Author's Recommendation: The Story continues in the BOOK 2 - FOUND YOU after Part 11.
Three months have passed, nakatira pa din si Ysah sa bahay nila Jelyn. They've spent so much time alone together. Pinapadalhan lamang siya ng ate niya for allowance pero hindi pa ito nagpapakita para sundoin ang kapatid niya. Ysah used to be left behind. Somehow, she felt happier than she's apart from Jelyn.
Hindi maiwasang mag-alala ni Jelyn para kay Ysah.
In her first day in high- school, naging head-turner si Ysah sa campus, not just being a new face, she also became so stunning and attractive in her age. She suddenly gained her popularity in high-school being the new student.
Hindi mo aakalaing twelve years old pa lang siya, para bang sixteen years old na siya sa height niya at pagkilos. She could be a teenage beauty queen. Ganoon siguro talaga kapag galing sa Western country, they had more matured physique than average Asian teenage girls.
"Pasensiya ka na, bestfriend Ysah..."
"Bakit?"
"Magiging busy ako para sa Tennis competition."
"I understand. Kaya I'm proud of you. Ang galing mo nga eh. Huwag mo ko isipin, Jelyn." Ysah smiled and patted Jelyn's head.
"Sorry maiiwan muna kita dito sa bahay. Ummm, pwede ka din naman sumama sakin kaso baka mapagod ka.."
"Pero pepwede kitang isama sa competition ko next week.."
"Talaga? Yehey! Salamat Jelyn."
It was a Saturday at may practice si Jelyn kasama si Marie, ang coach niya dahil si Marie ay natuto ng mag-Tennis simula pagkabata because of her father na professional Tennis player din. Medyo naiinip din si Ysah minsan. Palagi lang siya sumasama kay Jelyn but sometimes nagiging busy si Jelyn with her extra-curricular activities. Jelyn is such an achiever pareho sila ni Marie. Samantalang si Ysah, ay naiiwan mag-isa or umuuwi nalang ng maaga para mag-sketch. Naiintimidate din siguro yung ibang estudyante na makipag-kaibigan sa kaniya for being different kahit pa marunong siyang mag-Tagalog. Akala nila ay nag-iEnglish lang siya. Siguro ay hindi lang siya ganon ka-approachable. Maybe it's hard for to fit-in in the school.
Biglang nanibago si Ysah...
Habang nasa may garden si Ysah tumatambay at nakikipaglaro sa aso nila Jelyn, napadaan ang isang Pick-up at ipinarada sa harap ng bahay nila Jelyn. Nagbukas ng bintana ng sasakyan si Greg. Hindi na siya bumaba. Nagba-Buy and Sell business kasi ang kapatid ni Greg kaya madalas iba-ibang mga model ng sasakyan ang minamaneho nito.
"Pssst, andiyan ba si Jelyn?"
'Hay, heto na naman tong epal..'
Ysah started to feel annoyed of Greg's presence.
"Wala, umalis, may practice."
"Ah I see, hmmm, may ginagawa ka ba? tara labas tayo."
"Ha? Saan naman?"
"Meron akong extra pass dito for VIP access sa isang club."
"Underage ako. I just can't. Tsaka, hindi ko kasama si Jelyn."
"Ano ka ba, ako ang bahala sayo. Cousin ko ang owner ng club. Opening nila ngayon. Kelangan nila ng guests."
"Whatever." Ysah rolled her eyes.
"Huwag ka mag-alala hindi tayo makukulong. I can call my high ranking official uncle."
"It's Saturday. Sobrang boring. Diba?"
Tumayo si Ysah at papasok sana sa bahay to change her clothes.
"Huwag ka na magbihis. Okay na yang suot mo." Sabi ni Greg sa kaniya.
Greg invited her to come with him. Hindi lumalabas si Greg sa mga party if he's not tagging along with any girl with him. To kill the boredom, sumama muna si Ysah kay Greg tutal busy din naman ang best friend niya.
Greg introduced Ysah to his cousins and friends. Without a doubt, Ysah was the center of attraction. She carried herself well with the crowd who were older than her, mostly were college students.
"Are you enjoying?" Nilapitan ni Greg si Ysah.
