“Why someone muddy like you be pretty? As far as I know, pretty girls were pretty. As in, there was no even dirt or ugliness attached in them. And, look at you. You exactly like the opposite …” okay , that was a role of an actor.


    Her gaze was glued in me. But a minuteter, she smiled and spoke again. “And your eyes tells me the opposite, too. I can see admiration in your eyes. Admit it, you see me pretty.” she said and crossed her arms and her legs like a boastful business woman.


    I sighed. ‘tsk, think what you want to think but I really don’t see you pretty.” I also crossed my arms and legs like her.


    “By the way, my admirer.” my eyes widened when she called me like that. I was about to speak when she asked me. “What’s your name?”


    “I just turned eight exactly this day. How about you? How old were you?” I said with no hesitations.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    “I’m seven. Happy birthday.” she greeted with a smile. “And your name was ..?”


    “I’m Ivan. You were?”


    “I’m Rige.” she smiled again. “Nice to meet you, Van.”


    “It’s Ivan and not just Van.” I corrected her. “Nice meeting you too, Ri … Ah, whatever. Re?”


    “It’s Rige and not just Re, Vanvan.” she chuckled. “I don’t like your name. I can call you Van even how many times I want.”


    ‘then, I’ll call you Re, too. I don’t like your long name so I can call you Re even how many times I want, too.” I mimicked her.


    “It’s up to you …” she pouted her lips.


    “You speak tagalog?” I will ask. I was speaking in english earlier because I thought she doesn’t speak tagalog.


    “Obviously, isn’t it?” she rolled her eyes. “All I know was that I’m Filipino so I can really speak Tagalog …” her forehead creased because of curiosity. Okay, she’s too cute.


    “I thought you didn’t know, so I used English as thenguage.” I chuckled a bit. ‘tell me more about yourself. Use tagalog, okay?”


    We talked, weugh and we also made ourselves entertained with each other’spany. That muddy girl was fun to be with. She erases the pain and sadness here in my heart whenever she makes meugh. And also, she always talks about God. We werepatible with each other. We became best friends.


    Once, my mother and her mother met. We invited both our Mommies because we wanted to eat ice cream in a shop. Even our mothers became asfortable with each other as we were. They even said once that we should get married in the future, which was onlyughed by Rige. She said that she was too young for that. While me? I remained silent because I know to myself that … that’s what I want, too. I want her to be my wife.


    Our fathers also met. At first, they were notfortable with each other and the reason was … they were rivals in business. But as what I expected, they also became friends at the end. I don’t know how many prayers I prayed for them to be friends but it was all worth it.


    For almost two years, our families became close. My daddy has hardly been kind to me either. From time to time we go on vacation, with her family of course. That was the most happy moments of my life. I also found out that she likes the waters. That was when we were in a beach. She told me that the waters calm her.


    “What if I leave you, Vanvan?” she asked out of nowhere. We were now here in the yground and as usual, we’re sitting here on the swing.


    My forehead creased. “What? were you nning to leave?” I felt a sudden sadness.


    After facing her front, she changed her gaze and looked at me. “I’m asking you a question and you answered me with a question. It’s really hard to talk to you anytime. You’re already ten.” she shook her head.


    “And you’re already nine.” I willment. “But, seriously, you’re leaving?”


    He nodded slowly. “Yup. My grandmother was sick and my Mom told me that we need to take care of her. No one in her family wants to take care of her so … My mom insisted that we were the one who will take care of grandma . So … We’re going to live somewhere. Somewhere far away from here … “he replied.


    I couldn’t answer that. For years, I’ve always been with her. She even promised me that we will graduate together. But now … She’s leaving?


    “When will youe back?” I asked her that and I want a true and immediate answer. I want to know how long I will wait for her.


    She shrugged. “I don’t know …” her face saddened. “I even don’t know where we will live. But, in case that I will nevere back anymore …” she looked at me intently. “Will you still find me?”


    My lips parted. So, there’s a chance that she won’te back anymore? “Of course. You were my best friend. I always want to be with you.”


