Story: Fireworks and Shooting Stars

Prologue

"Come on! You guys are too slow!" Kelsi shouted at the four boy behind her. She continued to walk towards the top of the hill as she leaves the four behind. "Sometimes I wonder why we agreed to Kelsi's idea of going up to this hill..." Aaron, the youngest of them, started to complain as he catches his breath. Chun, the eldest, smiled at him as he tries to keep up with Kelsi. "It's Kelsi's turn to decided where we'll celebrate New Year." He reminded him. "Chun, don't you think it's about time we ditch this tradition? I think this is too childish..." Jiro suggested. Calvin, who was walking behind him, glared at him. "No Way! It's my turn to decide next year!" he said.

Chun, Calvin, Jiro, Kelsi and Aaron started this New Year Tradition since they were at the orphanage. Each year, one of them will decide where they will celebrate New Year's Eve.

The five have been together since they were young. All of them grew up in an orphanage, and since kids, they treat each other as a family. Chun is the eldest among them.He is like the father-figure of the group, since he's the one who always advises the four. Jiro is the clown of the group. He always brings smile and laughter to all of them. Calvin is the sunshine boy of the group. Just like Jiro, he brings life to the group with his wacky ideas. Kelsi is the only girl, and they treat her as a princes, although this is not always the case. She always looks after the four, and takes care of their needs. Aaron, the youngest, is their baby. He is the most talented among them, and he aspires to be a famous singer someday. The four always support him.

It was 15 minutes before 12 midnight when they reached the top of the hill. "Finally!" Aaron exclaimed. "I thought we'll be spending the whole year hiking." Calvin said. Kelsi gave them dagger looks. "Come on, guys..." Jiro said. "Don't be mad at Princess Kelsi. I'm starting to agree with her. Look!" Jiro pointed at the night sky, as it was filled with different colors of fireworks. "See? I told you so! The view here's more beautiful..." Kelsi said. Chun nodded his head, in agreement. "Yeah... I agree with you, Kelsi..." he said.

At the corner of her eye, amidst the firework display, Kelsi saw a bright moving object. It was a shooting star. "Hey, look! Shooting Star!" she exclaimed. Calvin gave her a skeptical look. "Shooting star? On New Year's Eve? No Way!" he said. The others were trying to find what Kelsi saw. "Really! I saw a shooting star!" she defended. "Hmmm... Can't see. All I see is the frieworks..." Aaron said. "Hey! I think I see it!" Chun said. He pointed at the bright moving object at the sky. Calvin, Jiro and Aaron were able to see it this time. "See, Calvin? I told you!" she said proudly. Aaron smiled at his two friends. "Stop bashing, guys! Let's make a wish. We can't make this opportunity pass us by." he said.

All of them clasped their hands and closed their eyes as they make a wish. All of them silently whispered their wishes, hoping it will come true someday.
"I wish we'll all be stong enough to face our challenges..." Chun prayed.
"I wish everyone will find their happiness..." Jiro said silently.
"I wish all of us will find the love we're looking for..." Calvin whispered.
"I wish all of our dreams will come true..." Aaron wished.
"I wish... I wish our friendship will last forever..." Kelsi prayed.

That night, the changes in their lives began. No one have thought that five years later, all of their wishes will come true...

someone somehow

someone wants to talk to me about something when that person comes back

because i really messed up last week

haaayyyy

i shouldn't be in this situation

but i chose too...

i imagine...

i imagine singing xin wo

my head shaking from left to right

while we do a tongue twister with the rap part

and chun will sing with us...

GRABE!!! CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THE WHOLE CAST OF ROMANTIC PRINCESS!!! (sans angela payatot)

yahoo!!!

Lullaby

She wiped her tears as she ran towards the rooftop. She doesn't care how many people she have bumped into, she only wants to get out of this so-called hell. Her legs felt like they're too weak to run, but she pushed herself to get to her destination. She doesn't care anymore, because none of the people she knew even cared about what she feels.

She reached the rooftop by the time her eyes were already tired from crying. She slumped down the concrete floor, feeling the exhaustion in her two legs. She looked up at the sky, wanting to curse God for all the misfortunes she had for the past years. She questions why He have to give her this kind of trial at her young age, not her heart nor her mind could even understand why these things happen to her. "Why did you let me live?" She shouted at the top of her lungs. She was taught in Sunday school that God is a loving father, but now she doesn't believe the crap. She looked up, and she saw the concrete railing of the rooftop. She stood up, and walked towards it. "Since I'm going to die, why not take my own life instead..." she said to herself. "It will make life a lot more easier for me..."

She climbed up the rail and stood as she open her arms wide. "Hell... here I come!" she thought. She was about to jump when she heard someone shout at her. "Stop!" She looked back, and she saw a young doctor rushing up to her. "Don't dare to come close or I'll jump!" she threatened him. "No! Don't jump! Let's talk this over..." he said to him. She stepped back as he comes closer to her. "For Christ's sake, just let me die, will you?" she snapped. She made another step, but she realized that there nothing to step on. She lost her balance, and fell from the rooftop. Well, at least she thought. That's what she remembered before she passed out.

==========================================================================================================

"How is she?" Mark asked the doctor as she checked on the girl he saved a while ago. "She's going to be OK, Mark. You don't have to worry about her..." the doctor said. After explaining her condition right now, the doctor left her room. Mark stayed, and began to read the files that was given to him. It was her file. According to the file, her name is Hannah, 18 years old , and she's suffering from Leukemia. Mark looked back at her as she reads her file. From what happened a while ago at the rooftop, he knows that she not only needs to be treated for Leukemia, but she needs help Psychologically.

After reading her file, he decided to stay until she wakes up. He watched her as she sleeps peacefully on the hospital bed. A few hours ago, she seemed to be a disturbed teenager, full of angst and hatred. After a while, she began to open her eyes. "Where am I?" She said as she sat up from her bed. "Relax, you're here at the hospital..." Mark told her. Hannah gave him a disappointed look. "I'm not yet dead?"

Mark just laughed at her. "I'm serious... why didn't you just let me die out there?" she asked again. Mark stopped laughing, and smiled at her. "Why would I let a beautiful girl die out there?" he said. Hannah just smirked at him. "Look, Mister. First, you have no right to get into my business. Second, you don't know what's going on in my life. And Third, I'm not beautiful. You hear me?"

Mark laughed at her again. Hannah gave him a confused look this time. "What?" she said sarcastically. Mark stopped laughing, and went near her. "First, I have the right to get into your business because I'm a doctor, and my job is to save lives. Second, I have checked on your file, and I know what's going on with you. Third, you're beautiful in me eyes. OK?"

"Sounds like you know how to play with girls... Doctor!" Hannah snapped back. "Well, it just so happened that I will be your doctor for hereon... so I made an effort to get to know my first patient..."

"Oh great! I'm his first patient. Thank God if I'll survive this ordeal!" Hannah thought as she listened to his explanation. Then she remembered the what happened to her a while ago...

[Flashback]

"Hannah..." the doctor called her as he looked up at her. She could see in his eyes that something is really wrong with her. It was a few weeks back when she had her annual check up, and the doctor asked her to take several tests. She doesn't know why they had to do those things to her. "I believe, it's serious this time..."

"Oh, come on... I'm just stressed out. I'm preparing for college and..."

"Hannah... this is really serious. The tests showed that you have leukemia..."

Leukemia. She felt her world fell when she heard that. Two years ago, her beloved grandma died because of this sickness. And here she is, sitting in front of the doctor who's telling her that she have Leukemia. "How many months?" she asked, trying to put a brave front. "Well, it shows that the cancer cells are already - "

"How many months?" she repeated in a stern voice. "Will I be able to graduate in high school before I die?"

The doctor closed his eyes before he answered her. "I'm sorry Hannah... I believe you won't be able to - " She stood up from the chair, went out of the doctor's office and ran as fast as she could.

[End of Flashback]

"You want to talk about it?" she heard Mark asked. She looked up at him and shook his head. "I'm dying. What else should we talk about?" she snapped back. She got up from her bed, and took her bag. "Where are you going?" Mark asked. "It's none of your business." After that, she walked away from him, and left the room.

=========================================================================================================

It was 9 PM when she got home. The house still dark when she got home. She didn't bother to open the lights, so she went straight to her room.

All her life, she lives in the dark. She doesn't have a perfect, normal life. Her parent divorced when she was 5. She lives with her mom, who doesn't have anything to do with her. She's always out, partying, dating or working. Her dad? She never saw him again after the divorce. From what she knows, his dad remarried and lived in another city. The only person who cared for her is her grandma, but two years ago, she died and left her. At school, she doesn't have friends. She used to have friends, but they only used her to get better grades. Since then, she decided to isolate herself from the rest of the class. Sometimes, the guys in her school would make fun of her. She would fight the guys back, or beat them up, that's why she's always at the principal's office. Her mom would always come and bail her out, but when they're already home, she would slap her and beat her up. And now, she found out that she's dying. She barely even have six months to live. She wouldn't be able to fulfill of her dreams because of her sickness.

She curled up on her bed, her tears starting to fall from her eyes again. "What have I done to deserve this punishment?" she thought again. The pain's starting to sink in. The truth is, she doesn't want to die. She's scared to die...

She started to hum the lullaby her grandma taught her when she was a kid. From humming, she started to sing the song.

"When I am lost,

You shine a light on me and set me free

When I am low,

You wash away my tears and take me through

The loneliness and emptiness

Through the darkest night

Somehow I'll survive through it all..."

She started to cry again. What she needs right now is someone who would comfort her, and tell her everything's going to be all right. At this point, she longs for someone who could show her compassion, sympathy. She wished that for once, her mom would be a mother to her, just like those moms in TV. But she's all alone, there's no one around to hold her and make her feel loved.

Maybe her sickness is a blessing in disguise. Her mom always tells her how much she despises her. At least when she's gone, she wouldn't be a burden to her mom. "But why should I prolong this agony..." she though to herself. She reached for her side table, and she took the blade. She cut herself, one, twice, thrice. She could feel the pain, and she could feel the cold blood flowing out of her bed. She lay on her bed, and closed her eyes as she awaits for her death...

==========================================================================================================

Heaven.

She pictured a white, cloudy room filled with angels playing with their harp. She pictured her grandma, smiling at her as she comes near her. She pictured happy cherubims running around. She pictured a golden path, a garden filled with different types of flowers. She thought she was in heaven as she carefully opened her eyes. Yes, she sees a white room, and people wearing white. But instead, she sees doctors and nurses. Again, she's at the hospital. "Crap..." she thought. She's suppose to die. It's her fate to die. Why can't God just let her die now? Why should He prolong her agony?

