New neighbor
Danarine's Point of view
"Good Morning Ma.."
I greeted Mama when I saw her on the dining. Day off niya today. Nagpaalam siya para sa birthday ni tita Ice. Pero kahit off niya ay maaga pa rin siyang gumising to prepare our breakfast..
"Good Morning, Princess.. Kumain ka na. Sinabihan ko nga pala sila nanay Josie na magbakasyon na muna this weekend. Mamaya na ang alis nila pauwi sa probinsya nila. So, tulung-tulong tayo sa chores bukas.." Paalala ni Mama.
Hindi naman ako sumalungat dahil kailangan din ng pahinga nina nanay Josie. I'm happy that they're going to visit their relatives again.
Dumating si Papa sa dining area wearing his uniform.
"Good Morning my sweet hearts.. Dan sasabay ka sa akin. Day off ni tatay Jojo, walang maghahatid sayo.."
Bati niya sa amin. Naupos si Papa sa usual seat niya. He open the newspaper and starts reading. Kuya Sev is still sleeping, bakasyon naman siya. Kainggit!
"Oo nga pala Dan. Before you go to school. Can you give this to our new neighbor.. Welcoming gift. Kakalipat lang nila kagabi."
Inilipag ni Mama sa table ang isang box. I don't know what's inside because it's covered with a gift wrap. May bago kaming neighbor? That house was on sale for a long time. Mabuti may bumili pa.
Pagkatapos naming kumain ay nagpaalam na ako para sundin ang inutos ni Mama. It's a good thing that I already fixed everything before I came down for breakfast.
I look up to the huge black gate infront of me. I just noticed that it was a freshly painted. Naayos na agad ito bago sila makalipat?
I pressed the intercom. Walang nagrerespond. Maybe they are still sleeping? It's just seven in the morning. I pressed it again. Kapag wala pa ulit sumagot ay aalis na ako. I'm going to be late.
"Yes? What do you need?" A manly voice answered.
"Uh.. Hi! I just wanted to give you our welcome gift."
I waited for his response. Ang tagal niya sumagot! Should I leave it here? Baka ayaw niya namang tanggapin.
Ilalapag ko na sana ang box nang biglang bumukas yung smaller gate.
I saw a man who I think that answered me. Naka black shirt and white shorts siya. His hair is a bit messy. Mukhang kakagising niya nga lang. His height is like kuya Sev's. Ngumiti siya when he saw me. His smile feels familiar.
"Here.. Welcome to our village.. I gotta go po."
I handed him the box and start walking away. He's handsome. I admit it. Pero mukhang bad boy. Sa tingin ko ay kasing age niya lang si kuya Sev.
"Uy, miss.. Thank you. I'm Lei nga pala.." Pahabol niya noong nasa harap na ako ng gate namin.
Lei? Lei?!
His name is Lei?!
....
I'm very distracted because of that guy. He said his name is Lei! It's just a coincidence right? He doesn't have the same eyes like the Lei I've met before.
"Pres, due na nito this friday." Ramon said.
He put down the papers I need to approve. Isa na dyan ang events sa Foundation day. Ang daming requests ng mga clubs!
"We're just a week away from March, Pres. and we're short of members. Maybe you need to find temporary members."
He's right. The Senior's members are busy with their requirements, Mickey's working with E-Levate. She's in indefinite leave of duty. Kaya si Ramon ang tumatayong Vice President and events planner.
"I'll post later on the school's website."
Tumango siya and go back to his table. We continue our work. The bell rangs exactly nine o'clock. That's our cue to go to our classes.
...
When lunch came ay nagpunta agad ako kay Cams sa broadcast room. Every Wednesday and Friday ang segment ko dito. She said it din naman sa official singer nila.
"So, what happened sa inyo ni Lance kagabi?" Usisa niya habang inaayos ang booth.
Pinaalala niya na naman ang nangyari sa amin ni Lance! Hindi ko pa nga alam kung anong mayroon sa amin.
"Huy! You didn't answer me. I know you like him Danie."
Nagulat ako sa sinabi ni Camilla. She noticed?
"Halata ba?"
"Hmm.. Sometimes, even Ethan knows it."
"He knew it?"
"Let me enlighten you my dear cousin, Ethan likes you not as a fan, he likes because you're Danarine. Lance feels the same way too. But you obviously choose Lance. Based on your actions. So the King won over the Prince."
Huh? I remember telling her that I love Ethan. But how can she easily concludes that I like Lance? Based on my actions?
"Oh! Don't make the excuse you're Ethan's number one fan and you love him. Because that's all it can be. You're just devoted as his fan not his lover.. Let's start?"
She quickly pressed the on-air button so I can't talk back to her. She really knows how to shut me off.
After thirty minutes..
Kailangan din namin kumain ni Camilla, so we decided to end the broadcast early. I haven't seen Lance nor Ethan, even Terry and Vaughn. They skipped school? Baka masyado na silang busy.
"May hinahanap? May nami-miss?" Ramon said.
Nasa Committee room na ulit ako dahil tapos na ang classes. Pero kami ay marami pang gawain.
Hindi ko napansin na nakatulala na pala ako sa kawalan. I'm thinking how am I gonna approach Lance when I see him again. Just remembering what happened last night makes me blush.
"Pres, mukhang inlove ka." Fund commented.
Me? Inlove? Ugh!
"Go back to work you two! Kung anu-ano naiisip niyo."
"Oops! Nagsungit na, guilty! Hihi!"
Sinamaan ko ng tingin si Fund. She's enjoying teasing me! Nagpeace sign lang siya and continue to her work.
"Pres, do you know Lei Salvador?"
Natigil ulit ako sa ginagawa dahil sa sinabi ni Ramon. Lumapit ako sa table niya. He's looking on a class photo. The guy he mentioned is on his third year college now. Its him! Our new neighbor!
"I think this got mixed up to our batch class photos. Minsan talaga ang gulo mag organize ng mga Seniors. I'll just return--"
"I-I'll do it!"
Ramon looked shook to what I've said.
I don't why I did that. Since he is my neighbor ako na lang magbibigay sa kanya. Nagmamagandang loob ako.
And I'm getting curious about him..
to be continued..