"Hindi kita pwede bigyan ng alak at yosi baka magalit si Jelyn sakin. Tsaka napakabata mo pa."
"Let's dance!!" Sabi ni Ysah kay Greg habang hawak-hawak ang kamay nito tsaka pumarty.
"WOOOOHOOOO!!!!"
Ysah was having fun dancing in the club with everybody. Surprisingly, Greg found her to be charming and easy going. He thought she was having a good time that night despite his impression of her na "masungit".
"Tell me, what is your relationship with my bestfriend?" Ysah asked him.
"I can't believe na nakikipag-usap ka sakin."
"May choice ba ako? Ugh, sobrang bored ko sa bahay."
"Sobrang busy kasi ng bestfriend mo. Wala na ngang oras sa mga manliligaw niya yun."
"Ibig mong sabihin nanliligaw ka din sa kaniya, right?"
Hindi makasagot si Greg. He leaned closer to Ysah while they were at the bar. While Ysah was only dancing to the music. Medyo nakainom na din si Greg. Then he had the guts to tell Ysah...
"Pano kung ikaw nalang kaya ang ligawan ko, papayag ka ba?"
"You're such a jerk. Tara na nga, iuwi mo na ako. Baka hinahanap na ako ni Jelyn." Ysah felt disgusted with Greg's confidence. She felt bad for her best friend for hanging out with this asshole.
It was already past 10:00 pm. Hindi pangkaraniwang uwi yun ng mga kabataan. Strikto ang papa ni Jelyn kaya gusto nito nasa bahay na before 6pm.
Jelyn had been calling Ysah's phone pero hindi ito sumasagot. Inaantay na siya ni Jelyn sa bahay. Paikot-ikot si Jelyn sa may balcony kung saan natatanaw din ang gate. Hanggang sa nakita niyang may humintong sasakyan sa harap ng bahay nila.
Jelyn suddenly saw Ysah getting out from that car. Pero hindi bumaba ang driver. Pinipigilan ni Jelyn ang sarili na sobrang mainis kay Ysah dahil hindi ito nagpaalam sa kaniya.
Pagod na pagod pa from Tennis practice si Jelyn pero heto siya napupuyat sa kakaantay kay Ysah. At nag-aalala siya kung ano na ang nangyari.
Bumaba si Jelyn para pagbuksan ng pinto si Ysah. Hindi ito kumikibo hanggang sa kwarto. Tapos ay dumiretso na si Jelyn para mahiga na sa kama.
"Matutulog ka na ba?" Tanong ni Ysah.
Hindi sinagot ni Jelyn si Ysah. She was really upset that night.
Nagpunta si Ysah sa bathroom para makaligo at magbihis ng pantulog. Gusto niyang magsumbong kay Jelyn dahil sa sinabi ni Greg sa kaniya. But she felt guilty dahil nagkasala siya, umalis na naman siya nang walang paalam. Baka papalayasin na siya ng Papa ni Jelyn dahil dito. Nahihiya na siya sa kaniyang sarili at sa pag-aalaga ni Ysah sa kaniya. Pero heto igaganti niya, ang pagiging pasaway.
Habang nakahiga na silang dalawa at tulog na si Jelyn, naisipan ni Ysah na yakapin ang best friend niya. She hugged her from behind in bed. Malamang ay napagod si Jelyn sa kakaantay sa kaniya kaya natulog na ito kaagad.
"I'm sorry, best." Ysah whispered. She felt bad. She felt guilty.
That night Ysah had received a text message from her older sister na susundoin na ito anytime that week.
"Good morning best." Naunang bumangon si Ysah para pagsilbihan si Jelyn para makabawi.
"Hmmm...morning." Inaantok pa si Jelyn dahil sa pagod niya sa practice kahapon.
"I just prepared breakfast for us. Maaga kasi sila umalis."
"Ah, oo nga pala, may aattendan na children's party ang kapatid ko."
"Anong oras na ba?"
"It's already 9am. Mukhang masarap tulog mo ah."
Bumangon na si Jelyn at naghilamos ng mukha. Bothered siya sa panaginip niya kagabi.
