Prologue

When I was young I used to believe that you can easily get anything you wanted if you have
the means. What means? Money. Lahat naman madaling makuha kung may pera ka, diba?
Kung may pera ka, makakapagpatayo ka ng bahay, makakabili ng kotse o kahit anong mga
luho, you can travel abroad because you have the money. It's easier for you to reach your
dreams if you have the wealth. Maybe that's why I can effortlessly get everything I wanted
with just a snap of my fingers. Being the daughter of Don Paolo Vicente, a haciendero, made
my life easier.

But as I grow up, my perspective towards that thought change. Money isn't everything.
Kung may pera ka pero wala namang diskarte, pagsisikap, pagtitiis at pasensya, walang
kwenta kung ilang bilyon pa ang pera mo. Without those traits, you wouldn't get anywhere
with that money. Sure, you can easily buy material things with your money but those things
won't last so if you want to be successful in life, having those attributes is what's more
important than possessing those filthy paper thing everyone is wishing to have.

That's one lesson in my life that I will forever engraved in my mind. Hindi sapat na dahilan
na mayaman kami para hindi ako magsikap. I'm an ambitious person. If I want to fulfill my
dreams, I need to be more than just an heiress or a haciendero's daughter.

Nagpalakpakan ang mga tao pagkatapos ng mahaba kong speech. Pakiramdam ko ay

mabubulag ako habang nakatingin sa dagat ng mga tao dito sa gym ng La Bella National
High School. My mom and dad were called to go up in the stage and they did. Happiness and
pride was evident in their faces as they joined me here on stage.

My smile grew wide as I faced the crowd. Today, I graduated in my last year in high school
as the top of my batch. I couldn't get more happier. And with my family beside me, it's just
perfect.
"I'm so proud of you, hija." My dad whispered to my ears when he hugged me.

Pagkatapos ay nilingon ko naman si mommy na nakangiti sa akin ngayon habang

sinasabitan ako ng medalya. She didn't say anything but I know she's very happy and proud
of me. I hugged her. Napangiti ako. Sometimes, words aren't enough to describe what you
feel.

Nagtagal pa kami sa stage habang binibigay sa akin ang mga awards. Pagkababa ay iba't-
ibang papuri agad ang narinig ko mula sa mga teachers, classmates at kabatch ko. I didn't
say anything and just thanked them for their gratitude. I sometimes asked if why do we
seems happier to other people's achievement? It's not like they contributed a lot for that
person to succeed. But those people, kahit na ni isang kusing ay wala silang naiambag sayo,
you should be grateful and thankful. It means that they're happy for whatever blessings you
are receiving right now. That's why I am grateful for them.

"Thank you. Congratulations to you, too." Sabi ko sa huling bumati. She nodded at me and
smiled. Sinundan ko ng tingin ang likod niya habang pabalik siya sa linya niya.

Nevertheless, even if you don't know that person, you have to give the appreciation back.
Newton's law, huh.

It was a long day. Exhaustion filled me after I got out of our car and entered our mansion.
Hindi na ko nagtagal pa. Pagkatapos ng ceremony ay nag-aya agad akong umuwi sa driver
namin at hindi na sumama sa after party. It's not my thing, anyway. While mom and dad
chose to stay there but they promised we're having a dinner. Agad kong binigay ang toga na
nakasabit sa braso ko sa maid na sumalubong sakin.

"Where's Davi?" I asked her.

My question was answered when my younger brother, Davi, immediately clapped when he
saw me. Napailing na lang ako nang makita ang ayos niya. He's sprawled on the sofa with a
game controller on his one hand. Nagkalat rin ang mga chips sa center table at isang bote ng
beer. Kumunot ang noo ko habang nakatingin sa kanya. Oh great. Wait 'till mom and dad see
this.

"Why are you drinking? And look at this mess, what are you doing?" I hissed. Lumapit ako sa
kanya at tinuro ang mga kalat niya.

Pinagmasdan ko siya. Thank goodness. He looks like he's still sober to me, though.

He spread his arms. "Why am I drinking? I'm celebrating, sis!" He exclaimed then pointed at
me. "Thanks to you we're having a feast today."

Napangiwi ako. His words dripped like an acid to my ears.

While sometimes there are thank you's, you can't help but not say you're welcome back.