"Another attempted suicide?" she heard a familiar voice say. "Yes, Doctor. She slashed her wrist several times." Hannah pretended to sleep as she listened to their conversation. She haven't figured out why she's here. Who brought her to the hospital? "How's my daughter?" she heard a man's voice said. She thought that the man was talking about another patient, but it seems that the doctor and the man were talking about her, and her condition. Shortly after the man left, she opened her eyes, and she saw the doctor who saved her that afternoon.

"It's you?" she said. Mark smiled back at her. "So, you really want to die, huh?"

"I told you, it's none of your business. I'm going to die anyway!" she said weakly. Mark took a chair and sat beside her. "It's my business because you're my patient... I'm a doctor and - "

"And you save lives... yeah I heard that this afternoon. Why can't you just let me die?"

"Because you're worth saving, princess..."

Hannah looked up at him, dumbfounded. "I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Dr. Mark Han. I'll be your doctor from now on." He said, smiling at her. Mark extended his hand to her, but she just looked at it. "I suppose you already know who I am." Hannah said. Mark put his hand on his pocket. "Yep. Hannah Shin. 18 years old, diagnosed with Leukemia, and a stubborn, suicidal, mentally-disturbed girl." he said. "Why can't you just leave me alone?"

"Why can't I? I have to make sure you're going to live!"

"Nobody cares if I live or if I die... I just want to die now..."

She started to sib again. Mark Stood up from her chair, and sat on her bed to comfort her. "I don't know why you want to die, but what I know is you have your dreams... and I'm hear to make sure you'll be able to chase your dreams..." he said in a low voice. "It's no use now... nobody would really care..." she said in between sobs. "Then what about your dad?"

Hannah looked up at him and gave him a confused look. "Your dad was really worried when you got here..."

"You don't understand... I don't have a - "

Their conversation was interrupted when a man entered her room. "Oh, Mr. Shin!" Mark said as he greeted the man. The man smiled at him, then smiled at Hannah. "I see my princess is awake now..."

Hannah just stared blankly at the man standing by her bed. He slowly walked towards her, and leaned down to kiss her on her forehead. "Hello, my princess..."

==========================================================================================================

Hannah's dad was in town that day, so he decided to pay her a visit. He saw that the door is open, so he decided to enter their house. When he went to her room, he saw her lying lifeless on her bed, with blood covering her arm. He didn't waste time, and he rushed his daughter to the nearest hospital.

When he saw his daughter awake, he didn't question her why she have done that. Instead, he hugged her tight, and thanked God she's alive. He only wanted to spend some time with his eldest daughter, and to make up for the times that he was not there for her. God knows how he tried to win the custody of Hannah, but his ex-wife won the battle. He appealed for visitation rights, but his ex-wife wouldn't let him see his daughter. He tried to hear from Hannah, and from what he heard, his ex-wife is not treating her well. After this incident, he decided to take Hannah with him. He talked to his ex-wife about this, and she agreed to let Hannah go with him after she's discharged from the hospital.

Hannah have already met her father's "new family". She pictured her step-mom to be like an evil stepmother from fairytales, but she was the exact opposite. She's very caring and compassionate. She always look after her, and she treats her like her own daughter. Her half-sister is not that bad at all. She's funny, and she always tries to make her smile. There are times that she wants to isolate herself from this "perfect" family, but her step-mom would always insist that she join them. Before she knew it, she fell in love with this family... and it's hurting her so bad.

Her father still doesn't know her real condition. She doesn't want anyone to know. If she dies, she wants to die alone. But after joining her dad's family, she realized that she wants to live for them. She wants to live a little longer and stay with them...

==========================================================================================================

She stepped inside Mark's office. She doesn't have an appointment, but she wants to see him. He's her last hope. As soon as she walked inside his office, Mark looked up at her. "Hannah?" he asked. "Cure me, Dr. Han. Please make me live longer..." she said. Tears started to run down her cheeks as she pleaded. "I know I still have time, please save me, Dr. Han..." Mark stood up from seat, and went near her. He didn't say a word, instead, he embraced her, and let her cry.

After a while, they both sat on the couch. Mark explained what they have to do to cure her - the chemotherapy, the radiation therapy, and bone marrow transplant. "We have to try chemotherapy first, and if it doesn't work, we'll try the other treatments." Mark said. All throughout his explanation, Hannah remained silent. "Hey, are you listening?" Hannah looked up at him and smiled. For the first time, he saw how her face lit up with her smile. Mark smiled back at her. "See, I told you you're beautiful... you just have to smile once in a while..." he said. "Thank you, Dr. Han... the truth is, I'm scared..." Hannah finally said. Mark took her hand and squeezed it. "I'll be there for you, Hannah. Trust me..."

"Would you believe, I haven't told dad about my condition. I was thinking of dying alone... but then he came..." Hannah started. "I have been alone for all of my life... It was my grandma who loved and cared for me, but she left me two years ago. My mom didn't love me, and it was only my dad and my step-mom who gave me the love I've always wanted... I want to live for them... I don't want to hurt them..." she continued. Again, the tears cascaded from her eyes. Mark now realized the reason why she changed her mind, and why she tried to kill herself. Mark put his arm around her, and let Hannah lean her head on her shoulder. She closed her eyes, and she began to hum her lullaby. Mark listened to her as she hums. He could feel the the pain and hope in her lullaby. Her voice is like that of an angel - soothing and lovely.

When she's finished humming the lullaby, she opened her eyes and smiled at Mark. "That was lovely..." he said. "My grandma used to sing that to me. I hum this lullaby whenever I feel sad... and after that, I don't feel sad anymore..." she explained. He held her hand again and smiled at her again. "You have to be strong, Hannah. This will be a difficult process, but you have to stay strong..."

==========================================================================================================

The chemotherapy session started the next week. Hannah gathered the courage to tell her family about her condition before it started. Both her dad and her stepmom were in tears when she explained her sickness. Like her, they also want her to live much longer so that they could make up for the lost time. Her family have been supportive of her, and always makes sure she's OK. Mark was supportive as well. They have become closer during the process. He makes sure that he accompanies Hannah during her chemotherapy sessions. Even though it hurts, Hannah would pretend she's OK, and will put on a brave front. When she's in pain, she just sings her lullaby to make it go away.

But it seems nothing will work out right...

"Mark... I don't think she'll make it..." Dr. Quan, one of the specialists said to him. Mark stood up from his seat, and looked at Hannah's file. "The cancer cells have already spread. She can no longer produce white blood cells..."

"How about a bone marrow transplant?"

"With her condition, I don't think it will work either..."

Her condition has worsened, but it doesn't show in her face. Unlike before, Hannah smiles a lot now. She tries to be happy, even though she's in pain. Her willingness to live makes her stronger. And it just breaks Mark's heart knowing she would die anytime soon. "I don't want to give up on her..." he thought. All the possible treatment would not work on her, since the cancer was detected at a later stage. Right now, he's asking God for a miracle - that she would live longer. As long as he could see the smile on her face a little longer, everything would be all right for him. He's not yet ready to let her go and let her die...

==========================================================================================================

"What?" Hannah said when he noticed Mark just staring at her. Lately, Mark seems a little spaced out. They were at the hospital's Green house that time, looking at the flowers that have bloomed that spring. "Mark, are you listening?" she asked again. Mark looked at her blankly. "What was it?" he asked. Hannah just shook her head. "Nothing that you should know..."

As Hannah started to walk, he reached for her hand, and held it tight. She looked back at him, and he could see the sadness in his eyes. "Mark?"

"Please, just let me hold your hand..." he said. She sensed that he wants to tell her, but something's holding him back. Was it about her condition? As days pass by, she feels weaker and weaker. She tried her best to hide what she feels, but lately, she could not hide it anymore. She knows that she will die anytime soon. The doctors didn't tell her anything, but she could feel it. She's still scared to die, she's still scared to lose everything she loves - her stepmom, her dad, her little sister, the friends she made at the hospital, and Dr. Mark Han...

He have been like a big brother to him, but what she feels for him is not just a brotherly love. He never gave up on her, and he was there all through her pain. She had another reason to live, because of him. But she can't tell him what she feels, because she's not ready to be rejected. She knows he only treats her as his little sister, and that's all she is to him. She was thankful to God that he met this wonderful man, even it's too late. Maybe that's the reason why her attempts to kill herself didn't succeed - because she's destined to meet him. He saved her twice, and he's trying to save her now, and she's thankful that he's always by her side.

She looked into his eyes, and then she hugged him tight. He embraced her, not wanting to let her go. Then, she began to sing her lullaby again.

"When you tell me I'm the only one you need,

Sweet and tenderly

And your love

Breaks away the clouds surrounding me
All I have I want to give to thee..."

After she sang the lullaby, she let go from her embrace and looked into her eyes. He stared into her eyes, and moved closer to her. As soon as their noses touched, Hannah closed her eyes. "Is he going to kiss me?" she thought. Before she knew it, he pressed his lips against her. Her first kiss... she wished time would stop at that moment. If this is a dream, she wants to dream this moment forever. She wants to stay this way for the remaining days of her life... "So this is how it feels like..." she thought. At that moment, she had mixed emotions - she was both happy and sad. Happy, because she kissed the guy who have her heart. Sad, because this moment could end anytime soon.

And the kiss ended. That moment of ecstasy ended, but she have no regrets. He continued to stare into her eyes after their kiss. "I... I'm sorry, Hannah... I didn't mean to kiss you..." Hannah became disappointed. Maybe for Mark, the kiss was a mistake. But for her, it's something special, something that she will treasure until the next lifetime.

But the truth is, he said sorry because he feels like he's taking advantage of Hannah. He's scared Hannah would be mad at him, and will shut him out of her life completely. The truth is, he's in love with him since the day he first saw her. When he learned that she have leukemia, he was willing to do anything to make her live. He wants to see the smile on her face... and yes, he succeded. The day she smiled at him was the happiest day of his life. That's why he's determined to cure her. If he could only see the smile on her face, if he could only kiss her lips once again, if he could just make her live longer, then he would be fulfilled as a person and as a doctor. If he could only take away her pain, and if he could only share her misery to show her how much he loved her.

Both of them are running out of time. Hannah only have a few days to live. Who knows when she will die...

========================================================================================================

"I need to see you..." Mark said on the phone. As few days has passed since the day he kissed Hannah. Hannah was trying to avoid him whenever he's around. When he makes his rounds, she pretends to be asleep so that she could avoid him. He understood why Hannah was trying to avoid him, but it hurts him him so much. He know he doesn't have enough time, so he decided to tell Hannah how he feels. He decided to tell her how much he loves him.

"Why?" Hannah said on the other line. "I want to tell you something..." Hannah agreed to meet him at the Green House that night. She have also decided to tell Mark how she feels for him. "I don't have much time left..." she thought. Lately, the medications does not work on her anymore. When she goes to her chemotherapy session, it becomes more painful that not even her humming could make her forget the pain. Aside from that, her vision became blurry, which only means once her sight is gone, it will be her end.

