This is the first installment of the Rule Series.
This book will contain mature scenes and language which may not be suitable for some readers, so I advise to read it on your own risk.
NOTE: I'm currently editing this so expect to see some grammatical errors and inaccuracies when it comes to the real field. I will try to improve it to the best that I can :)
DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
***
In a world full of billions of people, it is indeed impossible to find the one destined for you in an instant.
Destiny.
I don't believe in Destiny.
It is just a bullshit reason for people who are too coward to do something. Kase, kung mahal mo 'yung tao, bakit mo hahayaan mawala sayo? Bakit mo hahayaan na mapunta siya sa iba without putting up a fight?
They believe that you should leave your fate in destiny. That it's okay to let it be dahil dadating din naman ang taong nakalaan para sayo.
Pero, paano kung di na dumating? Hahayaan mo nalang ba?
It doesn't always apply though.
Ganon na ganon ang dahilan kung bakit hiwalay na ang Papa at Mama ko. They both believed that they are destined for each other and that I am their bridge to be together kahit na may mahal si Mama na iba during that time. It was never a marriage of love. It is an illusion created by the two of them just because I came. Kaya naman ngayon, hiwalay na sila.
Papa believed my Mama is the one destined for him dahil nabuhay ako. Iniwan niya lahat, para sa kanya. Maybe he did love her, but she, unfortunately, didn't. Mahirap ipilit ang dalawang tao nagkasama lang dahil sa responsibilidad. It's unfair to them. Unfair lalo sa akin, na anak nila.
Kaya pag ako nagboyfriend, I'll make sure that I love him so much before I say yes! That way, I could know kung nakikita ko ba siya as the one I'll be with hanggang pagtanda. I will never marry more than once. Especially, if may anak na ako.
"Lia," Mama called.
We aren't rich. Papa works abroad, so we don't really have a problem with my custody. Seventeen din ako, turning eighteen na rin in a few months.
I quickly went to her and smiled. Bibigyan niya na kase niya ako ng allowance. Nagkasundo sila ni Papa that he would cover all our expenses for the apartment and my school expenses. Si Mama naman sa bills.
"Wag mo sayangin yan, ha? College ka na, dapat marunong ka na mag tipid." paalala niya sa akin. She gave me a 500 peso bill for allowance. Ganon, araw-araw.
I chuckled. Alam na alam kase nila kung gaano ako kalakas gumastos. Growing up with rich classmates, medyo na-adapt ko na rin practices nila. Ang iba, matipid naman. Pero ang iba, grabe lang din talaga gumastos.
"Opo. I know." I said and grabbed my bag.
First day in college today. I didn't get the course I wanted. Business nalang kase ang pwede kaya 'yun na ang kinuha ko. I really wanted to pursue Medicine. Gusto ko talaga magdoctor noon pa, pero kung hindi kaya nila Mama, ako nalang siguro gagawa ng paraan.
It's been a year since I learned how to commute. I remember I had summer classes in the middle of Grade 11 and Grade 12 because of an advanced classes in school. Ang lakas ko pa gumastos non! I would pay 500 a day sa paguwi at papuntang school, di pa kasama pagkain ko dun! I didn't even know I can just take a jeepney and just pay 15 pesos. Sayang pera.
Natutunan ko na rin magcommute mula school at sa iba pang lugar this summer bago nagsimula ang college. It is an essential. Wala na maghahatid sa akin e. I have to be street smart now and more alert. Nagpatulong na rin ako kay Mama kung magkano kada byahe para maayos ko na rin ang ibabayad ko sa coin purse.
Sumakay na ako ng jeep, papuntang LRT station. It's an easy and faster way to school.
I am currently wearing my high waisted jeans, a white statement shirt with a black print. Emergency jacket, in case lang naman na lamigin ako. Though, I doubt it. Dahil wala naman aircon dun. Bihira lang.
Pumayag na rin kase ako sa Southwest State University mag-aral. Iwas tuition, bawas gastos. I wanna help my parents by lessening our expenses. It's the best that I can do for them.
Habang naghihintay makarating sa lugar kung saan ako makakasakay ng LRT, nag messenger muna ako. I missed my friends. Sa mga top universities na sila nag-aaral, may tuition at mahal. I didn't mind. What matters is, I am studying.
