Sana dalawa ang puso ko, hindi na sana kailangan pang pumili sa inyo Naranasan mo na bang mamili sa dalawang

pinakamahalagang bahagi ng iyong buhay? Hindi bat mahirap? Tulad nitong sitwasyon ko ngayon. Oo isa akong manunulat, sabi nga nila experience is the best teacher daw kaya naman siyempre maganda magsulat kung talagang naranasan mo ang mga nilalaman ng iyong katha. Kaya nga nagkandagulo-gulo ang buhay ko ng dahil sa experience na iyan. Malapit na kasi ang araw ng pasukan noon, siyempre dahil isa nga akong manunulat kinakailangan kong makagawa ng isang istorya at siyempre ano pa ba ang temang makakapagbigay buhay sa mga tulad kong teens eh wala namang iba kundi pag-ibig. Sobrang tanga ko naman kasi kung bakit pinasok ko pa ang sitwasyong iyon. Sa totoo lang hindi pa kasi ako nagkakaboyfriend at ni wala rin akong may napupusuan. Sabi ko para maiba naman ang life ko magta-try ako ng isang gimik na kakaiba. Tapos naalala ko na paano kaya kung maghanap ako ng boyfriend. Take note: Ako pa mismio ang maghahanap ha! ang kapal ko talaga ano? Aba, parang pinatotohanan ko na yata na baligtad na ang mundo, siyempre babae ako. Well, hindi naman talaga ganoon ang totoo kong purpose, gusto ko lang naman talaganag magkaroon ng experience na magkaboyfriend para may maisulat akongarticle. Kitam, ang cheap ko talaga. Pero bahala na basta pagkatapos ng lahat ay hindi na ako uulit pa. Hindi naman totoong boyfriend eh, kunwari lang tapos pag nagkaroon na ako ng ideya kung anong love story ang isusulat ko e di balik na naman sa normal ang buhay ko. Nabuo na ang aking pasya. Pero ewan ko ba kung may papatol nga sa itsura kong to. Haay naku, mahirap talagang maging writer, oo. Kung hindi lang talaga dahil sa article na to di sana di ko pa naisipan ang kalokohang to. Ah, basta bahala na. Ganito kasi ang nangyari . Noong gabing maalala ko na maghanap ng boyfriend may dumaang isang falling star kaya nag-wish ako kaagad. Sabi ko kung sino man ang unang lalaking makita kong nakasuot ng t-shirt na kulay blue kinabukasan ay siya na iyon. Tatlo lahat ang wish ko, tungkol lang iyon sa paghahanap ko ng boyfriend. Ang ikalawa sabi ko kinakailangang makita ko siya sa harap mismo ng gate ng school namin at lastly sabi ko sana ay mahulog ang puso niya sa akin. Napaka-weird ko talaga. Wala naman akong magawa kasi heto talaga ang totoong ako. Hahamakin ang lahat para lang makapagsulat. Kinabukasan siyempre excited na ako, first day kasi ng mission ko eh. Maaga akong nagising, naligo at nagbihis. Tamang-tama naman at free day namin ang ibig sabihin pwedeng hindi kami mag-uniporme. Hindi naman ako mahilig magsuot ng palda, hindi kasi komportable kaya ang ending nakapantalon pa rin ako ng ragged at naka T-shirt. Paborito ko kasi itong isuot at siyempre dala-dala ko pa rin ang bola ng basketball at ang knapsack kong bag. Sino ba naman ang mag-aakalang naghahanap nga ako ng boyfriend e sa itsura ko pa lang parang daig ko pa ang isang tunay na lalaki. Bahala na basta nag-wish na ako kagabi. Nagpaalam na ako at umalis ng bahay. Pagdating ko sa may gate ay parang ayaw ko pang tumingin kasi parang nakakatakot. Grabe talaga ang aking kaba. At heto pa, alam ba ninyong parang maloka ako at mahilo nang matanaw ko ang dalawang lalaki na parehong naka-suot ng T-shirt na kulay blue at titig na titig sa akin habang pinagtatawanan ako. Gigil na gigil talaga ako, kaya sira ang araw ko at nalimutan ko na tuloy ang tungkol sa wish at plano ko. Wala akong nagawa at dahil sa sobrang inis ko ay sinugod ko ang dalawang lalaki at binato hawak kong bola. Tinamaan silang dalawa sa mukha. Pagkatapos niyon ay dali-dali akong tumakbong papalayo kaya hindi ko na nakita kung ano pa ang nagging ekspresyon ng kanilang mga mukha. Dumiretso ako sa canteen, bigla kasi akong nakaramdam ng gutom. At dinagdagan pa iyon ng mga mokong na bastos kanina. Haaay naku ano ba to ang dami namang tao. Pero wala rin akong nagawa kundi makipagsiksikan sa mga iyon. Nang makarating ako malapit sa may pintuan ay may nakabangga sa akin. Mabuti na lamang at nasalo ako ng lalaking nasa aking likuran kung hindi, malamang napakalaki na ng bukol ko. Kaya lang, laking gulat ko nang sa aking pagharap ay nakita ko na naman ang mukha ng dalawang lalaking kinaiinisan ko. Kaya, agad akong lumayo at pumila upang umorder ng pagkain. Pagdating ko sa cashier ay agad kong kinapa ang aking bulsa upang makapagbayad, pero teka lang mukhang nawawala yata ang wallet ko ah! Naku ano ba namang malas to asan na ba ang wallet ko. Mapapahiya na talaga ako at parang maloloka na nang may mag-abot sa akin ng twenty pesos. Aba! Sila na namang dalawa. Bahala na, kailangan kong tanggapin ang pera naghihintay na

