Chapter 1 WHO AM I?

MEMORIES. You don’t know how important it was until it’s gone, or you can’t create new one.

LOVE. You don’t really know the value of love until you’re willing to sacrifice everything. Even though it cost you pain.

LOVE. MEMORIES. Both were taken away from me.

HEIRS OF ATTICUS

“Be careful what you summoned.” The last words I heard before I passed out. The next thing I know I woke up with…

“Wait, nasaan ako?” nagtataka kong tanong sa sarili ko.

“Finally, you’re awake Leyra” Bungad sa’kin ng isang babaeng di ko pa masyadong maaninag ang mukha.

“Who are you?” I asked her and to the rest of this two people inside of this so boring room, in confusion of course. Nagtitigan lang sila na parang mga tanga? Hello? Tinatanong ko kayo? Baka may balak kayo sumagot?

“Lady, I’m your mom, we’re your family.” I was shocked, they’re my family. The hell did I forgot? So stupid.

“Are you sure? Sigurado kayo?” medyo sarcastic kong tanong, kalimutan ko na lahat ‘wag lang yung trust issues ko.

“Doc, what happened?” She asked the man in white suit.

“Madam, as what I have said before your daughter might suffer amnesia.” Nang marinig ko ‘yon nanghina ako bigla.

“What’s Amnesia?” I asked.

“It’s a loss of memory,” he replied.

“W-what? A-amnesia? No way. I just passed out last night, so it’s not possible,” I insisted, and now they’re looking at me cluelessly and before I realize what happened my mom spoke. “Lady, you’re in coma for these past 3 years.”

What the hell did I just heard? Naluha na lang ako sa nalaman ko, imagine missing your life for 3 years. I just blink and then woke up and forgot everything? What did just happen?

“Because of the incident that caused severe damaged in her brain, your daughter suffered from Anterograde amnesia, it is a loss of the ability to create new memories, leading to a partial or complete inability to recall the recent past, while long-term memories from before the event remain intact. When you have anterograde amnesia, you can’t form new memories. This effect can be temporary. And this can affect your daily activities. But as of now siguro hindi pa bumabalik yung memories n’ya kasi kakagising n’ya lang from a long coma pero ‘di rin magtatagal at babalik din yung memories n’ya from the past and let’s hope for good na makikilala n’ya kayo.”

My mom asked, “So ibig sabihin doc, yung mga memories na maaacquire n’ya ngayon will lost just in a snap? “

“I’m sorry, madam.”

“Is there anything that we can do?”

“We can do therapy, but we cannot assure that it would help her.”

After we heard that everyone is crying in the room now. Bakit sa’kin pa nangyari ito? Out of crying from confusion, bigla na lang sumakit ang ulo ko. Then everyone got panicked. I’m crying now in pain and then bigla na lang nag black out ang paningin ko.

“Happy Anniversary, Love.” Klio kissed my back, I turned to him.

“Happy Anniversary. I love you. “ I kissed him. And now we’re dancing under the moonlight.

He is Kliosate Atticus Havero my boyfriend, we’ve been together for almost 5 years now. We met in highschool, in the guidance.

FLASHBACK

“So, it’s you again Miss Madrid? What is it now? “ Inis na naman na sambit ng principal namin na yung kilay parang tindera sa canteen. Habang pinagmamasdan ko yung kilay n’ya biglang bumukas ang mahiwagang pinto, isa na namang demon ang napunta sa kalangitan. In fairness pogi, pwede na.

“Mr. Havero? You too? What’s wrong with you people?” Galit na ang Senyora ng paaralan.

“Ma’am, I saw Mr. Havero trimming those Santan flowers in the quadrangle!” reklamo ng mataray na teacher na ‘to

“It’s Ixora Coccinea,” he insisted.

“What?” tunganga si teacher ta’s nakita ko kumuha ng cellphone yung teacher ko nag google siguro.

“I said it is Ixora Coccinea, a genus of flowering plants in the Rubiaceae family. It consists of tropical evergreen trees and shrubs and holds around 500 species. It is a dense, multi-branched evergreen shrub that is fairly small that grows about 4 to 6 ft.” Beauty and brain si pogi. Ano kayo ngayon ha?

