Welcome to my GL work!
This is BOOK 1 - OUT OF MY MIND made in 11 Parts
BOOK 2 - FOUND YOU - To be published in 10 parts
BOOK 3 - NEXT LIFE - To be published in 10 parts
Follow my Wattpad Account to stay updated with Jelyn and Ysah's next chapters.
Author's Recommendations: The Story continues in the BOOK 2 - FOUND YOU after Part 11.
'Isn't it a crime to hold hands in the public transport?'
'Kaya ba talaga nilang mapanindigan ito?'
Ang daming naglalaro sa isipan ni Jelyn patungkol sa best friend niya, si Ysah. Pareho silang straight.
Pinagmamasdan ni Jelyn si Ysah habang papunta sila sa condo. They were inside the train kung saan madaming tao. Buti na lang at nakaupo sila, ngunit medyo naiilang si Jelyn sa ginagawa ni Ysah sa kaniya. Ysah was rubbing her hand habang nakasandal ito sa balikat ni Jelyn para maidlip. Ewan ba niya kung bakit sa araw na iyon ay sobrang clingy ng best friend niya sa kaniya.
She's doing her best to control her emotions. That day still remained in Jelyn's memory until now.
Jelyn was still longing for Ysah's lips even though she could not be with her. The emptiness she was feeling was almost unbearable. She always thought about her every day. Since she was gone from her life, a lot of things had already changed. She was no longer the same person she used to be.
She vividly remembered the day during their Glam pictorial para sa high-school graduation nila. Jelyn dressed as a lawyer dahil iyon ang pangarap ng papa niya para sa kaniya. She looked beautiful and handsome wearing a formal black suit.
The exciting thing about Glam pictorials is get to wear your chosen dream profession costume.
So it happened few days before the graduation. Her best friend, Ysah, invited her to her condo pagkatapos ng Glam pictorial and claiming of graduation gown na susuotin nila next week. Finally, ga-graduate na din sila from high-school. They were planning to enroll to the same university in San Beda.
"Jelyn, let's go to my condo. I have something to give you." Ysah invited her. Sabay silang kumuha ng toga sa eskwelahan pagkatapos ng photoshoot nila kaninang umaga.
"Actually, pwede ko ng ibigay ngayon ang 50%." Hinarap siya ni Ysah habang hawak-hawak ang kamay nito.
"Huh??" Nagtaka si Jelyn kung ano ang kaniyang ibig sabihin. She became so flustered.
Her best friend Ysah pulled her closer and gently grabbed her neck to kiss her on the lips. Closing their eyes for a quick and passionate kiss. This one's not their first kiss though. This time they were at the park within the school campus, in the public where others could see them. The kiss between their trembling lips created some sexual tension that it was hard to resist for Jelyn.
Nananabik na si Ysah to taste her best friend. She must admit kissing her best friend was addictive like a drug. She wanted her to be her first.
"Tara na. You'll get the other 50% once we get there." Ysah touched Jelyn's face and winked at her in a naughty way. Tempting and flirting with Jelyn.
Butterflies in their stomach. Natulala na lang si Jelyn sa ginawa ng best friend Ysah niya.
Pero nakakabitin naman yung kiss...Is there anything else to do aside from kissing?
Adrenaline rush. Her best friend had been her secret crush.
Ysah's stare hit different that time to Jelyn. Hindi mawari ni Jelyn kung ano pero meron pa din siyang mga pangamba. It was always her who would make the first move. But today, Ysah was more confident and bold.
Jelyn's heart was pounding for her best friend. It had been always her. Wala nang iba. Halos hinahabol niya ang kaniyang paghinga because she was really excited and curious at the same time kung ano ang ibibigay ni Ysah pagkadating nila sa condo.
Baka hindi na siya makapagpigil pa...ngunit ano nga ba ang kaya nilang ibigay sa isa't isa? Kaya na ba nilang sumugal? Is it worth all the risks?
There was no turning back.
She felt ready to do it with Ysah and fullfill this infatuation she had been feeling inside.
Perhaps that infatuation developed into something else? Ano nga ba ang mas mangingibabaw, ang friendship, o ang sumugal sa isang relationship, o baka naman mananatili sila sa situationship na ito?
Nakakapagtataka.. hanggang ngayon ay napapangiti pa din si Jelyn sa tuwing naalala niya ito. But those were the confusing times of her high-school life. Oh, high-school life. Not knowing that it was going to be the last time she's going to see her best friend. It was her bitter-sweet memory. Yun na pala ang huli nilang pagkikita.
She remembers it clearly. May nangyari sa kanila ng best friend niya. Siya ang una.
