Knights and Princesses. bk 3 part 23.

(makalipas ang ilang araw, nagkaroon nang Korean-Philipine convention sa World Trade Center ng Pilipinas, nagbakasakali sila na baka narito si Seung Ri, kaya nagpunta sina Shey, Ghie, Cha at si TOP. Nagikot-ikot sila, meron ditong mga artista mula sa Korea, nakita at binati din nila si Bom ngunit di rin sila nakapagusap nang matagal dahil kinakailangan nang umalis nito, kaya nag-ikot muli sila pero wala silang nakita ni anino ni Seung Ri.)

TOP: maybe he sent out a representative.

Ghie: oh yah... that jerk! I'm gonna kill him if I see him!

TOP: maybe he got so scared!

Ghie: why?

TOP: 'cause you keep on threathening him!

(tumingin si TOP kay Cha na kasama ni Shey na tumitingin sa mga imported scented candles sa isang boutique, napatingin din si Ghie)

Ghie: wait! Do you have that something for my friend?

TOP: what something?

Ghie: you know.... that something...

Cha: Ghie!

(sigaw ni Cha at naagaw ang attensyon nilang dalawa ni TOP, paglingon nila nakahiga na si Shey sa sahig pati ang isang lalaki mula sa kalayuan. Isinugod nila si Shey sa pinakamalapit na hospital. Nagsasalita si Shey habang wala syang malay kaya natakot ang mga kaibigan nya na baka daw kinombulsyon si Shey.)

Cha: no! She can't! She did not showed any signs...

Ghie: let's just wait till the doctor arrives...

(pagdating ng doctor.)

Doc: Ms. Noble, was just too stressed out and she needs a lot of rest...

Ghie: stress?

Doc: yup, if she didn't have any rest she'll start to develop over fatigueness.

Cha: ohh.... so when can she get out?

Doc: right after waking up, and give her this...

(iniabot ng doctor kay Ghie ang ilang mga pills.)

Ghie: what's this?

Doc: for resistance and stamina.

Ghie: okay,.

Doc: tell her to take that regularly if not daily...

Ghie: okay...

(lumabas ang doctor. Pagkagising ni Shey.)

Shey: what happened?

Ghie: the doctor said you were so stressed out,

Shey: where is Cha?

Ghie: she went back to the townhouse nith TOP, Eigh and Ryuu will be picking us up...

Shey: did you saw Seung Ri at the convention?

Ghie: negative. Here, take it, the doctor said that you should take it in regulary.

Shey: oh, what is this?

Ghie: pills for resistance and stamina.

Shey: oh...

(maya-maya pa dumating sila Eigh)

Eigh: oh, Shey.. what happened?

(bati ni Eigh kay Shey matapos makipagbeso kay Ghie.)

Shey: too stressed out...

Eigh: ooh, Ryuu is on the cashier paying the bills, come one get up now, so we could go and you can take your rest, Kim is in the townhouse waiting.

Shey: oh.

(pagkatapos umuwi na sila sa townhouse.)

Eigh: uhm, guys Ryuu and I will be taking a vacation and I want you all to be in the grand opening of our private island.

Ghie: no way!?

Eigh: haha, yah, it's almost an island!

Cha: haha, so what is it?

Eigh: a resort kinda large to be called a resort...

Ghie: haha, so when will it be?

Eigh: a week from now...

Kim: am I invited?

Eigh: Kim.. you are almost a knight!

Ghie: yah, Ryuu became a Knight after marrying Eigh...

R: I did?

Cha: of course!

Ghie: haha, where's Shey?

Kim: still sleeping...

Ghie: Jop?

Eigh: oh yah.. I forgot he'll be bringing Melody, over...

Ghie: who is she?

Eigh: Jop's girlfriend...

(nagring ang phone ni Cha, sinagot nya ito, bumalik sya matapos ang ilang minutong pakikipagusap.)

Cha: guys! Guess what!

Ghie: what???

Cha: we will be featured on this bachelorette magazine!

Ghie: no way!

Cha: haha, yah!

Eigh: oooh, exciting... isn't it Ryuu?

R: uhm...

(napakamot si Ryuu ng ulo.)

R: will you be wearing those sexy bikinis?

Eigh: oh, yah?

Cha: nope... just formal... business... casual ... and the likes...

R: okay, Eigh is in!

Eigh: oh gosh thanks!

R: haha...

Ghie: what's wrong with bikinis? I mean, Eigh has the body...

R: I haven't seen it yet!

(bulong ni Ryuu.)

Kim: haha, you're weak dude!

Eigh: getcha wrong Kimmy! He's the strongest guy ever! I mean some guys will forse their spouse to do that thinggy earlier... but Ryuu didn't.

Kim: haha...

Ghie: is it because you've seen Shey's?

KIm: oh..

(ibinaba ni Kim ang iniinom nyang sparkling grape.)

Kim: just half of her...

(napatingin sa kanya ang mga kaibigan ni Shey.)

Kim: yah... honestly!

Ghie: haha! You're making me sick of laughing!

(nagtawanan silang lahat sa reaction ng mukha ni Kim.)

Eigh: dinner's ready guys!

Ghie: I'll wake Shey up!

Eigh: thanks!

(nagpuntahan sila sa dining room para kumain.)

--

Knights and Princesses. bk 3 part 22.

(makalipas ang ilang linggo nakahanap na rin ng trabaho si Shey at ang kanyang hospital ay sinisimulan na ring gawin, umuwi si Ryuu sa Pilipinas.)

Eigh: ei!

R: how are you?

(bati ni Ryu ng pumasok sya sa pinto ng townhouse, pinagresign nya na rin si Eigh sa trabaho, at sinunod naman sya ni Eigh, ilang linggo na lang anniversary na nila ni Ryuu, at pinaghahandaan itong lubusan ni Eigh.)

Eigh: what's that book?

R: oh... the latest from my favorite author...

Eigh: haha, I've seen your collection in the Hacienda...

R: haha, I read all of that before... some twice.. some once...

Eigh: oh, by the way, let's eat first...

(kumain silang dalawa at kinagabihan nang dumating na ang lahat nagkaroon na naman sila ng simpleng salo-salo. Huminto ang kotse ni Shey sa kalsada dahil sa may mga taong nagtitipon-tipon dito, pagbaba nya ng kotse nya tinanong nya kung anung nangyari, may aksidente daw na naganap doon, dali-daling kinuha ni Shey ang first-aid kit nya, at tumakbo papunta sa scene.)

Shey: doctor coming through...

(nagbigay ng daan ang mga tao,)

Shey: call an ambulance now...

(pagdating ni Shey sa gitna, isang lalaking nakadapa ang naabutan nya, dali-sali syang lumuhod at dahan-dahang iniikot ng position ang lalaki, bigla sya nitong hinalikan, nabigla si Shey. Napatingin sya sa paligid nya at nakita ang barkada nyang natayo naroon din si Arwin. Tumingin sya muli sa lalaki.)

Kim: doc... doc... I need you... you really caught my heart and oxygen is now negative around my body... would you pump it for me?

Shey: corny! What is this?

(itinulak ni Shey si Kim. Inalalayan ni Kim ang sarili nya sa pag-upo, dumukot sa bulsa ng polo nya.)

Kim: Shey... will you marry me?

Shey: what the...

(nagsimulang mamula si Shey. At with harmony nagsimulang kumanta si Eigh at si Ghie,)

EndG: time of my life... and I never felt this way before...

(biglang pasok si Arwin oara sumali sa duet na kanta ng trio na. nanatiling nakatingin si Shey sa hawak ni Kim na sing-sing, tumingin sya sa mga mata ni Kim na kumikintab dahil sa mga namumuong luha.)

Shey: damn! Of course I do!

(laging una si Cha sa sigawan kaya nauna pa rin sya ngayon, niyakap ni Kim nang pagkahigpit-higpit si Shey. At pagbalik ng townhouse, ang dapat na simpleng salo-salo para sa pagdating ni Ryuu ay naging double special, muli naginuman ang mga lalaki sa labas, at ang mga babae nagkantahan sa loob.)

Cha: by the way guys...

Ghie: yep?

(patuloy sa pagiingay si Eigh.)

Cha: Mrs. P, called me up this morning...

Shey: Mrs. P?

Cha: Palao...

Shey: ow, and?

(tumigil si Eigh sa pagkanta at nakinig sya kay Cha.)

Cha: she wants me to start the alumini home coming party of our batch,

Eigh: so? When is it?

Cha: two days from now...

Ghie: how about the others?

Cha: I announced it to every radio station in our country... and I called them up... went to their houses...

Ghie: nice one... you are indeed a proof to the small but terrible proof...

Cha: well... that's Cha.

(maya-maya pumasok si Ryu, at hinawakan si Eigh sa bewang.)

Eigh: wanna go to bed now?

R: if you want me to...

Eigh: haha, okay later after a few more minutes, okay?

R: thanks, Eigh...

Eigh: enjoy your night...

(muling lumabas si Ryuu, nagatwanan ang mga kaibigan ni Eigh.)

Shey: soon, I'll be having that too!

Eigh: haha, congratulations again, Shey.

(after two days, naganap na ang alumni home coming party nila, gabi ito ginanap sa may open field katabi ng Gazebo na malapit sa chapel, inaabangan ng bawat isa ang mga dati nilang kaklase, sa isang lugar nagtipon-tipon ang forty five na studyante, at bawat isa sa kanila ay inaabangan ang pagdating ng iba. Maya-Maya isang itm na limo ang dummaan sa may parking lot, natigilan ang lahat at namangha, inabangan nila ang mga bababa mula rito, unang bumaba si Arwin at si Jop)

Ernan: whoa! Arwin! Jop!

(nakipagapir sila kay Ernan at sa iba pang nakikipagapir.)

Ionne: big time!

(maya-maya bumaba na si Eigh... tapos si Cha... tapos si Shey... tapos ay si Ghie. At kada baba ng isa sa kanila sumisipol ang malibog na si Ernan. Nagkatuwaan ang buong RIZALVADORS dahil kumpleto sila, dumating din si Ser John, ang pinakamamahal nilang adviser, ang iba sa kanila, tulad ni Eigh ay kasal na at ang iba naman buntis na rin.)

--

Knights and Princesses. bk 3 part 21.

(Kinabukasan maagang pumasok si Ghie sa opisina dala ang napakabigat na pangaasar nila Cha, Eigh at ni Shey, dala na rin nya ang bago nyang kotse, pagpasok nya sa opisina malungkot ang lahat ng tao.)

Ghie: low sprited, guys? What's the matter?

(dere-dretso si Ghie sa kanyang kwwrto, pagpasok nya dito walang tao, walang frappe sa table, walang cupcake, tulad ng naaabutan nya araw-araw, naupo sya sa desk nya at naghintay ng sampung minuto, bago sya muling tumayo at lumabas ng kwarto nya para tanungin ang mga empleyado.)

Ghie: Have you seen Seung Ri?