Pagbaba ko sa may malapit sa LRT Station, sinubukan kong hanapin kung saan ako pwedeng pumunta ng mas mabilis doon. I quickened my walk and tried to familiarize myself. Starting today, this will be my everyday life.
Pagdating ko sa LRT station, papasok na sila ng loob. Binilisan ko nalang ang takbo dahil baka masaraduhan ako. Kulang nalang din talaga at magsasara na ito.
"Wait!" I said running towards the door. If I don't get in this train then I am doomed! I'll be late for my first class!
I managed to squeeze myself in because of a stranger pulling me in. Ganito na ba talaga ang commute? It looks so brutal. I am so squeezed here! I can barely breathe!
I wouldn't make it if it weren't for the guy pulling me in. Muntikan ko pa nga mayakap dahil sa paghila niya sa akin. Shit, muntik na!
"Sorry," sabi ko dun sa lalaki. Hindi naman siya kumibo. He is wearing his headphones with his gaze fixed at the front. Kaya naman pala.
I fixed myself and tried to face the door. Nakasuot siya ng headphones kaya di niya siguro ako narinig. He just glanced at me and sighed.
I made a mistake going at this hour! Medyo rush hour na kase.
We were too squished. I also feel a little bit claustrophobic. Wala na kasi halos space at ang malala pa, nakaharap ako dito sa lalaki. Palapit na ako ng palapit doon sa lalaki na muntik ko ng mabangga. Pagbubukas ang pinto mas lalo lang ako napapalapit sa kanya. Napasubsub na talaga ako.
"Sorry...." nahihiya kong sambit dahil nahawakan ko ang balikat niya.
"Baka naman gusto mo na akong yakapin nyan?" he whispered, sobrang hina pero narinig ko yun. Ang lapit niya kaya!
Kumunot naman ang noo sa kanya. I am too close to him. I can almost hit him with my bag in front of me.
"Ha? I heard that." sabi ko sa kanya. Tumingin siya sa akin. He just smirked and looked away.
I felt so uncomfortable dahil sobrang siksik kami. Wait, there's a woman's section nga pala! Dapat pala dun nalang ako! Stupid mo, Lia!
He pulled me a little bit kaya naman nalipat ako sa mas maluwag. Nagulat lang ako at bigla niya akong tinulak doon. I almost tripped!
"Hey!"
His brow raised before a smiled appeared on his lips. Umiling siya at binalik ang tingin sa harap. Konti nalang pagtinginan na kami dito. Hindi nalang ako pumalag. Hindi naman din siya umimik na at nanatiling doon ang tingin.
Maraming lumabas doon sa isang station kaya medyo lumuwag na. Nasa likod na ako nung lalaki. Hindi ko nalang siya pinansin.
I crossed my arms and moved a little bit to the space near the door. Next station, baba na ako.
I've met some of my blockmates, online. We have a GC as a block but I am too shy to message. I also know someone in my block that used to go the same school as me. I was in STEM though, and she was in ABM but at least we are acquainted with each other.
It's really weird that a STEM student like me ended up in a Business course. I didn't have any choice though.
I kept on glancing at the guy. He was just typing something on his phone, while nodding his head to the beat of music in his headphones. Looking at him, gwapo siya. Gwapo, pero mukhang bastos. Tumingin nalang ako sa iba at hinintay na dumating ang train sa next station.
Nung bumukas ang pinto, agad naman akong lumabas. Everyone looks like they are racing each other while going the stairs. Lahat ba sila late? Or may lakad? Naprepressure tuloy ako!
I continued walking outside hanggang sa makarating ako sa school. It was a little far, pero sakto lang naman. Tipid din. Exercise, so I didn't have to deal with my diets.
As soon as I reached the gate of the school, I messaged my old batchmate. She said she is already in the classroom. Sinuot ko na rin ID ko, dahil muntik na akong mapagalitan kanina.
I tapped her shoulder when I saw her sitting alone in the classroom. She smiled and waved as soon as she saw me.
"Hey!" I said and sat beside her.
Hindi kami close. We've only been classmates once in our old school. She's nice though. I feel insecure because she's really pretty. Sabi ng iba, maganda naman ako, pero ewan mataas lang siguro talaga insecurities ko.
"Kanina ka pa?" I asked.
"Nah, kakarating ko lang."