Seven years later, on the month of December nakasakay ang mga graduating culinary students from a prestigious university sa isang 5-star luxury cruise ship as trainees kung saan pinag-aaralan nila ang Food, Beverage, and Hospitality management. Bumabiyahe ang barko ng three months patungong Japan, China, Vietnam at Singapore. They will make a stop-over in each country for one week based on the schedule itinerary.
Maraming turista ang lula nito. Mga turistang hindi basta-basta because this is the only cruise ship that offers exclusive flexible itinerary. Normally kapag mag-aavail ka ng cruise ship it also serves as your hotel at the end of the day at sobrang tight ng schedule. But this kind of luxury cruise ship will let you stay in land hotel for couple of days, although it is optional and you can always choose to spend the night in the cruise ship habang naka-docked ito sa port. Merong olympic size swimming pool, golf, casino, at hotel-like amenities ang malaking cruise ship na ito.
Jelyn was a graduating student and she needed to finish the internship para makatapos sa Marso. Thirty students nalang ang naiwan sa batch na ito out of hundred students na nag-apply sa napakamahal na Culinary course na ito four years ago. Actually this was her second course, she made a shift from Legal Management course to Culinary dahil cooking talaga ang passion niya.
"Can you see me? I'm waiting for the right time
I can't read you, but if you want, the pleasure's all mine
Can you see me using everything to hold back?
I guess this could be worse
Walkin' out the door with your bags"
Wearing her headphone, nakatanaw si Jelyn sa karagatan habang nakikinig ng music during her break time.
"Malapit na ang kaarawan niya." Sabi ni Jelyn habang nakatingin sa malayo. She was standing by the terrace looking out at the sea view habang hinahangin ang kaniyang buhok.
"Kanino Jelyn?" Napansin siya ng classmate niya na kanina pa siyang hinahanap.
"Haaah? Tara pasok na tayo."
She removed her headphones, It startled Jelyn when she realised that she was still in break and her classmate had been calling her out. Iniiwasan niyang ma-overbreak.
Ang naiisip ni Jelyn ay ang bestfriend niya na malapit na ang kaarawan.
Every year she's wondering if her best friend was celebrating her birthday alone o may kasama ba ito?
Masaya kaya siya?
She still cares for her even from afar.
Sometimes the old days kept rewinding in her head. But Jelyn chose not to allow the past control her emotions and present life. She already moved on.
Sa ikalawang araw nila sa cruise ship, abala ang klase sa orientation at assignment ng bawat estudyante. Isa pa sa mga pangarap ni Jelyn ay ang makapag-travel sa buong mundo balang araw makakarating siya sa iba't ibang bansa. Mahilig din kasi siyang magluto simula pagkabata kaya nais niyang maging chef. And after finishing her studies and traveling the world, she planned on setting up her own restaurant someday.
Sa balcony may isang binibini ang nakaupo at gumuguhit ng mga tanawin na naaabot ng kaniyang mga mata at lapis. She's a left-handed. Gamit ang malaking sketchpad niya at color pencil ay kinukulayan niya ang sunset. Malalim ang pinang-huhugotan ng emosyon nito sa pag-iisketch.
Ysah took a deep breathe and stared blankly out the seas. She was trying to contain her emotions. Mag-isa na naman siya sa birthday niya during this travel.
Meanwhile, Marie was admiring a beautiful lady from a safe distance na nakaupo mag-isa. She had this urge to approach her. For some reason, she could not explain why she was being drawn closer to this person.
"Excuse me, miss, could I get a quick interview from you?" Out of nowhere, Marie suddenly appeared infront of Ysah.
Walang narinig na response si Marie from the lady who seemed like a "foreigner" because of her caucasian look. Nakayuko ito at merong ginuguhit.
She attempted in making friends with this stranger but she got ignored for the first try.
"Hello Miss? Are you alone?" She approached the lady politely trying to get her attention.
Isang interview na naman. Here we go again, may nakakakilala sa kaniya sa cruise ship. Maaaring isang content writer para sa isang magazine or blog. Pangalawang beses niya ng ma-interview simula nong umalis siya ng Manila. As a reserved person, ayaw niyang maisturbo especially that she's concentrating at something.
She hated any distraction. Ysah presumed at the back of her mind.
"Hmm, can't you see I'm busy?" Sumagot ito in a monotone voice habang nakayuko. She's not in the mood to face a stranger. She's preoccupied sa pagkukulay ng sketchpad niya. How dare she?
"Sorry to bother you but I really need this for my work." Marie was really craving for her attention.
"Do you know who I am?!" Tumayo si Ysah at tinitigan ang babaeng nasa harapan niya.