Employee1: uhm... uhm...

Ghie: what? Did he gave you an excuse for being absent or something?

Employee2: miss...

Ghie: yup?

Employee2: Mr. Lee, went out of the country, minutes before you arrived...

Ghie: what?

Employee2: he said he'll just be fixing something...

Ghie: he did not informed me...

Employee2: he said he don't want you to get hurt...

Ghie: get hurt, that bastard!

(ibinagsak ni Ghie ang pintuan ng opisina nya, tsaka sya muling lumabas dala ang bag.)

Ghie: I'll be taking a day off.

(sumakay sya sa sasakyan nya at dali0daling tinawagan ang mga kaibigan nya.)

Ghie: are you at the townhouse?

Shey: yup... I'm getting ready for some shopping, why?

Ghie: stay there!

(binaba ni Ghie, nagdial muli.)

Ghie: take a day off!

Eigh: why?

Ghie: just do it...

Eigh: force me...

Ghie: force!

Eigh: ok!

(nagdial muli si Ghie.)

Ghie: busy???

Cha: sort of...

Ghie: don't be...

Cha: why?

Ghie: just don't be... go to the townhouse now...

Cha: why?

Ghie: just go...

(pagdating nila doon, tanging si Arwin lang ang wala dahil bumalik na ito sa Autralia kinagabihan,)

Eigh: what now?

(nakaupo silang lahat sa sala at nainom ng juice, agad na kumuha si Ghie ng isang baso atska uminom.)

Shey: ready?

Ghie: yah.

Eigh: blow it out!

Ghie: he went away....

Cha: who?

Ghie: Seung ri!

Shey: but I thought you don't care for him!

Ghie: I did... I thought... but now I do...

Eigh: so what do you wanna do?

Ghie: I don't know...

Eigh: I know...

(kumuha si Eigh ng papel at ball point pen mula sa bag nya.)

Ghie: what now?

Eigh: know the movie " lakehouse"?

Ghie: nope...

Eigh: who knows?

(umiling ang lahat.)

Eigh: okay... they met on a letter...

Ghie: so? Seung Ri and I already know each other? Can I just follow him?

Eigh: uhm, yah.... but this'll help you...

Ghie: how?

Eigh: serendipity...

Ghie: how?

Eigh: write in a letter, stating that you want to meet whoever picked this bottle up... somewhere... in time... then let's try if Seung Ri picked this bottle and shown himself, he's your destiny... but if not...

Ghie: no way...

Shey: yah...

Cha: I don't know... maybe no... what if by chance other people picked that up?

Eigh: if Seung Ri is Ghie's destiny, he'll be picking this up...

Ghie: I don't want...

Eigh: let's just try... and in a few moths we'll know...

(walang nagawa si Ghie kundi ang sumulat, gamit ang sasakyan ni Cha, umalis silang tatlo at nagpunta sa may karagatan, itinapon dito ni Ghie ang bote.)

--

Knights and Princesses. bk 3 part 20.

(next week.)

Eigh: Shey! Is now a graduate! And is now a licensed doctor!

Ghie: Congratulations!

(lumapit silang lahat kay Shey at bineso ito pati na rin si Kim. Eto ang araw pagbalik ni Sehy mula America matapos nyang itake ang licensure exam sa medicine. Naghanda sila ng party. Kinabukasan dumating si Grace sa townhouse nila,)

Grace: congratulations, Shey...

Shey: thanks Grace...

Grace: now, we're full time doctors...

Shey: haha, yah.

Arw: uhm, Grace?

(singit ni Arwin.)

Arw: may I have a minute? Personally?

Grace: ow?

(tumingin si Grace kay Shey.)

Shey: fine...

Grace: ow okay fine...

(tumayo si Grace at lumapit kay Arwin)

Arw: are you free tonight?

Grace: me? oh, yah... there's no appointment...

Arw: do you wanna go otu? uhm, with me?

Grace: ow? I think, Christian won't mind...

Arw: Christian?

Grace: ow, haven;t I told you? Christian is my boyfriend...

Arw: ow, uhm... so I think we really can't go out?

Grace: it's fine Awrin, he wont mind it anyways, he knows about you as my friend... how's Bom? Isn't she coming over?

Arw: ow, she's trying, but she has loads of works... she's preparing for a concert on Thailand now,

Grace: haha, how does it feel? I mean, having a popstar girlfriend...

Arw: uhm... exciting... but it gets boring sometimes... specially, the part where you really needs her to be with you, but she's not there... but I still beleive in the owrd patience...

Grace: nice... someday, you two will do good together... I mean no more blockage, haha.

Arw: so who's this Christian?

Grace: he's a classmate, remember you telling me that I'll find someone else?

Arw: uhm, yah,

Grace: I opened my eyes one day, and there he was waiting for me...

Arw: sweet...

Grace: haha, thanks.

(kinagabihan dinala ni Arwin si Grace sa isang amusement park,)

Grace: why here?

Arw: I want you to enjoy the night...

Grace: ahaha, you think I'll enjoy it here...?

Arw: I'm hoping... haha.

(sumakay sila sa isang merry go round. Inalalayan ni Arwin si Grace paakyat sa isang kabayo habang sya'y nanatiling nakatayo sa tabi nito, habang ito'y umiikot. Pinapanuod ni Arwin si Grace na nageenjoy sa bawat ikot ng carousel,)

Grace: haha, I feel dizzy...

Arw: haha, you do?

Grace: yah... how about you? You we're standing all the way.

Arw: I'm fine... I'm fine...

(pagkatapos nang ilan pang rides kumain sila ng dinner sa isang malapit na restaurant, at dinala ni Arwin si Grace sa isang park, naupo sila sa bench...)

Arw: wanna see something?

Grace: what something?

Arw: just answer me with yes and no...

Grace: uhm... ok, yes!

(maya-maya napuno ng magaganda at colorful fireworks ang langit, napatingin si Grace, nagustuhan nya ang scene na iyon, tuwang-tuwa talaga sya, habang si Arwin naman ay pinagmamasdan lang si Grace habang sya'y nakaupo sa bench... talon ng talon si Grace sa sobrang tuwa, nang matapos na ang fireworks.. tumayo si Arwin at lumapit kay Grace, nilaro nya ang mga daliri sa mukha ni Grace, nagsimula nang mailang si Grace, hahalikan na sana ni Arwin si Grace nang biglang itulak sya ni Grace.)

Grace: this si wrong Arwin...

Arw: I'm sorry... I just let my feeling control me...

Grace: I wanna go home now...

Arw: I'll bring you home...

Grace: no.. no... Christian is coming...

Arw: ow...

Grace: I'll be waiting here... you can go now...

Arw: but I...

Grace: bye.

(umalis si Arwin.)

--

Knights and Princesses. bk 3 part 19.

(sa townhouse naman, lumabas si Ghie ng kwarto para kumuha ng maiinom, pagkalabas nya nakita nya si Seung Ri na nakaupo pa rin sa dining table kung saan nila ginawa ang mga paperworks, napansin nyang tulog ito, tiningnan ni Ghie ang mga natapos ni Seung Ri na papel, konti nah lang pala ang tatrabhuhin nya kinabukasa, pumunta sya sa ref at kumuha ng tubig, pagkabukas nya ref may nakita syang isang cupcake at meron itong konting decoration at pangalan nya sa gitna, kinuha nya ang cupcake, pati ang tubig, inilapag nya muna ang cupcake sa may lababo at naglagay ng tubig sa baso bago sya naupo sa dining table, kinain nya ang cupcake, lasang Nutella ang loob nito, napangiti si Ghie, uminom sya ng tubig.)

Seungri: you liked it?

(nagulat si Ghie.)

Ghie: ow, your awake now...

Seungri: did you liked it?

Ghie: what it?

Seungri: the cupcake...

Ghie: oooh, it's good, it has my favorite spread...

Seungri: Eigh told me you like Nutella,

Ghie: ow?

Seungri: I have lots on my crib...

Ghie: haha, we also have some stock...

Seungri: uhm... about what happened before...

Ghie: yep?

Seungri: I wanna apologize formally now.

Ghie: you could've just told me that you already have ga girlfriend...

Seungri: I know... and they are girlfriends.... every country I went to, I had a girlfriend... but not serious...

Ghie: so you're trying to make me your Philippine Representative...

Seungri: no... no...

Ghie: ows...?

Seungri: the hundred dollar?

(iniabot ni Seung Ri kay Ghie ang hundred dollar nito galig sa wallet..)

Ghie: what about this???

(kinuha ni Ghie ang hundred dollar na may heart at SARANGHAE.)

Seungri: I promised myself that whoever gave that back to me would be the girl I'm going to marry.

Ghie: haha, I bet you put out hundreds of this...

Seungri: sadly... I put out only one...

Ghie: but I didn't returned this to you..

Seungri: I know... I know... and maybe I should give it back to you...

Ghie: why?

Seungri: 'cause maybe someday I'll be finding that someone who'll return that personally to me...

Ghie: hhmmm, whatever.

(tumayo si Ghie at bumalik sa kwarto nya.)

Ghie: sleep now...

(kinabukasan sabay na nagpunta si Seung Ri at si Ghie sa opisina, nakatingin lahat ng empleyado sa kanial, at nung lunch time...)

Employee1: Ms. Ghie,

Ghie: yup?

Employee1: are you and Seung Ri going out?

Ghie: us? haha, no!

Employee2: ows, come on... we will not tell your friends...

Ghie: haha, silly really no...

(naupo si Seung Ri sa tabi ni Ghie)

Seungri: what is it? I heard my name...

Ghie: thay are asking if we're going out.

Seungri: ow,

Ghie: and I said no...

Seungri: ow? Honestly, are we not?

(sumakay si Seung Ri sa mga biro ng empleyado ni Ghie.)

Employee1: we knew it....

Employee2: are you two in a relationship?

Ghie: no... no...

Employee2: we always hear you fight inside the office even if the door's close...

Ghie: haha, it's just some corporate conversation...

Employee1: shouting?

Seungri: haha, don't worry guys me and Ms. Ghie are almost there...

Employee2: haha.

(umakbay si Seung Ri kay Ghie, inalis ito ni Ghie sa balikat nya.)

Seungri: see? She likes me too!

Ghie: haha, your dreams...

Seungri: she likes everything I do...

Ghie: you wish!

Seungri: come on! Admit it now Ms. Ghie.

(napipikon na si Ghie.)

Employee2: tell us more!

Employee1: we want to hear something from Ms. Ghie!

(napipikon na talaga si Ghie.)

Seungri: come on babe, talk!

(sabi ni Seung Ri.)

Ghie: you know what!? We could be together now, if you just told me about that slutty girlfriend of yours who fearlessly hugged and kissed you infront of me and hundreds of other people when we got down the cruise... where in fact! You told me that you didn't had any girlfriends since birth!

(natahimik silang lahat at napatingin kay Ghie, biglang bumalik si Ghie sa realidad at paplastic itong ngumiti.)