    “I’m just a best friend for you, huh? I’m quite disappointed …” she pouted her lips. “I am finally admitting it, you were my crush. I like you, Vanvan.” she smiled at me while I did only but to stare at her.


    Unexpectedly, she ran away from me. She’s teasing me with her smile while running still. I closed my eyes tight and heaved a sigh. After she confessed her feelings, she just ran away. Great.


    I bit my lower lip to stopped myself from smiling. I like her, too. The feeling was just mutual.


    We’ve been together for three days and after that, she already left. We just bid ourst goodbye with each other and then, nothing. Her mother called her and told her that they needed to depart early. I still remember herst words at me that time.


    “Promise me, Van. After fifteen years, you will marry me. I want to be with you for the rest of my life and I know you want it, too. See you soon and … goodbye.”


    After she left, the previous cycle of my life came back. I did nothing but to study hard, eat my breakfast, lunch and dinner, and sleep early for me to go to school early. I want myself to be the top. I want my dad to be at least feel proud at me.


    My graduation came and as many people expected, I am the valedictorian. Many people felt delighted because of that, especially, my rtives and my mother. But dad, he didn’t even greet me or even went on my graduation. He’s too busy with his work. Well, I’m used to it, though. That’s what happens as always.


    I got many achievements and medals. My mom was so proud at me that she was crying all the time. I also got many gifts from my teachers, my friends and from my rtives. My mom gave me a watch while dad … he bought me a new iPad. But unfortunately, he was not the one who gave it to me. He ordered one of our maids to gave it to me. It’s fine, though. At least he gave me a gift.


    For two years that Rige didn’te back anymore, I started to save money. I need to find her because craziness will ovee my whole-being if I won’t find her. And luckily, I did find her. After those long years of finding her, I seded. She was in Bcan. She was already in her third year in high school. I was a year ahead on her.


    Without any hesitations, I went to Bcan, also, with my mother’s consent. I always tell her where I am going so I did. My dad didn’t mind what I did at all so I left Man for Bcan.


    I entered the school that she was studying onto. At first, I was making myself isted from everyone. I mean, I didn’t want crowded schools before. There were too many students in that school. I just don’t like the crowd. As simple as that.


    Until one day, I was pushed to join the ser team. One of our school’s ser yer saw me ying ser alone in the field and he rmended me to their coach. After showing them what I know about ser, they quickly epted me. Yes, that quick.


    I met our captain, Seymour, and his friends, Xyleus and Creed. They were better than average. I mean, they were good at me. We became close, but Seymour’s more closer to me. He said that I am his ideal friend so he chose to befriend me.


    Seymour was a good friend. Many admires him for being a great ser yer, an achiever, and a good person. He’s good to everyone. He’s too good to be true, actually.


    But suddenly, my world changed. I was happy going out with my new friends. I almost forgot Rige but … I saw him hugging with Seymour. They talk,ugh and hug each other just like how we were six years ago.


    Damn, that was so painful. I tried talking to Seymour about her and he answered me with a beautiful smile. He told me that he was in love with Rige and that they be friends when he was just ten years old. He also told me that … He liked her the moment his eyes saw her.


    I felt a pang of pain in my chest that time. My best friend also loves the girl I love. I … I didn’t know what to do. My n was to approach Rige when we already graduated on high school but all of that was vanished just like a bubble. I can’t do that anymore. I didn’t want to hurt my closest friend.


    And even if it means giving up my love for Rige, I still did that. Seymour had a big part in my life. He befriended me despite my ws in life. He epted me even if I became his rival in everything. He was a good friend that I can’t even say something bad about him.


    “You really like her, huh?” I asked him one time. We were in a middle of our water break after our ser practice.


    He smirked and nodded. “Yup. But, scratch it, bro. I don’t just ‘like’ her. I ‘love’ her.” he answered, emphasizing some words.


    I tilted my head and my jaw unconsciously clenched. “Why her, bro? Why not other girls?” I noticed how my tone changed. Shit, control yourself, Ivan!


    His forehead creased. “Wait, why were you asking me like that, bro?” heughed like a very nervous man.