Si Ysah ay isa ng sikat na contemporary artist ngayon. Sa edad na twenty-two ay nakapag-exhibit na siya sa iba't ibang bansa at meron na din siyang sariling studio sa Singapore at Manila.
"Hindi..."
Pakiramdam ng mass communication student na si Marie ay isang model or celebrity si Ysah as she perceived her. But she was only making an assumption.
'The guts of this lady...' Ysah refused to entertain her. Nakaharang ito sa sunset view kung saan siya ay focused na iguhit ito sa sketchpad.
She made a stereotype based sa physical characteristics ni Ysah - maganda, matangkad, maganda ang kutis, mukhang nasa upper class at legit na tourista who could afford to pay a premium cruise ship that costs more than a million pesos for a three month luxury cruise. She looked like an heiress of some European billionaire.
A perfect subject for her vlogging content.
Marie set up her camera and microphone habang sinusubukang humingi ng pahintulot.
Ysah recognized the lady to be a typical Filipino because of her neutral accent when speaking in English. Mukhang wala naman talaga itong interest or taste when it comes to Art. Being able to afford a luxury cruise like this, mukhang hindi galing sa high-society ang amateur reporter na ito? Ysah was judging her.
In her surprise hindi pala siya kilala nito pero naglakas-loob siyang i-approach mag-isa.
Sa tingin niya ay isang amateur reporter ito o bagohan sa industriya. Mukhang hindi naman nagkakalayo ang mga edad nila.
Maaaring din namang random lang ang pang-aabala nito sa kaniya. O sadyang makapal lang ang mukha nito?
"Hindi naman pala eh, so what do you want from me?" Huminto muna si Ysah sa kaniyang ginagawa. She wanted to avoid any unexpected interview. Pakiramdam niya ay nasasayang ang kaniyang oras sa mga ganitong bagay.
"Nasasayang oras ko sayo..." Ysah added while speaking without any form of emotion.
"Wait, you're a Filipino?" Napahawak si Marie sa braso ni Ysah while confirming. Pinagmamasdan n ni Marie si Ysah.
'Sandali, kilala ko to ah...' Marie said to her gut feeling.
"Well, I'm actually mixed Filipino. My mom is Pinay and my dad is from Sweden. What is it to you?" Ysah explained, then she rolled her eyes.
"I'm Marie, I'm a travel vlogger and a mass com first year student pero I'm already twenty-two years old. Madami akong followers sa social media. Search mo na lang. Long story bakit first year pa din ako. This is my first time to get on board sa isang 5-star cruise ship so I want to interview people." Marie nicely introduced herself.
"And so?" Sinungitan siya ng magandang dilag na si Ysah.
Napansin ni Marie na nawala na sa paningin niya ang magandang hinahangaan niya. Wala na pala siyang kinakausap.
"Oi, sandali...maam?" Sinundan siya ni Marie.
'Ma'am?'
'Ugh, the guts of this person...
Mukha na ba akong matanda?
How dare she?'
Ysah was getting annoyed of this stranger. She only wanted to enjoy the view of the sea horizon. She got already exhausted from various guesting, interview, brand photoshoot, and art event when she was still in Manila. Gusto lang niyang magpahinga from those things.
Pepwede kaya yun? Now that Marie was invading her space. Ysah only wanted some peace of mind. She enjoys solitude.
"Ang dami mo namang sinabi... I'm not even interested. Why me?"
Marie was stuttering at the moment. She was trying to find the right words to ask.
"I..I don't know. I feel like what you do is interesting..I am interviewing female solo travelers and also I want to share your art passion in my vlog. Ang ganda ng drawing mo ah?"
"Haha. No need for that. Bye."
Ysah smirked. She was rudely leaving this "female vlogger" behind. And it's true naman na hindi niya kailangan magpasikat. In fact, siya talaga ang hinahabol. She doesn't need her vlogging platform to advertise her talent. She preferred it "lowkey" as an artist.
Nagpapa-book pa nga sa kaniya ang mga writers para lang ma-interview siya. Pero this girl infront of her, just randomly picked her to be interviewed out of nowhere.
Hindi man lang marunong mag-research. Sa halip siya pa ang pinag-reresearch niya sa social media. Ano naman ngayon kung madami siyang followers?
"Busy searching for yourself? Searching for someone?" Marie teased her.
'Ugh, the nerve of this lady...' Sabi ni Ysah sa sarili na every since ay hindi people-pleaser.
Hindi na siya pinansin ni Ysah at umalis nalang ito papalayo. Suot ang ear pods nito habang nakikinig ng classic musical.