Ghie: I mean...

(tumayo na sya.)

Ghie: I'll be in the office when you need something...

--

Knights and Princesses. bk 3 part 18.

(sa hacienda naman kinabukasan, nakahiga si Cha sa duyan sa may backyard garden nakapikit sya at nagpapahinga, dahil doon meron syang peace of mind, walang trabaho walang kahit ano, makakapag-isip sya ng mga dapat nyang isipin, biglang may kung anung kumikiliti sa ilong nya, napakamot sya, at naulit ito sa pagkakatong ito bumngon na sya at nakita si Shin na nakaluhod sa tabi nya at may hawak na isang pirasong bulaklak, magulo na naman ang buhok nito.)

Shin: hi!

Cha: oh! Shin...

Shin: I hope I didn't disturbed you...

Cha: haha, you did...

Shin: oh sorry.... I just got so excited when they told me you're coming over, are you here alone?

Cha: nope, I got a friend with me...

Shin: oh....

(nagkamot si Shin ng ulo.)

Cha: where did you got that?

(turo ni Cha sa gintong relo ni Shin.)

Shin: oh? This? I picked it up somewhere around the barn...

Cha: haha, that looks so familiar,

Shin: you know the owner?

Cha: not sure...

Shin: tell me if you do and I'll be giving this back to him...

Cha: I'll find out,

Shin: come with me,

(tumayo si Shin at hinihila si Cha,)

Cha: where?

Shin: just follow me...

(isinuot ni Cha ang tsinelas nya atsaka sya sumunod kay Shin, pagdating sa may barn, isinakay ni Shin si Cha kay Rosie,)

Cha: she is still as gorgeous as before...

Shin: that's because I take care of her...

Cha: haha, you do?

Shin: you saw the proof, and yes I do!

(pakwelang sagot ni Shin.)

kinuha ni Shin ang tali pati na rin tsinelas ni Cha at binibit nya ito, hinila nya si Rosie, naglakad sila sa may kagubatan na malapit sa hacienda, maraming klase ng puno, ngunit meron na ring concretong daan dito, kaya hindi na sila nahihirapan, naglakad pa sila hanggang sa makarinig si Cha ng mga alon. Pagkahinto nila sa labas ng kagubatan naroon malapit sa isang bangin, ibinaba ni Shin si Cha at itinali si Rosie sa puno, kinuha ni Shin ang basket na nakatali kay Rosie at kinuha nya mula rito ang isang mat, inilatag nya ang mat sa may damuhan malapit sa bangin.)

Cha: this place is cool!

Shin: sure it is...

Cha: how did you know about this place?

Shin: while I was walking around and thinking of you...

Cha: flowery worda don't soothe me, just so you know...

Shin: haha.

Cha: is this place safe?

Shin: yah.

(umupo si Shin sa mat at tumayo si Cha rito, itinaas ni Cha ang dalawa nyang kamay sa ere at sumigaw.)

Cha: Micky Yoochun! I'll be getting over you... soon!

(umubo si Cha dahil sa gasgas sa lalamunan sa oagsigaw.)

Cha: see??

(muli syang sumigaw.)

Cha: I totally got over you now!

Shin: haha, that fast?

Cha: not really...

(inilabas ni Shin ang mga hinanda nyang pagkain,)

Cha: so what do you have?

Shin: a few biscuits... fresh milk... cheese, fruit... bread...

Cha: that's too much! And I think I can handle that all alone...

Shin: seriously?

Cha: haha, nope! Dork!

Shin: I know! I know! Go ahead grab a bite!

Cha: haha, help me out!

(matapos silang kumain tumayo muli si Cha at pinagmasdan ang buong paligid at ang karagatan sa ibaba ng bangin. Pagktapos bumalik na silang dalawa, sakay muli si Cha ni Rosie na hawak naman ni Shin, naglalakad sila sa may kagubatan at ang sinag ng araw mula sa mga dahon ng puno ay nagliliwanag sa balat nila Cha, Rosia at Shin.)

Cha: I hope I get a lot of it always...

Shin: just tell me whenever you want it... and whatever the number of horses I;m tending I'll bring you back to that place...

Cha: I told you flowery words don't soothe me anymore...

Shin: if that's because of that dumb guy you're saying that, you're totatlly dumber...

Cha: you think?

Shin: yah... 'cause he is not the only guy in this world...

Cha: which means I got you?

Shin: I don't know...

Cha: you just told me that whetever the number of horses is you're going for me...

Shin: it was not like that...

Cha: for me, it's like that!

(dumating sila sa hacienda at dumeretso si Cha sa kwarto nya. Kinagabihan naman kumakatok si TOP sa kwarto nya pagkatapos nang dinner, )

Cha: open!

(pumasok si TOP.)

Cha: what it is TOP?

(bumangon si Cha sa kama.)

TOP: have you seen my watch?

Cha: what watch?

TOP: my $2900 watch.

Cha: oh, sorry IO didn;t, but if you want I can help you find it...

TOP: no hopes... I searched for it all ove this house,

Cha: and still nothing?

TOP: yah!

Cha: oooh, I'm sorry..

TOP: that's fine, that's my cheapest watch anyways...

Cha: haha! bragger!

TOP: whats that?

Cha: secret!

TOP: haha, wanna join me?

Cha: where?

TOP: trip...

Cha: what trip?

TOP: hiking... I know a place...

Cha: really?

TOP yup...

Cha: give me a minute...

TOP: okay....

Cha: I mean, get out and close the door 'cause I'm gonna change.

TOP: oooh, sorry...

(lumabas si TOP at isinara ang pinto, nagsuot si Cha ng maong at rubber shoes, pati na rin jacket. Gamit ang sasakyan ni TOP nagpunta muli sila sa may lawa, at pagaktapos hindi sila dumeretso bagkus lumiko sila sa isang mas amdilim na parte ng kagubatan, at gamit ang flashlight nakikuta nila ang concretong daan, maya-maya pintay ni TOP ang flashlight nya,)

Cha: why?

TOP: turn that off now... and keep quiet..

(bulong ni TOP. Pinatay ni Cha ang flashlight nya at sumunod kay TOP. Pagkatapos ng konti pang lakad, huminto sila at namgha si Cha sa nakita, ito'y parang isang maliit na open field na pabilog at may mga bulaklaking halaman paikot sa harap ng malalaking puno, kitang kita ang liwanag ng buwan mula sa gitna ngunit ang tunay na nagpaganda dito ay ang mga alitaptap na lumilipad-lipad sa paigid ng mga puno.)

Cha: oh my!

(napalakas ang boses ni Cha.)

TOP: sssssh.

(saway ni TOP.)

Cha: sorry...

(ibinaba ni TOP ang kanyang bag sa gitna ng maliit na open field at inilabas ang isang sleeping bag.)

TOP: You'll be sleeping here...

Cha: what? me?

TOP: yah!

Cha: haha, no way!

TOP: don't worry! I'll stay around,

Cha: where?

TOP: I can sleep while sitting and resting my back against the tree.

Cha: no way...

TOP: yah, but before that ket's have some snack...

(kinuha ni TOP mula sa kanyang bag ang tinapay at keso pati na rin ang isang bote ng gatas. Pagkatapos nahiga si Cha sa sleeping bag at sumandal naman si TOP sa isa sa mga puno, at kinumutan nya lang ang kanyang sarili gamit ang suot nyang jacket, nakatulog silang dalawa. Maya-maya nagising si Cha dahil sa may kumikiliti sa tenga nya, pagmulat ng mata nya nagulat sya ng may makita syang isang brown na kuneho, hahawakan nya sana ito ng bigla itong tumakbo palayo, bumngon si Cha mula sa pagkakahiga nya sa sleeping bag, nakita nya si TOP na tulog na tulog, lumapit sya rito, lumuhod sya sa harap ni TOP, pinagmasdan ang mukha nito habang natutulog, kinuha ni Cha ang kumot na nalaglag sa sahig at ibinalik nya ito kay TOP, nagising si TOP at nakita ni Cha ang magandang ppungay ng mga mata nito.)

TOP: hey!

Cha: sorry, did I woke you up?

TOP: kinda... are you fine or do you wanna go back now?

Cha: I'm just fine...

(bumalik si Cha sa sleeping bag at hindi na sya muling makatulog.)

Cha: TOP?

TOP: uhm?

Cha: are you sleeping?

TOP: I'm trying...

Cha: I wanna do something...

TOP: what something?

Cha: show me around you hut.

TOP: are you sure?

Cha: yah, and maybe we could stay there?

TOP: forever?

Cha: what?

(nalimpungatan si TOP.)

TOP: ow, sorry... sorry...

Cha: haha, you're funny.

(bumngon muli si Cha.)

TOP: come on...

Cha: sure...

(muli silang naglakad at binuksan na nila ang mga flashlights nila, dumaan silang muli sa lawa at naroon muli ang mga swan kasama nga inahin nitong nalangoy na rin, pumasok sila sa hut ni TOP at ipinakita ang kabuuan nito kay Cha, meron itong maliliit na sofa at ilang pirasong mga kagamitan sa bahay, meron din itong maliit at lumang radyo, maeron ding isang frame,)

Cha: are you that child?

(tanong ni Cha kay TOP>)

TOP: yup.

Cha: you're chubby!

TOP: and so? That's years ago, and the TOP now is hotter and sexier...

(sagot ni TOP sa isang sexy na boses.)

Cha: haha, whatever.

TOP: want some?

(alok ni TOP kay Cha.)

Cha: no thanks.

(naupo si Cha sa sofa.)

TOP: I wanna tell you something before it gets too late...

(lumingon si TOP kay Cha, at nakatulog na pala ito, iniayos nya ang position ni Cha at kinumutan ito.)

--

Knights and Princesses. bk 3 part 17.

(kinagabihan dumating si SHey at si Kim, dumating din si Ryuu, ginanap nila ang birthday party para kay Shey. Nag-enjoy silang lahat. Lumapit si Ghie kay Cha.)

Ghie: I heard...

Cha: yah...

Ghie: he's a jerk.. he is, believe me.

Cha: I know...

Ghie: you'll find others, Cha.

Cha: yah, but one thing's for sure... I'll never fall for rich guys again.

Ghie: you'll never know, Cha.

Cha: I don't care.

Ghie: you'll see....

(maya-maya may nagdoorbell.)

Eigh: I'll get it!

(tumakbo si Eigh papunta sa gate at binuksan ito.)

Eigh: hey! What a surprise! Come in...

(pumasok sila Eigh sa loob kasama ang bagong bisita.)

Eigh: Ghie, you have someone here...

Shey: who is he?

(bulong ni Shey kay Eigh.)

Eigh: Ghie's future...

Ghie: shut up, Eigh...

(lumingon si Ghie kay Seung Ri)

Seungri: hi!

Ghie: what are you doing here?

Seungri: delivering your papers due tomorrow.

