Gleaming City Lights

01: Firstia

gleaming city lights chapter 1: Firstia

"Anak, tapos kana ba? Kailangan mo nang pumunta ng pier. Baka maiwan ka ng Ferry."

"Opo, just a minute lang po." I quickly put all my books inside my backpack before leaving my room. Nagmamadali na akong lumabas ng silid. I almost fell off because my bag is so heavy and it's full of all the books I have. Good thing I maintained my balance.

"Mag-iingat ka roon ha, anak. Alagaan mo ang sarili mo at wag ka magpapalipas ng gutom." Mama's tearing up seeing me leave. Nakasakay na ako sa tricycle at handa nang umalis.

"Opo, I promise I'll take care of myself. Don't worry about me po." I gave her a bright smile. Mas lalo naman siyang naiyak at gusto pa ako pigilang umalis. Papa's holding her while tears was also falling from his eyes.

"Mami-miss ka namin, Firstia anak." My parents waved goodbye at me.

Ayaw sana nila na umalis ko, but I already made up my mind. I will accept my father's offer to study in Legazpi City this senior high school. Sa isla kami naninirahan ni Mama simula bata pa lamang ako. This is my first time going to the city and I'm really excited.

"Oh my gosh, beshy ko! Babyahe ka rin?!" My eyes widened when I saw Leyna, my best friend, on board. Tumayo siya sa kanyang upuan at mahigpit akong niyakap. Gumaan naman ang pakiramdam ko na kasama ko siya sa byahe na ito.

"Good morning po, tito't tita." I politely greeted her parents. Tumango naman sila at sinabing sa kanila na ako makiupo. Kaibigan ko si Leyna simula grade school. She's my closest friend and I'm also close to her parents. Sobrang bait nila sa'kin. They also gave me food a while ago.

"Kumain ka, hija. Matagal pa naman ang byahe." tito advised.

"Trueness, beshy ko! Mahihilo ka niyan pag walang laman ang tiyan mo sige." ani Leyna.

I slept during the 4 hour ferry ride from the island to Legazpi City. Leyna let me sleep on her shoulders while she's watching anime the whole ride. Plano ko sana magbasa buong byahe pero dinalaw ako ng antok.

Touchdown Legazpi City.

Sobra akong namangha sa dami ng sasakyan at matataas na buildings nang makababa na ako sa ferry. Ang ganda! It's like a whole new world straight from the books!

"Sigurado ka ba, Firstia anak? Pwede ka naming idadaan sa pupuntahan mo." Tita insisted that I should come with them but I refused. May sarili kasi silang kotse pero may susundo na kasi sa akin.

Napabuntong-hininga si tita. "Oh siya, mag-iingat ka ha."

"Babye, beshy ko! Gala tayo sa susunod ha." Leyna hugged me and they left.

Nakaawang pa ang bibig ko sa pagkamangha nang may humintong sasakyan sa harap ko. A man in a suit went out of the luxurious looking car and approached me.

"Are you Firstia Soleil?" the man said with too much authority in his voice. Nakaramdam naman ako ng hiya. He sounded like he's interrogating me.

"Yes po. That's my name." I shyly answered.

He told me that he's Mr. Ollorga and he's working for Gregorio Velasco-who is my biological father. Papa isn't my real father. Alam ko na ito noong bata pa lamang ako. Some people often asked me why I don't look like my parents at all. I have pale skin, soft features, and brown upturned eyes. Ibang-iba sa mga magulang ko na tanned skin at black doe eyes. Iyon ang dahilan kaya na-curious ako sa sarili. I then asked Mama about it and she confessed that they're not my real parents. My biological mother is Mama's cousin, Francesca, who died while giving birth to me and my biological father is Gregorio Velasco, who's a wealthy politician.