I scoffed in disbelief. I can't believe him. "Fix yourself."

And I mean everything. I want to add but nevermind.

Hindi ko na siya hinintay na sumagot at naglakad na papunta sa kwarto ko. He only laughed
with I've just said, anyway. He's just a kid. I reminded myself. Pagod kong binagsak ang
katawan sa malambot na kama ko. The warm and soft mattress immediately comforted me
as I stared at the ceiling above me.

I have a strained relationship with Davi, I can say that. Earlier, if I'll name the word, I know
he's jealous. I can almost taste it in his words. I don't know... jealous of me because of
everything or what. I realized he didn't attend the ceremony because he haven't got any
award with him and I felt like he's blaming me for it. Whatever.

Natawa ako. What a brat.

He's really an idiot. Grade 11 na siya next year at puro pagbubulakbol lang ang inaatupag.
Imbes na ngumawa at magmukmok bakit hindi na lang niya ayusin ang sarili niya at
direksyon sa buhay. My brother's great. If he can just realized that instead of roaming
around the whole town with his friends and picking up girls.

Simula nung naging barkada niya yung bulakbol niyang mga kaibigan ay naging ganito na
siya. We drifted apart from each other. I didn't bother fixing it, though. Why bother? I'm not
even sure if it is broken or not.

Nakatulugan ko ang pag-iisip at nagising na lamang sa mga katok ng maid sa pinto ko para
pababain ako. I changed into my comfortable clothes and immediately went downstairs.
Pagpasok ko pa lang ng dining room ay nakita ko na agad si mom at dad na nakaupo doon.
While Davi is nowhere to be found.

I kissed mom and dad on the cheeks then settled myself on the vacant chair beside mom's.

"Where's your brother?" Agad na tanong ni mom sa akin.

I just shrugged. I don't know. Probably moping alone in his room.

"Mamay," she called our mayordoma. "Please call Davi." Utos niya kay Mamay na agad
tumalima at sinunod ito.

Minutes later, Davi went in the table and silently sit on his chair across mine. He's unusually
quiet. dad signaled for us to settle down so we could already eat.

Tahimik kaming kumain sa hapag. I like it, though. Walang masyadong tanong o kung ano.
The sound of the metals clinking made the silence comfortable. Pabalik-balik ang mga
kasambahay na kung hindi magsasalin ng tubig ay maglalagay naman ng panibagong
pagkain sa lamesa. My brother's right. This is a feast.
"What are your plans for college, hija?" Tanong ni mommy pagkatapos ng mahabang
katahimikan.

Napatingin ako kay mom bago nalipat ang tingin kay dad. He's busy slicing his steak while
probably waiting for my answer. I cleared my throat.

"I'm planning to take Business Ad in La Bella Community College, mom." I answered.

Business Administration ang pinili ko para makatulong na rin sa negosyo dito ni daddy sa
La Bella. I actually thought that studying in Manila is a good choice since I can guarantee
that I can have better and more experience there but that means leaving my family. So I
rather stay here.

"Are you sure, anak?" Rinig ko ang pag-aalinlangan sa boses ni mommy. "Okay lang naman
sa amin ng daddy mo kung gusto mo sa ibang lugar o Manila mag-aral. You're already 18
and very responsible. We trust you naman, hija. You can stay in one of your tita's house or
we can buy a condo-"

I cut off mom's words before she could even finish saying it.

I looked at her. "Mom, thank you but I'm fine here. I realized I'm still not ready, yet. Besides,
LBCC is more convenient for me. Hindi na ko mahihirapang mag-adjust or what."

"O-okay. Just tell us if you change your mind, anak."

I nodded.

Mom let out a defeated sigh and smiled at me. Tumango na lang siya at hindi na nagpumilit
pa sa gusto. Tumikhim naman si dad kaya napatingin ako sa kanya. I know he's thinking the
same sentiments with mom but he didn't voice it out.
"Give her a break, Aviona. Let our daughter decide on this one." Ani dad kay mom.

I smiled. Dad has always been very supportive of me ever since. I remember those days
when he was the one who always attend in PTA meetings in school instead of mom even
though he is a very busy person. While mom just neutral with things. If I got the highest
grade in my class, she's happy. If I misbehave, I'll surely get an earful from her.

