Habang nag eexam si noreen, hindi maalis sa isipan nya na nakauwi na ang kuya nya, she was excited tuloy naging eager sya tapusin agad ang exam. It was Mr. Sarceda's subject, English 3.
" Ms. Lachica, ikaw laging nauuna matapos mag exam sa klase ko " Sabi ni Mr. Sarceda kay Noreen.
Noreen smiled at him , at tumakbo na sya palabas, dumiretso sya sa condo nya. It was only 11 a.m. may one hour pa sya mag prepare bago bumalik sa school. She took a bath, she did her hair, she wore light make up and she wore a black dress that emphasized her pale skin.
She rode a cab on her way back to the University. Tinawagan nya kuya nya at sinabi na tapos na sya mag exam. Doon sya tumambay sa lobby, she checked her appearance again sa mini round mirror nya. I don't look pale, check! Mukha akong naligo, check!
" And there she is, My beautiful young sister " Sabi ni N, He was with the boys and junior journalists, kasama din si Julious.
" Uhmm, Hi...Julie?" Sabi ni noreen as she waved at the junior journalists, familiar ang iba sa kanya dahil nakakasalubong nya sa guild.
" Hi bes!' Sabi ni Julie as he strike a pose with his matching award winning smile. " What is the main reason why you came back here in the philippines?" Julie asked N.
" Main reason? Balikan ang pamilya na naiwan ko " Sabi ni N. " Simula nang umalis ako ,yun ang nanatili na rason para bumalik ako dito, dumagdag nalang ang iba, I've been gone for a year and 6 months, the business is stable and I deserve a short break and then come back to work on the main branch. Which is found here in Manila " Sabi ni N.
" Thank you for that Mr. Lachica Bye bes " Sabi ni julie, He waved goodbye to noreen and he strut as he walked away with the junior journalists.
Noreen waved back aswell.
Ezra couldn't take his eyes away from Noreen, she was simple and pretty. Ang una nyang tinignan ang paa ni Noreen, She was wearing flats. Napangiti sya nung nakita nyang nakaflats si Noreen cause he believes that you should be comfortable in what you wear.
She wasn't pale and she wasn't too much, shes just right and so he stared, too bad Noreen didn't notice the boy admiring her.
" Wala pa din pinagbago ang Alestair, Sikat padin kuya mo" Sabi ni N, sabay akbay kay Noreen.
" Wala ka din pinagbago kuya" Sabi ni Noreen.
" Sus, hintayin mo yan mamaya pag nandyan na si Lika, akala mo Santo" Sabi ni JS ( Hyunseung ).
" Hahaha, Oo nga tapos nandun ako sa meeting nya sa beijing last month when I visited. Grabe nya kaseryoso, Whoo~ Scary boss " Sabi ni Junhyung.
" Wag ka maniwala sa kanila palangga ha" Sabi ni N as he covered Noreen's ears. " Andyan na " Sabi ni N.
Two black cars arrived, It was the company car under Lachica group, Drivers who work for N.
Sa unang sasakyan magkasama si JS, Fred at Klaud.
Sa pangalawa, Si Jun, N, Noreen at si Ezra. Noreen was seated next to Ezra, who was next to N. Si Jun, nasa passenger seat.
" So Palangga, sabi saakin ni Ezra naospital ka daw?" Sabi ni N.
Noreen bowed her head out of embarrassment. Ehh sinabi nya yun kay kuya?
"Uhuh...You know...Anemic" Noreen let out a slight laugh to brighten up the mood.
" Ahh kaya pala, Ikaw din naman N may episodes ka din na anemic ka, mababa din BP mo diba?" Sabi ni Jun.
" Oo nga, kaso mas malala tong kapatid ko at ang akin lang , wala ako dito ng panahon na yun. Buti nandyan si Ezra " Sabi ni N.
I wasn't even supposed to be there Noreen thought.
" Nakakatulog ka na ng mabuti?" N asked.
" Opo, Funny nga eh...pero yes nakakatulog na ako ng mahimbing " Noreen started to wonder, inisip nya kung kelan nga ba sya nag simula na makatulog ulit ng maayos at hindi na binabangungot. It was you , It was you all this time , you became the reason why I can sleep soundly. Noreen thought, It was Ezra. Ever since he came into Noreen's life, her life became colorful and adventurous.
" Haha, wag ka mag alala Noreen. I know everything, alam ko dinala ka nya sa antipolo, Dinala nya din kami doon pag may pinagdadaanan kami" Sabi ni N.
" That's right! May time na wala ako maisip na icompose, I was depressed and he brought me there " Sabi ni Jun.
" I know that you got drunk " Sabi ni N. " And I know about the Junior guy , which reminds me. Paalala nyo saakin yung Junior na yun ahh" He told the boys.
