Sevi, the team captain of Growling Tigers, never expected to fall in love again after his first heartbreak with his bestfriend ...

Until he met Elyse, the spoiled cheerleader from La Salle.

"Happy legality, Eli!"

I smiled awkwardly while the whole cheer dance squad was singing me a birthday song. Umiinom ako ng tubig habang hinihintay silang matapos, pawis na pawis pa sa suot na dolphin shorts at white shirt. Gabing-gabi na nang matapos kaming mag-training for the upcoming UAAP Cheerdance Competition. More extensive na ang training namin kasi malapit na!

"Thank you guys!" I smiled when they finished singing. "Attend my debut party this weekend, okay? Coach, sorry absent that day."

"Hay nako, Ledezma." Our coach laughed.

"Anyway, here na 'yong sundo ko so I need to go na! Bye guys!" Bumeso ako sa kanila bago kinuha ang duffle bag ko

at saka nagmadaling umalis.

It was already around eleven in the evening, and my driver was not around, so my half-brother, Shan, had to pick me up. Pagpasok ko sa kotse ay nakasimangot na siya at nagce-cellphone. It looked like he waited for too long.

"Hi!" I smiled and wore my seat belt. "Let's go na, Kuya!"

"Ang tagal mo. I missed a date," My brother shook his head.

"Wow you still have so much time to date when you're already on law school, huh!"

Tumawa lang siya at nag-drive paalis. I was on my phone the whole time, checking some online shops. I wanted to buy a new bag or new shoes, or maybe a new case for my laptop? Tumingin ako sa taas, nag-iisip ng gustong bilhin. Birthday ko naman today eh!

"One hour before your day ends. I'll treat you to dinner," suggest niya.

"Really?!" I clasped my hand together and looked at him with my puppy eyes.

Excited akong nag-search ng 'Most expensive restaurant in Metro Manila.' Duh! It was my chance, okay?! I hoped restaurants were still open. It was so late at night already.

"Ugh! Bakit closed lahat?!" reklamo ko habang nag-iiscroll at nakikita ang closing hours.

"You know what's open at this hour?" He raised a brow.

"Yesterday's Coffee?"

"Mcdo. 24/7 ."

"Nakakainis ka naman eh!" Hindi ako nagtagumpay sa plans ko! Sigurado akong pinag-isipan lahat ng 'to bago pa 'ko alukin ng libre! He knew limited restaurants lang ang open, 'no! I wanted to eat a steak pa naman!

We really ended up eating at Mcdo. Nakasimangot ako habang sinasabi ang order ko. I wanted kuya Shan's wallet to suffer, but I had no choice. Nag-drive thru nalang kami so we can go home early. If not, magagalit si Daddy sa kaniya.

Ihahatid niya lang ako because he was staying in his mom's condo near his law school. But he already moved out when he went to college. I thought he hated dad, which was why he moved out.

"I'm home!" I announced when I entered the mansion. "Ah! Jewel!"

Lumuhod ako at sinalubong ang Chihuahua kong nakasuot ng damit. I carried her and hugged her to my chest. I looked around, looking for mom, but she was not around. Helpers lang nakita ko.

"Mommy? Daddy?" I called but no one answered. Lumingon ako kay Kuya na nakatayo sa malapit sa pinto at hindi pa umaalis.

"Happy birthday to you...."

Kumunot ang noo ko at tumingin kay Mommy na nakahawak sa cake at dahan-dahang naglalakad palapit para hindi mawala ang apoy sa kandila. Daddy was behind him, smiling.

"Mommy!" I pouted when she started singing more. It was so embarrassing!

"Happy birthday sweetheart." Dad gave me a soft kiss on the side of my head.

"Make a wish!" Tuwang-tuwa si Mommy, showing me the cake.

Sumandal si Kuya sa may pader at pinapanood lang kami nina Mommy. Mom looked at him when she noticed my brother was still at the door, refusing to go near us.

"Shan, come here!" Mom said in a sweet tone.

"Elyse will open the gifts."

"I need to go Tita." Kuya just gave her a small smile. "Thank you."

Kumaway siya sa 'kin bago umalis. Napanguso ako at nagkatinginan kami ni Mommy. Daddy pursed his lips and changed the topic. Pumikit nalang ako at nag-wish about many things. Wala namang rule na dapat isa lang ang wish ko! Tutal maraming candles! More candles, more wishes!

"Where are the gifts?" I was so excited!

My mom led me to the living room and pointed at the three designer paper bags. My eyes sparkled when I saw my favorite brands. Kinuha ko kaagad ang pinakamalaking paper bag at binuksan ang black box doon.

"Omg! I wanted this, Mommy!" Halos naiyak na 'ko nang makita ang pair of shoes na gusto ko last month when we went to New York.

"This one's from your dad." Nilagay niya sa harapan ko ang isa pang paper bag.

"Oh my god, Dad Thank you!" I hugged him tight when I saw a Chanel flap bag inside. It was so pretty! Simple lang but elegant, Bagay lang sa 'kin!