"What about your plans this summer? How about a vacation?" Dad asked lighting up the
mood.

Now that I think of it...

"Can't, dad. May plano na kami ng mga kaibigan ko." Si Davi na ngayon lang nagsalita.

I snorted. I'm sure one of their plans is hooking up with girls.

Napainom naman si mommy sa sinabi niya. Oh. I know this. We're thinking the same thing.
Dad's forehead creased on what we said but he didn't pressed it. Bumaling siya sa akin.
"How about you, Paola?"

Inilahad ko ang baso ko sa maid na malapit sakin para masalinan ito ng tubig. "I have
commitments this summer, dad."

It's true. May plano na ko ngayong summer. One of my teachers in senior high, Ma'am Grace
asked me for a favor. She asked me to be her student assistant since she will be teaching a
summer class in La Bella Community College. I said yes. Of course, it was an opportunity to
explore La Bella so I immediately agreed and Ma'am Grace has been nothing but good to me
so it would be rude to say no. I don't have anything to do this summer so I might as well
spend it wisely.
"So is it true? You're planning to stay here in La Bella? Forever?!" Frankie said hysterically.

I rolled my eyes at her. Nandito kami ngayon sa patio ng mansion. It's Sunday. Naisipan niya
daw na bumisita muna sakin bago sila umalis ng pamilya niya para sa vacation trip nila sa
Europe.

"Don't overreact. It's just college." I said.

Hindi naman niya kailangan sundan pa ko 'dun.

She groaned in frustration. "Oh my god! Does this mean I have to endure all of this 'til we
graduate college? Oh my god..."

Natahimik siya at malalim na nag-isip. Seriously, this girl.

Kumunot ang noo ko. "What do you mean all of this?"

Nagulat ako ng tumayo siya at dinipa ang mga braso. "This! All of this! Hindi ka na ba
nagsasawa dito, Pao? What did you even like about this place? There's nothing here but
trees! Trees! And horses and cows and mountains and grasses! There's no social life here!"

Nagkibit-balikat ako. "That's why I like it."

What's not to love about La Bella? It's a hidden beauty here in the city. And it's atmosphere
always feels like home. Warm and comfortable.

Natawa ako ng pagod niyang binagsak ang sarili sa upuan. She crossed her arms and pouted
at my direction.
I've became friends with Frankie when we were in Grade 10 and since then we always
hangout a lot. She's my only friend, actually. I don't know how did I even became friends
with her. She's loud, talkative and very crazy. While I'm someone who's nose is always stuck
in a book and some says rude and snob. But, despite that, we just clicked together. See?
Look how far we've got. I even endured her crazy antics for two years now.

She sighed. "It's sad. We couldn't get to spend this vacation together."

"It's fine. I will be actually helping out Ma'am Grace starting next week. She'll be teaching a
summer class and I'll be her assistant." I said.

Frankie's brow shot with curiosity. "Summer class? Saan?"

"In La Bella Community College." I answered.

Now, I'm standing right in front of its gates.

The arch with its name stood high and mighty above the gates. Ito lang ang nag-iisang
college dito sa buong lalawigan ng La Bella. Hindi rin kalakihan at sakto lang para sa iilang
programs na kanilang inooffer. It's a good thing that they have a Business Administration
course here. Halos lahat ng estudyante sa La Bella National High School ay dito rin
pinapagpatuloy ang pag-aaral. Meron rin namang anak ng mga mayayamang pamilya dito sa
La Bella ang napagdesisyunang mag-aral dito. But most students here are those who can not
the afford to study in other cities. It's a 20 minute drive from our mansion so it's really near.

Pinagbuksan ako ng guard na nakilala agad ako at binati. I smiled and greet him back.

My father is very known here in La Bella kaya hindi na rin nakakagulat kung bakit kaming
magkapatid ay kilala ng mga tao dito. I am Davonna Paola Vicente, daughter of the Don
Paolo Vicente who particularly owned a lot of lands here in La Bella. That's how they knew
me. But I don't want to brag or whatever. Not once, did I ever use my name to get my way
though things here. Kahit si dad ay ayaw niyang ganun. Despite the silent competition
between prominent families here in La Bella, we managed to stay lowkey or more like away
from that.