Ghie: tomorrow?

Seungri: yup...

Ghie: that lot?

Seungri: yah...

Ghie: how can I finish that overnight?

Eigh: you need help, Ghie.

Shey: yah, the guest room is empty...

(lumapit si Shey at Eigh kay Ghie at tinapik ang likod nya sabay ngiti kay Seung Ri. Ngumiti din naman si Seung Ri.)

Ghie: overnight?

Seungri: I'm free now,

Ghie: I'll handle this myself....

Seungri: some needs computations.... proofreading...

Ghie: okay... fine....

Seungri: okay, just a bit...

(lumabas si Seung Ri at kinuha ang mga papel at gamit nya sa sasakyan.)

Ghie: what's that?

Seungri: my clothes... utilities...

Ghie: huh?

Seungri: I'm ready!

Shey: come on here, Seung Ri!

(binuksan ni Shey ang pinto para sa guest room, inilagay ni Seung Ri ang mga gamit nya dito...)

Eigh: Ryuu and I will stay at his condo...

Shey: Kim and I will stay at his house...

Cha: ooooh, I took a break from work, and I'll go to our hacienda...

Jop: I'll stay at the condo...

Arw: I'll stay with, Jop.

(eto ang mga narinig ni Ghie, dahil sensitive sya sa topic na ito ngayon.)

Ghie: what?

Eigh: like what you've heard...

(dumating si Top.)

Cha: hey jerk!

TOP: hey!

(bineso ni Cha s TOP.)

Ghie: something, fishy?

Eigh: no, he'll accompany Cha.

Cha: and this is your night, Ghie.

(ang mga lalaki ay naginuman sa may bakuran ng townhouse, habang ang mga babae naman ay naglilinis ng bahay o kaya'y nakain sa loob. Lumabas si Shey.)

Kim: hey, babe...

(nagsexy dance si Kim sa harap ni Shey.)

Shey: haha, stop that Kim, need more foods?

Ryuu: nope, we're just fine...

Shey: haha, okay...

(pumasok muli si Cha sa loob. Maya-maya natapos na ang party at isa-isa na silang nagsi-alisan,)

Ghie: bye guys!

Eigh: haha, hit him, Ghie...

Shey: strut your stuff!

Cha: flaunt it!

Ghie: whatever!

(umalis na sila at pumasok na si Ghie sa loob, pagpasok nya katatapos lang maligo ni Seung Ri at suot nito ngayon ang isang white fitted sando at blue na pajama.)

Seungri: shall we?

Ghie: do your part, while I take the shower...

Seungri: okay...

(naligo si Ghie. Paglabas nya may nakahandang frappe sa lamesa.)

Seungri: Eigh told me you like frappes...

Ghie: so?

Seungri: I made you one...

Ghie: haha, do you think I'll take that?

Seungri: no.... are you still mad at me.

Ghie: if murder is legal, I would have killed you already.

Seungri: haha.

(naupo na si Ghie at sinimulang na ang mga paperworks, nang matapos sya napansin nyang nakatulog si Seung Ri, tiningnan nya ang frappe at kinuha ito.)

Ghie: jerk! Wake up, the room's over there...

Seungri: oh, sorry... you done?

Ghie: almost...

(tiningnan ni Seung Ri ang basong may frappe kanina, naglakad naman si Ghie papunta sa kusina at kinuhanan ng tubig si Seung Ri.)

Ghie: here drink first...

Seungri: for what?

Ghie: sweet dreams...

--

Knights and Princesses. bk 3 part 16.

(kinabukasan ng ribbon cutting ng bagong branch ng chain of computer and gadget shop ni Jop, napagdesisyonan ni Eigh na mamili ng ilang gamit para sa birthday bash nila para kay Shey. Nagpunta sila sa condo ni Jop.)

Girl1: that guy is so rich!

Girl2: yah, I think I'm starting to like him!

Girl1: haha, when we're married I'm gonna buy all hot things!

Girl2: you'll not be marrying!

Girl1: why???

Girl2: 'cause I'm gonna marry him!

Eigh: gold diggers! move out.

(sabi ni Eigh habang itnutulak ang mga babae, kinatok nya ang pinto ng condo ni Jop.)

Cha: Eigh,

Eigh: yep?

Cha: I think you have to push the doorbell.

Eigh: oh, there is?

Cha: yah.

(sagot ni Cha habang itinuturo ang doorbeel kay Eigh, pinindot ito ni Eigh at agad lumabas si Jop.)

Jop: yup?

Eigh: we're going shopping!

Jop: why?

Cha: for Shey's birthday bash.

Eigh: Arwin's at the parking lot, come on now!

Jop: how about Ghie?

Eigh: she's stuck with paper works.

Jop: Cha? Don't you have paperworls to do?

Cha: I finished them last night.

Jop: just a bit!

(oumasok si Jop sa kwarto nya para magbihis, pagkalabas nya natanaw ni Eigh ang isang baba na nakaupo sa sofa.)

Eigh: who's the girl?

Jop: uhm... my sister?

Eigh: Jop, you don't have one!

Jop: it's Yoshino after the operation.

Eigh: don't tell me you're going out with sluts?

Jop: no.

Eigh: okay, then. I wanna know more about her! So we can prepare a bit of something for her when I finally met her.

Jop: okay.

(sumakay sila sa kotse ni Cha at nagdrive si Arwin papunta sa isang mall, doon ikinikwento ni Jop kung paano sila nagmeet ni Melody, pagdating nila sa mall agad silang namili ng mga kakailanganin para sa mga pagkain at sa party mismo, nang matapos na sila, inilagay muna ni Arwin ang mga unang napamili sa sasakyan atsaka sila nagpunta sa department store,)

Eigh: oooh, I like this mug...

(dumaan si Cha, nakita ito ni Eigh sa periphery nya.)

Eigh: isn't it nice Cha? I mean it's totally orange!

(nakangiti si Eigh habang ipinapakita kay Cha ang mug na nagustuhan nya, patulo si Cha sa paglalakad, ibinaba ni Eigh ang mug,)

Arw: let's go...

Eigh: why?

(hinihila na nila Arwin at Jop si igh ngunit gusto talaga nya ang mug.)

Jop: I'll be going back here later to buy your mug...

Eigh: but I can buy it now!

Jop: we need to prepare everything for Shey!

Eigh: uhm, okay...

(palingon na sa harap si Eigh, nang bigla syang may nakita at napalingon sya dito pabalik. Pinaliit nya ang mga mata nya para makita nang maayos ang tinitingnan nya.)

Eigh: let go...

Arw: not ime...

Jop: come on..

Eigh: let go...

(galit na si Eigh, binitawan na sya ng mga kaibigan nyang lalaki.)

Eigh: go afetr Cha, I'll be following.

(hinabol nila Arwin at Jop si Cha. Naglakad si Eigh papunta sa nakita nya.)

Eigh: hey!!!

(bati nito sa tonong kamusta ka? Napalingon ang lalaki)

Micky: Eigh?

Eigh: hey! Long time no see, Micky!

(tumingin si Eigh sa babaeng nakapulupot ang kamay sa braso ni Micky.)

Eigh: who is she?

Taewon: I'm his girlfriend...

Eigh: oooh, scary...

(napataw si Eigh, tsaka naging seryoso ang mukha nya.)

Eigh: people!

(sigaw nya at nagtinginan ang lahat ng tao sa department store sa kanya.)

Eigh: this guy here used to be a soccer team cpatain of the University he was enrolled to during college.

(naflattered si Micky at napakamot sya ng ulo, napangiti ang mga tao sa paligid nya.)

Eigh: and he is my bestfriend's fiance...

(tumingin ng masama si Eigh kay Taewon, nagulat naman si Taewon.)

Eigh: well at least before he died...

(nagkaroon ng iba't ibang facial expression ang mga tao, ang iba kala nagbibiro si Eigh ang iba hindi maisip kung totoo ba.)

Eigh: yah, it's true he died hours before the wedding day...

Micky: but it...

Eigh: sssssh, I was really disppointed Micky... oooh.

(binuksan ni Eigh ang hawak nyang bag.)

Eigh: I know this'll come in handy...

(inilabas nya ang isang nakatuping papel at binuklat iyon pagkatapo binasa nya ito, ito pala ang death certificate ni Micky.)

Eigh: And every mistake has its own punishment.... and being a leader you should know it...

Olivia: what is happening here?

(napalingon si Eigh sa nanay ni Micky na si Olivia.)

Olivia: ow, the low class girl...

Eigh: and the vintage old woman... ooops, should I say ancient? Haha.

(pataray na tumawa si Eigh, tumakbo naman si Taewon papunta kay Olivia at nagsumbong,)

Olivia: what happened to your friend is right for her... she is down under while we are up above..

(pagyayabang ni Olivia. Lalong nainis si Eigh at nakangiting lumapit kay Olivia.)

Eigh: you think so?

(lalo pang ngumiti si Eigh.)

Eigh: Olivia... Olivia... my group... our group... is now holding 40% of your yearly investment...

(nanlaki ang mata ni Olivia.)

Eigh: and Cha, hold the most from us... and the other companies that have an investment on your company are members of my close friend's company... and in one click it'll all be gone... and you from up above will hit the ground like a vaccum!

(napangiti si Eigh at sobrang naiinis na si Olivia.)

Eigh: so... therefore you shall conclude that you should not be daring an Eigh Ururu-Tsuji... ever again...

(nakangiting bulong ni Eigh kay Olivia.)

Eigh: so, goodluck on the wedding! And Micky may you live long... again, By the way, how's death? Haha...

(naglakad si Eigh palayo at lumingon ulit kay Olivia)

Eigh: byei!

(pagdating ni Eigh sa kotse agad syang sumakay.)

Eigh: forgive me, Cha...

Cha: it's fine...

Eigh: and I don't like the strain look on his mother's face...

(huminga ng malalim si Eigh.)

Eigh: if something unusual happened to me, take her in...

Arw: what do you eman?

Eigh: haha, nothing... let's go now...

(umalis na sila sa mall.)

--

Knights and Princesses. bk 3 part 15.

(makalipas ang ilang linggo ginanap na ang grand opening ng unang Cruise ng Knights and Princesses, at tulad nang napagplanuhan si Ghie ang magmamanage at aaktong president ng cruise, sa kanya na rin ang lahat ng desisyon patungkol sa bagong business, narito ang lahat bukod kay Bom. Ang gabing yun din ang unang monthsary ni Aruin at ni Bom, matapos ang dalawang araw, naganap na ang unang araw ni Ghie sa opisina ng cruise nila, maaga pa lang dumating na si Ghie sa opisina patra magpatawag ng meeting. Nang matapos na ang meeting at paalis na sya ng room, bigla syang bumalik at napaupo muli ang mga tauhan nya.)

Ghie: And by the way, Lee Seung Ri is a black list on our company.