" Sure " Sabi ni Ezra at ni Jun.
" You tell him everything?" Sabi ni Noreen kay Ezra.
" Yes, I am collaborating with him on my plan of care " Ezra winked at Noreen. Plan of care? Ano ako pasyente? Noreen thought.
" I also tell him stuff, about the things we do together kaso nga lang busy din yang Kuya Ezra mo, Future Doc Yang " Sabi ni N , playfully punching Ezra. Ezra punched back hard. " Aray " Sabi ni N massaging his arm.
-
Dumating na sila sa Restaurant where Lika and two other girls are waiting. Hyuna, JS' girlfriend who's studying law aswell and Annika, Jun's girlfriend she is a botanist. Lika , was flawless the only difference that she has with Balm is that her smile is brighter and more sincere, they were both gorgeous in any way. Hyuna, has a rocking body but she is conservative and she wears corporate attire. While Annika, she's a sweet girl who looks like a doll, she wears round glasses and lagi sya nakaponytail.
JS kissed hyuna's head before he sat next to her , Jun pinched Annika's nose and fixed her glasses. Si N naman, He held his girlfriend's hand and kissed it , Noreen was smiling at what she witnessed. Ezra offered her a seat and she smiled at him saying thank you.
It was a round table, Katabi ni Lika si N, na katabi si Noreen na katabi si Ezra , sabay Si Fred at Si Klaud. Nabitter Naman si Fred at si Klaud dahil hanggang ngayon single padin silang dalawa.
" It's so nice to see you all again. Noreen! You're very pretty in person " Lika said with her typical bright smile, tumayo sya at nilapitan si Noreen and they hugged, Napanganga si Noreen sa kagandahan ni Lika at hinabol ng tingin hanggang sa nakaupo sya ulit.
How can someone be so pretty? Ano nakita nya sa kuya ko? Noreen thought
" Kuya, wag mo na syang bibitawan ahh " Bulong ni Noreen kay N.
" Wala akong balak " N whispered back.
" My sister couldn't make it today, she's busy " Lika said.
" Sayang naman, I heard that she's the new face of Alestair" Sabi ni Annika, placing her hand on her chest appearing sad, she is such a sweetheart.
" Ooh, following her sister's footsteps " Sabi naman ni Hyuna. " Parang kayo lang din ni N before " Dagdag nya as she gestured on the couple.
Fred and Klaud bursted out laughing and they looked at Ezra, Hindi man magets ng majority sa table pero ang apat, Si Fred, Klaud , Ezra at Noreen nagkakaintindihan. Ezra was panicking inside, wishing na hindi magets ni N dahil sya ang dakilang mapang asar sa group, Noreen smiled dahil nagets nya ang pang aasar ni Klaud at ni Fred. Ezra was forming his hand into fists at tinataas nya ng pasimple para makita ng dalawa ang dadapo sa mukha nila kapag hindi pa sila tumigil.
" Nawala na ako ng halos dalawang taon may tama padin kayong dalawa " Sabi ni N kay Fred at Klaud.
" Haha sorry boss " Sabi ni Klaud, sabay turo ng dalawa kay Ezra na nang aasar padin.
" Ku...ya , May I?" Paalam ni Noreen, N nodded. Noreen meant that can she wander around as they wait for the food to be served. And so she did, dahil bago ang lugar sa kanya at malawak, It is an opportunity for alone time and ideas para sa bagong story.
She walked around the vintage restaurant that is inside a Hotel which is owned by Klaud's parents. She went to the other room where a Piano is located, Umupo sya doon and she took out her pen and paper. The room was baby blue and it had a vintage design on the walls and a crystal blue chandelier hanging on top of the shiny black piano.
" Bago ko makalimutan " Sabi ni Noreen as she took off the cover of her pen by using her mouth.
9.) Reports stuff to my brother
10.) Appears calm but panics too
11.) Also makes thre-
" What are you doing?" It was Ezra, he was leaning on the door.
" Writing stuff...." Noreen said as she hid her pen and paper.
" Kaharap mo piano tapos nag susulat ka? What are you writing?" Ezra asked as he walked closer to Noreen and sat next to her.
" Story stuff, Ikaw? Why are you here?" Noreen asked, she scooted away from Ezra who was too close to her.
Hindi sumagot si Ezra, he started to play the piano.
12.) Can play the piano
" I was bored anyways, yung dalawa doon gusto ipaalam sa kuya mo ang tungkol saamin ni balm para asarin nya ako ng todo in hope na magustuhan ko si balm" Sabi ni Ezra.
" But ,you do like her?" Noreen asked as this is a perfect opportunity.
" Nope. I don't think I can like someone yet besides, I can't give her time " Sabi ni Ezra as he continued to play a tune.