After his shift, Mark ran to the nearest flower shop to get Hannah's favorite flower - roses. As he was about to leaave, a group of teenagers went inside the flower shop and robbed it. Mark tried to resist them, but he ended up being stabbed in his heart. The people around him took him to the Emergency room to treat his wound, but as soon as the ER personnel left him, he sneaked out. Not withstanding the pain, he tried to go to the green house to meet Hannah. "I can't disappoint her... I have to tell her everything..." he thought.

At the green house, Hannah patiently waited for Mark. Despite her blurry vision, she was able to sneak out of her room. She have been waiting for hours, but he still didn't come. "Where are you, Mark?" she thought. She's getting more worried as time passes by. It's very unlikely of Mark to be late. It's getting darker outside, and her vision's slowly fading. "Please God... please don't take my sight right now... If I'm going to die today, please let me see Mark's face for the last time..." she prayed silently. Feeling a little weak, she leaned on the bench, as she waited for Mark.

Just then, she heard the door open. She knows she can no longer see, but Hannah saw a white light coming to her direction, and she saw Mark walking up to him. "Hannah..." he said in a low voice. Hannah tried to walk towards him, but when he reached him, she almost fell. Mark tried to support her. "I thought you'll never come..." she said. "I have to see you, Hannah..."

Mark feels weak. He have lost so much blood from the accident, but he tried to come so as not to disappoint Hannah. They sat on the bench, and Mark embraced her tight. He knows that with his condition, he would only have a few hours to live, and if he'll die, he wants to die in the arms of the girl he loved most. "I wanted to give you a bouquet of roses but something happened that's why I'm late..." Mark explained. "It doesn't matter, Mark. As long as you came, that's all that matters to me."

"Hannah, I'm sorry if I let you down... I'm sorry if I was not able to save you this time..."

Hannah looked up to him and smiled. "I knew right from the start that I'm going to die. I just wanted to live longer for my family... and I'm grateful to you because you did your best to save me..." she said in a low voice. Hannah closed her eyes and put her head on Mark's shoulder. Then, she began to hum her lullaby.

"If I should fall
Your love is strong enough to lift me up
If I'm afraid
You chase away my fears
And take me to

A brighter place
Beyond the rain
And I feel alright
Because you're by my side
Through it all..."

Mark closed his eyes as he listen to her song. He held her close to her, and gently kissed her forehead. "I... I love you, Hannah..." he whispered to her. "I loved you since the day I saw you... I loved you, and it hurts me when I see you in pain. I can't afford to lose you..."

Hannah let out a faint smile. "Thank you for loving me, Mark... I wish I could stay longer with you, but..." she was not able to continue what she's about to say. She felt more weaker than ever, and her eyes seems a little heavy. "I'm tired... I don't want to sleep, but I'm tired... I still want to stay with you here..." she finally said. "If... if you are tired... then you have to sleep... I feel a little tired as well..."

"Mark..."

"Hannah?"

"I... I just want to say that I love you too..."

She began to hum her lullaby again.

"When you tell me I'm the only one you need,

Sweet and tenderly

And your love

Breaks away the clouds surrounding me
All I have I want to give to thee..."

At the last note, at the last line, Hannah fell into a deep slumber, never to be awake again. Mark felt her heart stopped beating, he kissed her again in her lips, just like the last time, and he too closed his eyes and slept peacefully. Their lifeless bodies embraced each other, until the next morning...

THE END

Waiting

He was the campus's golden boy - smart, athletic, good looking. Everybody loves him, and everybody wants him...

She is an outcast. A loner. A broken person. Nobody knows about her existence, nor cares about her. But despite of it all, he loved her ...

He never noticed her existence, until that fateful day. From thereon, he swore to protect her and to stay by her side at all times...

But fate played a trick on them, separating them for 10 years...

She waited for this time to come, for her to tell him how she loved him all these years...

And he waited for her, to finally love her and take care of her for the rest of his life...

--

Rosewood High, 1999

Mariel walked through the hall with her head back down. Her long hair hides the loneliness in her eyes. She was known in the school as a loner since no one wants to befriend her. She was always teased by her classmates because of her looks - her hair entirely covers her face, her uniform disheveled, her shoes worn out. There are times that she does not go to school, and nobody knows why... nobody cares what's going on with her life.

It's one of those unusual days that she would come to class. The usual empty seat at the back of the sixth row will now be occupied. The teacher never dared to ask her why she never came to class for the past days, for they already knew the answer. The teachers, just like her classmates, never seemed to care at all.

As she reach the classroom, a group of boys blocked her way. She looked up at them, and the boys started to snicker at her. "L-L-Let me through..." she pleaded in a low voice. The leader of the group just mocked her. "'L-L-L-Let me through...' Hahahaha why should we?" he said. The other boys started to laugh at her. "If you want to enter this room, then you have to pay..."

"B-b-but... but I don't have the money..." she said. The boys laughed at her again. "I'm sorry, but you can't enter this room, dirty rat!" The other guy said. The boys started to walk towards. She stepped back as they approached her. She knows that these guys will try to beat her up. She ran as fast as she could, but then she bumped into another guy. She quickly rose from the floor to get away from the bullies. She looked back, and she saw the bullies still running after her. "I-I-I'm sorry... please let me through..." she said to the guy whom she bumped into. She tried to run again, but she fell on the floor. She could feel the pain in her ankle, she must've sprained it. She lost hope, she could never get away from those bullies.

"Leave her alone!" she heard the guy shouted at the bullies. She looked back, and she saw the guy standing infront of her, trying to block the bullies. "Mind your own business, Jed!" one of the guys shouted at him. "Just leave her alone or else..."

"Or else what?"

"Or else I'll tell the principal about this... you don't want to be expelled this time, right?"

The guys became quiet. They gave him a stern look, then left. The guy looked back at Mariel, who's still lying on the floor. He held her hand, and helped her to stand up. "Are you OK?" he asked. Mariel nodded her head. "Yes... thank you..." she said in a low voice. After that, she left him and limped towards the classroom.

--

"Today, I'll be pairing you up with your fellow classmates for your project this quarter." Their art teacher announced that afternoon. "You will be making a painting about the topic about emotions. You can use any medium that you want to use.". Then, their teacher announced the pairing. Mariel, who was sitting at the back, didn't pay any attention to what their teacher is saying. She might be absent for the next days, and would not be able to work with her partner about the project.

Just then she heard her name being called by the teacher. "Mariel will be paired with Jed". their teacher said. Eyes were turned on her for a while, and then, she heard murmurs. "Good luck to Jed if she will be able to work with her!" she heard one girl said. "I feel sorry for Jed..." one he classmates said. She lowered her head and began to scribble on her notes. Her classmates are right. That Jed is really unfortunate to have her as a partner. She's always absent. Aside from that, who would want to work with someone ugly as her?

She felt that someone was staring at her for a long time. She looked up, and she saw the very same guy who saved her a while ago from the bullies staring at her. "Why is he staring at me?" she thought.

Jed, on the other hand, just kept on staring at Mariel. He remembered her as the girl he protected a while ago from Yuri's gang. From what he knows, this girl rarely goes to class. The truth is, he's a little worried about this project. He needs to pass this subject to be able to get in to the university his father wanted him to go to. Aside from that, he's running for honors. He planned to talk to Mariel about their project after their class, but she suddenly disappered. He waited for her, but she never showed up. She missed half of that day's class. This worried Jed again.

--

Clutching the money on her hand, Mariel went to the school's bookstore and bought crayons, pencil and an illustration board. She have to spend her remaining money for their art class project. At first, she has no plan of doing the project, but when she realized that Jed was the guy who saved her from the bullies a while ago, she decided that she have to do it for him, out of gratitude.

All her life, nobody defended her like what Jed did a while ago. Ever since she was a kid, her father always beat her up. He always blames her for his misfortunes. Since her mom left them, he's always drunk, making him very violent towards her. Whenever she would do anything that's wrong in her father's eyes, he would beat her up. When he's not drunk, he acts as if she never existed. Their neighbors tried to help her, but her dad would threaten them when they stop him from hurting her. She was only able to go to school once in a while because of her part time job as a helper in a cafe', and because of the help of their neighbors. It's also one of the reasons why she wasn't able to go to school everyday. It's either she doesn't have enough money, or her body aches after her dad beats her up.

After buying the materials she needed, she went at the back of the school's chapel. She sat at the chapel's stair, then began to draw. Her hand swifts like a wind with every line and with every curves. Little by little, her emotions depicts in the rough draft that she have created. Then, she took out the crayons, ans began to add color on her work. Shades of blue can be seen from her work, adding other colors for details. After a few hours, she finished her work. She looked at it, and she felt proud. Most of her artworks were destroyed by her dad, and this one is the only "survivor" from her works.

She took her things, and stood up from where she's seated. She headed to the classroom to find Jed, and to give him their project. She doesn't know when she will be able to go back to school, so she have to give it to him now.

--

Mariel passed by the music room, and she heard someone playing the piano. It was a melancholic piece. She stopped, and peeked through the door - it was Jed who was playing the piano. She stood by the door, as she listened to him play the piano. She closed her eyes, and let the soothing sound take her away. Freedom... for the first time in her life, she felt all the pain she feels suddenly disappered. It's as if she began to dream again. When was the last time had a beautiful dream? Everyday was like a nightmare to her. There are times that she wants to run away from everything, but she have nowhere to go. She have nowhere to turn to...

Then, she heard the music stop. She opened her eyes, and she saw Jed staring at her. "I... I'm sorry..." she stuttered. Jed just smiled at her. "Care to join me?" he asked. She nodded her head, then walked towards him. Jed moved a little bit from his chair, and gave her half the space of his seat. There was an awkward silence between them, as Jed began to play a new piece. Mariel just listened to him play with her eyes closed. Once in a while, Jed would look at her. He's still wondering why she's so reserved, and why she distance herself from everybody. It seems that she's scared of people. There's something in her that made him feel like they're on the same boat. The only difference is he looked perfect outside but lonely inside, and she looked like a broken angel inside out.

She was the first person who found out that he can play piano. He always kept it a secret from everybody, afraid that his dad will find out. He wanted to become a famous pianist someday, but since he's the only son of a rich businessman, he have no choice but to follow his dad's footsteps. He have talked to his dad about this that summer before he started senior year, but his dad disapproved of his decision. "No son of mine will become a pianist. You will be a businessman like me. Do you understand?" he can still remember his dad telling him. After tht incident, his dad forbade him to touch the ivory keys of the piano. He had no choice but to obey him, but if he had a choice, he wants to turn his back from his perfect life and live his own life, and chase his dreams.

