Reclaiming the Stars (Agustin Series #1)

Wakas

I don't know what she did but I was completely under her spell. Araw araw, walang mintis, aabangan ko s'ya parati. I always looked forward to everyday with her.

She even bought chicks, two of them and she made me hold them, she made me hold goddamn chicks. She also met Melissa. That's when I finally realized something.

"I know girls, Lorenzo. I know when another one of my species likes a man," Melissa had been lecturing me since she came. She's also a loudmouth.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Ewan ko, Lorenzo. Ewan ko sa'yo. Wala kang mararating. Ang bagal mo masyado," she lectured again. Inilingan ko nalang s'ya.

One day they were having a small pool party, hosted by Melissa herself. And she's wearing this small piece of fabric making me want to put a huge sign on her saying, for my eyes only.

"Sana ganon nalang 'no? Sana sabay nalang tayong nahulog," Priya said and she left me in the pool.

Kung alam mo lang, Priya, hulog na hulog ako.

Noon lang ako nagkagana na mag-birthday, knowing that I'd get to spend and entire day with her. I was patiently waiting for her inside the library pero oras na ang lumpias at wala pa rin ni anino n'ya. I stormed out and saw men in their black suits scattered everywhere.

"K-Kuya..." Sid came to me, sweating.

"Bakit ang daming tao? Anong nangyari?" kinakabahan kong tanong.

"I don't know but I overheard Lolo and one of them talking," hinihingal na sabi ni Isidro.

"What is it about?" takang tanong ko

"Priya's father. He stole Lolo's money." There was a ringing in my ear. Para akong binaril sa tainga at nabingi.

"What did you say?" Hindi ako naniniwala.

"I watched the footage, Kuya. Kitang kita ng dalawa kong mata," he looked really scared.

"Where's Priya?" agad na tanong ko.

"Hindi k-ko alam... Wala rin si K-Kael... Pumunta ako sa bahay nila, walang tao... Kuya..." he looked worried sick. Ngayon ko lang nakita si Isidro na ganito kabalisa. He's really fond of Priya's brother and his playmate Yñigo. Sobrang magkasundo sila.

"Si Lolo? Nasan?" Pumunta kami sa kwarto ni Lolo at nakita namin s'ya doon na nakatayo at may katawagan.

"Where's Priyanka?" madiing tanong ko.

"I'll call you later," binaba n'ya ang telepono. "What are you talking about?"

"Nasaan si Priya?" The remaining thread of my patience was thin.

"Bakit sa'kin mo tinatanong, apo? Hindi ba dapat kayo ang magkasama?" he asked but I know him. He can be so cunning and manipulative.

"Saan mo s'ya dinala?!" I shouted in front of his face. He kept his steady posture and he refused to say a word.

"Oras na malaman ko na may kinalaman ka sa pagkawala nila, kalimutan mo nang naging apo mo ako." It was Isidro who said that. Sinundan n'ya ako palabas and we went to my car. Kung saan saan kami nakarating.

I called everyone I know who might have an idea where my girl would went. I can't afford lose her. I really can't.

Until one night the guards were rushing behind our house, one of them said they heard someone shouting. Sobrang dilim noon at kinutuban na ako. I called my cousins for help kaya kasama ko sila sa paghahanap.

Then I heard Priya's voice and some loud banging on the door. Galing sa loob ng bodega.

"Tangina n'yo, tabi!" Hinawi ko lahat ng nakaharang na guards at pumasok sa loob.