“The scene is yours!” sigaw ko. Now their eyes are on me.

“Quiet, Miss Madrid!” pinagalitan tuloy ako. Ang saya!

“It is still Santan,” giit ni teacher, ayaw patalo ni teacher.

“I don’t use that word.” He answered with confidence. Omg bars, inis lalo yung teacher eh.

“So what’s the problem with that Miss Lopez? Mr. Havero is just generous to help in trimming.”

“Trimming in a figure of a d*ck?” Nang masabi iyon ni Miss Lopez di na’ko nakapag pigil ng tawa, pati si matalinong bastos natawa na rin sa kalokohan n’ya, napaaray nalang ako ng bigla ako kurotin ni Sir Mendez sa tagiliran. Tang*na malaking pagsubok ang magpigil ng tawa.

“Both of you stop laughing!” sigaw ni Senyora. Galit na talaga si Principal.

“How about you Miss Madrid? What is it again?” Her attention diverted on me.

“Ma’am, I caught her cheating in my class,” saad ng teacher kong pakialamero akala mo naman nagtuturo sa klase.

“Namigay lang naman ako ng papel,” I insisted, trying to make a sarcastic face.

“Namigay nang papel na may sagot na.” saad ng teacher ko. Biglang natawa si Boy santan.

“Sorry naman sayang pera eh, bussiness minded lang po ako.”

“Miss Madrid, stop this nonsense!” sigaw ni Principal galit na galit na talaga siya.

“Both of you, this is the last time I would give you a chance. If you do this again both of you are expelled! I will surely address this both to your parents

So ayon pinagalitan lang kami sa guidance, walang bago. Nang lumabas na kami may tumawag sa’kin.

“Hey!” I turned to him. Yes si Havero yung tumawag sa’kin.

“Oh bakit boy santan?” pang aasar na tanong ko sa kanya

“I said I don’t use that word,” he insisted and looking at me seriously and I’m not lying when I say that I find him more attractive with that look. I gulp a little bit.

I cleared my throat,”Pake ko? I used that word. “ Pagtataray ko sa kanya.

“You’re disrespecting me, “ he replied and gave me a fascinating smirk.

“Wow? Okay. So what now?” Attitude kong tanong sa kanya.

“I’m Kliosate Atticus Havero,” he said as if I want to know his name.

“Did I ask?” Lumapit s’ya sa’kin, sobrang lapit at mukhang magkakapalit na kami ng mukha.

“I know you want it,” he whispered. And, before he walk away he added,”By the way, it’s Klio for short.” Napaawang ang mga labi ko, hindi dahil sa pangalan niya kun’di dahil sa kakapalan ng mukha niya.

I watched him finally walked away.

So ayon grabe ang lakas ng confidence, akala niya siguro interesado ako sa kanya.

***

Pagkatapos ng mga pangyayaring iyon umuwi na agad ako sa bahay and to my surprise, exactly not a surprise anymore.

“Lady, what is it this time!? “ sigaw agad ni Mommy pagkapasok ko.

So before this drama let me introduce to you my family, that woman yelling is of course my Mom Raya Sirida Madrid, she’s a beautiful woman but she was raised strictly by our grandparents that’s why everything in this house is organized, no wonder she call me Lady for formality daw. Ang daming learnings ng nanay ko e’ anak n’ya naman kami at nasa bahay lang naman kami. She also calls my younger sisters like that. She never called us by our name or anak man lang. Kaya siguro hindi kami gano’n ka close ni mommy kasi magkaiba talaga kami ng prinsipyo at pananaw sa buhay. The guy standing on the corner is my Dad. He's Mcleyn Madrid. Sa lahat ng tao dito sa bahay si Daddy lang talaga yung close ko at nakakaintindi sa’kin. Sa kanya siguro ako nagmana. So ayon let’s continue this drama na.

“Wait ma, uupo lang ako.” I interrupted and sit on the couch.

“Go!” I added and she started yelling.

“The Principal called again. You were caught cheating? Now explain!”

“Mom, I’m tired of explaining. I cheated that’s it.”