Marie noticed the name on her sketchpad bago ito umalis. Ysabelle...
'Ysabelle sounds familiar. Could it be?'
Napaisip si Marie kung sino ba talaga si Ysabelle bakit pakiramdam niya ay kilala niya ito from somewhere at hindi ito first time na magkita sila. Hindi siya mapakali at gusto niyang kausapin ito ulit.
Sinundan niya ito hanggang sa hallway ng kwarto ni Ysah. Kinakausap siya ni Marie ngunit hindi naman nakikinig si Ysah since naka-headset mode naman siya. Hanggang sa...
"Aba. Magkatabi lang pala rooms natin."
Marie exclaimed.
"Oh my, andiyan ka pa pala! Were you following me all this time?"
Ysah was startled when she found out that Marie was behind her.
"Actually this is my room across your room. Pero you can also say na sinusundan kita, please? I just really need to talk to you very quick." Marie was begging her.
"Miss Ysabelle, is it okay if we could have dinner together? Please grant me this interview." Marie eagerly requested. Nagkatitigan sila sandali.
"Ang kulit naman nito. Ayoko nga eh. Tagalog naman ang sinabi ko. Which part did you not understand??" Ysah emphasized to her while taking out her keycard access to open the door into her own suite. Sinungitan niya na ito.
"How did you even know my name? Kung weird ka kanina, ngayon ang creepy mo ha."
Ysah looked at her from head to toe.
Marie pointed her lips toward the sketchpad.
"I might call the security. You stalker or paparazzi."
Nagmadaling pumasok si Ysah pero pinigilan ni Marie ang pintoan na magsara. Her right arm was strong. It's because she used to play sports particularly Tennis. Kahit sinungitan na siya ay makulit pa rin siya hanggang hindi siya napagbibigyan sa vlog niya.
Gagawin niya ang lahat para sa likes and views ng mga followers niya.
"Heyyy! Ate, hindi naman kelangan yun? Hindi naman ako masamang tao."
Marie literally forced herself to come inside Ysah's suite.
"Ate" means older sister in Filipino language
"What? Ate? Kanina, ma'am ang tawag mo. How dare you. Mas mukha ka pang matanda sakin." Ysah expressed her annoyance and looked at Marie from head to toe.
Ysah threatened her and that she would call the security if she was being pushy and annoying.
"Seryoso ka ba? Magsusumbong ka talaga?"
Marie followed her.
"Sandali....miss Ysabelle.. uy.. wait chill ka lang..."
Ysah was about to make the phone call to the security when Marie quickly got her and covered her mouth with her hand.
"Hello, secu....security!!! help!" Ysah was trying to yell.
They struggled together. Kinagat ni Ysah ang kamay ni Marie at tinulak ito pahiga ng kama. Ysah leaned towards Marie at hinawakan ang mga balikat nito na may pwersa. Nagkatitigan sila. Pumipiglas naman si Marie.
"Diyan ka lang!" Ysah raised her voice as she flipped her finally hair ordering Marie to stay away from her. Marie released her,
Pilit pa din inaabot ni Ysah ang telepono while Ysah managed to threaten Marie with a spatula - isa sa mga tools na ginagamit sa pagpipinta. Habang si Marie naman ay hindi na makakilos at nakahiga na lang dahil sa nerbyos.
"Look, Ms. Ysabelle. I'm sorry. I earn my income from making vlogs. I need it dahil ako nagpapa-aral sa sarili ko." Marie explained and was panting. She was catching her breathe.
Binitawan ni Ysah si Marie when she realized na mukhang sincere naman ito at tsaka dumating ang mga security guards. She also noticed that Marie was sweating and already looked awful.
In fact, nakapag-stay lang si Marie sa luxury cruise na ito dahil sponsored siya ng isang follower niya sa social media.
"Are you alright ma'am? Is there a man who's trying to harass you?"
"You mean a woman? Yes." Ysah murmured.
Marie was in panic mode right now.
Nag-ayos ng mga sarili nila si Ysah at Marie dahil nagulo ang kanilang mga buhok.
'Oh no, sasabihin ko nalang ba na it's a prank? Para naman akong ewan non?' Marie asked herself.
"Ummm, that's, ummm," Ysah examined Marie from head to toe.
Kinakabahan si Marie sa susunod na mga salitang sasabihin ni Ysah. Napalunok na lang ito sa kaba. Hindi siya pwedeng makulong or ma-detain. Lalo na sa ibang bansa sila dadayo. Ayaw niyang magka-death penalty. Tulad nong napapanood niya sa news. Natakot siya bigla sa imagination niya as drug mule tapos si Ysah yung drug user pala. Then she shook her head para mawala sa isip niya yung mga ini-imagine niyang immigration horror stories. Baka ipa-deport siya bigla.