kasi ang tindera. Hindi ko na nakuhang magpasalamat, dapat naman talagang gawin nila iyon kasi sinira nila ang araw ko kaya bagay lang na sila ang magbayad sa lahat ng kinain ko no. Ang sarapsarap ng pagkakasubo ko nang may magsalita mula sa aking likuran. Ibang klase ka talaga miss, tinulungan ka na nga hindi ka a nagpasalamat tapos, tatalikuran mo lang kami. Napalingon ako at muntik pa akong mabulunan. Pagharap ko ay ang mukha na naman ng dalawang lalaking kaaway ko kanina ang tumambad sa akin. Hindi na talaga ako nakapagpigil. Aba,aba,aba mukhang kayo pa yata ang may lakas ng loob na manumbat at magalit sa akin! Hoy, mga mokong for your information sinira ninyo ang araw ko at pwede ba, umalis na kayo sa harapan ko kasi baka kung ano pa ang magawa ko sa inyong dalawa, okey! Bakit ba ang sungit-sungit mo miss eh magso-sorry pa naman sana kami. Sambit ng lalaking may hawak na bola. Wala akong pakialam sa inyo, at isa pa hindi ako tumatanggap ng sorry lalo na ng mga taong katulad ninyo at saka bakit ba ang kukulit, ninyo ha? Ok,ok, hindi ka na naming kukulitin basta magkakaroon tayo ng deal. Ang isa na naman ang nagsalita. Alam nyo ang gulo ninyong kausap at ang kakapal talaga ng mga pagmumukha ninyo, ano? Bulyaw ko sa kanila Sige na, pumayag ka na kasi, kung ayaw mong hindi ka namin titigilan. Sabi uli ng may hawak ng bola. Whew nakakainis talaga kayong dalawa, ano bang deal na yan, bilisan nyo na nga at nang makaaalis na ako. Nakita ka namin kanina na may hawak na bola. Ibinato mo pa nga sa amin eh. Simple lang naman itong deal, tatalunin mo lang naman kami sa basketball. Kapag natalo mo kami, free ka na, pero kapag nanalo naman kami, pipili ka sa amin kung sino ang magiging boyfriend mo. Sambit ng lalaking nakabag. O, ano payag ka na? sabi ng may hawak ng bola Nanlalaki ang aking mga mata at hindi ako makapaniwala sa sobrang kakapalan ng mukha ng dalawang kaharap ko. Kaya lang ay may naalala ako. Ang wish ko nga pala kagabi. Ito na siguro ang chance na magkaroon ako ng boyfriend. Walang kamalay-malay ang dalawang mokong na mabibiktima ko sila. Siyempre kunwari pakipot muna ako tapos pumayag na rin. Sige payag na ako basta siguraduhin lang ninyo na matatalo ninyo ako. Tuwang-tuwa ang dalawa at sabay pang napahawak sa kamay ko at hinila ako sa gitna ng basketball court. Mabuti na lamang, wala nang maraming tao at walang may nakakita sa amin kasi uwian na. Hoy, ano ba kayong dalawa, bitiwan nyo nga ang kamay ko! Teka, hindi pa nga pala tayo nagkakakilala ano? Sabad ng lalaking may hawak ng bag. Anyway ako nga pala si Paul, dugtong nito, sabay abot ng kanyang kamay sa akin. At ako naman si Reyven. Sabad naman ng lalaking may hawak ng bola. Sabay silang dalawa sa pag-abot ng kanilang mga kamay sa akin. Gen. Sagot ko lang at hindi na ako nagkamay pa. Ok lets start the game. Sabi ko na lang. Sa una ay medyo nahirapan ako, magagaling kasi sila at take note, dalawa sila ang kalaban ko. Nang nasa kalagitnaan na ng laro ay malapit ko na sana silang matalo kaya lang ay nadapa ako at nadaganan ko si Paul. Hindi ako nakatayo kaagad kasi hingal na hingal ako at pagod na pagod na ako sa kalalaro.Tumambad sa akin ang kanyang mukha at nasamyo ko ang mabango niyang hininga, napatitig siya sa aking mga mata at gayundin ako. Parang hinihigop ng kung anong kuryente ang aking katawan at hindi ko na makuhang makatayo. Napakatagal ng aming pagtititigan. Ngayon ko lang na-appreciate, gwapo rin pala ang mokong. Siguro perfect description nga sa kanya ang tall, dark and handsome. Hoy! Ano ba kayong dalawa magtititigan na lamang ba kayo diyan hanggang bukas, sabi ni Reyven. Noon lang ako nakabawi, pero hindi pa rin ako makatayo, pinilit ko ang aking sarili. Mabuti na lamang at inalalayan ako ni Reyven. O, ano laban ka pa, talo ka na kasi eh! Killer looks lang pala ni Paul ang katapat mo, pang-iinis ni Reyven.