(sumang ayon ang mga tauhan at lumabas na si Ghie. Dumalaw si Eigh dahil wala naman syang pasok ngayon sa bago nyang trabaho sa pagawaan ng gamot, pagdating ni Eigh may kausap si Ghie sa phone.)

Ghie: okay, ma'am..

(ibinaba ni Ghie ang telepono.)

Eigh: hi! How's first day?

Ghie: tiring... and how's your new job?

Eigh: exciting... haha.

Ghie: I'm might need tpo ask you a favor.

Eigh: yahp?

Ghie: do the phone calls... the reservation list is on this paper, and the waiting list is in here. Okay?

Eigh: fine.

(lumabas si Ghie at si Eigh ang gumawa ng phone calls matapos iexplain sa kanya ni Ghie ang itnuro sa kanya ng counselor. Naupo si Eigh at nagring ulit ang telepono, ito ay tungkol sa isang reservation na kanina pa chinecheck ngunit wala pa ring update tungkol sa development ng request nya.)

Eigh: oh, okay sir, I have booked your reservation now, see you on the first trip.

(pagkababa ni Eigh nagring naman ang kabilang telepono parehong kaso naman ito, at nakailan pa syang ganitong kaso. At nang mapuno na ang reservation list, natanggihan nya na ang mga taong gustong magpareserve, sa susunod na lang na balik ng cruise ang alok ni Eigh, matapos ang ilang minutong paghihintay ni Eigh ng reply dahil sa tumingin pa ang mga ito sa sched nila, karamihan naman ay pumayag at nagpabook na ng early reservation. Pagkabalik ni Ghie sobra ang pagrereklamo ni Eigh, kinabihan naman ng pauwi na sya.)

Ghie: Eigh!

(sigaw ni Ghie sa receiver ng phone nya.)

Eigh: okay! I'm on my way, okay?

(si Eigh kasi ang sumusundo kay Ghie habang wala pa itong kotse nya sa sarili. Dumating si Eigh at dumeretso sila sa townhouse ng Knights and Princesses. Kinabukasan bago umalis si Eigh sa townhouse, may isang lalaki ang nagmakaawa sa kanya na bigyan sya ng trabaho bilang assistant ng president nang kahit isa sa kumapnya nila, nahabag si Eigh at ibinigay ang assistant position sa cruise. Dinala nya ito sa opisina at ipinakilala kay Ghie, at nanghingi rin sya ng tawad kung bakit pa sya makielam sa desisyon.)

Ghie: okay.. okay... whatever, now show him to me...

Eigh: he's outside already, and I'm running late... thanks Ghie.

(bineso ni Eigh si Ghie at tumakbo palabas, pumasok naman ang isang nerdy looking guy sa opisina ni Ghie, paupo pa lang si Ghie habang binabasa ang daily report para kahapon, nang tumayo ang lalaki sa harap nya.)

Ghie: uhm, okay, so you'll be doing the errands... paperworks, well not all but mostly... and...

(tumingin s Ghie sa lalaking nasa harap nya at nanlaki ang mga mata nya.)

Seungri: hi?

Ghie: what are you doing here?

Seungri: working as your assistant?

Ghie: Eigh, hired you?

Seungri: uhm, yah...

Ghie: what the hell are you thinking?

(hinawakan ni Ghie ang noo nya na parang sumasakit ang ulo.)

Ghie: you're fired...

Seungri: fired? But I'm not even starting...

Ghie: fired!

Seungri: I'll stay...

Ghie: get out or I'll call the guards...

(maya-maya may kumatok sa pinto pinapasok ito ni Ghie at may dala itong sang katutak na papel,)

Employee: ma'am this papers are in need of your immediate approval now.

(napatingin si Ghie sa mga papel.)

Seunri: I guess you really have to need me..

(walang nagawa si Ghie, madali naman itong natapos ni Seung Ri dahil bihasa na sya rito.)

Ghie: get me some coffee...

(panay ganyan ang utos ni Ghie, kung hindi yan clean the room, natapos ang unang araw, maagang dumating si Eigh para sunduin si Ghie. Sa kotse:)

Eigh: I didn't know!

Ghie: you should've asked...

Eigh: I did, like before...

Ghie: aaarrrgh, whatever,

Eigh: haha, and by the way, next week...

Ghie: what about it?

Eigh: Cha, Jop and I, had some funding I mean contribution...

Ghie: then?

Eigh: you'll have your car by then...

Ghie: no way?

Eigh: yah... it's a gift so no payments allowed...

Ghie: oh gee! Thanks! Can't wait...

Eigh: uhm, but you have to take my service for a few days...

Ghie: it's fine at least I am looking forward for something...

Eigh: haha.

(dumaan ang mga araw at gabi gabi pa rin syang sinusundo ni Eigh o di kaya'y ni Jop o si Cha, isang gabi...)

Ghie: Eigh!

Eigh: oh gosh! I forgot... wait!

Ghie: aaarrrgh! faster! The sky is giving me a warning that it's gonna rain!

Eigh: promise I'll be there in a bit!

(binaba ni Ghie ang phone. At isang sasakyan mula sa likod at bumusina sa kanya. Lumngon sya sa nakalabas na ulo ni Seung Ri sa bintana ng sasakyan nito.)

Seungri: need a lift?

Ghie: from you? NO!

Seungri: but?

Ghie: no...

Seungri: fine.

(umalis si Seung Ri, naghintay pa rin si Ghie nang ilang minuto. Maya-mya bumusina muli si Seung Ri.)

Seungri: come on!

Ghie: no!

(kumulog.)

Ghie: fine!

(sumakay si Ghie sa kotse ni Seung Ri ngunit may mga lamang bagahe ang likod ng sasakyan nito kaya sa harap sya naupo. Tinawagan nya si Eigh at sinabing hindi na sya magpapasundo.)

Ghie: this doen't mean anything...

Seungri: sure...

(hindi sila nag-usap, dumating sila sa townhouse. Sinalubong sya ni Eigh.)

Eigh: sorry...

Ghie: fine.

Eigh: I prepared something for you...

(hinampas ni Eigh ang sasakyan ni Seung Ri nang pagkalakas lakas na nakapagpalabas kay Seung Ri.)

Seungri: what the?

Eigh: sorry... I'm inviting you inside.

Seungri: but I...

Eigh: I'm your employer, am I?

(pumasok sila sa loob para magdinner.)

--

Knights and Princesses. bk 3 part 14.

(Kinagabihan nagkaroon ng party para sa mga guest na prospect investors sa mga business ng grupo, dito na rin ganap na inanounce ni Eigh ang pagbubukas ng kanilang unang Cruise Ship sa susunod na buwan. At pagkatapos itinour na ni Eigh kasama sina Ghie, Jop, Arwin, Shey at Ryuu pati na rin si Kim, ang ilan sa mga prospect investors. Naiwan si Cha sa may garden kung saan ginaganap ang party, narito pa kasi ang mga anak ng kanilang prospect investors, kahit bata pa lang ang mga ito, business na rin ang pinaguspan, mangilan-ngilan lang ang naguusap tungkol sa buhay pag-ibig, umakyat si Cha sa main balcony, at itinukod nya ang kanyang siko sa harang sa balcony at pinagmasdan ang kabuuan ng paligid ng Hacienda, maya-mya lumapit sa kanya si TOP. )

TOP: hey! all alone?

(nilingon sya ni Cha)

Cha: uhm, yah, obviously...

TOP: where are your friends?

Cha: they are touring the prospects...

TOP: it's 8 in the evening, and it's kinda late for a tour...

Cha: uhm, yah, Eigh's kinda weird sometime...

TOP: uhm, I think so, but there are lights all over the place.

CHa: yah, and the view is even better at night, specially under that bright full moon.

(tiningnan ni TOP ang full moon na kasalukuyang pinagmamasdan din ni Cha.)

TOP: yah, it's pretty..

Cha: very pretty. So why are you here?

TOP: I know the place like ABC's.

Cha: uhm, yah, being the oldest investor...

TOP: oldest?

Cha: I mean, your family is investing here for sometime already, right?

TOP: uhm, yah. So, do you have a boyfriend or something?

Cha: haha, I almost got married,

TOP: almost?

Cha: yah, if my fiance did not died, I might have been married now.

TOP: oh, I'm sorry to hear that...

Cha: haha, it's fine... and it's in a long story...

TOP: do you get sad about it?

Cha: who's not? I mean, hello? My fiance died while I was waiting for him to come infront of the altar.

TOP: haha, jerk...

Cha: glad you know.

(iniangat ni TOP ang kanyang $2900 golden watch.)

Cha: $2900 huh?

TOP: haha, yah... come on.

(binuhat ni TOP si Cha.)

Cha: wait! Where are we going?

TOP: just don't move and stay still..

(ibinaba ni TOP si Cha sa hagdan, at isinakay sa kotse nito. )

Cha: if you're trying to rape me inside Eigh's property, you're freaking dead by tomorrow.

(inistart na ni TOP ang sasakyan.)

TOP: I don't rape small girls like you...

Cha: small? Huh, you're just too huge! And being over is worst than being under!

TOP: I think you got it wrong..

(tumingin muna si TOP kay Cha habang sinasabi ito atsaka nya ibinalik ang mata sa kalsada at nagsimulang magdrive. Fifteen minutes drive ito, bumaba huminto si TOP sa harap ng isang private property gate, bumaba si Cha sa kotse.)

Cha: so what's this? You are planning a trespass?

TOP: trespass??

(lumapit si TOP sa gate, at inislide nya ang kanyang ID sa may device sa harap nito, at kusang nagbukas ang gate after ng isang mahinag beep.)

TOP: for your information, I own this private place.

Cha: whatever.

(naglakad si TOP sa loob ng gate.)

TOP: are you coming or not?

Cha: what are we going to do inside?

TOP: just follow!

(sumunod si Cha kay TOP at nanatili sya sa tabi nito hanggang sa dumating sila sa pupuntahan nila.)

TOP: here we are.

(huminto si TOP sa gitna ng kagubatan.)

Cha: here? In the middle of nowhere? You're probably lost and you're not admitting it, ' cause your ego is just too much!

(naiinis na sabi ni Cha habang kinukuha ang cellphone sa loob ng bag)

TOP: ssssssshhh..

(sagot ni TOP)

TOP: bring that down.

Cha: my phone?

TOP: no your bag.

(hinubad ni TOP ang kanyang damit hanggang sa itim nitong boxer shorts.)

Cha: oh my!

TOP: just put your things down!

Cha: I won't! And actually I'm gonna start running now!

(sagot ni Cha habang dahan dahang naglalakad patalikod, si TOP naman ay dahan dahan ding naglakad papunta sa likuran ng makakapal na bushes.)

Cha: where are you going?

TOP: I thought you'd be running?

Cha: arrrgghh.

(sinundan ni Cha si TOP.)

Cha: Where the hell....