"Sorry officers, I just , umm forgot the key card, I already found it! Thanks for your help! I thought I lost it!" Ysah apologized to the security personnel.
"We understand ma'am. If there's any thing suspicious, please don't hesitate to give us a call anytime."
The security guards were being polite to two beautiful ladies in front of them.
"Yes, I will. Thank you officers."
"Have a goodnight." The two security guards left the room.
"I found your name in the sketchpad. Okay?"
Marie bit her lip and told Ysah.
"Please leave. Now!" Ysah demanded. Then she realized baka nakita talaga ni Marie ang pangalan niya sa sketchpad. It was an exhausting encounter for both of them.
"Akala ko hihimatayin na ako don." Marie had a sigh of relief.
"You know what, you're guilty."
"I feel thirsty, my throat became dry. Painom naman ng tubig."
"Ede don sa kwarto mo." Tinutulak ni Ysah si Marie palabas ng kwarto.
"Uhaw na uhaw na ako baka hindi na ako aabot sa kwarto."
"Amazing inconvenience." Ysah made a sigh.
Inabutan pa din ni Ysah si Marie ng isang baso ng tubig.
"Tumayo ka na. Please leave my room." Tinarayan siya ni Ysah.
"Kaya mo yan, ang lapit lang ng kwarto mo."
Ysah gently pushed her outside, out of her sight.
"Ms. Ysah. Why don't we have a drink tonight?"
'Ibang uhaw pala tong nararamdaman ko..'
Marie thought to herself.
"Hindi ako sasama sayo." Ysah declined her offer.
"It's Friday night. We're both alone, young and bored and lonely. Let's enjoy!"
Marie invited her kahit nasa labas na ito ng kwarto ni Ysah.
"Huwag mo ako idamay Ms. vlogger...and who said I'm lonely. I'm not lonely. Bye!"
Then Ysah slammed the door.
Ysah was enjoying her peace kanina before this girl appeared. But Marie was so persistent.
Ysah is an introvert. As an artist, hindi siya sanay makipag-socialize and chooses to be a loner. It's taking so much of her energy to please other people. Living independently away from her family na nasa Europe. She decided to do her own thing after graduating in college. Nagustohan niyang tumira ulit sa Pinas kesa sa Sweden because of the white sand beaches and simple life. Napakamura lang ng bilihin sa Pinas kompara sa Europe. Kung minsan naman ay pumupunta siya sa Singapore to meet with other artists and some close friends.
Affordable cost of living ay isa lang sa mga excuses niya in returning to the Philippines but the truth is...she was still hoping someday she would meet her. That their path would cross again and make up for the lost time...
Ysah became speechless sa kakulitan ni Marie. She actually finds her pathetic but cute in her own way. Besides, she also felt like in the mood to drink tonight so maybe it's nice to have some company.
A few moments later... tinawag ni Ysah si Marie.
"Psssst!!"
Hindi lumingon agad si Marie na naglalakad papunta ng bar mag-isa.
"Wait!!!" Hinabol siya ni Ysah.
Marie stopped for a while and turned around then she saw Ysah following her.
"Ngayon lang to ha." Ysah blinked her eyes rapidly and licked her lips infront of Marie. She was being vague.
"Hmmmm?" Marie looked at her a little longer with confusion.
"Ayaw mo?" Ysah said aggressively.
"Ha???! Ang alin ba?" Marie got confused again. She anticipated some sort of clarity from Ysah.
"Ano ba talaga yung gusto mo??" Ysah answered her with a question.
"Ahhh.. yung interview." Marie opened her mouth and finally realized what she meant.
"Dali na. Kasi nga, ngayon lang to." Ysah pointed it out.
Hindi mapigilan ni Marie ang ngumiti. Kahit masungit ang diwata na ito at napipilitan ay mukhang mabait naman. Marie felt interested towards Ysah.
Then the two ladies headed to the bar.
Finally, pinagbigyan niya na din si Marie. In fact, wala siyang masiyadong Filipina girl friends in her present life. Perhaps she could trust her. Couldn't she?
Sabay na silang pumunta ng bar at pinagbigyan na ni Ysah si Marie sa isang condition - they will conduct an interview with a twist kung saan ang punishment kung mali ang sagot ay iinom si Marie ng tequila shot, at kung tama naman ang sagot ni Marie, si Ysah ang siyang iinom.
It's Friday night ang boring din mag-isa sa kwarto. Diba?