She dreamed of Ysah getting drunk and wasted. Tapos may ka-holding hands siya na lalaki, blurry ang hitsura ng guy, and then umiiyak naman siya at sinusuntok ang pader gamit ang kamao niya hanggang sa dumugo ang kamay niya nang walang tigil.. worried siya na baka hindi na siya makapaglaro ng Tennis.
'Ugh! ang weird naman ng panaginip ko...'
Parang nakalimutan niya saglit ang inis niya ka Ysah kagabi dahil sa panaginip na ito.
Sabay silang nag-almusal. Ysah prepared the omelet, hotdog and rice para kanilang dalawa. At nagtimpla din siya ng pineapple juice. Kahit hindi talaga siya marunong at sanay sa gawaing bahay, gusto niyang makabawi kay Jelyn.
There was an awkward silence between them at the start of their breakfast.
"I know that you're upset with me." Ysah rubbed Jelyn's shoulder.
Jelyn just nodded. Wala siyang masabi kay Ysah. She's just been observing her actions.
"Wala ka bang sasabihin sakin Jelyn? Pwede mo naman akong pagalitan."
Once again, Jelyn sighed deeply.
"Okay, from now on let's be honest here. Ayaw lang kita mapahamak, Ysah. I know I've been busy lately. And I am truly sorry. Pero sana, naiisip mo din ako."
"Bakit ka nagso-sorry Jelyn? Ako dapat ang mag-sorry. Umalis ako ng walang paalam. At kasama ko pa si Greg!"
"Si Greg???" Jelyn's eyes opened wider and raised her eyebrows to her surprise and looked at Ysah's face.
"He was actually looking for you yesterday."
"Uhuh, papanong magkasama na kayo?"
Hindi makapagsalita si Ysah. Kinakabahan siya. Hindi niya pwedeng banggitin na may balak si Greg na ligawan siya kay Jelyn. Una sa lahat, hindi niya type si Greg. Pero ayaw niyang mag-isip ng masama si Jelyn sa kaniya.
"Hindi naman ako pwedeng nakakulong lang palagi dito Jelyn. He invited me to a party. Yun lang."
Jelyn sighed heavily again.
"Fine, let's go out today. Let's watch a movie."
"Ha?" Ysah looked confused.
"Are you sure?"
"Ayaw mo?"
"Syempre.. gusto ko. I wanna spend time with my bestfriend." Hinawakan ni Jelyn ang kamay ni Ysah at tinitigan ito.
Naalala na naman ni Jelyn ang panaginip na yun. Hindi niya namukhaan yung lalaki. Could it be si Greg yun?
Napansin ni Ysah si Jelyn na natutulala...mukhang "bothered".
"Okay ka lang ba Jelyn?"
'Ugh, ano ba tong mga naiisip ko?' Jelyn said to herself as she was shaking her head.
"Ah..oo, tara."
It's been a long time since the last time na nakasakay si Ysah ng public jeepney. Pumunta sila sa isang mall para manood ng sine. Nanood sila ng "Twilight" movie na silang dalawa lang. Bumili muna sila ng snacks sa labas ng cinema.
Gustong-gusto ni Jelyn ang french fries. Halos araw-araw siguro ay kumakain siya nito sa skwelahan.
Si Ysah naman ay nagdala ng popcorn at soda. Mahilig din siyang uminom ng soda.
Ngayon lang ata ulit sila nakapamasyal in three months simula nang umuwi si Ysah sa Pinas. Bahay, skwelahan, bahay lang umiikot ang mundo ni Jelyn. Naiintindihan din naman niya kung bakit bored na din si Ysah.
"Nilalamig ka ba?" Tanong ni Jelyn kay Ysah.
Jelyn rubbed her hands together. Biglang kinuha niya ang kamay ni Ysah at pinahawak sa kaniya. Natural din kasi na mainit ang mga palad ni Jelyn.
"Having warm hands have advantages."
Jelyn said to Ysah.
Ysah could only stare at their hands. Jelyn's offer felt nice. Sa totoo lang nilalamig talaga siya. But Ysah felt the warmth of Jelyn's hand, it made her blushed secretly.