Mariel gently opened her eyes as soon as the music ended. She looked at Jed and gave him a faint smile. "T-that... that's beautiful..." she said in a small voice. Jed smiled back at her. "Thanks." Again, there was silence between them. Both of them didn't know what to say to each other. He wants to ask her why she's always absent, but he thinks it's none of his business to pry into her life. He also want to talk to her about their art project. "A-a-about the project..." Mariel began. Jed looked up to her as she speak. "I... I... h-have f-finished it..."

Jed looked at her woriedly. Since the time she talked to her, she was already stuttering. "There must me something wrong with her..." he thought. Then, she handed him the illustration board covered in plastic. "I... I... t-tried to finish i-it as f-fast as I-I could... I-I d-don't know when I-I will attend the c-classes again..." she said. "Can I see it?" he asked. Mariel nodded her head. She was scared that Jed might not like what she drew. She lowered her head as he began to take the illustration board out of the plastic.

It's a drawing of a girl, curled up un her bed with tears on her eye. At her back, a male angel was hugging her. For Jed, her drawing is perfect. It depicts different kinds of emotion - pain, sorrow, love, hope... It didn't looked like crayons were used to color it up. "It's the most beautiful drawing I've ever seen..." he said, smiling at her. Mariel looked up at him and smiled. "T-thanks..." she said. Then, he held her hand. He held her hand for a long time, so as to comfort her. For him, her drawing is the reflection of what she feels now, and he just wants to comfort her. She could feel the warmth in his hand. If only the world would stop spinning, she wished this would be the time for the world to stop, even just for a second.

After a while, Mariel looked at his worn-out watch, and realized that it was already late. She needs to go home early to cook her father's dinner. "I... I have to go..." she said. "OK... ummm... Mariel, can you keep this piano thing a secret?" Jed asked. Mariel just nodded her head. She stood up from her seat and headed to the door. Then, Jed called her again. "Mariel..." he said. Mariel stopped walking and looked back at him. "Will you come to our class tomorrow?" he asked. Mariel just lowered her head, unsure of what to tell Jed. She have no idea if she would be able to come to school the next day. She have spent her money for the project, and she needs to go to work tomorrow. Aside from that, if her father's drunk tonight, there would be a slim chance for her to come to her classes. "I don't know..." she said. After that, she turned her back around Jed, and left the music room.

--

It was almost dark when she got home. She just walked from her school to their small shanty. When she entered their home, she saw her father sleeping on the table, holding a bottle of gin on his left hand. She quietly tiptoed inside the house, so as not to disturb her dad. Befor she could reach her room, her dad woke up and saw her. "Why did you come home late, you little rat!" he shouted at her in a slurred voice. Mariel looked at her dad with fear in her eyes. "Dad..." she said weakly. "I told you to come home early to prepare my dinner!" he shouted at her again. Then, he closed his fist and punched Mariel on her stomach. Because of the pain, she lost her balance and fell on the floor. "You're an insolent child!" he said again, as he spanked her. "Dad... please spare me... please..." Mariel pleaded as she cried out loud.

Her father seems not to hear her plead or her cry. He continued spanking her, and kicking her. "Dad... don't hurt me... have mercy on me... please..." Mariel cried. "When I tell you to come home early, you should go home early! You never learn, you bitch!" her dad shouted again. Then, he took his bottle and hit Mariel. Good thing Mariel covered her head with her arm, the bottle hit her arm instead of her face. She could feel her arm numb as the blood started to flow. "Serves you right..." she heard her father say. After he beats up his daughter, he left their house. Mariel, on the other hand, remained on the corner where her dad beat her up as she cried herself to sleep, ignoring the pain she felt after he hurt her.

--

Despite her condition, Mariel managed to go to her class the next day even though she's all black and blue. She bandaged her wound with a white cloth she found in her cabinet. As she walked through the school's hall, she felt like she was ghost floating in thin air for she's not with herself. Some people who saw her just ignored her, some who noticed her began to talk behind her back. She didn't care how these people react about her. She just need to see someone who could make her feel warm. The same person who defended her yesterday. The same person who made her smile for the first time yesterday. She needs to see Jed.

She doesn't know why she have to see him, but when she sat close to him yesterday at the music room, she felt safe and comfortable. Something she never felt before since she's been living in fear. At the other side of the lobby, she saw Jed talking with some of their classmates. She decided to turn back and go home, thinking he didn't see her. "Who am I kidding? Why would he notice a frail girl like me?" she thought. As she was about to leave, she heard him call out her name. "Mariel! Wait up!" he shouted at her. Mariel stopped walking, and faced him. He smiled at her, he was happy that she was here. "I'm glad you came." he said. Mariel just gave him a faint smile.

Then, he noticed the white cloth wrapped around her arm. The cloth is a little pinkish, tracing the blood oozing out her fresh wound. He held it gently to take a look at it. "What happened to your arm?" he asked. Mariel didn't answer him. "Don't worry, let's go to the clinic so that - "

"No, please. I don't want to go to the clinic..." Mariel interrupted. The last time she had her wound treated at the clinic, the school nurse askled her questions about her abuse. She told her to tell the police about her father's wrongdoings to her. She doesn't want to do that, simply because her father's the only family she's got. "OK. I won't ask you what happened. Wait for me here, and I get some bandages at the clinic." Jed said. He ran as quickly as he can to get the things he need to wash her wounds. After a few minutes, he came back.

They went at the back of the chapel to treat her wound. He tried to be gentle in treating her wound, but no matter what he do, he could see in her face the pain. After he cleaned her wound, he wrapped the bandage around her arm. "There you go..." he said after he finished wrapping the bandage. He sat beside her, and put his arm around her. His instincts tells him something's going on with Mariel. He want to tell her, but all the time that they were together, she just kept her silence. "C-can... c-can I..." he heard Mariel say. He understood what she meant (she wants to rest her head on his shoulder), so he just nodded his head. Mariel gently put her head on his shoulder, and closed her eyes. Then, he felt teardrops starting to fall from her eyes. He held her tight as she began to cry. He had the urge to ask her why, but he felt she needed a friend at this moment than someone who investigates her life. In his arm, she felt the comfort she never felt before. She felt protected. She feel she can let out all the pain and anguish she feels inside. With him, she found a shoulder she could cry on.

After she finished crying, she lift her head and faced Jed. "T-thank you..." she said in a low voice. Jed smiled at her. He took out his hankerchief, and wiped the tear on her cheeks. "Mariel... whenever you need me, I will always be here..." he said. "You can tell me anything. I'm your friend..."

"T-thank you... thank you, J-jed..." she said. She wanted to open up to him, but she's scared that he'll judge her. She's scared that if he found out what's going on with her life, he would turn his back on her. She wanted to stay this way with him. As long as she kept her silence, she know she can always turn to him when she needs him.

--

Weeks has passed since Mariel last came to their class. Jed was a little worried, since the quarterly exams are coming up. If Mariel would fail this quarter, there might be a chance that she will not graduate. Aside from that, she have exceeded the number of absences allowed for that school year. Before their quarterly exams, their art teacher returned their project. With Mariel's drawing, they were able to get a perfect score. "By the way, Jed," their art teacher said as she hand him their project. "Since you got the highest grade for this class, we want to display this drawing on our upcoming Arts festival after the exams week."

"Thank you, Ma'am, but it was Mariel who drew this. Maybe you should ask her permission to display this picture..." Jed explained. "That's too bad, I don't know if Mariel would still come to school. We really want to display this since her drawing is really good..."

"Ma'am, if you want, I can come to their house and talk her about this. I can also tell her about the upcoming exams so that she could study..."

Their teacher agreed. He told their teacher to return their project after the Art's festival, in case Mariel agreed to display it. That day, he searched Mariel's whereabouts. With his connections, he was able to get her address. He found out that Mariel lives in a compund area a few kilometers away from their school. He decided to pay her a visit that afternoon.

As he walked towards their house, he found Mariel running outside her house. She was crying as she ran away. "Mariel!" Jed shouted at her the moment he saw her. Mariel saw him, and began to ran towards his direction. As soon as she reached him, she hugged her. He was confused with what's happening to her. He looked up, and he saw a man (her father), running after her. "Come back here, you stupid girl!" the man shouted. He looked at Mariel, who was still crying. "Take me away from here... please.. Jed..." she said to him between sobs. Afraid that the man would get Mariel and hurt her, he pulled her arm, and they started to run away from that place. Once they're out of the compound area, he hailed a taxi and left that place. The man still tried to run after them. He could hear him cursing at Mariel. "Sir, please drive as fast as you could!" he told the taxi driver. The driver nodded his head, and sped away from that place.

--

They went to his home. Good thing his dad is on a business trip, or else he would ask Mariel to leave immediately. Alogn the way, he noticed that she had a black eye, a wound at the corner of her lips, and bruises all over her arms and limbs. He tried to trat her bruises and wounds. Mariel, on the other hand, was thankful she was able to get out of that hell, and Jed saved her again. She couldn't stop crying as Jed treated her wounds.

He was right all along. Something is wrong with Mariel, and this caused her to be silent and reserved most of the time. It also explains her absences from school. He pitied her for what she have gone through. If he only met her before this happened, he could've saved her and protected her... but it's better late than never. At least he was able to take her away from her abusive dad. "Why did you let him hurt you?" he asked her.

"I... I don't know... Maybe because he's my father - "

"But even if he's your father, he have no right to hurt you like that!"

"Maybe it's my fault... I'm worthless, and I'm the reason why my mom left us for another man..."

Jed sat beside her, as he began to listen to her story.

--

"When I was a kid," Mariel began. "I remember mom always arguing with dad because of money. Dad used to have a job as a janitor, and his salary is enough for our daily needs. He thought his love was enough to make her stay, but one night, mom left. Dad tried to find her for days, until he saw her with another man. He was so heartbroken. Since the day he saw mom in the arms of another mom, he became a drunkard. When he's drunk, he would wake me in the middle of the night and hurt me. I thought it was only because he's drunk, but even he isn't he's so cold towards me. Whenever I do something wrong or if I didn't follow his orders, he would beat me up..."

"Did anyone tried to help you" Jed asked. She nodded her head. "But everytime they stop my dad from hurting me, he threatens them. One time, he almost killed our neighbor for hiding me. Since then, nobody tried to help me ever again..." she explained. Jed felt sorry for her. From what he heard, it seems that neither her dad or her mom loves her. "Just like me..." he thought. Yes, they're on the same boat. Jed, the perfect kid outside, but he feels unloved by his parents who's always attending to their business. Mariel, the loner, simply because nobody wants her. That's the reason why she's always alone, and seemed to be afraid of people. It also explains why she always stutters when she talks. It explains that day when she went to school, wounded and bruised.