Hmp, tumahimik na nga kayong dalawa, for your information. Mainlove lang ako sa iba hindi lang sa mga katulad ninyo.Pinamumulahan na ako ng mukha. Kaya yumuko na lamang ako at inayos ang aking sapatos tapos ay tumalikod na ako. Akma na sana akong tatakbo ng pigilan ni Paul ang aking kamay. Ooops, may nakalimutan ka yata ah! Paano na ba ang deal, sorry kasi natalo ka eh, kaya kailangang tuparin mo to, okey! Ano ba talaga kayo, hindi na ba talaga ninyo ako titigilan. Oo natalo nga ako, so ano ngayon kung natalao, eh ayokong sundin ang deal. Kaya diyan nalang kayo at sorry din kasi naloko ko kayo. Bye. Dire-diretso ang aking takbo papalayo. Hindi ko na nakita kung ano ang naging expression ng mga mukha nilang dalawa. Pagdating ko sa bahay ay diretso ako kaagad sa banyo, nag-half bath, tapos kumain at nagpahinga na. Pakiramdam ko ay hinabol ako ng sampung aso. Nanakit ang buo kong katawan. Anak, nag-aapoy ka sa lagnat ah, ano bang nangyari sa iyo? Ang mama ko. Wala ma, napagod lang siguro ako. Hihingi na lamang po sana ako ng gamot. Okey, magpahinga ka na lamang diyan para gumaling ka kaagad. Kinabukasan ay hindi nga ako nakapasok, hindi ko kasi kayang tumayo, masyado kasing masakit ang aking buong katawan. Maya-maya ay pumasok si mama sa aking silid. May bisita raw ako. Sino naman kayang mga asungot ang naparito sa bahay. Hi!, Gen kumusta bati nito sa akin Laking gulat ko nang sa paglingon ko ay nakita ko na namang muli ang mukha ng dalawa kong kaaway. At ang kakapal talaga ng mga mukha, abay akalain nyo ba namang pumasok agad sa kwarto ko. May dala-dala pa ang mga ito na prutas at mga bulaklak. Kayo na naman, ano ba kayo, mga mangkukulam? Paano ba ninyo nalaman na dito ang bahay namin at paano rin ninyo nalaman na may sakit ako? Siguro mga mangkukulam nga kayo, ano? Lumabas na si mama, kaya kaming tatlo lang ang naiwan. Huwag ka nang magalit,heto o dinalhan ka namin ng mga prutas at bulaklak. Sabi ni Paul. Ano kayo hilo,kelan ba talaga ninyo ako titigilan ha? At saka kung ako sa inyo iuwi nyo na lang iyang mga dala-dala ninyo kasi baka malason pa ako at mamatay nang tuluyan. Huwag ka namang magbiro ng ganyan, sige ka, kapag namatay ka eh di wala na kaming magiging girlfriend at saka sayang naman kasi maganda ka naman at gwapo rin naman kami. Sabi ni Reyven. Inis na inis na talaga ako, kaya nagtulug-tulugan na lamang ako para hindi ko na sila makita pa. Akala ko ay titigilan na nila ako, pero hindi pa pala. Naramdaman kong may humawak sa dalawa kong kamay. Alam mo Reyven, itong kamay na to kapag ako ang napili siguradong hinding-hindi ko na bibitiwan pa. ani Paul. Akala mo naman magpapatalo ako sa iyo, kapag ako naman ang napili siyempre magbubuhay prinsesa siya kasi lagi akong luluhod sa kanya at hahalikan ang kanyang mga kamay. Sabad naman ni Reyven. Ang kukulit talaga ninyong dalawa. Hindi na ba kayo nagsawang asarin ako? Ni hindi ko pa nga kayo kilalang lubusan, eh kung makaasta kayo akala ninyo matagal na tayong magkakasama. Sige na, pumayag ka na kasi sa deal. Pangungulit pa rin ni Reyven. Doon nagsimula ang pagiging malapit namin sa isat isa. Dahil lang sa deal at siyempre dahil din sa wish ko. Habang tumatagal ay lalo akong napapalapit sa dalawa at gayundin sila sa akin. Wala akong pinipili sa kanila kasi magkatimbang at pantay sila para sa akin. Walang araw na hindi kami magkakasama. Kulang na nga lang ay magkakatabi na kaming matulog. Nalimutan na nga namin ang tungkol sa deal, eh. Isang araw noon ay nagkayayaan kaming pumunta sa beach para magouting at heto ang nangyari. Gen, alam mo, matagal ko na talagang gustong sabihin ito sa iyo, kaya lang hindi talaga ako makahugot ng lakas ng loob. Gen, mahal na mahal kita. Simula palang kasi nang una kitang makita sa school, sabi ko ikaw na nga ang babaeng hinahanap ko. Iba ka kasi sa lahat ng mga nakilala ko. Totoo ka sa iyong sarili at alam mo ba kung ano ang lalong nagustuhan ko sa iyo? Ang pagiging boyish mo at saka nakakatuwa ka kasing inisin kasi lalo kang gumaganda.Sinasambit ito ni Reyven habang nakatitig sa aking mga mata. Hawak-hawak niya ang aking kamay habang itinatapat niya ito sa kanyang dibdib.