I collected bags more than shoes. The other paper bags was just clothes. Iyon ang tinitignan ko kanina sa online shop! Nandito na kaagad sila sa harapan ko! I was so happy that night, halos hindi na nga makatulog kaka-reply sa mga nagme-message sa 'kin ng happy birthday. I felt so loved!

The next morning, I woke up early to prepare for my debut party. My family spent months preparing this big event! I was so excited because, finally, mararamdaman ko nang legal age na 'ko! But I was also scared of a lot of things like....prison! I didn't want to go to prison!

"Ang ganda ng bag! I also wanted to buy this, remember?! But I want the cream color." Binagsak ni Fraida ang sarili sa kama ko. She was my best friend since high school. blockmates din kami ngayon.

Nakaupo ako ngayon sa harap ng vanity table ko. pinapatuyo ang buhok habang wala pa ang magme-makeup sa 'kin.

"Since eighteen ka na, maybe you can now get a boyfriend?!" Tuwang-tuwa si Ida na umayos ng upo.

"'Yong gusto kong boyfriend, Lumipad na sa Florida!" I pouted and rolled my eyes.

"Oh come on, Elyse! Kuya Hiro was probably just a crush! Find someone else suitable for you, since hindi ka naman papatulan no'n ever because he's your brother's bestfriend! That's not allowed!" Tumawa ulit siya.

"I can't find a boyfriend material," I pouted again. "Wala pa 'akong nakikita."

Nang dumating na ang mag-aayos sa 'kin naging abala na ako, pati ang bibig nitong si Fraida, trying to keep me entertained para hindi boring during the make-up process. Hanggang ibaba ng dibdib ko ang buhok ko na inaayos ng stylist into a messy but elegant bun. I had a little bangs na inaayos niya rin. I was also wearing a pair of grey contact lens.

"You're so pretty!" puri ng stylist sa 'kin nang iharap ako sa salamin. "Wala ka pa talagang jowa?"

"No." I denied "My dad is strict."

My dad was strict with having boyfriends, and also strict din si Kuya dahil nga minor pa 'ko but I already turned eighteen, so baka pwede na! I was so excited to explore a lot of things. Marami akong gustong malaman and ma-experience! All those cute stuff na nababasa ko sa books or napapanood sa movies.

I looked at myself in the mirror. My face was in the perfect size and shape. The nose line made my nose even more pointed, my eyes reflected an innocent angel, my cheekbones were a bit high, and I had a soft lips and a perfect brows. My skin was smooth and soft, a little lighter than my brother's dahil magkaiba ang nanay namin.

Champagne-colored ang gown ko with crystals all over it. It was an off-shoulder gown. I had to wear heels because of my height. I thinked I was around 5'3? Minsan 5'2.... depende sa pagkakasukat ng height! Ida was only taller than me by an inch.

The party will start at six in the evening. We went there around four thirty in the afternoon for a little photoshoot inside my hotel room. Ida was wearing a white satin dress, and her hair was also in soft curls. We took pictures as best friends, too.

"Hey..." Napatingin ako kay Kuya na kakapasok lang ng hotel room ko.

"Kuya!" I covered my mouth in awe when I saw him holding a bouquet of tulips.

He was wearing an ash-grey suit. He looked so formal and tall. Mukha siyang matino ngayon at hindi mukhang heartbreaker. Tumingin siya sa paligid bago naglakad palapit sa 'kin at marahang hinalikan ang tuktok ng ulo ko bago inabot sa 'kin ang bulaklak. Tuwang-tuwa kong inamoy

'yon bago nilapag sa table. It smelled so good!

Good thing he came to my party, Akala ko hindi siya pupunta. He was always trying to distance himself from the family.

"Where are they?" Tanong niya nang mapansing wala sila Mommy sa loob. Ang stylist, si Ida at iba pang staff ang nandito sa loob.

"Oh, they're greeting the visitors at the venue." I explained.

"Hiro, wanted to say happy birthday. Hindi siya makaka-attend," He informed me.

I pouted and roll my eyes. Nakakainis naman na di niya naaubutan ang debut ko! Pero okay lang naman dahil kailangan talaga niyang umalis.....pero nakakalungkot pa rin!

"Elyse, honey..tara na. They're already starting." My Mom entered the room and smiled at my brother, greeting him too. My brother just gave her a nod and a small smile.

Tumayo ako at inalalayan nina Fraida pababa sa malaking venue sa isang five-star hotel in Manila.

"Good luck!" Fraida kissed me on the cheek before entering the venue, leaving me outside for my entrance.

When I was introduced, all of my visitors stood up and clapped. Dahan-dahan akong naglakad sa red carpet, nakangiti at nakahawak sa braso ni Kuya para maalalayan niya 'ko. I saw many faces!

Ang matatanda ay halos hindi ko kilaka dahil either friends ni Mommy or friends ni Daddy, or business partner. I saw my friends, blockmates, teammates, some socialities, and some UAAP players. Halo-halo ang lahat. I was so glad they came. It was just my mom and brother who convinced me to invite a lot of people kahit hindi naman kami gaanong close.

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To be continued.....