Mariel felt her tears starting to fall from her eyes again. This time, it's not because of the physical pain, or the pain of reliving the past. She was crying because telling Jed her condition made the pain go away somehow. It's like being free after years of being inprisoned in a dungeon, and she never felt this way before. Jed put his arms around her, and his touch as if tells her that everything will be all right from now on. From that moment, he made a silent pact to himself and to Mariel that he'll do everything to protect her and make her feel loved.

--

A few months later...

Mariel now lives in a Welfare Center that caters for the abused women and children. She's undergoing psychological threapy so that she could live a new life, and to make the trauma disappear. Her father, on the other hand, got arrested for child abuse and was put behind bars. She finally decided to leave her cruel past behind and start a new life the day Jed saved her from her dad. She found the courage to stand up for her rights, and pick up the broken pieces. At the center, she was able to make friends with young girls who had the same experience. She found a family, and a mother-figure in Agnes - a battered wife who has been living in the center for years. She's staying there to get away from her saddist husband while her cases is still being heard. Jed always visits her. He's there almost everyday. He always makes sure that she's doing OK. He have noticed a lot of changes since she run away from her abusive dad - now, she smiles often, she doesn't stutter, and her long hair doesn't cover her face anymore. He's happy to see a new, confident Mariel.

Jed paid her a visit one day at the center. It was a special day for Mariel, since it's her 18th birthday, and the people at the welfare center are throwing her a party. He saw Mariel playing with the kids. Her smile seems to illuminate her pretty face, and her laughter is like a music to his ear. Seeing her this way juist makes his heart beat faster. There's something in her smile that made him feel warm...

He remembered the first time he saw her. She was helpless and lonely. He felt that she needed someone to care for her, and he felt happy knowing he comforts Mariel. He didn't know what, but as days passes, he's starting to see her differently. He couldn't last a day without seeing her, and he ached for her when he have to leave her. All the while, he thought he was helping Mariel, but the truth is, it was Mariel who was helping him.

He grew up without his parents beside him. He's always alone at the big mansion. His parent are always out on business trips, and they never spend time with him. He felt like he's just brought up in this world to be their heir, so that someone would take over their work when they retire. He thought he was happy with all the material things his parents shower him, but when he met Mariel, he realized he was lonely inside. He loved the feeling of being needed. He loved the feeling of warmth of someone's touch, and he felt it because of her. He never felt loved, but when's with Mariel, he felt like he's the most important person in the world.

"Are you just going to stand there?" he heard Mariel said as she walked up to him. He smiled at her, then he gave her a hug. "Happy Birthday!" he said. Then, he handed her his gift. Mariel happily took it, and opened it. His gift was a teddy bear. "Wow! I've always wanted one!" she exclaimed. "I know... that's why I bought you that...."

Mariel clutched the stuffed toy on her one hand, and then held his hand. "But I want a different gift..." she said. "Hey... I just bought you a - " before Jed could finish what he's about to say, Mariel pulled him at the center's music room. Once they're inside the room, he gave her a startled look. "What's your plan?" he asked. Mariel walked up to him, smiling. "Remember the first day we met? You were playing this piece... when I listened to you, I felt free..."

"But you're free now..."

"I know. It's been a long time since I heard you play the piano. Can you play that piece again for me?"

Jed nodded his head. They sat on the piano's bench, then he began playing. "Mariel closed her eyes as she listened to his music. She felt the same feeling when she first listened to this music. Each notes seem to make her drift into a dream. The sound just made her want to fly. Jed played the piece by heart. As his fingers press the key of the piano, it also made him feel free. It's been months ago since he last touched a piano, and just sitting there and playing feels free. With Mariel by her side, it's more that heaven.

Mariel opened her eyes as soon Jed finished. "It's beautiful... more beautiful that the first time I heard it..." she said. Since that day she heard his piece, it's music played on her mind when she feels lonelyand hurt. She plays it in her head after her dad beats her up, when she consoles herself and cry herself toi sleep. Tears began to swell at the corner of her eye again. She felt like a crybaby just remembering her past. "Are you OK?" Jed asked. She looked up at him and smiled. "Yes... it's just that..." Jed cupped her cheek with his palm, and wiped the tear from her eye. "Sssshh..." he cooed. He stared at her for a long time. He's starting to see her in a different light, and it seems that his feeling for her has changed.

Love... it's what he feels now for her.

He love her not out of pity...

He love her not because he needs her or she needs him...

He love her because he doesn't need to have a reason to love her at all...

Mariel felt awkward with the way Jed gaze at her, but she can't take off her eyes on him. Those eyes were the first thing she noticed when they met. It was cold, yet warm. In his eyes, he could see sadness, and yet she could see happiness. In his eyes, she could see understanding.

He carressed her cheek as he moved closer to her. Both of them closed their eyes as their lips touched. they kissed, and the world seems to stop at that moment. After a while, their lips parted, Jed still stared at her, as if he's lost forever in her eyes. He moved again to kiss her, but Mariel turned away from him. He realized what he was doing, and got into his senses. There was an awkward silence between them. Part of him wants to regret kissing her, but part of him wants to feel her lips again. He assumes everything will be different after this moment, and he knows what he did is wrong... but why does it feel so good?

"I... I think we should go..." Mariel said. She stood up from the seat, but Jed held her hand. "Mariel... I... I'm sorry..." he said. Mariel looked at him. Was he sorry becaused he kissed her? For her, it's the greatest gift she had. She felt his love in his kiss... and if he's sorry, does that mean he doesn't love her at all? "I... I'm sorry too, Jed... I didn't mean to..."

"Mariel, I love you..."

Upon saying that, Jed stood up from his seat and help her both hands. "I love you Mariel. I don't know when, I don't know why... but all I know is that I love you. Not as a friend, not as a sister, but..." Then Mariel reached to him, and kissed him. Their kiss is much longer than the first time, and when their lips parted again, tears began to flow from her eyes again. "Mariel..." he said in a worried tone. "I love you too, Jed.... I do... but I'm scared..." she said. "I'm shattered, and none is left of me but broken pieces..."

"Then let me help you..."

Mariel shook her head. "You've already helped me, Jed. You helped me when you saved me from the bullies in school and from my dad. You were there when I needed to cry. You took me in your arms... but it's something I have to do for myself, Jed..." she said. Jed didn't say a word, and just hugged her tight. "I don't think I deserve you yet, Jed. Not now... will you wait for me when I have healed myself? When that day comes, I know I'll be worthy and whole again to be loved by someone like you..." she continued. "I will wait for you, Mariel..." Jed said in a low voice. "I will..."

--

Mariel didn't have the courage to tell Jed the truth. She'll be leaving the center tomorrow, and will start a new life in a new country, and a new family. Weeks ago, Agnes talked to her. She won the case, and she'll be getting all of her husband's money. Agnes adopted Mariel, and another kid in the center, and they plan to start a new life in a new country. She was happy, because she now have a family. At the same time, she's sad with thought of leaving Jed behind. She had no choice but to leave him.

They left the country the next day. They took an earlier flight, so that she wouldn't be able to see Jed. It would break her heart to see him, and is she does see him, she might change her mind and stay. But she decided to leave to make herself whole again. "When that day comes, I'll be worthy and whole again to be loved by someone like you..." she remembered saying to him.

As expected, Jed came at the center the next day. The staffs informed him that Mariel left. He was stunned upon hearing that. "But... but she can't leave!" he said. "Jed, Agnes adopted her. They decided to leave so that they could start a new life. We thought she already told you about it yesterday..." the staff. He was heartbroken. Yesterday, he remembered kissing her and telling her that he love her. Yesterday, he remembered her telling him that she love his as well, but she felt she's not worthy of him. "Will you wait for me when I have healed myself? When that day comes, I know I'll be worthy and whole again to be loved by someone like you..." she said.

As he was about to leave the center, the staff handed him an envelope. "We saw this in her room... it's addressed to you..." the staff said. Jed thanked the staff, and went home. Once he's home, he rushed to his room and read her letter.

Dear Jed,

Forgive me for leaving you. I know you're mad, and I know you don't deserved to be left behind but please hear me out...

I have always loved you, Jed. I will always love you. But as I said yesterday, I don't deserve to be loved by you. I'm still a broken person, and the only person who could help me is myself. I need to learn to love myself first before I love someone else. It is important to me... because I love you...

When Aunt Agnes told me that she adopted me, and we'll start a new life abroad, I was hesitant because I'll be leaving you behind. But I realized I should do this for us. Ten years from now, we'll meet again. I will wait for you, no matter what it takes. By that time, I'll be whole again to deserve your love...

Thank you for all the good things you have showed me. Thank you for protecting me, and for conforting me. Thank you for being there for me when I needed someone. And most of all, thank you for loving me. Jed, please don't try to find me. I have to do these things by myself. I know one day we'll see again. If fate's on our side, I know one day I'll be back in your loving arms again. Please wait for me Jed... I love you...

Mariel

P.S.

I know you've always wanted to be a pianist... will you chase your dream for me?

His face is covered with tears by the time he finished reading her letter. It hurt when he learned she's gone, but he understood her reasons. He looked at his wall, where her drawing hung, and he smiled to himself. Deep in her heart, he's happy for Mariel. She's brave enough to deal with her own problems, and she was brave enough to leave and start a new life. He's happy for her... He walked up to the drawaing and touched it gently. "I will wait, Mariel... I will wait, even if it takes forever..." he said to himself. From this day on, he's looking forward for that day... and when she's back, he'll never let her go...

--

February 2009

His finger swift like a wind as he played his piece. It's his last piece for that night, and he's glad that his concert's over. Upon the last stroke on the key, his audience clapped their hands, and stood up. Jed smiled back at his audience as he stood up. He went at the center of the stage, and bowed. It was a great performance, and he's pleased with it.

Yes, Jed became a world-class pianist. He defied his father's wish and chased his dream. It didn't matter to him if he'll disown him, because all that matters is Mariel's request to chase his dream. He was fulfilled, and free. He felt like he got everything - fame, fortune, power. He had everything except for one thing - the girl he loves. The last ten years has been chaotic to him. Since Mariel left, he tried to find her warmth in other girls. He's always getting in and out of a relationship. He was finding Mariel in those girls, but he realized they could never be like Mariel. He waited for her, and she's still waiting for her.

"That's a good performance, Jed!" he heard his manager say. Jed just smiled back at him. "Thanks..."

"But it would really be great if you play 'Waiting' on your next concert. It's such a hit, you know..." Jed paused and looked at his manager. 'Waiting' was the piece that he played to Mariel before. He swore to himself that he will only play it again when he found Mariel. "But you know that..."

"I know, I know... I'm just trying to convince you to change your mind..."