(hindi natapos ni Cha ang sasabihin nya ng makakita sya ng isang magandang lake sa likuran ng bushes, napapaligiran na ito ng fog sa ibabaw, at may mga ilan ding swan ang naliligo sa lawa, at sa gilid may isang maikling tulay at sa dulo nito ay isang maliit na bangka, meron ding gulong sa gitna ng lawa na isinabit sa sanga ng isang malaking puno para maging swing.)

TOP: pretty?

Cha: very...

(tumakbo si TOP papunta sa lawa, at ang mga swan ay nabulabog kaya't isa-isa silang nagsiliparan, tuwang tuwa si Cha habang pinagmamasdan ang paglipad ng mga ito sa ibabaw nya ng ulo nya.)

TOP: the water's good!

Cha: it's freezing cold!

(napahinto si Cha at tumingin sa bangka, binitawan nya ang gamit nya at tumakbo sa tulay patungo sa bangka, sumakay sya rito at lumapit kay TOP. Mula sa pagkakababad sa ilalim ng tubig iniangat ni TOP ang ulo nya at isinampa ang siko sa dulo ng bangka, nagulat at natakot si Cha.)

Cha: what are you doing? I might fall...

TOP: still scared of me?

Cha: nope! I mean yes!

TOP: haha.

(umalis si TOP at bumalik sa stable position ang bangka, lumapit si TOP sa gulong na swing at umakyat dito, nilikot0likot nya ang katawn para gumalaw ang swing, at nang malapit na sya sa puno itinukod nya ang kanyang paa para mapalaki ang torque ng swing. Halos sobrang lapit ni TOP kay Cha habang nagsuswing, at ang mga tubig sa katawa ni TOP through droplets ay nakakabasa kay Cha.)

Cha: haha! you're childish TOP!

TOP: being childlike is different form being childish!

(sagot ni TOP habang pabali-balik ang swing at lumiliit ang torque nito, nung tumapat sya sa bangka ni Cha tumalon sya, at nabasa si Cha! Imbes na magalit natuwa na lang si Cha, maya-maya pa lumusong na rin si Cha kahit suot nya ang isang purple dress at make-up.)

TOP: see? the water's good, right?

Cha: haha, yah!

(naglaro silang dalawa sa lawa, at nung umahon na sila binigyan ni TOP si Cha ng tuwalya at sinabihan itong tumalikod dahil magbibihis sya, tumalikod naman si Cha.)

Cha: this place is very nice!

TOP: that's why I bought it.

Cha: uhm, why?

TOP: why? Haven't I just said why?

Cha: I mean, so what if it's nice?

TOP: it's very natural and fantastical, it'll be a great waste if this place is destroyed by heartless people,

Cha: haha, yah, you sound like Eigh.

TOP: actually, she's trying to buy this from me,

Cha: then?

TOP: I won't let her, 'cause this place its just too important for me... when I have problems, even if I drive a long way from Manila, I'll go and stay here, see that hut?

(itinuro ni TOP kay Cha ang isang maliit na hut sa tabi ng lawa.)

TOP: I stay there.

Cha: uhm, okay.

(sumakay silang dalawa sa kotse ni TOP at bumalik sa Hacienda,)

--

Knights and Princesses. bk 3 part 13.

(umupo na si Eigh sa tabi ni Cha sa pagkaktaon ito.)

Eigh: Cha, do you really think Micky is dead???

Cha: I don;t know... but I'm hoping, he's not...

(patulo ang luha sa mga mata ni Cha.)

Eigh: I am not telling you this because I wanna see you cry, besides who will want to see a bestfriend cry, right?

(naghintay si Eigh nang reply mula kay Cha pero ipinatong na ni Cha ang noo nya sa balikat ni Eigh,)

Eigh: let me take this case Cha, for your sake, but for the mean time, hold on, okay?

Cha: I will, Eigh!

Eigh: and by the way, some guests will arrive tomorrow morning, so I wanna see at your best.

Cha: I will.

Eigh: thanks,

(tumayo si Eigh at naglakad papunta sa kusina,)

Eigh: I'll be preparing dinner.

Cha: okay,

Eigh: what do you want for dessert?

Cha: your cake,

Eigh: ok.

(kinagabihan dumating si Ryuu kasama si Kim. Doon natulog si Kim sapagkat naroon si Shey, ngunti si Kim ay nasa guest room. Bago matulog, nakatayo si Eigh sa glass door papunta sa master's terrace sa kwarto nila, katatapos lang maligo ni Ryuu nang lumabas sya sa banyo, nakita nya si Eigh na nakatulala sa labas at pinagmamasdan ang garden na tanaw mula sa bukas na glass door, nilapitan ito ni Ryuu at niyakap sa bewan, ipinatong nya ang kanyang baba sa balikat ni Eigh, medyo nagulat si Eigh, ngunit ipinadulas nya ang kanyang mga kamay sa braso ni Ryuu na nakayakap sa bewang nya tsaka nya ito tuluyang hinawakan ng mahigpit.)

R: are you alright?

Eigh: I am now,

R: 'cause I'm here?

Eigh: 'cause I feel safe if I'm in your arms.

R: how much do you love me, Eigh?

Eigh: before... I love you as much as I love my ownself, but now... I love you more than bafore, ' cause now your not just someone, you're my only one now...

R: I love you more than anything wealth can give... I love you, and a whole lifetime is not enough...

Eigh: I Love you too, Ryuu...

(bumitaw si Ryuu kay Eigh, atsaka isinara ang glass door.)

R: let's go to bed, now.

Eigh: okay.

(natulog silang dalawa, kinabukasan maagang bumangon si Cha, ngunit mas maaga si Eigh dahil naghanda ito ng breakfast.)

Eigh: morning,

Cha: morning,

(ngumiti si Cha ngunit halatang namamaga ang mga mata nya kakaiyak, nagpunta si Cha sa CR para maligo, lumabas sya suot ang isang dilaw na dress.)

Eigh: going somewhere?

Cha: I'm going for a stroll..

Eigh: do you need company?

Cha: no, I wanna be alone this time,

Eigh: okay, and by the way the other guests are coming over after lunch.

Cha: okay!

(hindi na pinansin ni Cha ang sentence construction ni Eigh at lumabas sya, nagsimula syang maglakad sa garden at nakarating sya sa isang malaking open field, suot ang isang hat na may dilaw din na ribbon, umikat-ikot si Cha sa damuhan habang pinakikiramdaman ang sikat ng araw sa kanyang radiant skin at ang malinis na simoy ng hangin, maya-maya pa nakarinig sya ng inag mula sa likod, at nang tumalikod sya isang harras ng mga kabayo na tumatakbo papunta sa direction nya, malinis na nakalinya ito, at nang dumaan ito sa harap nya, hindi nya mapigilan ang lubos na kaligayahan at napasigaw sya sa tuwa, nang dumating ang huli sa grup sinundan nya ito ng tingin papunta sa downhill ng open field,)

Ewan: Ho! Ho!

(lumingon si Cha sa kanyang likuran, at nakita nya ang isang makisig na lalaki pababa nang isang puting kabayo, suot nito ay isang luma at kupas na maong na may butas na tuhod at ang isang polo na parang pang cowboy, magulo ang buhok nito at may mga straw pa mula sa barn)

Ewan: Hi?

Cha: Hi? Say it again.

Ewan: hi!

(ngumiti ang lalaki habang papalapit ito kay Cha.)

Ewan: you're new here, I haven't seen you before,

Cha: oh, I'm Cha,

Ewan: Cha? Princess Cha?

Cha: uhm, yah?

(lumuhod ang lalaki at kinuha ang kanang kamay ni Cha para halikan, pagkatapos tumayo muli ito.)

Cha: and you are?

Ewan: Shin... the barn keeper and horse trainor.

Cha: oh...

(sagot ni Cha habang palapit sya sa puting kabayo, hinawakan nya ito sa ilalim ng bibig.)

Shin: is she gorgeous?

Cha: yah,

Shin: Princess Eigh, owns her... her name is Rosie.

Cha: Rosie? What a name, Eigh is weird sometime,

Shin: haha, yah I think so,

Cha: really? Why?

Shin: sometimes every morning after breakfast I see her plowing the fields, she's all in mud, sometimes she's gonna clean the pen, sometimes she'll bring her workers food for lunch or dinner, actually it happens every time she's here.

Cha: that's not weird, it's her lifelong dream, a life in the farm.

Shin: haha, really?

Cha: yah, but it's reality now so she's grabbing every opportunity,

Shin: do you like horses?

Cha: I like them in romantic movies, but I really don't ride horses...

Shin: you don't or you can't?

Cha: uhm, I can't...

Shin: come on..

(binuhat ni Shin si Cha paakyat sa kabayo,)

Cha: oh, she's tall...

Shin: no, you;re just small...

Cha: how dare!

Shin: oh sorry princess,

Cha: just kidding, but now that I'm here, ring me somewhere...

Shin: where exactly do you wanna go Princess?

Cha: down hill..

(habang hawak ang tali ng kabayo pinalakad ito ni Shin sakay si Cha, at nagpunta sila sa iba pang mga kabayo na nagtatakbuhan at kumakain sa field sa ibaba, pagdating doon, inilalayan ng lalaki si Cha pababa.)

Cha: thanks... How long have you been here?

Shin: my family lives here, the Tsuji family is very kind they gave us our own land and everything, but Princess Eigh is much kinder...

Cha: haha.

(naglakad si Cha patungo sa ilog.)

Shin: you like that?

Cha: yup.

Shin: Princess Eigh and Sir Ryuu also like that, but they go somewhere else to see that.

Cha: where?

Shin: it's been a secret.

Cha: oh...

(may tumalon na isda at bahagyang nabasa si Cha, napatayo sya.)

Shin: haha careful.

(nasalo ni Shin si Cha nang maout of balance ito sa pagtayo, napatingin sa kanya si Cha na nakasandal sa dib dib ni Shin.)

Cha: thanks,

Shin: you cried?

Cha: huh?

Shin: you can't lie,

Cha: haha, yah, and so what? My boyfriend just died during our wedding...

Shin: oh?

(nalungkot ang mukha ni Shin.)

Cha: but Eigh;s doing something about it...

Shin: how? I mean she's just a human being like us...

Cha: never under estimate human beings, I mean, whatever... She'll not give life to him again,

Shin: then what'll she do?

Cha: she's thinking of something like foul play,

Shin: oh...

(maya-maya dumating si Eigh sakay ang isang trekker na dinrive ni Ryuu, lumapit ito sa kanila,)

Eigh: oh, Cha I'm glad you've met...

(hindi natapos ang dapat sasabihin ni Eigh nang biglang lumuhod si Shin...)

Shin: princess the barn keeper is at service...

Eigh: barn keeper?

(tumayo si Shin at tumingin sa mata ni Eigh...)

Eigh: oh yah... yah...

(papilit na tumawa si Eigh.)

Eigh: I always forgot... don't I? haha...

Cha: yah, I met Shin already and he's such a nice man, and also your horse Eigh...

Eigh: Rosie? Oh..