They were holding hands inside the cinema Hanggang matapos ang movie ay hindi pa din sila bumibitaw sa pagkakahawak. Normally, this prolonged physical contact would suggest a desire to be more than friends. They were not aware that they were already squeezing their hands together. Hinigpitan pa nila ang pagkahawak hanggang nakaramdam sila ng pang-iinit. Sa hindi malamang kadahilanan ay bilang pinagpapawisan si Jelyn kahit nasa loob naman siya ng malamig na sinehan..
That day, they also went to play games in the arcade and they ate at a fastfood. It's been a long time since the two of them were having fun. Jelyn stared deeply into Ysah's eyes while holding her hand unintentionally in public.
"Jelyn!!! Jelyn!!!"
May tumatawag kay Jelyn sa may escalator.
Unang narinig ito ni Ysah before Jelyn checked around kung sino yun habang pababa silang dalawa ng escalator. May bibilhin sana silang ice cream.
And it was her Tennis coach - Marie. She was at the lower floor with her mother.
Jelyn suddenly let go of Ysah's hand.
'Marie.....'
Ysah catched Marie's reaction when she saw them together holding hands. It made her feel that there was something wrong.
Marie just tried to ignore what she saw earlier which was questionable. They already met the first time in school during the enrollment but they had different circle of friends. Madalas, Ysah is normally spending alone by herself in school as a new student.
Ysah doesn't like Marie. Pakiramdam niya mas possessive pa ito sa kaniya. Both Marie and Jelyn are A listers. They're teachers favourite. They're both hardworking students.
"May titingnan lang ako sa bookstore, Jelyn..."
Ysah hurriedly excused herself kahit wala naman talaga siyang titingnan sa bookstore. She just couldn't stand ang pagiging "outsider" niya whenever Marie is around Jelyn. Ysah just could not vibe or get along with her.
"San pupunta si Ysah?"
"May titingnan lang daw siya sa bookstore..."
Ysah let Marie and Jelyn talked.
Inside the bookstore, Ysah thought of surprising Jelyn with a gift. Maganda ang handwriting ng bestfriend niya so she was thinking maybe matutuwa ito sa kaniya kapag binilhan niya ng magandang notebook or cute na journal.
"Ah, sana magustohan ito ng bestfriend ko..."
Ysah decided to line up at the cashier.
'I wonder kung nakaalis na kaya si Marie... ang tagal pa naman mag-usap ng dalawang yun... magkikita naman sila ulit bukas sa school..'
Ysah thinks Marie is too clingy with her best friend. May gagawa ba siya? Marie is always around wherever her bestfriend goes kaya siya na lang ang mag-aadjust.
"Tara, bili na tayo ng ice cream." Pagkaalis ni Marie, Jelyn looked for Ysah.
"Ano pala binili mo sa bookstore?" Jelyn asked her.
"Ahmmm, wala..."
Ysah realized that it's silly and pointless to give Jelyn a gift lalo kung wala namang occasion.
Actually she felt scared about it. Or perhaps she was starting to overthink.
"Eh, ano yan? Bumili ka ng notebook?"
Jelyn noticed it.
"Ah, eh, oo ubos na kasi ang notebook ko..."
"Ha? You just started in school ubos na agad?"
'Ang dami namang tanong nito ni Jelyn...'
Ysah felt that her heart was palpitating.
"Eh, sye, syempre, ginagalingan ko sa klase! Kaya nauubos agad ang notebook ko. So I can keep up with you. Diba?" Ysah stuttered as she cleared her throat.
"Ahhhh... okay. Kainin mo na yang ice cream baka matunaw pa yan." Jelyn touched Ysah's hand to push the cone little bit to Ysah's mouth.
Literally, Ysah's heart was melting at the moment. It was an intense feeling that she could not explain since they were together in the cinema. When they're physically closer, it was as if Ysah got electrified. Her gut has a mind of its own. She felt flustered around Jelyn..
'Why am I suddenly feeling these butterflies now?
And it actually feels good...'
On their way home, tumawag ang ate ni Ysah. She told her that she would picking her up today and that must prepare all her stuff. Kelangan niya na umalis kina Jelyn. Her sister had already arrived from Europe at inihanda na ang condo na titirhan nila.