His mind raced back to Mariel's memory. He knows she asked him not to find her, but he still tried to find her. "By the way... do you have the news from the P.I.?" he asked. His manager just shrugged his shoulder. "Same as always... they haven't found her..." he said. "What if she's... you know... dead?" Jed gave him dagger looks. "She's not dead. And don't say that ever again!" he shouted at him. After that, he stormed inside his dressing room.

--

Airport.

"It's good to be back..." Mariel said the moment she stepped out of the airport. She have been living for 10 years in the States, and it's her first time to come home. She had always wanted to come back, but she's not yet ready to face her past. She spent the last 10 years undergoing psychological therapy, and it paid off. Who would've thought 10 years later, that a timid and unconfident Mariel would become a famous Child Psychologist?

She have treated a lot of children who have been abused by their parents. That had helped her heal herself, but the true test is in facing her abusuve father in jail. "It seems a lot of things have changed here..." her foster mother, Agnes, said. "Yes, I guess a lot of things have changed..." she replied. Then she remembered Jed. 10 years ago, a day after her 18th brithday, she left him without his knowledge, only leaving a letter for him. She remembered telling him that he have to chase his dream to be apianist. 10 years later, he has became a renowned pianist. She watched some of his concerts abroad, but she was too careful not to be seen by him. Just watching him from afar would make her day, and for her, that's all that matters. "Still thinking of him?" her mother asked. Mariel looked at her smiled. "He never left my mind..." she replied.

Agnes knew everything about Jed and Mariel. It was Jed who brought her to the welfare center 10 years ago, and she witnessed how love seems to blossom between them, and she saw how Mariel cried the day they left abroad. "Why don't you find him?" she said to her daughter. "I don't know... maybe I still don't deserve him... I just left him just like that... maybe he's mad at me... maybe - "

"You wouldn't know the answer if you won't try, Mariel."

She realized her mom is right.

--

Mariel patiently waited at the visitor's area of the prison. Even before she came home, she decided to pay her bilogical father a visit. Has she forgiven her? Yes. Has she forgotten what he did to her? No. It will always be a scar in her heart. She never despised her father for hurting her, but she have to know why he did those things. Practice what you preach. She have been telling her patients to face their past so that they could move on, but she herself haven't done that. She have to do this for herself so that she could have a closure.

After a long wait, she saw a familiar man walking up to her, two guards were escorting him. She stood up from her seat, and faced her father. "Hi..." she said as soon as the guards left him. Her father just lowered his head, not knowing what to say to his daughter. "It's been a long time. How are you doing?" she said casually. Deep inside, she wanted to cry when she saw him again. "I... I'm OK... how are you?" he said in a low voice. "I'm doing great, dad..."

Then there was an awkward silence between them. She have always thought she's ready to face him, but at that moment, she wanted to back out. She didn't know what to say to him. All she wants to do is see him. "A-about what happened..." her dad said, finally breaking the silence between them. "Why, dad? Why did you do that to me?" she could already feel the tears coming out of her eyes. She tried to remain calm despite her emotions. "Did you ever loved me?" she asked again. Her dad looked up at her, with tears starting to flow from his eyes. "I do, Mariel... I do love you... but you always remind me of your mom... and I was afraid you would leave me just like what she did."

She knew it was a lame excuse, but still, she listened. "I'm really sorry, Mariel. If only I could turn back time, I whot take back what I have said and done to you... I regret everything..." Mariel gave him a weak smile. "I have forgiven you, dad... I have forgiven you..." she said. She held his hand, and they both cried. Time have already passed, and they both know, they could never change everything, but they can start all over again as father and daughter.

--

He played the piece again on his piano as he reminisce his memories with Mariel. "Where are you, Mariel?" he thought. Last night, he just had another dream about Mariel. He was chasding her, but before he could reach her, she faded. As soon as he finished playing the piano, his manager entered his music room. He stood up from his seat and greet him. "Do you have any news?" he asked. His manager just shooked his head. "I'm really sorry, Jed. But we're trying our best to find her..." he said. He was disappointed. He walked over the drawing (her drawing) on the wall, and gently touched her. "Jed," his manager said. "Maybe the reason why we can't find her, is because she don't want to be found... maybe you have to leave everything up to destiny..."

Jed didn't answer. He could still remember the line she wrote in her letter. Please don't find me... "But why? Why won't you let me look for you?" he thought. He closed his eyes for a long time. Please wait for me... "I've been waiting for you, Mariel... but when will I see you again?" he said to himself. "You know," he heard his manager say. "they say that if two people are meant for each other, no matter how far they are from each other, God will make a way for them to be together for the rest of their lives. I believe one day, you will see her again, and when you do, she will never leave your side..." Jed looked at him an smiled. Ever since he met him, he have given him words of wisdom. He knows he just need to have faith, and one day he will see her again. "Thanks..."

"Come on, cheer up! We still have to go to that art exhibit for the welfare center..." his manager said as he leave him.

--

Jed is one of the benefactors of the welfare center. There are times that he would have concert for the benefit of the center. It means so much for him, because it reminds him of how he helped Mariel. That night, the welfare center had an art exhibit, showcasing the paintings of the kids who are staying there. They are also showcasing some expensive paintings given by another benefactor.

The exhibit room is filled with people from the high society. The night is also filled with laughter, classical music, champagne, and caviar. Jed was looking at the paintings that he could add on his collection. He was surprised to know that the children at the center are very creative. "Just like Mariel..." he thought again. At the other side of the room, he saw a very familiar painting. He walked over it, and looked at it closely. It resembled the drawing Mariel made for their project before. It's a painting of a girl curled up in her bed with tears in her eyes, and a male angel behind her, consoling her. The only difference is that paints were used to this picture, while the one that he has was colored using crayons. He felt his heart started to beat faster as he looked closely at the painting. "She's here!" he thought. He just need to find a way to know who painted this, but his instincts tell him it's Mariel's work.

"I can see you're also interested in this painting..." he heard the events organizer say. "Who... who did this painting..." he asked, not taking his eyes off the painting. "From what I know, this was painted by a young girl who used to stay at the center. She was adopted by a rich woman. I heard she did this while studying abroad..." the events organizer said. "W-who... who is she..."

"Her name is Dr. Mariel Chen. She's a Child Psychologist."

Mariel...

He knew it was her. Maybe that's the reason why he can't her is because she used her adoptive mother's surname. From the way the organizer described her, he knew it was her. "Is... is she her?" he asked again. "Yes. You know, a lot of guests have already talked about buying her painting, but they told them it's not for sale. Too bad, it would raise a lot of money for the center if she'll sell it..." Jed turned to the organizer and smiled. "Thank you for that information..." he said. Then he went to look for his manager. He knows now how he could find Mariel amidst these crowd.

"I need a piano!" he said as soon as he saw his manager. "But Jed, this is an art exhibit... not a concert!" his manager told him. Jed just shook his head."I don't care, I just need a piano now... I need to play now!" he said firmly. When he looked at the stage, Jed saw the pianist from the orchestra about to take her break. He immediately ran to her, and asked if he could play the piano for a while.

--

When Mariel heard about the art exhibit for the benefit of the welfare center, she didn't hesitate to lend her painting. Her mom donated some paintings when they heard about the exhibit, and when the organizer saw her painting, they asked her if they could put it in display. She said yes, on the condition that it will not be sold. That painting means so much for her, because it reminds her of Jed.

That night, a lot of people have already talked to her about buying her painting. Some of them even offered millions of dollar, but she turned it down. It seems that the people that she talks to just want to buy her painting. Some of them even followed her and badger her until she could say yes, but they only got disappointed. She wanted to get away from this place first, and clear her mind. She decided to take a walk outside, but by the time she's at the door, she heard a familiar piece being played. She stopped walking, and looked at the direction of the guy playing the piano. Even from afar, she recognized his face. "Jed..." she thought.

Everyone's attention is now on Jed. All of the stopped, as they listen to him play. He's playing the most requested piece, 'Waiting', which he never plays on his concert. Mariel, on the other hand, tried to find her way to get near Jed. She looked up to him as he played. God knows she have been waiting for this day to come... she's used to seeing him from afar... but now she's standing in front of him, watching him as he plays his piece. 10 years has passed and her feeling have never changed for him. He's still the man that she loves, and will love for the rest of her life.

Fate.

It was fate that brought them together 10 years ago, it was fate that separated them... and now fate brought her back to him. The first time he told her he loves him, she was scared. She thought she never deserve him, for he's a perfect guy. That's why she chose to leave, because she have to pick up the pieces and learn to love herself before she could give herself to him. And now, she's ready to love him. There's no turning back now.

As soon as he finished playing, he turned to the crowd, and in front of them, he saw the girl he love. He felt his tears starting to fall, and he didn't hold it back. She was here, and his instincts are right. He stood up from his seat, and walked towards her. He never said a word. Instead, he just hugged her tight. He embraced her for a long time, and he doesn't care how many people are watching them. Then, he let go, and looked into her eyes. "You're back..." he said. "I've waited for you..."

"I'm sorry if I left... I just want to be someone who deserves your love..." Mariel said. Her tears were also starting to fall from her eyes. Jed wiped her tears, and smiled at her. "You will always deserve my love. And now that you're here, I will protect you and I will never ever let you go..."

"I love you, Jed..."

With that, he cupped his palm on her cheek, and kissed her lips. And with his kiss, he assured her that he'll stay with her forever...

THE END

Whisper

Bitter tears kept falling from her face as she lies down on her messy bed. Pictures of him were all over the place - some were torn apart, and some were just thrown away. His letters crumpled and torn as well, and their picture on the frame lay on the floor with broken glasses all over it. In a flash, everything ended just like that. No explanations, no apologies, no words of comfort as she cried in front of him. He have made his choice, and sadly, his choice is not her.

She wondered where she could have gone wrong. Is her love not enough to keep him? Is her love too much that it kills him? Or is it because she's just not enough? Questions... a lot of questions in her mind. But the questions will remain unanswered forever. The silence was deafening. It's as if her eardrum has been destoryed by a sound worth thousands of decibels. She can't even hear herself sob, or the lonely music that plays in an old music box.

They used to be happy. He used to love her so much, too much that it's too good to be true. But then one day, another girl came into his life and snatched him away from her. He was hers before she came. She should be the one he should be with, not her. She should be the one he chose, and not some slut. She should have know when he started to became too secretive. When he started to try seeing bad things about her. When he always starts a fight with her. She tried to understand him, but he wouldn't let her understand him. Then that day came, the day when she saw him making love with her... when she tried to fight for him, but then he shut her out of her life for she chose the other girl. Her world crumbled at the sound of his voice, asking her to leave. Her life shattered when she heard him say that he didn't love her anymore. When she walked through the paved road, it was like she was walking towards the path of hell. All of a sudden, everything just didn't matter anymore if she continued living without him.