(tiningnan ni Eigh si Cha na nakatingin sa kabayo at tumingin din sya sa kabayo,)

Eigh: you can have her if you want..

Cha: but she's yours...

Eigh: I don't own her, she still has right, and that's why I'm giving her to you...

Cha: no jokes?

Eigh: do I look like joking?

Cha: oh, thanks...

(niyakap ni Cha si Eigh.)

Eigh: breakfast is ready...

(nagpaalam si Cha kay Shin at bumalik sa hacienda para kumain, nakain na ang iba pag dating nya, naghugas ng kamay si Cha at pagbalik nya sa dining room, isang bagong lalaki ang nakita nya, malinis ito at mukhang napakayaman,)

Eigh: Cha, this is our guest, Mr. Choi Seung Hyun.

(ngumiti ang lalaki, hawak ang bread knife, kay Cha.)

TOP: you may call me Top if it;s not in the business firm.

R: he's family has been on the top of our invectors since before.

(paupo na si Cha sa tabi ni Kim.)

Cha: oh, I'm Charmane Laderas, but you may call me Cha.

(inextend ni Cha ang kamay nya para makipagskae hands, at tinaggap naman ito ni TOP matapos magpunas nang kamay.)

Cha: nice watch...

(bati ni Cha sa golden watch ni TOP.)

TOP: it should be, it's twnety nine hundred dollars.

Cha: oh.

(bumalik sa paghiwa si TOP,)

Cha: jerk...

(bulong ni Cha sa sarili, at narinig ito ni Kim kaya napatawa ito.)

Shey: why are you laughing?

Kim: haha...

(nahihirapang huminga si Kim)

Kim: nothing... nothing...

(tumawa sya ng tumawa hanggang sa mapansin nyang nakatingin na silang lahat sa kanya.)

--

Knights and Princesses. bk 3 part 12.

(after six months natuloy na ang kasal ni Cha, regalo ni Eigh sa kanya ang napaka-gandang wedding gown, naidenesign nya mismo para kay Cha, si Ghie ang nagbigay ng entertainment...)

Eigh: where the hell is that guy?

Ghie: I don't know, I'm trying to connect to his phone.

Shey: what's happening?

(lumapit si Shey sa mga kaibigan nya.)

Kim: he's not answering his phone...

Eigh: if ever he didn't arrive, and showed his face around me, his freaking dead.

Ghie: no, torture him first...

Eigh: I know.

(naiinip na ang mga tao, pinuntahan na rin ni Ghie ang pari, pagbalik nya sya rin namang dating ni Cha, bumaba sya agad ng kotse at tumakbo papunta sa mga kaibigan nya na umiiyak habang hawak ang isang papel na nalukot na sa kamay nya, niyakap nya kaagad si Eigh, dahil ito ang una nyang natagpuan.)

Eigh: what happened?

(patuloy pa rin ang pag-iyak ni Cha, lumapit na si Ryuu at sinabihan silang ilabas muna si Cha. Bumalik si Kim dala ang isang plastic ng softdrinks mula sa pinakamalapit na tindahan ni Aling Nena. Kinuha ni Ghie ang papel kay Cha,)

Ghie: Death...

(basa ni Ghie sa nakasulat habang binubuklat pa ito.)

Ghie: Certificate...

(nagulat si Ghie)

Ghie: this certificate certifies the death of Micky Yoochun on June 21st...

(mahigpit kaagad na niyakap ng mga kaibigan nya si Cha, habang ang mga lalaki naman ay patuloy ang pagbasa sa certificate. Pumasok si Eigh sa simbahan at inanounce ang napakalungkot na balita na hindi na matutuloy ang kasal, umuwi si Cha sa bahay nila atsaka dumeretso sa townhouse matapos ikwento sa pamilya ang lahat nang nangyari.)

Eigh: we know it's hard...

Cha: it's hard as hell, Eigh... and you'll never know how it hurts...

(niyakap muli ni Eigh si Cha.)

Eigh: I'm sorry...

Ghie: when's the funeral?

Cha: today...

Ghie: then let's go...

Cha: I can't...

Shey: it's Micky's funeral, Cha.

(matapos ang kaunting pagpilit napapilit na rin nila si Cha, nagpaiwan si Eigh sa bahay para may maghanada ng pagkain, nakita nya ang phone ni Cha sa may counter, kinuha nya ito at nakita nya sa Log na nakapagusap pa si Micky at si Cha ng bandang alas dose ng umaga noong gabing bago sinabing namatay si Micky, nagtaka kaagad sya, ngunit hindi pa rin sya umimik maski kay Ryuu na tanging kasama nya sa bahay. Pagdating nila Ghie sa funeral, agad na lumapit si Cha sa kabaong matapos magLog in. Matindi pa rin ang pag-iyak nya lalo nang makita ang nakasarang coffin. Bubuksan nya na sana ito nang sitahin sya nang umiiyak na nanay ni Micky.)

Olivia: do not open it!

Cha: but I want to see him, madame.

Olivia: his face was totally broken after the car accident... the truck driver was already took into the police's custody.

(patuloy pa rin ang pag-iyak ni Cha, tumingin si Olivia sa mga kaibigan ni Cha.)

Olivia: so you brought your low class friends, huh.

(tiningnan ni Cha ang mga kaibigan nya at patuloy na umiyak, naiinis na si Ghie nang tingnan pa sya nang isang beses ni olivia, pinipigilan na sya ni Shey nang biglang maglakad papunta sa harap si Eigh, pagdating ni Eigh sa harap tinawag nya muna si Shey para ilabas si Cha sandali, nang makalayo na ang mga kaibigan nya, tiningnan nya si Olivia.)

Eigh: how did he die?

Olivia: car accident,

Eigh: when?

Olivia: June 21st.

Eigh: 21st, huh? Does you fake certificate maker have his clock in the shop?

Olivia: what are you talking about?

Eigh: uhm, nothing, ' cause of he don't have a clock, maybe I could give him... and nice coffin for the undead.

(naglakad si Eigh palayo at muling lumingon kay Olivia.)

Eigh: and we're not low class, you're just so vintage..

Olivia: how dare...

(lumabas na si Eigh sa kwarto, pero hindi nya sinabi sa mga kaibigan nya ang nangyari sa loob. Nag dumating si Cha sa townhouse kinagabihan,)

Eigh: after the burial, I wanna take you guys somewhere...

Cha: I am still not in the mood...

Eigh: it'll make you feel better....

(pagkatpos ng dalawang linggo after ng burial dinala ni Eigh ang mga kaibigan nya sa Hacienda ng pamilya Tsuji sa Batangas.)

Eigh: I hope, I can help you this way Cha.

(sabi ni Eigh habang hawak nya ang balikat ni Cha na nakaupo sa isang upuan sa balcony.)

Cha: thanks,

(sagot ni Cha habang hinahwaan ang kamay ni Eigh.)

--

Knights and Princesses. bk 3 part 11.

(sa Korea..)

Psy: mister... honestly, I find your dreams very unusual, very indeed... for my life of being a Psychologist, I never encountered such situation until you, years of constant dream...

Mr: uhm, can you just give an advice or something?

Psy: honestly, mister, sleep and dream are two germane predicaments of the concrete and well defined world is facing today, no one has ever tried to define this two mysterious terms, maybe.... just maybe... it's a way of two souls, longing for each other, to communicate... and when I said souls I meant you and your other half?

Mr: you believe in this things?

Psy: sad to say, that being a graduate of Science, I had kept with me the mysteriousity of the world, no one knows...

Mr: how?

Psy: I believe that every people in this world is born with their other halfs... and it is our goal, as living beings, to find the other half of our own self.

Mr: how?

Psy: a question that was not given an answer, but it'll have its answer once you found it yourself.

(lumabas ang lalaki sa office ng kanayng psychologist na si Dr. Joy. At hanggang sa pag-uwi nya paulit-ulit itong umiikot sa ulo nya. Sa Pilipinas naman, gamit ang sasakyan ni Eigh, nagpunta sila sa Batangas, si Ghie, si Shey at sya. )

Shey: you know what?

Ghie: what?

Shey: I had this dream, just last night...

Eigh: then?

Shey: he left me...

Ghie: huh?

Shey: while we're dancing... I told him I have a boyfriend and that we're so happy together, he just left me...

Eigh: oh...

(Huminto sila sa isang bahay sa loob ng isang mapunong lugar,)

Eigh: here we are.

(bumaba sila sa kotse.)

Ghie: you sure about this, Eigh?

Eigh: I checked it with mom, and yes it is correct.

Shey: it's kinda creepy, I think we should go back now.

Eigh: Shey, a five hour drive is not a joke! Go inside and seek your answers.

(pumasok si Shey sa loob, nahilo sya dahil sa pambungad nang halo halong ensenso at kung anu-ano pang scents. Naglakad sya papasok hanngang sa makakita sya ng isang lalaki sa dulo nang isang lumang long table.)

Hula: as expected... have a seat..

(nagulat si Shey sa sinabi ng lalaki pero naupo pa rin sya.)

Hula: uhm let's see...

(iminulat ng lalaki ang mata nya at tumingin sa mga mata ni Shey, hindi nakagalaw si Shey... at pagakatpos nang halos magiisang minuto, pumikit muli ang lalaki.)

Hula: clearly, your soul is not contented with whom you're sharing your most nights with...

Shey: uhm, if you're talking about Kim, I am completely contented and I don't need more of of anything...

Hula: then what are you here for?

Shey: I guess you know already...

Hula: the dreams? The answers? If you're not seeking for more, then why are you here?

Shey: ' cause I need answers,

Hula: and what would that answers give you?

(napatahimik si Shey. Habang ang manghuhula naman ay kumuha ng papel at nagsimulang magsulat dito gamit ang lapis.)

Shey: I don't know...

Hula: a big event will happen, and you'll be torn between the positive and negative aura...

Shey: uhm, honestly, i only know human language...

Hula: sssssssh. If you choose to remain on the road of positivity, something bad will happen.... yet being on the negative... it'll bring you what you really wanted.

Shey: I really can't...

(tumayo ang lalaki bago pa man matapos si Shey sa pagsasalita. At iniabot sa kanya ang papel na sinusulatan nya kanina, tumindig ang lahat ng balahibo ni Shey sa katawan.)

Hula: he brought you joy, yet he left you in the midst of your blooming... but he still keeps on waiting and waiting...

(naalala ni Shey ang huli nyang panaginip )

Hula: find him, dear child...

(pagkasabi nang lalaking ito sa kanya, nakatulog si Shey, at paggising nya...)

Eigh: Shey, wake up...

Shey: what happened?

Eigh: you collapsed while we were enetering their lot.. I think we can't have the answers here...

Stranger: my grand pa died a month ago...

(umupo si Shey at nakita nya si Ghie na naglalakad.)

Ghie: you collapsed, Shey, glad I catched you, you gained weight!

(napatingin si Shey sa litrato nang isang lalaki sa sala.)

