“Alice, bilisan mo nga! Maleleate tayo!”
“Ugh, I know wait lang, mali nanaman kasi yung sapatos na ginamit ko eh! Tsk.”
My name’s Alice Mendoza, 18-year-old college freshman. I moved to the Philippines from California after graduation to pursue my dream of being a nurse.
I was born and raised in California. I am full Filipino but people here usually ask me if I’m mixed, probably due to my facial features.
The girl in front of me dragging me along the pathway is my best friend. Her name’s Caryssa Mae Escuedero. We’re next door neighbors here in Quezon City and whenever my family and I came home to visit, she would be the one person I’d play with so I guess you could say that we’re kababata.
“Ikaw kasi, hindi ka nagpeprepare ng gamit mo the night before. Ayun tuloy, magkakapaltos ka nyan.”
“Oo na, jeez why are you so naggy -___- mas malala ka pa kay mama mag salita minsan. You’re gonna be a great mother someday.” I said while rolling my eyes as I let her drag me along.
We’re currently on our way to the gym of our school for the orientation for freshman student nurses.
As I hurried after her, my phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Nak, kamusta?” My mom’s voice came through the speaker of my phone and I could hear some noised in the background.
My parents are back home and I’m here so phone calls and facetime calls are a frequent occurrence in my life.
“Ma, I’m fine but I’ll talk to you later. Orientation namin ngayon kaya I can’t really talk right now. And Ryssa’s already dragging me along the pathway.”
“Hii tita!”
“Oh sige nak, I’ll call you later ulit. Love you nak, mag ingat palagi ha? Sabihin mo din kay Ryssa.”
“Bye Ma, love you!”
As I was pocketing my phone, a shoulder bumped into mine causing me to drop my phone.
“Hey! Ano ba? Watch where you’re going!” I said while picking up my phone. As I stood up, I came face to face with eyes as light brown as mine.
“Sorry ha? Di ko naman sinasadya.”
He was just a smidge taller than I was with skin the color of caramel. He also spoke with a slight accent that was barely noticeable except when he said anything with an ‘S’.
“Yeah, okay lang. Sorry din.”
And that was how I met Joey Santos, someone who would soon become a part of my life, even if at first I didn't want him to be.
YOU ARE READING
Résistance
RomanceWhat happens when you get your hopes up and have them come crashing down on you and on everything you believe in? Umaasa naman talaga si Alice na maging okay ang lahat, pero is she setting herself up for another disaster?