Ano ka ba, huwag ka na ngang magdrama diyan. Hindi naman bagay sa iyo eh. Halika maligo na lang tayo, samahan na lamang natin si Paul. At saka wala akong balak magkaboyfriend ano. Binalewala ko kunwari ang kanyang sinabi, pero ang totoo grabe na talaga ang kalabog ng aking dibdib. Teka lang Gen, hindi naman ako nagbibiro ah, totoo ang lahat ng mga sinabi ko sa iyo. Kahit na wala pa ang deal talagang mahal na mahal kita. Please ako na lang ang piliin mo. Maawa ka naman sa akin, gusto mo lumuhod pa ako sa harapan mo ngayon. Please naman, pamimilit pa rin ni Reyven. Hindi namin alam na tanaw na tanaw pala kami ni Paul mula sa dagat. Tumakbo akong papalayo para maiwasan ko si Reyven. Sa katatakbo ko ay hindi ko namalayan na nadapa na ako at muliy may nanumbalik sa aking alaala noong unang nadapa ako sa basketball court, parang naulit muli. Si Paul pa rin kasi ang nadaganan ko. Masuyo niya akong tinititigan, parang may gusto siyang sabihin. Napapaiyak na ako, hindi ko alam kung ano ang gagawin. Ang mga tingin niya ay parang nanunuot sa aking buto. Gen, I Love you with all my heart and my soul. Alam ko nahihirapan kang mamimili sa aming dalawa ni Reyven.Iginagalang ko ang iyong desisyon, kung ano man iyon, ok lang sa akin. Pero ang masasabi ko lang, hindi ko kayang mabuhay kung mawawala ka rin lang sa akin. Sa wakas ay nasambit ni Paul sa akin. Umiiyak na rin siya. Ayoko na,pagod na pagod na ako, pwede bang pabayaan na ninyo akong dalawa. Marami pang ibang babae diyan, hindi lang ako nag-iisa sa mundo. Gen, mahal na mahal ka namin. Alam kong mahirap pero kailangan mo na talagang magdesisyon. Ssbi ni Paul. Naguguluhan na ako nang mga panahong iyon kaya gumawa nalang uli kami ng deal. Sabagay, gusto ko na ring makalabas sa problemang ito. Alam kong nakakatakot pero kailangang matapos na. Ok sa Lunes, grand finals ng basketball sa school. Dawalang team ang maglalaban. Kailangang pumili kayo ng tig-iisang team. Kung kaninong team ang mananalo siya rin ang sasagutin ko. Deal? Kabadong-kabado ang dalawa sa pagpili ng team. Nakita ko ang tension at tuwa sa kanilang mga mukha. Sa wakas ay matatapos na rin ang matagal na naming problema. Kahit ako, kinakabahan rin sa magiging resulta ng laban. Ngayon ko lang naalala na mahirap palang magmahal at mamili. Sa totoo lang, ayoko talagang may masaktan sa kanilang dalawa, kasi pareho ko silang mahal. Walang may nakakalamang sa isat isa. Pero ganyan talaga ang laro, kailangang may talo at panalo. Kinalunesan,kaming tatlo ay hindi na mapakali. Sinundo rin nila ako sa bahay para sabay kaming makapanood ng laro. Nagpareserve na kami kaagad ng seat sa unahan para makita namin kung sino talaga ang mananalo. Noong araw na iyon ay simple lang napili kong isuot. Naka-shorts lang ako at naka t-shirt nang medyo hapit sa katawan, tapos ay nakapony-tail ang aking buhok. Nang papalabas na kami sa gat tinanong ako ni Paul kung saan daw ba masarap halikan ang isang babae. Nabigla ako at pinamulahan ng mukha. Nataranta ako sa pagsagot ng Sa sa leeg. Lalo pa akong pinamulahan ng mukha ng titigan niya ang aking leeg. Ah eh huwag mo nang pansinin ang sinabi ko. Ang totoo, wala talaga akong alam tungkol dyan, sige aalis na tayo. Si Reyven naman ay titig na titig lang sa akin. Pagdating namin ay kauumpisa lang ang laro. Close fight ang laban kaya unpredictable kung kaninong team ang mananalo. Nariyang lumalamang ang team ni Reyven. Nariyan namang ang kay Paul ang nangunguna. At heto na nga, dumating na ang aming pinakahihintay, ang final round ng laro. Halos, ayoko nang manood habang ang dalawa ay tahimik lang sa pagbabantay ng resulta. Last shot panalo ang team ni Paul. Hindi ako makapaniwala, akala ko ay may iiyak pero parang iba yata ang nangyari. Nagkayakapan pa ang dalawa. Sa palagay ko ay silang dalawa lang ang may deal at parang silang dalawa na ang magkakatuluyan. Hamakin mo ba namang halos hindi na sila magbitiw sa pagkakayakap sa isat-isa. Lahat na nga ng spectators ay sa kanila na napatuon ang atensyon. Ni hindi na nila ako napansin, sa isip ko ang kakapal talaga ng mga mukha, siguro nga lahat ay pustahan lang nila. Napapaluha na talaga ako at patakbo na akong palabas nang may pumigil sa akin. Si Paul. Ganyan naman talaga kayong mga lalaki eh, pinaglalaruan nyo lang kami. I hate you!! Oooyy, nagseslos ang baby. Sabi ni Paul

Mayamaya ay biglang sumeryoso ang dalawa. May ipagtatapat sana kami sa iyo, ani Reyven. Sige na, sabihin nyo na para hindi na ako umasa pa. Gen, si Reyven ah..eh..ano kasi eh.. Reyven ikaw na nga ang magsabi ng totoo. Ummm, una sa lahat, binabati kita Paul dahil nanalo ka sa laban at ikaw din Gen, Tol iingatan mo si Gen ha.Alam mo, hindi ko alam kung papaano ko sisimulan ito Gen, pero sasabihin ko na talaga. Good news ito at siguradong ikatutuwa mo. Gulong-gulo na ako kung ano ba talaga ang gustong sabihin ng dalawa sa akin. Gen, ang totoo alam mo ba kung bakit masayang-masaya kami at walang umiyak sa aming dalawa? Kasi wala kang nasaktan. Ang galing mo kasing mag-isip ng deal. Kasi may deal din kami ni Paul, eh. Sasabihin ko talaga Gen na..na..bakla kasi ako. Nanlalaki ang aking mga mata at halos hindi ako makapaniwala sa sinabi ni Reyven. Hindi ko alam kung maiinis o matutuwa ako sa kanya. Napaluha tuloy ako at hindi ko naman maintindihan kung bakit. Ipinagpatuloy ni Paul ang pagsasalaysay. Tama siya Gen, ang deal kasi namin, kailangan ko siyang paranasin na maging isang tunay na lalaki; at ako naman kailangan kong magkaroon ng girlfriend. Ang deal, kapag ako ang pinili ng girl, ibig sabihin ay talagang bakla siya at siyempre sa wakas ay matutupad na ang matagal kong wish na magka-girlfriend. Sabay-sabay kaming talong nagkatawanan at mas lalo pa iyong lumakas ng sabihin ko rin sa kanila ang deal ko sa aking sarili. Ano akala ninyo, hindi happy ending ang love story ko no? Ngayon, masayang-masaya na kaming tatlo. At alam ba ninyo kung saan ako unang hinalikan ni Paul. Siyempre ang first kiss ko ay hindi sa lips kundi sa leeg. O hindi ba unique ? Kayo, meron ba nito? Magkakasama pa rin kaming tatlo kaya lang si Reyven ay talagang bumalik na sa pagkabading. Pero masaya na ako kasi at least natapos na ang lahat. At siyempre nagkaroon na ako ng boyfriend na talagang mahal na mahal ako. Kasi tanggap niya kung sino at kung ano ako.

