung ano yun. Maia, Celine and Liz were giggling like crazy but I ignored them too. Wag mong titingnan! Wag mong titingnan! Wag mong titingnan! I repeated in my head but my curiosity got the better of me. Pasimpleng binaba ko ang tingin ko at lalo akong mabwisit sa nabasa ko. It was just a piece of paper but on it were six words that totally ruined my day, possibly my year. Pag nabasa mo to, akin ka - JFK END OF FLASHBACK "Ice pala nickname mo, bagay talaga tayo kasi ako naman Fire." Patuloy na pambwibwisit ng katabi ko. "Pero paano ba yan, fire can melt ice, parang ako kayang- kaya kitang tunawin, isang ngiti lang." "Dapat nickname mo uling, kasi walang kasing itim budhi mo." I couldn't help but whisper back. "Busilak kalooban ko, pakita ko sayo?" Sagot nya. I could hear the laughter in his voice and I clenched my fist as I was tempted to slap the arrogant smirk off his face. Mr. Delgado's phone call ended and he looked expectantly at us. "So it's settled then." Mr. Delgado started. "That was this year's chairman of the Inter-School Youth Conference and I confirmed that I will be sending two of my best students this year." Nambola ka pa, Sir. Magsama kayo nitong kapre sa tabi ko. Wag na lang kaya akong pumunta, sabihin ko busy ako sa preparation ng induction ball. "Don't worry about the induction ball's preparation, Ms. Samonte, Mr. Morellos will take care of it." Sabi ni sir. Wow ha, Sir you can read minds? I thought getting more annoyed. "It's overnight di po ba?" Tanong ni Mr. Feeling. Oo overnight. Bwisit ka! Gusto kong sumagot pero I held myself back. At least two days and one night ko lang makakasama tong kapreng to! "No." Sagot ni Mr. Delgado. Hay salamat, Lord love nyo po talaga ako at least hindi overnight! I couldn't help but smile. At least whole day ko lang makakasama tong pangit na to. "Okay, Sir." I replied with enthusiasm. "Ms. Samonte is excited." Nakangiting sabi ni sir. "Well you have a reason to be, Ms. Samonte. This year is ISYC's 10th anniversay and the celebration is grand. Friday ng hapon kayo aalis papuntang Tagaytay. So this Friday bring your things with you pagpasok ng school, the ISYC bus will pick you up at exactly 3:40 PM. Don't worry, I have talked to your

18 teachers and you're both excused sa last subject nyo." Pagmamalaki ni Mr. Delgado. "Sir, I thought it isn't overnight." Nagtatakang tanong ko. Tagaytay? Bakit Tagaytay?! Eh di hindi ako basta-basta makakauwi pag gusto kong takasan tong bwisit na to?! "Yes, it isn't just overnight. You will spend three days and three nights with other young, brilliant minds! Isn't this experience exciting?" Tanong ni Sir na para bang dapat ay lumuhod ako sa pagpapasalamat sa balita nya. My jaw dropped and I quickly snapped it close. "What??" I couldn't keep the agitation off my voice. "Three days, three nights meaning until Monday kami dun, what about our classes?" I asked lamely. "I have that arranged as well, Ms,. Samonte." Oo na Sir, kayo na talaga ang Principal. "But Sir--" I started to say and was cut short by the jerk who decided to add insult to injury. "Thank you for this chance to represent our school in the ISYC, Sir." Sabi nya and I nearly threw a tantrum. "Ms. Samonte and I are both excited." He finished as he held my hand and nearly dragged me out of the Principal's office. "We'll go ahead, Sir hindi pa po kami nag la-lunch." "Ano ba!" I asked in irritation as I wrestled my hand off his grasp when we're finally out of the Principal's office. "Ano ba talagang problema mo ha?" "Bakit, magwawala ka sa office ni Mr. Delgado?" He challenged. "Bakit naman ako magwawala?" I asked back. "Well, for one you were glaring at the poor guy's toupee as if you plan on yanking it off his head." He added with an amused smile and I felt warm all over. May sakit yata ako sa utak. I thought as he continued to talk. "Hindi mo matitiis kagwapuhan ko ano lalo na't 3 nights at 3 days mo akong makakasama?" He asked as he wiggled his brows. "Ang creepy mo." Sabi ko. "Takot ako na baka hindi ko matitiis na patayin ka at sa totoo lang ayokong makulong kasi sayang ang ganda at talino ko pag nakulong ako dahil lang sa isang tulad mo!" "Wushuu... patayin daw baka yakapin?" Nakangiting tanong nya. "Yuck." "Halikan?" "Double yuck!" "Pikutin?" "Pwede ba?!" Naiinis kong sabi habang binibilisan ko ang paglakad ko. I want to get away from this jerk as soon as possible. I looked to my right and decided to take the shortcut to the canteen through the Botanical Gardens.