She lay onto the red silk sheet of her bed. She closed her eyes, and remembered his smile, and how good-looking he was as he smiled at her. Now, that smile no longer belongs to her. He no longer belongs to her. They said that the ultimate catastrophes are as quiet as feather falling on the floor of a Zen monastery, and that no one else can really hear your heart breaking except you. As she opened her eyes, a sharpened knife slowly carressed her skin. She was trying to feel numb as she started to feel the pain. As the last teardrop fell from her eye, the last thing she felt was the silky red liquid flowing from her veins. She whispered his name as she took her last breath, and slumbered forever with the love that will remain unrequited...

THE END

Imperfect

He is an imperfect guy.

He burps out loud. He has an apetite of an elephant, but he doesn't get that fat. He laughs at the corniest joke. He is not your typical knight in shining armor, for he would always gets you in trouble. But even if he did, he'll stick with you all through out. He is not a gentleman. In a crowded bus, he will not give up his seat for you. He will not hold your hand when you cross the street. He will not give you the best part of your favorite food if he got it first. He would always stubbornly pull you in places he wanted to go. He doesn't listen to you and your advises. He have no sense of style, and you can see it by the way he dress. He doesn't like wearing suits and candlelit dinners in a fancy restaurant. When he sings, he's always out of tune. He always says the wrong things, and sometimes he's very vulgar. He will not surprise you with flowers. He have no clue on what you really want. You have to tell him directly what you want from him.

But...

He will always be there for you. If you cross the street and if a car would pass to hit you, he will pull you to the safe side, telling you in a worried tone how stupid you are for not seeing that car. He would tell you jokes just to make you smile, especially when you're sad. He would dare you to do the things that you haven't done before, and you'll find yourself enjoying it. He would look after you in a bus, checking if there would be a pervert who'll take advantage of you. And he will llisten to you eventually. He will take your advises, and you'll be surprised that he is slowly changing for you. And when he did, you'll wish he have never changed because you liked the old him. He may not like fancy dates, but he will give you a memorable one. He will always surprise you on your dates. He may not give you a bouquet of roses, but he will find the most beautiful flower he could find, and would tell you that you're as beautifule as that flower. He will dedicate a song for you in the radio, just to tell everyone how much he loves you. He may tell you the wrong things and the things that you don't want to hear, but he has the guts to say sorry, and he only said those things to open your eyes. He may not know what you want, but he knows what you need. You'll be surpised to find that he knows you more that you know yourself. And when the night comes, he will always make sure you're tucked in comfortobaly in your bed, and he will watch you as you sleep...

You can point out all of his imperfection, but as they say, nobody's perfect. It's hard to find someone who's perfect. It's hard to find someone who won't make you cry. Then, why don't you find someone imperfect whom you can love perfectly, and someone who's worth all the tears...

bu hui bah part 2!

And so, I met my bubbest mare, betsy right after my shift. We met at mcdo valeo and made chika about almost anything

then we went to digiprint in valero to print ikay's design for the shirt. all i can say is, calvin's too stubborn! imagine! we waited 4800 years just for his freakin face to come out of the printer? he got stuck and all! hehehe maybe he doesn't want to go here... so what? sayang, I so heart him pa naman

so the lady at digiprint asked us to go to lkg tower to print the things we have to print. she issues a receipt and asked for betsy's name. lo and behold! betsy's name became....

BETH SY.

on our way to LKG, i was laughing so hard. she just turned chinese. BETH SY.

and she remembered i am keisi... KAYE SY. her jie jie. she's my mei mei

Story: Fireworks and Shooting Stars - Foreword

They were 5 friends since kids...

5 individuals with 5 different paths to take

Chun, the oldest among them who shares his wisdom to the other four

Jiro, the clown who tries to hide his lonelines

Calvin, the one who brings life to the group, shares a dark secret

Kelsi, the girl who always looks after them have always loved one of them

and Aaron, the youngest whom they look after to

Complications starts when Chun and Jiro fell for the same girl. Who will she choose? Who will give way to another?

Aaron, the youngest, decides to pursue his dreams, leaving the four behind. How far will he go to reach his dreams?

Calvin knew right from the start that he is different. Will his friends ever understand him?

Kelsi blames herself for the death of the girl Chun loves. Her love for him will always remain unrequited.

After a new year starts, their lives will all change. One of them will have to say goodbye...

Is their friendship strong enough to keep them together?

Explanation

I'm talking about an experience way back when I started. I'm talking about how I feel with my current situation

And yes, I'm talking about my future plans...

Whatever it is... just ignore it... I just feel tired with all the commotion around me

Stop Haunting me!

I logged in today since I have to post something in the FRH forum...
and the song being played in the background is one of the songs here
arrgggghhh

STOP HAUNTING ME!

Wahaahahahaha... Yes I'm so mean!

People think I'm mabait...
Well, contrary to popular belief, I can be mean
Really really mean
Especially sa mga feeling na tao
I mean, yeah! I am one of those people na nagkakandarapa sa kanya
But I don't regard myself highly

At least I'm not ugly or rusty
At least I am not a try-hard chinese churva

As you can see, I am mean to someone simply because I see her as too feeling
She's too bossy
She's such an illegitimate royalty

Dorm 1 lang sya... Dorm 2 kami
At sa room 205 kaming lahat ok?

ok ok... room 203 na ako

I want out

i want a new work wherein

• it's not mandatory to work overtime and over the weekends
• there is no a**h** tl hat won't help you when you're in dire need, and will not ask you to look at something when YOU'RE ABOUT TO GO HOME AND YOU HAVE SHUT DOWN YOUR COMPUTER
• there is no irate client complaining about the bad service you gave simply because they have a lot of issues on their side
• i can do whatever it is i want to do
  

in your face!

eh kung tadyakan kita sa pagmumukha mo? you like? bakit? di ba ikaw ang nagsuggest ng lahat tas mang iiwan ka sa ere tapos nang nalaman mo yun, nagsasarili ka? well, ito lang masasabi ko sa yo...

IN YOUR FACE, PARE!

you will never ever ever ever ever succeed ok? our team will get through this, i swear, and if we succeed,

SORRY KA NA LANG!

The Four Seasons of Love - Part 2

Part 2: Summer - Hate that I Love You

Maybe that one thing that you're looking for
Is just in front of you all this time...

--

Wang Dong Cheng and Chen Jia Hua are sworn enemies. For her, he's an arrogant, egoistic freak. For him, she's a meanie brat and a show-off. He always pulls off her pigtails in kindergarten. She trips him when he passes by her in grade school. He always outshines her in singing competitions. She makes sure her grades are higher than his.

"What's with the competition with Da Dong?" Tian Fu Zen, Jia Hua's best friend once asked. “Fu Zen, hello? We basically hated each other since day 1!” Jia Hua answered in a matter-of-fact tone. “But why? Da Dong’s a nice guy, if you’ll only give him a chance…”
“Puh-leaze, Fu Zen. Being with that guy is the last thing I want to do. I won’t ever forgive him for bullying me when we were kids!”

Fu Zen just sighed and shook her head. Although she’s friends with both Da Dong and Jia Hua, there’s nothing she can do to make the two friends as well.

--

“Can you remind me again why you hate Jia Hua?” Tang Yu Zhe, Da Dong’s friend, asked one time while they were playing video games at the latter’s house. “Oh, man!” Da Dong groaned in frustration. “Why do you have to say the name of that brat? See what happened? I lost!” Yu Zhe just laughed at his friend. “You know, since I’m dating Fu Zen, I get to hang out with Jia Hua. She seems to be a nice girl…” Upon hearing that, Da Dong grabbed Yu Zhe by his collar and looked at him straight in the eyes. “Yu Zhe, my friend, don’t be fooled by that witch. She may look sweet and nice, but the truth is, she’s evil!”
“Da Dong, I’ve been dating Fu Zen for a year now. I’ve been hanging out with Jia Hua for a year, and I don’t see any reason why you should hate her.”

Da Dong let go of Yu Zhe and straightened up his clothes. “OK, Yu Zhe…” he said. “Let me tell you the reasons why I hate Jia Hua. First, we made me a fool in front of my crush, Lin Yi Chen, by pushing me into a mud pool…”

--

“Well Yeah, I did that” Jia Hua explained to Fu Zen as she took a bite from her sandwich. “But there’s a logical explanation for that.” Fu Zen gave her a curious look. “And that is?” she asked. “He threw an eraser at me. It hit my face.”

--

“She’s not my target, man! It’s that Ming Dao guy. Then she got in the way so the eraser hit her.” Da Dong explained to Yu Zhe. Yu Zhe just laughed at Da Dong as he tried to justify his actions. “Man, it must’ve hurt her that bad…” Yu Zhe said. “I know. I’ve apologized to her, but she pushed me down and I fell in a mud pool…”

--

“Then there was a time in middle school when he made booby traps in the hallway, and by the time I entered the classroom, I was so drenched.” Jia Hua said. “He did that?” Fu Zen asked. Jia Hua nodded her head. “He thinks of me as his guinea pig for his booby traps. He always does that.”

--

“Serves her right…” Da Dong said. “All the booby traps I made is especially for her.” He said as he munched his chips. “Ok… but what did Jia Hua did this time?” Yu Zhe asked. “Well first, she ruined my collage for home economics just because she thinks it’s a trash. Then, she encouraged Yi Chen to go out with Mike He. Then, she would “accidentally” trip me in front if Yi Chen. And she never lent me her notes during the whole week I was absent.” Da Dong explained. Yu Zhe just shook his head. “So for every wrong thing she did to you, you make a booby trap for her?” he asked. Da Dong smiled and nodded his head.

--

“First, his project is so horrible and he just leaves it lying around so I threw it. It was an honest mistake.” Jia Hua explained between bites. “And Yi Chen?”
“I didn’t know he have a huge crush on her. She was asking me if she should ask Mike He out, so I just gave her my humble opinion.”
“And your notes?”
“You know how neat I am with my things One time, I let him my notes and when he returned it to me, the pages are dirty.”