“You’re really a disgrace in this family!“ I smiled at my Mom and pretend it doesn’t hurt me. Tumayo ako at umakyat sa kwarto.

“I’m still talking to you! Lady!” Hindi ko na pinansin si mommy dumiretso lang ako sa taas. I was about to lay on my bed but someone’s knocking on my door. I know it was Dad so I opened it.

“Dad? Papagalitan mo din ako?” I smiled bitterly.

“You’re too much, sweetheart,” he said with a calm voice.

“What should I do Dad, huh? She always wants us to be like her. We are not like her Dad. I am not like her!”

“Your mom just wants you to be better.” I looked at Dad.

“Better? Dad you know I was once a better person just for her, did she recognize that? Did she even notice me? No. She never treated me like her daughter, she didn’t even call me by my name.”

“That’s not true, Leyra. Your mom loved you, all of you. That’s why she disciplined all of you in the way she knew.” Dad insisted.

“I get it Dad. But did you know how much it hurts to be compared with your mom?” My tears started to fall.

“Everywhere I go, I always end up comparing to mom. People always recognize me as her daughter, they’ve always expected me to be as intelligent and beautiful as her. I can’t be intelligent as her, disciplined, responsible and beautiful as her. I can’t be like her, Dad.”

“You can’t be your mom, but you can be yourself.”

“But this is my real self, Dad. And you guys can’t even accept it.”

“But being yourself is ruining your life,” sabi ni Daddy.

Siguro kaya nasabi ni Dad because he’s pertaining to the way I used to live. I have so many records in school on how messed up I am as a person. I’ve been also addressed as a bitch and a slut in some ways. Most of those are false accusations, that my parents choose to believe. Well, that doesn’t matter to me anyway, I don’t care how they perceived me as a person. As long as I’m happy, their opinions don’t matter. Well, I used to be a modest and smart lady back then who always top on class and dresses as a fine lady and have that cottage core fashion-since most ladies in here dresses like that-but now I’ve changed. When I just reached 18 early this year, I always wear this kind of revealing clothes, crop fitted tops, baggy jeans. Well can they blame me? If my fashion preferences just changed. I love who I am now and besides it has nothing to do of who I am as a person.

“I want to rest, Dad.” Pag iiba ko sa usapan, ayoko nang sumagot pa alam kong hahaba lang ang usapan. Alam ko naman na lahat ng ginagawa nila is for me to become better but I’m also doing this for them to notice me. See, mistakes have really a big impact. I grow up without them by my side. My Dad work in a company of a well-known billionaire in Spain, so he barely comes home. On the other hand, my Mom is the daughter of the famous hacienderos here in Las Haciendas, she was always busy, she comes from an elite family that’s why she is raised that way and that blood reigns in me but I don’t care as long as I’m alive I’m fine with it. They both had me when they were still young, 18 to be exact. Mom is 36 now but she still looks as a teenager, she ages as fine wine. Itinakwil ng grandparents ko si Mom, because they had me. See di pa ako ipinanganak sa mundo, nagdala na ako nang problema. Growing up I didn’t even know my Mom’s family side. I just knew their names and recognized them but didn’t have a chance to bond with them. I was okay with Daddy’s family because I know he’s the only child and both of my grandparents are dead. Daddy’s parents are also a haciendero’s but not as rich as Mom’s family.

“LAS HACIENDAS” is a secluded place with a greenly mountainous view with a mix cultural influence especially Spanish. Despite being beautiful in nature, this place has a darkest secret. It is the home of the Elites, or mostly Haciendero’s and Haciendera’s . This is a non- government place, which means everything that is happening here are out of hands of the government nor any person who’s not living in this place. No rules for everything but there is a punishment. Know your actions.

***

Next morning.

Pagkagising ko agad na akong nag ayos para pumunta sa school, umalis ako ng maaga sa bahay. I prefer to be at school than in our house. Pagdating ko ng school pumasok na agad ako sa room buti nalang wala pang mga tao, naisipan kong umidlip muna, maya’t maya naririnig ko na may pumapasok nang mga studyante hinayaan ko lang sila wala akong pake sa kanila, beauty rest muna ako. Ilang minuto pa ang nakalipas nagising ako sa ingay ng tawanan ng mga estudyante sa room, hinayaan ko lang sila pero habang tumatagal ayaw pa din tumigil sa kakatawa ‘tong mga f*cking classmates ko kaya sinigawan ko na sila sa inis.