"Thank you so much, I think you're the only reason why I'm still alive." Serene said as she held my right hand. Tears were falling down my cheeks. I couldn't help but cry as I watch my first love fight for her life on the bed. I could still remember how she changed my life. --------------------------------"Michael!" My mom screamed as she pushed me off the road. The next thing I know, my dad was holding my mom in his arms. Her white dress was covered with blood. I couldn't do anything and my body trembled so hard that I couldn't stand. My mom died in that accident. After that accident, my dad stopped talking to me. I think he blamed me for what happened. I grew up a lonely child. Whenever I'm sad, I would play my guitar. It was my only friend. ---------------------------------

One proposition changed my life. A girl living in a mansion invited me to tutor her to play the guitar for sixty days. My salary would be Php 10,000 a day. Initially, I thought that it was a prank but after assurance about the offer from her bodyguard, I decided to accept it. When I entered her mansion, I saw a beautiful lady about my age sitting in a wheelchair. Her beauty was beyond comparison. However her lips were pale and she looks thin and frail. I knew that there was something special about her the moment I see her. I talked to her and was shocked when I found out that shes going to take guitar lessons from me. To be honest, I'm glad because I admire her. I got my guitar and started teaching her the basics. She was a fast learner and she could play the guitar after only fifteen days. I was quite sad when I realized that my contract of sixty days was going to end soon. One day, she told me her story instead of practising on the guitar. "I never once left this place." She said sadly as she closed her eyes. "Why?" I asked her trying not to look at her. For an unexplainable reason, I feel sad whenever I look at her. "Well..." She paused for a while. My body is weak. Hence, my parents provided everything that I need in this house. I have private tutors for my education and doctors visiting me regularly for checkups." "That explains why your room looks like a hospital ward." I said. She smiled at me and my heart skipped a beat. At that point of time, I think that I had fallen for her. I learned that her body was weak ever since she was a child. Her childhood was sad because she never had a single friend around her age. In fact, I was stunned when she told me that I was her first friend around her age. Despite having a weak body, she was really good at playing musical instruments such as piano, violin, flute and harp. I listened to her play the piano often. I told her that I wanted to learn how to play so she taught me. That was when the student became the teacher. Her kindness changed me. My dad was hospitalized because of an accident and I wasn't able to tutor her for two consecutive weeks. Before I know it, sixty days were almost over and there were only ten days left. I decided to go to her house without notice to surprise her. I missed her badly and I wanted to see her again. When I reached her mansion, I noticed her maids' sad faces. "She's really sick, Michael." Her father told me. I insisted on entering her room to take a look at her. I saw her lying on the bed. There were many medical machines in the room that help to monitor and stabilise her condition. "Serene..." That was the only thing that I managed to say. I sat on the chair next to her bed and watched her. "Michael?" A familiar voice called my name. Her voice was soft and caring. She's my personal angel as she changed my life. She taught me how to appreciate things that I have. Lastly, she taught me how to love.

"Serene, how are you feeling?" I asked as I held her hand. She took her hand away. I smiled when I saw her blushing. I stared at her but she looked away. "I'm feeling better." She answered. I enjoy watching her and I really missed her. However, I have a feeling that she is avoiding me. --------------------------------There were only five days left before the sixty days is up. I visit her often to make her smile. However, I could tell that she is becoming weaker. "Michael, I think its time for you to stop coming here." Serene said. I was shocked by what she said. I remained quiet as I did not know how to answer her. I turned around and closed my eyes. "Why are you pushing me away?" There was silence. She did not answer. I turned around and grabbed her hand. I was angry at her for pushing me away. I love her and its hard for me to see her in this condition. "Please let go! You're hurting me!" She screamed in pain. Several doctors and bodyguards rushed in and took me out of the room. Her father did not ban me from going to their house but he asked me not enter her room because she didn't want to see me. I was upset and I locked myself in my room for four days. Soon the sixtieth day of our contract arrived and I was crying in my room. My dad came in and talked to me. The gap between my dad and I had vanished after his accident. He became a good father and I guess its because he realized that we only have each other in this world. I told him about what happened at Serene's place, how I felt about her and the whole story about how we met. "Son," he said as he patted my back, "do you really love her?" I looked at him and thought of her. "I do, I have never felt this way before." "Then what are you waiting for? Go there my son! You told me that you are her only friend. I know she needs you. Girls tend to be vulnerable when they are in pain. That might be the reason why she acted that way. You are a man and you should fight for her. No matter how hard she pushes you away, never give up and never lose hope. Don't ever let her go." I rushed to her home after hearing what my dad said. It was raining but I didn't care. All I know was I needed to be by her side. It might have been the last day of our contract but I decided that I'll still visit her at her house until she gets better. I will also tell her how I feel. When I arrived at her place, I saw the doctors running into her room. I ran after them but they did not allow me to enter her room so I waited patiently outside. It was 11.30 p.m. when they told me that I could go in. I saw her lying on the bed sleeping. I also noticed that her condition has deteriorated. Her lips and face were pale and I knew she was suffering. I sat on the chair beside her bed and started crying. "Mi-Michael?" Serene asked hesitantly. I rubbed my eyes and looked at the clock. It was 11.58 p.m. "I am glad I was able to talk to you before our contract ends." I said as I smiled at her. She smiled back. "About what I said before..." "I'm sorry about that Serene but there is no way that I'm going to leave you. I'll stay by your side