19 "Mahalin?" Tanong nya ulit habang binibilisan din ang paglakad nya. I stopped in my tracks and faced him. "Have I given you the impression na type kita? Na gwapo ka? Na crush kita? Na kinikilig ako sayo? Na God-forbid ay may isa kang characteristic, kahit isa lang, na gusto ko?" I asked in rapid succession habang dinuduro ko sya. "Whooa, whooaa..chill, babe." He said holding both his arms up in mock surrender. We were standing alone in the middle of the school's botanical garden and I was so mad I felt like burying him alive. "Di kita type, di ka gwapo, di kita crush, di ako kinikilig sayo at wala kang kahit isang characteristic ng ideal man ko!" I angrily said. Bwisit na to! "Bakit, ano bang ideal man mo?" "Bakit ko sasabihin sayo?!" I asked as I continued walking. "Ako ba?" He asked. "Ang kapal mo grabe!" "Ako ba pwedeng magsabi sayo kung ano ideal girl ko? Patapusin mo kasi ako, wag kang assuming Ms. Samonte." "Whatever, jerk!" I said as I continued walking. I nearly cried with relief when I saw the blue and white facade of the canteen. Gutom na ako! "Si Biendavid Morellos yun ano?" He asked after a few seconds of silence. "Ang ano?" I inquired. "Yung ideal man mo." He replied. Natigilan ako. Anong pinagsasabi nito? "Eh ano naman kung sya?" I retorted without looking at him. "So sya nga?" "Ang kulit mo!" "Sagutin mo ako." "Ewan ko sayo." "Just answer the question, Irina Ysobel." "Roll over and die." "Sagutin mo ako kundi hahalikan kita." He threatened and I rolled my eyes. As if. "Isa..." He started to count but I ignored him. "Dalawa..." He continued as we were nearing the gated exits of the Botanical Garden. "Hindi mo ako sasagutin?" Now I'm pissed. Sino naman tong bwisit na to para utus-utusan ako?! I spun around to give him a piece of my mind.