“Tangina! Lakasan niyo pa!” Natahimik sila saglit tapos tumawa ulit, huli ko nang marealize na may tao na pala sa harapan ko nakatayo at nakatingin silang lahat sa’kin habang tumatawa.

“You must be Miss Madrid?” sabi ng lalaking ito sa harap ko na kung makapagtaas ng boses akala mo may ambag sa buhay ko.

“Sino ka ba?” attitude kong tanong. Bahala s’ya attitude ako eh pake n’ya.

“I’m sorry to disturb you sleeping beauty. I am Professor Garcia and I think you entered a wrong section.”

Professor pala itong tinatarayan ko, lagot na naman tayo ng slight. Napatingin ako sa paligid di ko nga sila kaklase. So stupid Leyra! I was about to defend myself, but someone stood up at the back.

“She did it on purpose. She just wants to see me.” Napahiyaw lalo ang tao sa room, napatingin ako sa kanya and surprise it was him, si Mister Havero. His confidence level is higher than my IQ. At dahil loka- loka ako lumapit ako sa kanya. And now everyone is looking at us.

“I just fell asleep waited for you. I wanted to kiss you right now but guess we’re in a wrong place.” Pang- aasar ko din sa kanya, hinawakan ko ang pisngi n’ya. His face is clearer than my future, myghad! He was looking at me seriously.

“See you later, Love.” I added and I was about to leave but he pulled me back and the next thing that happened is unexpected. He f*cking kissed me. I repeat, Mister f*cking Havero kissed me. Everyone now in the room is cheering excluded the prof. I was about to slap him but he grab my hands and hold it tightly so I couldn’t slap him.

“Next time, be careful what you summoned,” he whispered.

“You can now leave, see you later.” He smiled biting his lips, and he’s looking hot as fine now with that lip bite. Ngayon lang ako nakaramdam ng kahihiyan sa katangahan ko. So I decided to leave the room bago pa ‘ko tuluyan lamunin ng kahihiyan.

I was in the Garden of our school now, di na ako pumasok sobrang nabadtrip na ako sa nangyari, gusto ko muna ng peace of mind kaya dito ako pumunta. Ang peaceful lang kasi ng paligid puro flowers makikita mo, may roses, sunflowers, daisies at kung ano ano pa. I picked some Lilac flowers because I find it beautiful. Habang nakangiti akong pinagmamasdan ito in my surprise someone spoke at the back, “Syringa is a genus of 12 currently recognized species of flowering woody plants in the olive family, native to woodland and scrub from southeastern Europe to eastern Asia, and widely – “ This f*cking Havero again. And before he could continue his words I slapped him. He just smile at me. Nang aasar ba talaga ito or ano?

“Well deserved,” he said calmly.

“That one is for kissing me. And this one is for this…” I show him the flower and throw it to him then slapped him again.

“Now, that’s what you called WELL DESERVED!” inis kong sabi.

“I’m not dumb, I know it’s Lilac,” I added. He picked the flower and looked at it.

“Are you giving this to me?” he asked.

“It’s all yours!” I added, and now he’s smiling again. I know he’s looking so good with that smile but I hate it when he smiles like that.

“Really?” He’s now laughing.

“What’s funny?” I asked him at ngayon sobrang naiinis na ako sa kanya. I was about to leave but he said something that leaves me in awe.

“Did you know what this Purple Lilac symbolizes?” I turned to him.

“It represents the beginning of love or first love.” Natulala ako sa sinabi n’ya, bakit andaming alam ng lalaking ito.

“So you want to begin a love with me huh?” he said with the sweet raspy voice.

“You wished!” I exclaimed.

“Be careful what you summoned,” he said at bago pa siya lumapit sa akin I started to walk away while I was walking away I heard him yelled.

“DON’T WORRY I’LL KEEP IT!”

This day is so freaking hilarious! What did just happen? That Mister f*ckin Havero, makakabawi rin ako sayo.