GELO'S POV:
Since the first time I met Cleane, of which of course, I didn't know her name yet, only to know after I hear, probably her mother called her by it.
At that very moment, I have never thought that someone would step up for me. Not until she appeared.
I gotta be honest, I have never known love at that young age. I was probably amazed by how she is: cute, kind, smart and brave.
While me? Hindi ako matalino, hindi rin ako matapang. I even have tanned complexion but not black, and I have scars from chicken pox.
And, what made it worse? I had acne breakouts when I was eleven.
Not only did it demolish my confidence, but it made me hide myself from Cleane. Who, by that time, is a popular student of our school because as I said, she's a genius. Like very genius. She was always the top student of our batch and wins almost all contests she joined. And like always, I was there to cheer for her. Secretly.
Palagi siyang nakasakay sa tricycle noon kapag pumupunta sa school. At palagi ko ring sinisiguro na nakikita ko siyang safe na nakakarating dahil hinihintay ko siya palagi sa babaan niya ng tricycle.
Mahirap lang kami noon. Not until Dad became an OFW, a Domestic Helper in Italy, and it was him who inherited his employer's assets and other properties when he died. Sabi ni Dad na napakaclose nilang dalawa. His employer even treated him as his son.
And so, in his last will of testament, he wrote Dad's name as the only inheritor because he has no other inheritor to proclaim. Fortunate for us, isn't it?
We became instant millionaires but it does not mean that I must change my attitude. Yet, because of that, it has given me the opportunity to take care of myself. It has given me the chance to groom for myself. I went to a dermatologist to help with my skin, and I bought products that'll make me look good.
I was in high school then when we suddenly became rich. And by that time, Cleane and I went on our separate ways.
Dad established a hotel for which he named Tigra Givlet Hotel; patterned with our family's names: Trystan, my father; Gellie Grace, my mother; Gavrielle Troy, Ate; and me, Gelo Travis. And up to this date, it's been running smoothly and we’ll be establishing more in the country.
Nagpatayo na rin ako ng sarili kong negosyo malapit sa school namin. And I named it in line with mine and Cleane's name. So it would feel so close to my heart. And who knows? Maybe someday, we'll run it together.
Bago pa ako nakapagtransfer sa Atendelle Prima University- High School during Grade 9, from time to time, the products that I have been using and my time with the dermatologist have been very effective. I did see the huge difference for what I looked like before and now.
I did not only focus on grooming myself during high school. But I also focused on studying because I really wanted to be better. And by that time, I just know that I'm not just attracted to Cleane. I'm in love; consummately in love.
Even when I'm in a different school than hers, this does not affect on keeping me updated about her because I had a gigantic help; from no other than, her Kuya Abcdef.
I've been visiting their home when Cleane is at school. Then I met Kuya Abcdef.
At first, we weren't okay because he's very strict when it comes to Cleane, most especially that I come there to ask about her. Pero naging matapat ako kay Kuya Abcdef. I told him my story, I told him my feelings, and I told him my purpose. I always believe that action speaks louder than words.
Months I have proved my true intentions to Cleane even though we don't have any personal interactions, and Kuya Abcdef saw that. He later on trusted me and keeps me updated about Cleane. I even knew that Cleane had a boyfriend, and I'm not yet in the position to hinder that.
I was honestly devastated for months, yet I did not allow it to ruin my goals of being better. Still, it was pretty evident that I was broken. Xeian, Zyrone and Marcou as well as Kitty and Yvan saw how broken I was. They were witnesses of my depression. But they never judged me.
I never had a girlfriend, and I never had any attraction for somebody else aside Cleane. Siya lang naman kasi talaga ang nilalaman nitong puso ko. But turns out, she already has someone else.
My hope eventually flamed up again when Kuya Abcdef told me that Cleane and her "boyfriend" had broken up. I can't help but to cheer in happiness, celebrate? And. . . and feel alive again. Kuya has already told me that Cleane will go to Atendelle for college and that excites me more that I even devised a plan.
