Heaven's Will

1

CHAPTER ONE

Present Day

The alarm clock blared on the bedside table and I groaned as I reached forward to shut it off. I stared at the ceiling for a few good minutes before I decided to get up from the bed.

As I stood, I happened to catch my reflection on the massive mirror hanging near the window. I almost couldn't recognize the girl staring back at me. Maybe this is what pain can do to people. It erases even the tiniest remnant of who they used to be. Gone was the sunny version of me. All I could see was someone desperately trying to hold herself together for the sake of family and friends.

"Cy, get up! You don't want to be late." My mother knocked on my door and I grunted to signify that I was already up.

I showered and got dressed. Tapos bumaba na ako sa kusina. Nagluluto ng almusal si Mama. Sina Papa at Kuya naman ay nakaupo na sa dining table. When I came into view, they both gave me a practiced smile.

"Wow. First day sa new school. Aren't you excited, Cyrelle?" My father asked.

I shook my head and settled down in front of my brother. In my peripheral, I could see them closely watching my every moved. Giving out a resigned sigh, I raised my eyes to meet my father's concerned expression.

"Good morning, Dad."

"Morning, princess," he replied.

I finished my food quickly, so I can avoid all the awkwardness. When I was done, I brought my plate to the sink and slung my backpack over my shoulders.

"I'm going." I muttered. Hindi ko na hinintay na makapagsalita sila. I headed to the door, anxious to be on my way, when my mother called my name.

I stopped walking, but I did not turn.

"I know it's been hard for you. Pero nandito lang naman ako, anak. You don't have to pretend that you're strong. You don't have to go through this alone. Mama understands."

I don't know what to say. In the end, I kept walking away.

From her.

From the memories.

And from all the pain.

When I was sure that she couldn't see me anymore, I let the traitorous tears fall.

---

St. Therese Academy

I got to the university thirty minutes early. The room listed on my registration form was GK205. I looked for the building and saw it on the end of the north side. When I noticed the entrance was jampacked with students who were all excited to start the school year, I quicky headed to the opposite direction.

Gusto ko lamang mapag-isa. No way was I barging in the entrance only to be stared at, and whispered about.

Nilagpasan ko ang university greenhouse at garden. I delved deeper and only stopped walking when the voices faded out. I saw a narrow entryway made out of blocks and I squeezed myself in, hoping to get as much privacy as the school has.

I found myself in a secluded garden. There was a stone bench under an old tree. The branches were so wide that they provided shade even to the stone fountain in the middle. There were two cherubs laughing on top of the fountain, and I almost felt envious of how happy and carefree they looked.

Looks like I found myself a hideout. I opened my bag and took out a letter tucked in between the pages of my binder.

I unfolded it and heaved a sigh. Ilang beses ko na itong nabasa at halos makabisado ko na yata.

Hi Sweetheart,

Happy Valentines! Well, first of all, I want to tell you just how much I love you. My love for you is bigger than all of the planets in the solar system combined. I love you. I've always loved you. And I know that you know that.

I want to be with you everyday, watch the sunset with you, hold hands and cuddle with you, sing stupid songs with you and be weird with you. I want to protect you, cherish you, cook breakfast, lunch and dinner for you, spoil you, kiss you and hug you. You are amazing and I'm one hell of a lucky bastard to have you. I want to be the guy you call baby, the guy you would be proud of having and the guy you'll introduce to your parents. Oh, how fortunate I am because I'm that guy.

I'm just a simple person. But I am the one you fell in love with and the one you want to grow old with. You're a simple girl. But baby, you are not JUST a girl. You are the girl I will never get tired of loving. You are beautiful, no scratch that. You are gorgeous, and amazing, and witty and there's nothing I don't love about you. I need you. For all eternity I will always need you. Whatever happens, know that I will never leave, or give up on you. Because this love is worth the risk. I won't let you go either. Not in a million chance, not in this lifetime, not ever. And I swear that on the River Styx.

Yours for eternity and longer,

Aldrin

Tinupi ko ang papel at ibinalik ko sa binder. I closed my eyes and counted to ten. Reading his letter always makes me feel a myriad of emotions. I straightened my skirt and looked up at the sky, wishing he would give me a sign that he's watching me from up there.

I clutched the letter close to my chest and closed my eyes to imagine his presence. What I'd give to have him back with me.

"Who the heck are you and what are you doing here?" Napabalikwas ako sa gulat. I turned. The owner of the voice was a cocky guy leaning against the wall. His hair was slightly longer than what schools normally allow, he had a piercing on his ear, and he had an annoyed expression plastered on his face.

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.

"Wag mo akong tarayan, Miss. Sino ka? At sino ang nagsabi sa'yong pwede kang tumambay rito? This is my special place."

"Wala namang sign na nagsasabing bawal pumunta." May himig na inis na pakli ko. Halata sa bawat hilatsa ng mukha niya na mayabang siya.

"Do you even know who you're talking to?" He snorted at me. I was right, mayabang nga. A rude self-entitled jerk.

"Hindi ko alam kung sino ka at wala akong interes alamin dahil puro ka yabang."

"A tough one, I like that. My mother owns this school. Technically, you are talking to the future owner of this school. I can have you expelled as immediately as I want." His lips turned upwards into a menacing smile. I wanted to wipe that off his face.

"Kick me out, then." I raised my chin to show him that he does not faze me. He looked into my eyes and tried to intimidate me, but I just rolled my eyes.

"Never mind, I'll just make your stay here a miserable experience."

I smirked. "Would love to see you try."

After I turned my back, I returned the letter on my binder and shouldered my bag. Intentionally bumping my shoulder on his, he produced an annoyed groan that I decided to ignore. I walked abruptly, passing by the garden once again.

When I got to the room, all eyes turned to my direction. I averted my gaze uncomfortably and settled myself on the empty seat on the third row. The professor smiled and asked me to introduce myself.

"I'm Cyrelle Audrey Guevarra and yeah, I'm a transferee," mahina kong sambit.

Umupo ako uli sa seat ko. The girl beside me turned and beamed. "Hello. I'm Zildjianne."

"Pleased to meet you," I murmured back. Tumalikod na siya uli upang ituon ang atensyon niya sa propesor na nasa harap, samantalang ako ay lumilipad na naman ang utak papunta sa kung saan-saan.

Napamulagat na lang ako nang marinig kong magtaas ang boses ng prof. "You're late again!"

My curiosity won over. Nagtaas ako ng tingin at tinignan ang kararating lang na estudyante. Nagtagis ang mga bagang ko nang makitang ito ang mayabang na lalaki kanina.

Annoyance resurfaced once again when I saw him giving the professor an unapologetic smile. Napakahambog!