20 "You know what--" I started to say. "Tatlo..." A squeak barely made it out of my mouth before I felt his lips on my mine, both his hands holding my face in place. I gasped in surprise and I felt his tongue sneak inside my mouth. I stood there unmoving and he stopped, still holding my face with both his hands. "Sorry." He mumbled as he wiped the tears from my face with his thumb. "Sorry, sorry." He mumbled again as my tears continued to fall. I didn't even realize na naiyak ako. "I'm sorry." He repeated as I felt his arm circle my waist before he pulled me close against him. "Sorry, Irina." He said patting my back with his other hand. I tried to even my breathing to calm myself as I blinked my tears away. "Okay na ako." I said after a few seconds. He stepped away from me unwillingly. "Are you sure you're okay?" He asked, his eyes worried. I didn't even realize that I raised my hand until I felt the sting of my palm against his face in a resounding slap. His face registered surprise as I lowered my hand to my side. "We're even. Please leave me alone." I said before I walked away and left him rooted on the spot. ******************************************* [5] Chapter 4: Ice ******************************************* Hindi ako makatulog. I tossed and turned in bed until I got too tired tossing and turning and decided to just forget about sleeping. After ko syang iwanan sa Botanical Garden di na ako pumuntang canteen at dumiretso na ako sa classroom. When my friends arrived and asked bakit di ako nag lunch sinabi kong hindi ako gutom. Late syang dumating but as usual he got away with it. Di ko sya kinibo. Di na rin nya ako kinibo and I felt awash with relief. At least tapos na. Sa wakas. Or so I thought. I groped for the alarm clock on top of the bedside table. 3:25 AM. Ang aga naman! I thought pero kahit anong pikit ko di talaga ako dinadalaw ng antok. I tried closing my eyes but all I see is JFK's face looming in front of me. Arghh! I stood up and headed for my study table to power my mac on. Nothing interesting. I thought as I browsed for new e-books. I typed facebook on my address bar and logged in. 44 Friend Requests. "Sinu-sino na naman tong mga to?" I asked myself as I clicked on "Show All." One name caught my attention: Fitzgerald "Fire" Zamora has added you. I stared at the monitor for a full minute as I felt myself blush. Bigla-bigla naala ko yung nangyari kanina. He. Kissed. Me. Yuck! I roughly shook my head. Kadiri ka, Ice! Shoo, dirty thoughts! "Wag mong isipin!" I said aloud. "Isip ka ng isip dyan mababaliw ka na talaga kakasimula pa lang ng class!" I mumbled. Ang dami na sigurong nahalikan nun kasi ang galing nyang humalik... "Yuck!!" Ano ba naman tong mga iniisip ko! "Dedmahin mo lang, papaapekto ka wala lang naman sa taong yun bwisit luging-lugi!" I mumbled as I stared at his friend request.

21 Accept ko ba? Reject ko? "Ano ba, Ice friend request lang yan di yan marriage proposal!" I told myself and stopped. Marriage proposal? Where the hell did that come from? Accept? Hmm... Decline? Hmm... My mouse pointer hovered over DECLINE. Pag denecline ko to iisipan nyang affected ako. Pag inaccept ko naman lalong magiging feeling yung kapreng yun! "Teka nga lang, bakit ko ba naman pinag-iisipan pa to eh ayoko naman syang maging friend bwisit sya!" I mumbled as I played with my mouse. So anong gusto mo gawin syang enemy? Ikaw nauna di ba? "Anong ako, ang presko nya kaya. Oh my, I'm talking to myself. This is bad." Di ka ba curious about him? "Hindi no! Eww!" Ayaw mong malaman yung mga details tungkol sa taong first kiss mo? "What??" Bigla akong napatayo. "Ano ba, Ice nababaliw ka na kausap mo sarili mo! Bwisit talaga yang JFK Zamora na yan!" I said as I picked up my mouse and slammed it on my table. Friend Request Accepted. Do you know Fitzgerald "Fire" Zamora outside of FaceBook? "Oh. Em. Gee. What the freak did I do??" I slowly sat down as I stared unblinking at my screen. Delete. Delete. Delete! I silently chanted in panic. But wait, tingnan ko muna profile nya bago ko sya i-delete. Teka, bakit ko pa titingnan? I thought as I clicked on his named. "Fire, you took my heart with you. Balik ka nang St. Lorenzo's please. Huhuhu" - Mary Joyce Aguias Please lang pabalikin nyo na dyan itong bwisit na to at wala na syang ginawa kundi badtripin ako! "Welcome to St. Bernadette, Fire!!" - Rhian Grace Delgado Ew "Ang gwapo mo talaga! I love you, Fire ko!!" - Lucille Angela Morales Fire ko talaga?? Inangkin! Gwapo?? Magpatingin ka na ng mata, miss! "Fire, pahinging autograph!" - Enna Marie Briganza Ka-cheapan, autograph?! "Ang hot mo!!" - Sunshine Madrid Hot?? Sana masunog na syang tuluyan!

