After the Moon

Prologue

AFTER SERIES #1

After the Moon

***

"I regret dreaming about that thing mama. I will never re-consider it. I'm done with that."

"Pero pangarap mo 'to simula bata ka palang. Why not give it a try right after studying? For sure you will win."

"That's your dream before, right? And what happened? It ruined you, you also ruined someone because of it." I spat when I failed to control my emotions.

"Liliana." may diin at banta ang kanyang boses

"Mama, it also ruined me and him..."

"I'm sorry, for the nth time, Liliana I'm really sorry for everything. I'm sorry that you had to experience that mainly because of me."

I wish that sorry could bring everything back to normal. I wish it was that easy...

"It's alright mama. I just really want to go back there, I miss you, my brothers, and lolo already."

I heard her sighing on the other line

"Ma'am? Are you all set? We need to go. Ilang oras nalang po at flight niyo na."

"Mama I have to go na. See you when I get there."

"Are you really sure about this? You will see him again for sure. Can you do it? If not, please you can just stay where you are to finish your studies."

"No mama, I want to study, at least that, I want to continue studying and about seeing him again... I think I can handle it."

Pero ang totoo ay kinabahan ako bigla. Is he studying there again? Siguro ay hindi naman dahil bakit naman siya babalik doon?

"If that's what you really want. Take care and we will wait for you here. I love you."

"I love you too mama..."

"Naka-ayos na ba ang lahat ng bagahe ko sa labas, Stef?" I said right after I ended the call with my mom.

"Opo naka ayos na po ang lahat kanina pa. At tyaka po pala, hindi ko po nasabi sainyo na sir Zayn is outside waiting for you since earlier."

Napakunot bigla ang noo ko sa sinabi niya.

"Zayn? Why is he here?"

"Actually po may mga bagahe din po siyang dala. I think he's coming with you back in Manila."

"What?" Dali-dali akong tumayo sa sofa sa loob ng kwarto ko para labasin ang lalaki. And when I saw him outside wearing his usual black turtleneck mas lalo pang kumunot ang noo ko.

"Why are you here?" Bungad ko habang naka pamewang sa kanya. Nakangiti parin siya at parang hindi alintana ang sobrang kunot ko na mukha.

Napatayo siya at agad na ngumiti habang lumalapit saakin. "I'm coming with you." He said na parang wala lang ang binabalak niyang pagi-ibang bansa!

"I thought we talked about this?"

"I changed my mind. I don't want you gone so I'm coming with you there."

"Are you crazy?! You have a life here at iiwan mo 'yon just to come with me? I told you I'll be there for good, to study!"

"I don't care about my life here and you know that. I've been in the modelling industry since I was a child, nag-sasawa na ako and besides I'll study there too, with you."

"Wow! You will leave New York just to study with me? You're unbelievable Zayn! Nababaliw ka na ba talaga?"

"Sayo? Parang oo ata." Banat niya pa. I cringed parang umakyat lahat ng dugo ko sa ulo. Time will come na mahihimatay nalang ako bigla dahil sa lalaking 'to!