forever and I..." She stared at me. I took a deep breath before I continued. "I Love You." There was a moment of silence. I didn't know what would be her response but it doesn't matter as I had told her how I felt. If she accepts me, I will stay by her side and if she rejects me, I will never give up until she loves me too. I made up my mind never to leave her again. I noticed that she was crying. I hugged and kissed her on her forehead. I asked her the reason for her tears. She did not answer but hugged me back. Does it mean that she loves me too? I took her guitar and started playing her favorite song, "Your Guardian Angel". She smiled at me while I played the guitar. After the song, she told me that she hides her diary under her pillow. Could it be that she wants me to read it? I kissed her cheeks and watched her as she sleeps. --------------------------------It was 4.00 a.m. when I woke up. She was still sleeping. I went to the kitchen to get a drink. I saw her father there. "Serene" Her father said. He cried as I sat beside him. "She's dying" What?! It can't be! He's kidding right?! I just confessed my feelings for her! It can't be true! I can't lose her! I was having those thoughts as I couldn't accept what he said. I ran back to her room and took her diary from under her pillow. I didnt want to read it without her permission but its the only way to confirm what her dad had said in the kitchen. I opened her diary and started reading. Dear Diary, I saw him playing his guitar again. For some reason, I knew he was sad. I always watch him as he plays his guitar. I admire him because he's a strong man who doesnt cry despite facing problems. I read the other pages and found out that she was always watching me. Her father bought a telescope for her as she couldnt leave her house. She has been watching me everyday ever since my mother died. She secretly loved me in silence. "I really admire him. That admiration turned into like and as time goes by the like turns into love." I continued to read her diary and I found the confirmation I was looking for. She wrote in her diary that she overheard the conversation between her mother and doctor. The doctor said that Serene had only three months to live. Her mother was devastated but she told Serene the truth. "Mother cried when she told me the news. I did not cry but embraced her and accepted my fate. I knew that I have a weak body and will die soon. However, I still dream of meeting the boy I like."

I turned to look at her. She was sleeping soundly on her bed. I leaned over and kissed her right cheek as I softly whispered, I Love You. I continued reading while crying. I found out that it was her father who sent the bodyguard to me to ask me for my services. "I was really happy when I saw him. I met him in the flesh for the first time. I couldn't believe it. I will be able to see him everyday for the next sixty days. I wonder what he was thinking when he saw a crippled girl like me." As I read on, I found out that she fell in love with me. She also started to fear death because she wanted to spend the rest of her life with me. However, she knew that she was about to die soon and that was the reason why she pushed me away. She missed me when I was not around and she was sorry that she hurt me. "I love him more than anything." I continued crying. I could never last a day without hearing her soft and caring voice and seeing her angelic face. Her love for me is the only reason why I can still live. How will I face tomorrow without her? I felt a gentle cold hand touch my cheeks. That hand wiped away my tears. She was awake and she looked worried about me. I took her hand and kissed it. "Where are we going?" Serene asked curiously. Her voice was weak but I could feel her excitement. She wore a pink dress which made her more beautiful in spite of her pale face. She was blindfolded so she would have no idea that she was about to meet my dad. The car stopped and I gently helped her get out of the limousine before taking off her blindfold. She cried when she saw my house. I held her hand and kissed it. We went inside my house and I introduced her to my dad. "So you are the girl that my son was talking about. Man, he is right. You do look like an angel." Serene blushed and said that it was her pleasure to meet my dad. My house was near the beach and we had a barbecue party there. I introduced her to my friends and relatives. They like her and told me that I was lucky to have such a lovely girlfriend. She was the prettiest girl there even though she was in her wheelchair. It was late in the afternoon when I asked her if she would like to watch the sunset with me. She nodded her head and thanked me. My friends and relatives cheered for us and I kissed her on her cheeks. I brought her to a quiet spot on the beach where I had prepared a picnic set earlier. I held her hand as we watched the sunset together. "Thank you for everything." She said to me. I smiled at her and said, "You're welcome." "I was able to go out because of you. It was my first time meeting so many people apart from my parents, bodyguards, doctors and maids. I'm so glad that you introduced me to your relatives and friends. Do you think they like me for you?" "I'm sure they like you." "By the way I bought this for you."

I gave her a tiny box. Before she opened my gift, she gave me a tiny box too. It has the same look as my gift. She told me that she asked one of her personal bodyguards to buy it after looking through a jewellery shop catalogue. I was surprised that we bought the same gifts. Is this fate? We put each other's ring on our fingers and I kissed her lips for the first time. They were soft and warm. All of a sudden, there were fireworks in the sky. That was the most beautiful night ever. I did not set those fireworks and I wonder who did it. "This is the best day of my life." Serene said while crying. I hugged her tightly like there's no tomorrow. We went back to her mansion. That was when she suddenly collapsed and fell to the ground. --------------------------------She was still unconscious as I sat beside her bed. The doctors said that they did their best and they are not sure when would God take her away. Her parents cried and were inconsolable. I held her hand and whispered to her ear, "I Love You." She opened her eyes and touched my face with her hand. I held her hand and cried. I could feel her life ebbing away. I didn't want to let her go. I couldn't imagine living life without her. "I love you so much. You are the only reason why I'm still alive." She said weakly. "Do you believe in the string of fate?" I asked as I wiped my tears. "The red string?" "Yes, the red string. The invisible thread that ties you with the person that you are destined to be with." I closed my eyes before I continued. "My red string is attached to you. You are my soul mate, Serene. If reincarnation does exist, I know that we'll end up meeting and loving each other again." She cried and I held her tight not wanting to let her go. --------------------------------She died on the day after. I felt like I died with her too. My first love was gone. I attended her funeral and tried to end my life. For me, a life without her is not worth living. However, my dad saved me so I did not die. Days passed by but the pain in my heart did not heal. The ring she gave me on my finger is a constant reminder of my pain. --------------------------------"Michael, wake up!" My dad shouted. That was... a dream? Everything seemed so real! "There is a woman looking for you! So get up now!" My dad said. I got out of bed and went to see the girl at the door. I was shocked to see Serene.