I have always hoped that what I am writing on the stars will soon come true. As what Lola used to tell me. But, I know too well that I should not just rely on that. I, too, must make my move to supplement my wishes.
And now, that Cleane is finally a stretch away from me, I will no longer waste any second, any opportunity to make her love me.
I will do everything to make her mine. Cleane deserves the best, and I will be the best for her. No one else. Only me and her.
CLEANE'S POV:
"Classmate ko si Gelo nung elementary at. . . natulungan ko na siya noon sa mga bullies niya," sabi ko na halos pabulog na. Kitty and Yvan gasps in surprise while Kurt remains silent.
Nasa bean bag section ulit kami ng Vistra Cleane Café and Resto dahil vacant time ulit naming sa school.
"Seryoso ba,Cleane? Is this destiny, making her way around you and Gelo?" Kitty seems so imaginative. Si Yvan naman ay may mapanuksong ngiti sa kanyang mga labi habang huminga ako nang malalim.
"Siguro. . ."
"Siguro?" pag-uulit ni Kurt.
Mukhang na-a-amaze yata si Kitty sa sagot ko. "Siguro? So you really believe it's destiny? Sooo. . . Hinahanap din siya ng puso mo, bheee? Yieeeeeehhh. . ."
"You love him, too, Cleane?" marahang tanong ni Kurt. Tila may narinig din akong lungkot sa pagkakasabi niya nun.
Napabuntong-hininga ako at napakagat sa veggi burger na hawak ko ngayon. Napansin kong parang naghihintay pa rin si Kurt sa sagot ko.
“Mhmmm,” sabay tango ko at napatili na nga sina Kitty at Yvan.
Hindi pa nakuntento si Kitty at pinuntahan pa ‘ko para yakapin.
“I’m so happy for the both of you!” sabi niya pagkatapos niya kong yakapin at tila pinunasan ang ilalim ng kanyang mata. Pagkatapos ay hinawakan niya ang mga kamay ko.
“Finally, may nakasungkit na din sa loyal na puso ni Gelo. Ikaw lang pala yun, Cleane. Ikaw pala ‘yung dinadahilan niyang ‘only one’ niya sa mga nanliligaw sa kanya. And. . . and. . . I’m so proud of myself na ako pinakaunang bestfriend mo. . .” dagdag niya pa habang nanginginig ang boses niya dahil tumutulo na ang mga luha niya.
Maging ako ma’y naluluha na din, Kitty.
“Ikaw na talaga’ng pinagpala, Cleane. . . Bow na kami sa’yo,” napatingin ako kay Yvan at naghahands down gesture siya.
“Ayos lang sa inyo ang maging kami ni Gelo?” tanong ko nang marahan.
“Syempre naman, Cleane. Kami pa nga ang number one cheerer niyo eh. Matagal na naming alam ang tungkol sa inyong dalawa at walang issue sa’min ‘yun. In fact, we’re even supporting you,” sagot ni Yvan. “Hindi naman kayo tinuruan na magmahal diba? Kusa niyo yang naramdaman, and it is never a sin to love someone deeply.”
“Yes, Cleane. And what matters the most ay ang kasiyahan niyong dalawa. Nakikita ko sa mga mata ninyo ang glow kapag magkasama, magtinginan o kahit na masambit ninyo ang pangalan ng isa’t isa. And, mahirap mahanap ang true love. If you feel it’s Gelo, it’s Gelo. Huwag ka nang mag-alala sa iisipin ng iba. Just think about the two of you,” dagdag pa ni Kitty.
“Awwww. . .” at naluha na naman ako tsaka niyakap ulit ako ni Kitty.
“Ang swerte ko talaga sa inyo,” sabi ko habang lumuluha.
YOU ARE READING
A JAR OF STARS (ON-GOING)
Teen Fiction"CAN WISHES WRITTEN ON THE STARS COME TRUE?" Cleane Xyz Cortez is a reserved person, likes to eat foods, and loves the Sad Song by We The Kings, and writes her wishes in origami stars and store them in a jar since elementary. When she goes to Atende...