Sinukbit ko lang ang bag ko sa upuan bago humarap sa kanya ulit.
I nodded awkwardly. "It feels so weird that we are now blockmates, but in a different school."
She chuckled. "Yeah, and how we were never really close. Baka this time pwede na tayo maging close?"
I smiled.
"Of course! Tayo-tayo lang rin naman magtutulungan!" I giggled.
Our other blockmates also had their groups. Siguro ngayon, kapa-kapa pa. No one knows anyone. Unless, they came from the same school. Gaya namin.
I was chatting with Yasmin, reminiscing about grade school and high school days when I saw a familiar guy enter the room. I froze when I realized who he was.
The gwapo guy who I encountered in the LRT.
He entered the room looking a little lost. I don't think he noticed me at all, because his gaze is fixated on the back. May mga upuan din doon kasama nung ibang lalaki.
My mind drifted back to when I was almost hugging him! Nakakahiya! I wouldn't remember that again. Bakit naman blockmate ko pa siya? Baka naman mali lang ng classroom?
Matangkad siya, gwapo at may dating. His style of clothes, fitted his body. Mukhang magaling siyang manamit. Simple, pero maporma rin.
"Lia," tawag ni Yasmin.
I snapped back to reality and faced her.
She laughed. "Okay ka lang? May nakikita ka bang hindi ko nakikita?"
"Wala..." ngumuso ako at tumitig nalang sa kamay ko.
Her gaze switched to the guy in the back. I quickly panicked and tried to make her look back at me. Baka mamaya, isipin niya pa... pinaguusapan namin siya.
"Nakatingin ka dun sa gwapo no?" she teased.
Umiling ako. Gwapo, pero mukhang bad boy. Hindi pasok sa gusto ko.
"Hindi kaya," sabi ko.
She didn't believe me and continued talking.
When the clock struck 8 AM, a man who looked like he is in his late 40s walked in our classroom, carrying a bag.
"Good morning, freshies?" he started.
Nakaupo kami sa bandang 2nd row, kaya medyo ang lapit namin at rinig na rinig ang sinasabi ng bagong dating na prof. I focused my gaze on the front and listened to him.
The professor discussed some house rules and about the subject. Minor subject siya. He also wanted to to know more about us kaya kailangan daw namin magpakilala. I sighed heavily on that one. I hate introductions!
"Okay, so let's start with you." he said and pointed to the one in the first row.
What he needs is full name, age, school during SHS, why did you choose the course and expectations.
Damn? I don't even like this course.
Napansin ko na ang iba sa kanila ay di rin gusto ang kurso na ito. They were forced as well. Ganon lang talaga siguro ang life. It's unfair, and you don't get everything you want in an instant.
When it was my turn, I stood confidently. Medyo nangangapa pa. I am never confident when it comes to crowds.
"Hi! I am Liliana Madeline Dela Fuentes but you can call me, Lia. 17 years old, from St. Maria's Academy, under STEM. I chose this course because my mom told me, since there is no more allied medical courses for me to take." I said in a rush.
Tumango lang naman 'yung professor kahit na sinabi kong ayaw ko talaga dito.
"My expectations are... I just hope to have a fun and efficient learning all throughout the semester, that's all..." I added and quickly sat down smiling at the professor.
"Damn, I hate introductions." I whispered to Yasmin.
She chuckled and did hers as well. Marami pang sumunod na tao sa kanya na ganoon rin ang ginawa. I see, our class is pretty diversed.
"Hala, girl. Gwapo nung nasa likod, oh." rinig kong sabi nung nasa likod namin. Medyo malakas kaya naririnig namin sa harap.
"Ano kaya name?" The other one asked.
I immediately knew who they were talking about. Hindi lang naman siya ang gwapo, pero ibang-iba talaga siya sa lahat ng lalaking nandito. His features stood out the most, probably because he's mixed and looks like a model or a prince at the same time.
Matangos na ilong, mapupungay na mata and well-defined thick eyebrows. His jawline is sharp and his almond shaped eyes are grey. He also has a height that could almost reach the ceiling according to how long his legs are, ang hula ko nga'y nasa 6ft. ang tangkad nito. He could also be a model based on his physical appearance, but I'm pretty sure I haven't seen him anywhere.
"Maximillian Gray Castellano." he starts his introduction with a pearly white smile.