--

“Hey, did you guys even tried to have a truce?” Yu Zhe asked. Da Dong paused for a while and think. “Yeah, I guess in Junior high…” he said. “But then, she attacked me and hit me till I’m black and blue.”
“Maybe you did something that caused her to be mad at you again?”
Da Dong paused again and looked at Yu Zhe. He’s hesitating if he will tell Yu Zhe what he did to Jia Hua that time. “Da Dong?” Yu Zhe looked at him and smiled faintly. “Yes. I did something that I should have not done to her…”

--

Jia Hua paused as she remembered what Da Dong did in Junior High. “Jia Hua, is there something wrong?” Fu Zen asked. Jia Hua didn’t answer her. “I asked why did you have to hit him in Junior High?”
“He made a stupid bet with his friends…” Jia Hua finally answered. “His friends dared him, and they’ll give him NT$500 if he’ll be able to do it.”
“And the bet is?”
“To steal my first kiss…”

[Flashback]

Jia Hua was walking through the school’s hallway to go to the library when he met Da Dong. It’s been months since the last time they talked to each other, and that last time, they agreed to have a truce, and to mind each other’s business. “Hey, Hua…” he said, giving her a devilish smile. Jia Hua smirked at him. “As a reminder, we have an agreement to mind each other’s business, and not to talk to each other. Aren’t you forgetting that, egoistic freak?” she said. Da Dong acted like she didn’t hear her. He moved closer to her, and then held her by her shoulder. “Just. Shut. Up.” He said. Then, all of a sudden, he kissed her on the lips.

Jia Hua was surprised at what he did. Why the hell would he kiss her? Her eyes were wide open at that moment. She want to punch him, but as he kissed her, she felt so week. Then, Da Dong’s face moved away from her, then he smiled. “There.” He said. She was still speechless. “What? Never been kissed before?” he asked. Jia Hua lowered her head. She could feel her cheeks began to redden. “That… was… my… first kiss…” she said shyly. Da Dong was surprised at what she revealed. “Oh, great! I just stole her first kiss! What should I do?” he thought.

Then, she saw his two friends, Chen Yi and Hu Yu Wei running towards him. “Way to go Da Dong!” Chen Yi said, tapping his shoulder. Jia Hua gave him a startled look. Yu Wei took out a NT$500 bill from his pocket and handed it to Da Dong. “You won, Da Dong! It’s all yours!” Yu Wei said. Still startled, Jia Hua faced Da Dong and glared at him. “What the hell does this mean, Wang Dong Cheng???” she shouted. Da Dong was not able to answer her, instead, Chen Yi stepped up for him. “We had a dare with Da Dong. If he could kiss you, he gets 500 bucks.” Chen Yi explained.

Upon hearing this, Jia Hua got really furious. She could fee the steam building up her head. “Da Dong…” she shouted. Chen Yi, Yu Wei and Da Dong knows exactly what’s going to happen next. “Uh… I guess we better run for our lives?” Yu Wei asked. The two agreed, and they ran away from Jia Hua. But, on their way, Da Dong fell down, and Jia Hua was able to catch him. “Hua! No!” he pleaded. “You must know better that stealing a girl’s first kiss!” she shouted. And with that, she began to punch him.

{End of Flashback}

--

Saturday Night.

Fu Zen and Jia Hua went to their favorite bar. Outside the bar, they met Da Dong and Yu Zhe. “Here they are!” Yu Zhe said. As soon as the two girls arrived, Yu Zhe hugged his girlfriend and gave her a kiss. “Hi, Yu Zhe.” Jia Hua said with a smile. She then looked at Da Dong, who was standing next to him. “Hi. Da Dong.” She said blandly, then she rolled her eyes at him. “Hi, Fu Zen!” Da Dong said cheekily. “Hi. Jia Hua.” He said mockingly. Then, he stuck his tongue out at her.

“Wang Dong Cheng, stop being too childish.” Yu Zhe said. He put his arms around Fu Zen and smiled at the two, who were almost starting to fight. “Da Dong, why don’t you accompany Jia Hua while me and Yu Zhe check if we can already go inside the bar?” Fu Zen suggested. Before the two could react violently, the two love birs were already out of their sight.

“Look, Da Dong,” Jia Hua hissed at him. “Don’t ever try to ruin my night, or else you’ll really get it.” Da Dong smirked at her. “Actually, my dear Jia Hua, I should be the one who should warn you. Whenever you’re around me, something bad happened to me, so you better leave me alone ok?”

“Oh, really? Isn’t it supposed to be the other way around?”

“Of course, not! Didn’t you know your name is synonymous to bad luck?”

“And your name is synonymous to tragedy!”

In the middle of their mature conversation, Da Dong saw a familiar face entering the bar. It was Jia Hua’s boyfriend, Ruan Jiung Ting. But he’s not alone - he’s with his long time crush, Lin Yi Chen. He watched them, as Ah Jing kissed Yi Chen on the lips while waiting for their turn to get inside the bar, He felt as if someone threw cold water at him, and he could feel his face became pale.

“What now, Wang Dong Cheng? Can’t think of any come backs?” Jia Hua said. Da Dong paused, then he looked at her. “Hua, no matter what happen, don’t look back…” he said in a sympathetic tone. Jia Hua gave him a quizzical look. “Why?” she asked. Then she looked back, only to find her boyfriend flirting with another girl. Not just any other girl, it was her long-time friend. “Why are you so stubborn?! I told you not to look back!” Da dong shouted at her. He could feel how upset she is, because he also feels the same. Jia Hua didn’t answer him. Instead, he heard her muffled cry. “Jia Hua? Jia Hua… look, I’m sorry…” he said as he put his hand on her shoulder. He could sense that she could breajdiwb anytime, or she might go to her boyfriend and confront him, so he decided to get her out of that place.

--

“You can laugh at me now…” Jia Hua said between sobs. They’re inside Da Dong’s car, and Da Dong just drove away from the bar. All through out, He was listening to Jia Hua’s cry. “Ha Ha Ha. There. I laughed.” He said monotonously. After a few years, he was able to see Jia hua cry again. He’s used to seeing her cry when they were kids, but it was because he bullies her or he did something terrible to her. Now, he’s seeing her cry because of some jerk who two-timed her with her friend. “Hua, you’re not the only one upset with that scene. I have just seen the girl I love kiss with another guy…” he said in a low voice. “But there’s a difference – Ah Jing’s my boyfriend and Chen Chen’s just your crush…”

“But I am courting her, I thought I have a chance with her until… until tonight…”

Da Dong took out his hanky, and wiped Jia Hua’s tears. “Mao Mao, you don’t have to cry over that guy. Besides, you deserve someone better…” he said. Jia Hua was surprised when Da Dong called her Mao Mao. It was her nickname as a kid. “Wow… I can’t believe you still remember my nickname, Da Dong…” she said as she smiled at him. “Of course. I’ve known you all my life. I still remember everything about you even though we’re not in good terms before.” He said. Jia Hua put her head on his shoulder, and hugged his arm. “Thank you for being here with me, Da Don…” She said. Da Dong smiled as she caressed her head. “Now that you’re done crying, it’s my turn to breakdown.”

--

Days passed by and Jia Hua and Da Dong became much closer, Theor fights had lessended, and they started to enjoy each other’s company. Their friends, especially Yu Zhe and Fu Zen, were happy about this, because they don’t have t pull them away from each other whenever they clash.

“Hey Mao Mao!” Da Dong called one afternoon whn he spotted her at the University’s cafeteria. Jia Hua was with Fu Zen and Chen Yi Ru, who’s one of their friends. Jia Hua smiled at him. Da Dong was with Yu Zhen and Zhang Shao Han (another friend) that time. “Hey Mao Mao, there’s a new ice cream parlor near the uni. Want to go there later/” Da Dong asked as he sat beside her. “Sure, no prob! You know how much I love ice cream!” she said as she smiled sweetly as him, :I know that’s why I asked you to go with me there. I’ll see after class, ok?”

After that, Da Dong and his company left. “OK. Since when did Da Dong start calling you Mao Mao? Fu Zen probed as soon as Da Dong’s out of sight. “Since like we were kids?” Jia Hua answered. Yi Ru just gave her a devilish smile after hearing her answer. “Yeah, right! Isn’t it a little suspicious that from sworn enemies, you became like the best of friends?” he said. Jia Hua gave Yi Ru dagger looks. “Don’t start analyzing, Mr. Psych Major!” she threatened. Fu Zen looked at Yi Ru and smiled. “Are you insinuating something, Ru Ge?” she asked. Yi Ru looked at Fu Zen and smiled. “Maybe the reason why they hated each other before is because they can’t admit to themselves that they’re attracted to each other.” He explained. Then, Yi Ru looked at Jia Hua. “Haven’t you heard of the saying ‘The more you hate, the more you love’?”

--

“Me? Like like her?” Da Dong asked in a bewildered tone. Shao Han nodded her head. Da Dong let out a nervous laugh and shook his head. “No way! She’s just,,, you know.. Mao Mao. She’s a childhood friend whom I hated before, and got close with recently. That’s it!” he explained. “Well, maybe for you she’s just that. But we’re seeing things differently, expecially with the way you treat her.” Shao Han said. Yu Zhe nodded his head in agreement. “Hey, she just broke up with that jerk, who by the way is now dating the girl of my dreams. That’s the reason why we became friends.” Da dong reasoned out. Shao Han smiled at Da Dong. “Why? Don’t tell me there was never a time you got attracted to her?” She asked. Da Dong paused, not knowing what to reason out, because he realized that what Shao Han’s telling him now, is exactly true.

--

“Yes, I did…” he told himself. “That’s why I like bullying her, I love it when she’s mad… I love the attention she gives me…”

--

“I love him?” Jia Hua thought. “I guess I am…” She remembered the real reason why she hated him – it’s because their friends tease them to each other. She also remembered being too jealous when she found out Da Dong have a crush on Chen Chen, that’s why she did everything so that he would look like a fool in front of him, and eventually telling Chen Chen to go out with Mike He. And the first time Da Dong kissed her, she was crushed when she found out he did that because of a dare.

--

“Maybe that’s why I cared for her…” Da Dong thought. He swore before that he’s the only person who have the right to torture Jia Hua and make her cry. That’s why when he saw Jian Tian with Yi Chen at the bar, he was more upset for her that he is for himself. That night that he saw her cry, he told himself that he will never make her cry again.

That time, he was her shoulder to cry on.

And he loved that feeling – that feeling that she needs him.

--

They found themselves alone at the hallway that afternoon. “Hey…” Jia Hua greeted. Da Dong smiled faintly at her. “Hey….”

Silence.

“You know what…” Da Dong began. “We have the craziest friends…” Jia Hua gave him a startled look. “Why?”

“Well, Shao Han thought that I like you…”

“You don’t like me?”

Da Dong looked at her, and he could see the disappointment in her eyes. “I like you, Mao Mao…” he said. But all he wanted to say is that he loves her. Da Dong stared at her for the longest time. “I really do…” he said in a low voice. Jia Hua found herself looking into his brown eyes. “You never looked at me like this…” she muttered. “I… I can’t help it…”

Slowly, he went closer to her. He was too close, that Jia Hua could almost hear his heart beat. “Maybe, the reason why I hated you before is because… I can’t admit to myself that I love you…” Da Dong said. Then, he cupped her chin, and kissed her lips for a long time. After he kissed her, Jia Hua smiled at him. “And I love you too, Da Dong…” she said.

THE END