"Michael? Is that you? It really is you!" She said while crying. That was when she told me that she was in a coma for years and she had dreamt of me. I was surprised and I told her about my dream too. We noticed that both of us were wearing the rings we have given each other in our dreams. I never knew if what happened was a dream or not. However, I am sure I was given a second chance to be with her and this time I'm sure that we'll have a happy ending. By Menchie "Why are you crying?" She asked with her weak voice. I rubbed my eyes and pretended that I did not cry. I touched her pale cheeks and smiled at her. Where would you want to go if you werent sick? "Hmmm" She paused. "I can ask your dad. I think he'll allow me to take you to the place where you want to go." I added cheerfully. "Where would I like to go? I think..." She smiled before she continued. "I would like to go to your house and be introduced to your family as your official girlfriend." She stopped and looked away. I knew she was blushing and she didn't want me to see it. "Then, what do you want to do after seeing my dad?" She did not answer. She was thinking. After a few minutes, she cheerfully smiled at me and said, "I want to spend the remaining hours with you at the beach where you used to play when you were young under the sunset. I think it will be fun if we watch the sunset together." I promised her to take her to my house and introduce her to my father. I took her hand and hugged her. She hugged me back and started crying. "There's something that I did without asking for your permission." I confessed. "I read your diary." She moved her lips close to my ears and whispered softly, "I know and I wanted you to read it because I didn't have the strength to tell you about my situation." I closed my eyes and hugged her tighter. --------------------------------"Sir and Madam, please allow me to take your daughter to my house and introduce her to my dad." I bowed my head as I asked for their permission. There was a minute of silence before Serenes mother finally spoke. "But her body is weak. I don't think she can..." "Madam," I interrupted, "the weather is fine and I think she will be really glad if she can be outside for once." "But..." "He has a point." This time it was Serene's father who spoke his mind. "I think Serene had always wanted to explore the world and I know this man will take care of her." That was the end of our conversation. I went back to my house and started preparing everything that we need for her visit. ---------------------------------

My cellphone's beeping sound woke me up one night. Used to receiving important messages only, I grabbed my cell and sleepily pushed the keys and read the message. "Hi there! Care 2 b my txtmate?" Not knowing who the sender was, I deleted the message right away and placed the phone on my bedside table, I tried to go back to sleep. I had just closed my eyes when I heard the message tone again. "Hi there, again! Care 2 b my txtmate?" again, the message said. "Who the hell could this be asking for txtmate at the wee hours of the night?" I asked myself. Again, without bothering to reply I deleted the message. I was never a 'textmaniac' - someone who enjoys texting anyone and everyone even at the wee hours of night, not to mention during the day. My parents, who were always out of the country forced me to own a cellphone. They told me that having one was more convenient - they could monitor me even if they're miles away. I wanted to turn the unit off, but since my mother was fond of calling me at night, just to check if I was safe at home, I decided not to. Just as I was to close my eyes and return to my dreamless sleep, the phone beeped again. Same number...Such determination! "Ply reply 2 dis msg & b an angel & save me frm dis abyss of emptiness!!!" I never knew why, but the message struck me. I got up and pushed the keys... I just realized I was replying to the message. "Im not an angel, n f u want som1 2 save u, m not superman... I'm just a simple prson who u wake up at dis r of my nyt!!! Nway, do I know u?" I typed. Seconds later came the reply. "Nope. U don't know dis lonely soul. Nor does she know u. But I want 2 b ur frnd. I'm Mikaella Cervantes. U?" "Just call me Julius. How'd u get my no.?" I sent back. "Hi Julius, nice 2 meet u. Just shuffled the last two digits of mine," she replied. That was the first and maybe the last time I met someone over the cellphone. We exchanged messages and learned so much about each other that night. We only said goodbye when my alarm clock rang at 5:00 AM! I had to prepare for school! And that was also how it all started. A day would not pass without it loving and thoughtful messages from her. It was only then I had learned to appreciate text messages and become eager and excited everytime my phone beeped, hoping it would be her. Mikaella brought out something about me that I never knew I had; I realized I could also be a romantic person... even if it's just through text messaging.

"Keep me as a frnd & I will keep u in my heart. Lock it up & throw away d key so dat no1 can evr tke u away from me..." One day, she sent this message to me. I replied: 'In life, we seldom find a true prson & f u evr find 1, hold on & nvr let go... value dat prson coz it's lyf's gift worth keeping & holdin on..." I never knew why, but her response sent shivers to my spine, " Value d people hu hav touched ur life bcoz u will never know just wen dey will walk out of ur lyf & nvr come back again." I couldn't understand what I felt that moment, but one thing I was sure though... I could not go on a day without a single word from her. I'd become used to having her, eventhough we had not met personally. But truly, she already occupied a space, a large one, in fact in my life. I texted her back. "Dont come close f l8r ull jst pass by; don't touch me f l8r ull jst let me cry; dont luv me f l8r ull jst leave me and won't stay..." I didn't know why I sent her that message, but somehow I felt, every word came from my heart. In the short span of time we were sending messages to each other, I knew, I was starting to keep her in my heart. I called her once. The voice on the other end was like an angel's. Soft, kind, full of love. Yet, there was something in it I couldn't define. We only talked for a few minutes. Before she hung up, she told me not to call again. According to her, it would be better if we would just text each other. But the voice kept ringing, not only in my head, but in my heart, I'd long to hear it once more. I tried to call her again, but she never answered the phone. She just kept on sending messages and quotations, which I copied in a little notebook. Hopeless romantic? I didn't know. All I could say was that all the messages she sent me were wonderful, they came from the heart and cut through the heart.

"Though we r miles apart, u r always n my heart. I close my eyes & der u r. Even f I'll see u never, I'll always b hir 2 care 4 u, far longer dan 4ever..." One December night, she sent me this message. By that time we had been exchanging messages for more than a month. God knew how happy I was. She was right. Although we had not seen each other, what we felt was enough to make us both realize what was keeping us together. I sent her another message, "Loving u secretly is a hard thing 4 me 2 do,hoping, wondring that u will feel d same way 2, but I can't read r mind f u luv me 2. But whatever it is, I'll still be loving u." "How I wish I cud really tell u how much u mean 2 me, but m afraid 2 love, scared 2 get hurt... I hope dat u will wait 4 me & pray dat u will not get tired of loving me...=)" was her reply. And then I replied again. " The reason y I met u is bcoz of destiny but f destiny will suggest dat I'll live w/o u, den, I'll lie not by destiny but of free will." Whenever I asked her when we would meet personally, she always answered, "Soon...soon, love...soon."