The girls looked at him like a snack as I tried not to look at him too much. Baka kase makilala niya ako. It'll add more embarassment on my part.
His eyes found me and stared at for me for 5 seconds before a smirk appeared on his face. I quickly looked away in embarrassment. Naramdaman ko ang pamumula ng mukha ko kaya bumuntong-hininga nalang at yumuko. Alright, Lia. Chill.
He continued with what he has to say. Medyo nablanko na ang isip ko. Hindi na rin ako humarap sa gawi niya. Maya-maya lang ay bumalik na ang prof sa harap.
"Okay! Now that we all know each other, I'd like you to group yourselves. 3 boys and 3 girls for each group for a total of 6 members. I want it done by today and the president will send it to me, via messenger."
He glanced at his watch. Mukhang nagmamadali. "I got to go, you may find your groupmates for the rest of the period."
Lumabas na ang prof kaya naiwan na kami dito. We remained in our seats, while the others started talking to each other in chaos. At ilan sa kanila'y mukhang magkakakilala pa nga.
"Group tayo," sabi ko kay Yas. She nodded and looked around the room.
We didn't know anyone here. Sino kaya, mapapasali namin?
"Hi!"
Lumingon kami ni Yasmin sa babaeng may hila na lalaki sa likod niya. Boyfriend niya ata. May kasama rin siyang isang lalaking matangkad at payat.
"Sali kayo sa amin?" she asked.
Nagkatinginan kami ni Yasmin. The girl chuckled.
"Wait, ako pala si Amanda. This is my boyfriend, Rex. 'Yung isa naman si Mason, bestfriend niya." Tumingin ako sa dalawa at nginitian nalang sila. They smiled at us and did a salute sign. Mukha naman silang mabait at palangiti.
"Yasmin and Lia." pakilala ni Yasmin sa aming dalawa. "I'm Yasmin and this is Lia."
They all nodded and introduced themselves personally. We exchanged greetings and chatted for a bit. Nalaman ko rin na sa same school pala sila nag SHS. Dito rin sa Southwest pero sa ibang building nga lang.
"Sino kaya 'yung isa pang lalaki?" tanong ni Amanda, habang nakatanaw sa paligid. Medyo magulo ang silid dahil sa groupings. Kahit na unang pagkikita palang ay ang ingay na kaagad.
I tried looking for the guy I met sa LRT. Baka siya pwede? Not that I want to be with him, anyway. Siya lang kase yung medyo kilala ko...
I flinched a bit when someone tapped my shoulder. Lumingon ako at nakitang siya yun! He gave me a shy smile. Sandali akong napatitig bago binalik ang ngiti sa kanya. I wondered why he would suddenly approach me.
"Hi, ikaw yung sa LRT diba?" tanong niya.
I felt my heart beating rapidly in my chest. It was just one question! Sinubukan kong umimik pero walang lumalabas sa bibig ko. Damn it, Lia? Bakit ka ganyan?
"Uh, pwede sumali sa inyo?" tanong niya at medyo may pag-aalinlangan pa sa boses. Napakamot siya ulo at ngumiti. Even his voice sounded good in my ears. It's low and raspy, yet it sounded so smooth. Does he sing?
I looked at Yasmin and she smiled at him. Lumawak rin ang ngiti ni Amanda sa kanya. Hindi ako makasalita. I didn't know what I should say.
"Sure!" sagot ni Amanda.
He nodded and smiled. Yasmin glanced at me and tried not to be obvious. Pakiramdam ko may ideya na siya kung bakit di ako makaimik.
"Uhm, add nalang kita sa GC? Ano ba name mo sa FB?" singit ko sa usapan. Gumawa na kase ako agad para mapag-usapan na ang plano agad.
He smiled at me. "Na-add na kita. Gray Castellano ang pangalan ko."
Napakurap ako. Naalala ko nga palang na-accept ko na iyon dahil nakita ko ang pangalan niya sa GC. How could I not check his profile picture, then? Basta nakita ko nalang na may mutual friends kami kaya in-add ko na agad.
He turned to Yasmin and our other groupmates before waving at them.
"Bye, thank you nga pala." sabi niya at lumabas na ng classroom.
I watched his back figure as he walked away.
That's when I first met him.
I kinda wished I never did though.