22 "Fire! Idol!" - Divine Julianne Angeles Idol? Yuck! "Hi, Fire! Welcome to St. Bernadette!" - Michellin Roxas Isa pa to, may pa welcome welcome pang nalalaman. "Fire!!! Ang gwapo mo pala sa personal! I love you!" - Abbygail Duenas Huh? Gwapo? Dumadami ang babaeng walang taste grabe! "I had fun last night! See you next week!" - Cass dela Fuente Last night?? Eh bwisit pala tong lalaking to hinalikan lang kahapon tapos may fun fun pang nalalaman?! Bwisit sya talaga!!! I scrolled down and saw nothing but posts from girls. Ano bang nakita ng mga babaeng ito sa damuhong yun? Sobrang tangkad muka nang poste! Ang tangos ng ilong di naman bagay sa mukha nya! Sobrang yabang pa! A box popped up on the lower right side of my screen and my eyes nearly popped out from their sockets. Fitzgerald "Fire" Zamora: Hi, why are you up so early? My jaw dropped. Literally. I hastily closed the chat window. Okay, panic mode. Ang tanga-tanga mo, Ice! Bakit mo pa kasi tiningnan yung profile nya! Block. Block. Block. Bilis! I thought, nanginginig pa ako at di ko mahanap kung saan banda yung block button. Ano ba?? A chat box popped up again. Fitzgerald "Fire" Zamora: Do not even think of un-friending me or blocking me or else... "Or else or else mo mukha mo! Bwisit na to! Bina-blackmail pa ako!" I clenched my fist in anger and started to type. Irina Ysobel "Ice" Samonte: Or else what? What?! You can blab about that kiss all you want, hindi mo ako matatakot. No one saw us kissed and for all you know it was just a figment of your demented, perverted imagination!

23 Fitzgerald "Fire" Zamora: Lol. Defensive. Irina Ysobel "Ice" Samonte: Lol mo mukha mo. Anong defensive ha?! Perv! Fitzgerald "Fire" Zamora: Cute mo talaga. Ako first kiss mo? ^_^ Irina Ysobel "Ice" Samonte: Yuck! Fitzgerald "Fire" Zamora: Ako eh. ^_^ Irina Ysobel "Ice" Samonte: What kiss? Do you have a concrete evidence that it happened? Feeling! Ew! Fitzgerald "Fire" Zamora: Lol. How about this? Wait, copy-paste ko muna. -Irina Ysobel "Ice" Samonte: Or else what? What? You can blab about that kiss all you want, hindi mo ako matatakot. No one saw us kissed and for all you know it was just a figment of your demented, perverted imagination! -Is this evidence enough? ^_^ Shit. Shit. Shit. Ang tanga ko. Ang tanga tanga ko! Waaaaah!

24 Fitzgerald "Fire" Zamora: Get some sleep. See you later. *kiss* Panaginip lang to. Bangungot lang. Bukas paggising ko mawawala na to lahat. I thought as I tried to go to back to bed but when I closed my eyes I see his face again in front of me. I bit my lip as it involuntarily tingled. Shit talaga yung lalaking yun! With a groan, I stood up, headed back to my computer table, turned my mac on and typed SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL ILLNESS. I knew it, nababaliw na ako! I silently declared as I read: Problems with concentration, memory, or logical thought and speech that are hard to explain. "Thank you, Lord! Buti na lang! Akala ko kung ano. Wew." "I need you to call me later before the bus leaves for Tagaytay. If you need anything you call me or Dad, Okay? Are you sure you don't want us to drive you to Tagaytay, honey?" Mommy asked as we're on our way to school. "Hon, hindi na bata yang panganay mo besides Ice is a very responsible teenager di mo kailangang gawing baby yan." Nakangiting sabi ni Daddy. "Di ba, baby girl?" "I'll be fine. Promise, I'll call you at least three times a day so you'll not worry about me." I replied stifling a yawn. "Si Ate di yata nakatulog sa sobrang excitement." Ingrid piped in and I smiled sleepily at her. "Nakatulog ako." "Bakit ka inaantok? Si Kuya Dave ba kasama mo, Ate?" "Hindi." "Sino?" "Classmate ko din." I replied offhandedly. "Ikaw, mag behave ka ha, gawin mo muna assignments mo bago ka manuod ng Korean dramas." "Ate naman eh!" "O, anong Ate naman?" "Mas malala ka pa kay Mommy eh!" "Bakit? Mabait kaya ako?" Natatawang tanong ni Mommy. I hugged and kissed my parents when we reached the school's gate. "I'll miss you." Mom said as she hugged me tight. "Bakit three days yung conference nyo?"