" Wag mo yan sabihin, there's always time! Hindi ako naniniwala sa walang oras . 3 seconds is time. It only takes three seconds for you to say you love someone, You can give three seconds to someone you love and to them, That is forever " Sabi ni Noreen.
" You believe in so many things kid " Sabi ni Ezra.
" And you should too..." Sabi ni Noreen.
Ezra paused from playing. " I think that you're afraid to open your heart when in fact I know you can love and forgive, Try mo " Noreen smiled at him.
Ezra was quiet then he began to play again. This time he began to sing.
If you're not the one then why does my soul feel glad today?
If you're not the one then why does my hand fit yours this way?
If you are not mine then why does your heart return my call?
If you are not mine would I have the strength to stand at all?
I never know what the future brings,
But I know you are here with me now,
We'll make it through,
And I hope you are the one I share my life with
I don't want to run away but I can't take it, I don't understand,
If I'm not made for you then why does my heart tell me that I am?
Is there any way that I can stay in your arms?
13.) He sings well like an angel
Noreen's heart fluttered as he sang, Kumalat nanaman ang electricity sa katawan nya mga 1 million bolts. Ezra has a unique voice, It was like an angel's , It sounded like a sweet lullaby but until you pay attention to the lyrics of the song. What exactly did he meant by it?
" Magaling ka pala kumanta " Sabi ni Noreen.
" My mom taught me how" Sabi ni Ezra. " Oo nga pala , nandito na kuya mo. Wag mo na akong tawagin na kuya, Ezra nalang"
" Ez. ra." Sabi ni Noreen in a mechanical tone. Ezra laughed a bit at Noreen. " So, ano na nga sinusulat mo kanina? I am really curious" Ezra asked as he was really bothered by it.
" Uhmmm... It's just that I'm really amazed about the things I learn about you like you sing... you tell my brother everything and you also make plain threats toward your friends" Sabi ni Noreen.
" Haha, that's normal. People surprise me everyday at isa ka na doon... I'm surprised that you're actually pretty " Sabi ni Ezra.
" Actually? Grabe ka saakin ha!" Pinalo ni noreen si Ezra ng palaro.
" Well, dati pag nakikita kita you're pale, messy hair , dry lips parang dehydrated ka lagi pero, maganda ka pala i mean kahit hindi ka nakaayos ng ganito. Pero what's distinct when I'm with you is...is that, You give me energy and parang ayoko nang takbuhan ang buhay pero harapin nalang sya...hindi ko alam bakit ganun" Sabi ni Ezra. " Is it because I like you?" He asked as he played a note. " You made me sing again...Is it because I like you?" He looked at Noreen, causing her heart to thump hard.
" When I see your face I get happy... It's because I like you" Sabi Ni Ezra...
-
Reality.
Noreen's POV
" So, ano na nga sinusulat mo kanina? I am really curious" Ezra asked as he was really bothered by it.
Nakatingin sya saakin, alam kong binabasa nya mga mata ko at kung paano ako magrereact sa tanong nya. Nakakainis mata nya, he was looking for an answer , a concrete logical one. Pwes, ayoko din malamang nyang masyado akong interesado sa kanya dahil nga naman, If you notice every detail about a person, you definetely are interested in them or you care about them.
" Just writing details about the interior ,maganda kasi. Uhh, Para sa story ko, I'm writing a fairytale " Sabi ko, with my soul's fingers crossed.
" Ahh, maganda nga ang design " He looked around and he eyes got fixed on the chandelier that looked like raindrops. " Lalo na yun, reminds me of rain, I love it when it rains " He said.
14.) Likes it when it rains.
" But a fairytale? Kaya ang mga babae laging iniisip may prince charming with a white horse and all those tragic loves stories or happy endings. That's because you read too watch too much and in your case, you imagine and write too much " Sabi nya. Medyo kumulo ang dugo ko doon sa sinabi nya, at gusto ko idiin ang mga daliri ko sa keys ng piano, pero ngumiti nalang ako dahil okay naman ang expression nya, he looked like he was confused. " I mean, Pinapaasa nyo lang sarili nyo because they don't happen in real life. That's why it's called fiction." He added.
" Kasi nga tulad ng sinabi mo kanina, I believe in many things at nasasaakin nalang yun kung aasa ba ako doon, pero naniniwala ako sa happy endings and you should too " Sabi ko. " Pwede mo sya itulad sa...keys ng piano, may black and white, white represents happiness and the black keys represent sadness and despair, pero pinipindot mo padin sya to create music. Ganun din sa Non - fiction or the life we live today, Pag wala ang dalawa na yan wala ding kulay ang buhay mo, walang music. And so... happy endings do exist pero hindi sya ganun kadali makukuha, you also need to play the black keys..."