Not seeing each other did not lessen, even a bit, what I felt for her...rather, it even grew deeper and stronger each day. And I was sure, she felt the same way, too. Love messages continued to flow through our lines, between our hearts, which made us go on each day with the thought that sooner, we would see each other, face to face, heart to heart. Just a few days before Christmas. She stopped sending messages. At first I just though she had ran out of prepaid. But there was something that kept bothering me... I couldn't understand what was it, but it made me fell nervous. I tried to call her but she wouldn't answer. Nevertheless, I continued sending messages. Suddenly one night, just three days before our Lord's birthday. I heard my phone's message tone again... at last!It was from her! "Oftentyms we say gudbye 2 d 1 we luv w/o wanting 2. Though dat doesn't mean dat we stopped loving dem or we stopped 2 care. Sometyms, GOODBYE is a painful way 2 say I LOVE YOU." I was dumfounded. I didn't know what to think of. What did she mean? I texted her back, searching for answers, but found nothing. I called her but she would not answer. For the first time in my life, I felt so miserable...despera te... empty. I didn't know what to do. I didn't want to lose her. I had learned to love her. And I wanted to be with her forever. The following days I felt nothing but emptiness. It seemed that Mikaella took the life out of me. I missed her so much...her messages...The tones that would tell me she'd sent another loving message. Nothing around me could feel the emptiness I felt. Tut...tut...tut...t ut...tut...just a day before Christmas, my cell beeped again. It was her! "Meet me at d caf, 10 AM 2day," I read aloud, making sure the message was true, then I jumped with joy upon hearing from her again. Hurriedly, I got myself ready and I went to the mall. I knew it was still early, but I wanted to be there before she arrived. I arrived at the meeting place ten minutes earlier. I was surprised to see her already there, smiling at me. She was very beautiful, Black, deep-set eyes that spoke a thousand words; small, kissable lips; a nose perfectly chiseled and long black hair - everything in her was beautiful. And yes, her eyes radiated kindness and love...but there was a flicker of something in them...sadness? "Hi, Julius," said the angelic voice I had been dreaming of each night. The voice that I had waited to hear for so long. "Please sit down." "I am very pleased to meet you, Mikaella," I said, as I took my seat and gave the roses I brought for her. "Thanks, Julius," she smiled, obviously pleased with the roses. I knew she loved pink roses. "You are always welcome, Love" "Julius, I can't stay," she said, sadness in her voice, or was it tears? "I really must go." "But we just met, Mikaella. Can't we talk a little longer?" I asked, pleadingly. "I can't really. I just came here to see you and thank you for the time you shared with me. Thank you for everything, Julius. I will never forget you...you will always be here in my heart." She was looking at me straight into the eyes, and I could really feel the sadness in her voice and I swear, there was something in her voice and I swear, there was something in those lovely yet

lonely eyes... She got up and smiled at me, lovingly. "Tomorrow morning, please come and visit me," he said and gave me a piece of white linen paper I read what was written and when I looked up, she was gone. The following day, Christmas, I woke up early and excitedly readied myself,thinking of her. I hurriedly went to flower shop and bought a dozen pink roses - for Mikaella. They lived in an exclusive subdivision. Upon reaching their house, I told the guard who I was and that I was looking for Mikaella. The guard stared at me, sadness and amazement in his eyes and told me to wait as he called the owner of the house. As I looked at him while he was going inside the house, only then I noticed that the house was brightly lit. A woman went out and walked towards me, smiling sadly. "Hi, I'm Maria, Mikaella's mother. Please come inside, Julius." While we were walking towards the mansion, she explained to me why she knew me very well - Mikaella had always been talking about her friend, Julius. I hardly understood what she was saying. I was busy thinking why Mikaella's mother was crying while talking to me. As we came near the great hall of the house, it dawned on me that there was a wake inside, Maybe, a relative passed away, I thought. But deep in my heart, I was trembling and afraid. As we entered the hall where so many people were silently mourning while others were praying, shaking, I asked her mother. "Where is Mikaella?" She held my hand and silently, led me to the coffin which was surrounded by flowers - pink roses, nothing but pinkroses. No words could explain how I felt when I gazed at the coffin and saw who was lying there. The same beautiful girl I met... A man came beside me, I knew he was Mika's father. "We are so glad you came, Julius. Mika talked of you all the time. She even asked that her phone be buried with her. She said that in that way, you could still send her messages and you would always be with her." I couldn't believe everything... My mind was in limbo. "But how can this be? We just saw each other yesterday." "That can't possibly be. She passed away three days ago. She had been suffering from a heart disease since she was a child," said her father. "But..." I couldn't find the words to say. "She told us not to bother reaching you, "her mother said, still in tears," she said you will come, and here you are. Pain and bitterness overwhelmed me. I cried silently beside her, staring at her lovely face,

memorizing every line of my friend's face, a face I knew I would never forget while I was still alive. After the internment that afternoon, I went to the chapel she had told me she went everyday. Sitting there praying and crying to God, I held my phone and typed: "U taught me how 2 care; u taught me how 2 b kind; u shwd me how 2 lyk som; u shwd me how 2 luv; but ders 1 thing didnt teach me & it hurts mor - u didnt teach me how 2 let go. I LOVE YOU" I sent the message, and though I knew she wouldn't be able to hold her CP again, I knew in my heart she would get my message. I never expected a reply, yet as my phone beeped again,felt a shiver down my spine. The sender's number did not appear on the screen, and tears rolled down my cheeks as I read the message. "Let go of d hand of d person u love, but dont let go of God's hand. 4 if u hold 2 his hand. He may b holding d person u love n d ader hand 2 let u hold each other again." "I will never forget you, Mikaella and will never let go..." I vowed to her and to myself as I left the church.