Eigh: why? What's the matter Shey?

Shey: I talked to that guy,

(itnuro ni Shey ang litrato, napatingin ang lahat.)

Stranger: i told you my grand pa died a month ago,

Shey: but I really did, that's the table we were sitting.. the house is full of scents, different scents...

Eigh: oh Shey, what's wrong wiht you?

(tiningnan ni Eigh ang temperature ni Shey gamit ang kamay.)

Eigh: you're not sick... ooooh, mister please forgive us, we're going now,

Stranger: It's alright, I hope your friend's gonna be alright...

(umalis sila at habang trapik sa main highway, kinuha ni Shey ang make-up kit nya sa bag para magretouch sa kotse ni Eigh, at nakuha nya ang isang papel, napatigil sya habang nilalabas nya ito...)

Shey: fu*k.

Ghie: why?

(iniabot ni Shey ang papel kay Ghie na nasa harap.)

Ghie: he's cute... though he's wearing his mask, his eyes are sexy too...

(kinuha ni Eigh ang papel,)

Eigh: yah,

(napatigil si Ghie.)

Ghie: mask?

(napatingin sya kay Shey.)

Shey: I told you I talked to the guy!

Eigh: but he's a month dead!

Shey: I don't know...

--

Knights and Princesses. bk 3 part 10.

Eigh: oh come on Cha, don't be so down, just trust him, I bet he'll do whatever he can.

Ghie: yah, and I think he's not like that jerk I met on the cruise!

Jop: Ghiee...

Ghie: yup?

Jop: I noticed something...

Ghie: what?

Jop: In every discussion that's raised, you always had the chance to insert that jerk guy topic.

Ghie: no, maybe you just had a deja vu or something.

Eigh: oh, I think Jop is right...

Arw: haha, yeah, who is he anyway?

Shey: I wanna know more about him,

Ghie: he's a bitch's dog,

Eigh: positive, Ghie.

(natigilan si Ghie at napatingin sya sa mga kasamahan nya, huminga sya ng malalim.)

Ghie: guys, I lied to to you all...

Shey: huh?

Cha: the guy is not true?

Ghie: no.. not about that...

Eigh: about what?

Ghie: I had boyfriends before...

Eigh: boyfriends?

Ghie: yah...

Eigh: I know two...

Cha: I know one...

Arw: One...

Jop: one...

Shey: none.

(nagatawanan sila, nang biglang bumaba si Ryuu mula sa kwarto.)

R: Eigh, are you not sleeping yet?

Eigh: oh not yet... uhm, I'll join you a bit after. Okay?

R: Okay, I'll be waiting...

Eigh: expect, Ryuu. Night. Love you.

R: Love you,

(umakyat na muli si Ryuu sa kwarto, sa guess room ng townhouse nila.)

Ghie: so about it... I had one, before graduating, but I dumped him.

Eigh: why?

Ghie: I don't know, I just like to dump him...

Cha: I'll guess...

Ghie: what?

Cha: ' cause he do not have that sexy pelvic?

Ghie: yah, haha, no just kidding, ' cause I just thought I'll be finding someone better, someone, more to be of my destiny...

Shey: and then...

Arw: you know what? It's a girls' talk...

Eigh: ssssh, just listen!

Ghie: I thought I found him, but then he's a big liar,

Eigh: you mean this jerk?

Ghie: yah...

Eigh: how was he wrong?

Ghie: he told me he haven't had any girlfriends before, and that he's waiting for someone.

Cha: then?

Ghie: when we got down the cruise, as I 've said..

(inulit ni Ghie ang kwento para kay Arwin at Shey na wala nang mga panahong iyon..)

Cha: what if he is really meant for you?

Eigh: yah, remember serendipity? What if he's waiting for the girl wo'll return him the money...

Ghie: I didn't return it, he stole it...

Eigh: what if he felt the way you felt?

Ghie: I don't know... I just don't wanna talk about him anymore.

Cha: okay, but if you need to, don't hesitate, okay?

Ghie: okay... so how are you Shey? I mean Kim and you...

Shey: going strong, haha, do you know we're living together?

(nanlaki ang mata ni Jop.)

Jop: Shey....

Shey: what?

Jop: are you still a virgin?

Cha: Jop! you perv,

Eigh: I hate pervs but I made exemptions for you, Jop!

Shey: it's fine...

(nagisip kunyari si Shey.)

Shey: I think I am one fourth yes and the remaining part is no...

Ghie: no way...

Shey: haha, embarassing, right? But it's true...

Eigh: so what's it like?

Jop: I thought you hate pervs?

Eigh: I do!

Shey: it's hot!

Eigh: okay, drop it now...

Shey: you mean, Ryuu and you, haven't... uhm, you know?

Eigh: nope, not until we had enough funds and savings for a family, he wants to have six...

Cha: no way?

Eigh: yah, haha...

(natigilan si Shey.)

Ghie: what's wrong?

Shey: uhm, remember the dreams?

Eigh: yep...

Arw: what is it now? Is it gone or what?

Shey: It never was gone,

Ghie: you mean?

Shey: yes...

Cha: ooohhh...

Eigh: I know someone who can maybe explain or define him...

Shey: who?

Eigh: a freind, tomorrow we'll go to him, Cha you can't it's your first day.

Cha: waaaah, i almost forgot!

Eigh: and guys, I'm going to bed now, Ryuu's waiting, you know when he said he'll wait he will... and I know he's too tired. Nights, sweat dreams... God Bless.

(umakyat silang lahat para matulog.)

--

Knights and Princesses. bk 3 part 9.

Eigh: that bitch! Let me handle her next time.

(sagot ni Eigh matapos magkwento ni Ghie.)

GHie: yah yah....

(paupo si Ghie sa sofa ng townhouse ng Knights and Princesses.)

Ghie: and I'll going home first after here.

Cha: haha, we're staying here anyways...

Ghie: I'll be back tomorrow.

Eigh: oh yah, I almost forgot, next week will be the Expanded Royale Elegancia's Ribbon Cutting Ceremony,

Cha: oh okay.

Eigh: and Cha, that's also the turn over of the company's name to yours.

Cha: no way, me the president? haha, Eigh I'm 21 years old.

Eigh: so what? I already hired a trustworthy counsel.

Cha: Waaaaaaah, I really can't take that....

Eigh: you should, and Ghie, we already have a cruise by the way.

Ghie: no way? I thought the hotel's income for the first year is going to be spent for the renovation and expansion?

Eigh: yah, but there's too much left, don't worry we already have investors.

Cha: you did a good job Eigh, maybe you can continue doing that...

Eigh: certainly no, I wanna spend a time on my proffession this time, you had your chance, now I'll have mine.

Cha: but it's too hard,

Eigh: you can do it Cha, and by the way I invested some 10% in Micky's family business.

Cha: no way?

Eigh: I did, and I'll have it increased in the coming years....

Ghie: where are the knights?

Eigh: oh, have we told you? Arwin and Bom are going out together.

Ghie: no way?

Cha: yah, Bom went to Australia a week before and she went to Arwin's place.

Ghie: that's sweet, and I wanna hear more, but I need to go.

Eigh: arrrgh, okay, you sure you don't need a lift?

Ghie: 'm sure, don't worry I'll be fine.

Eigh: okay, God Bless.

Cha: bye. return tomorrow morning huh.

(after ng ilang araw, naganap na ang ribbon cutting ceremony ng hotel ng Knights adn Princesses, umuwi si Shey sa Pilipinas para dito.)

Eigh: tonight, I have the honor to transfer the ownership and presidency of this Royale Elegancia, from my name to Ms. Charmane Laderas' name.

(ito ang speech ni Eigh habang nakatayo sya sa front door ng hotel na may isang malaking golden ribbon at nakatayo sa tabi nya ang mga kaibigan nya pati si Ryuu.)

Eigh: and let her do the honor of cutting this ribbon for the formal and grand opening of the Expanded Royale Elegancia.

(iniabot ni Eigh kay Cha ang malaking gunting para gupitin ang Ribbon, pagkatapos ito gupitin ni Cha...)

Cha: Royale Elegancia's new generation is now open to be of service and comfort for all of you...

(nagpalakpakan ang mga guest atsaka pumasok ang pari para basbasan ang buong hotel, pagkatapos dumeretso sila sa reception area. Isa-isang nilapitan ng mga kaibigan galing Japan si Eigh at kinongratulate ito, nilapitan din nila si Cha para icongratulate ito. After ng dinner naguwian na ang ibang medyo matatanda na guest at ang mga medyo bata pa ay naiwan para simula ang party!)

Shey: haha, so we have our hotel's first successful year!

Eigh: I'm glad we did it,

Jop: yes,

Arw: uhm, guys, I want you to meet someone,

(singit ni Arwin habang hawak-hawak ang kamay ni Bom.)

Arw: this Park Bom,

Eigh: oh, Bom... it's our pleasure.

(lumapit si Eigh para makipagbeso kay Bom,)

Cha: finally,

Ghie: so you're the girl ion Arwin's dreams huh,

Bom: oh, that's sweet. and it's my pleasure meeting Arwin's new friends,

Eigh: bestfriends actually, so are enjoying the party?

Bom: oh yes, and the foods are great,

Eigh: thanks, it's my husband's choice,

(ipinakilala ni Eigh si Ryuu kay Bom,)

Bom: oh, congratulations, may you have more successful years,

Eigh: thanks,

(si Eigh bilang pinakamadaldal sa grupo nila ang tumatayong spokes-person. Maya-maya pa naghiwa-hiwalay na sila para sumayaw. Nagsasayaw si Cha at Micky sa gitna ng crowd ng may ibulong si Micky kay Cha.)

Cha: what???

(sigaw ni Cha.)

Cha: haha, I really can't hear you... come on, let's go somewhere quiet.

(hinihila ni Cha si Micky, nang bigla itong sumigaw at sakto namang pagsigaw nito humina ang tugtog at naging mellow.)

Micky: will you marry me?

(natigilan si Cha at lahat ng tao sa paligid nila ay nakatingin na sa kanila ang iba nakangiti at ang iba ay halatang curios sa magiging reaction ni Cha, nakita nya ang mga kaibigan nya at nasenyas ito na go! Pero hindi talaga alam ni Cha ang gagawin nya, tumingin sya kay Micky na ngayo'y hawak na ang isang diamond ring sa kamay, nilapitan nya si Cha at hinawakan sa baba, )

Micky: will you?

(napuno ng luha ang gilid ng mga mata ni Cha,)

Cha: oh, Micky....

(tumingin pa muli si Cha sa kanyang paligid at sa mga kaibigan nya.)

Cha: there's n point saying no, right?

Micky: is that a yes?

Cha: jerk! Of course it is!

(napasigaw at napatalon si Micky sa tuwa, at pinipigilan sya ni Cha. Nagsalita si Eigh.)

Eigh: now, let me introduce to you Royale Elegancia's new president Charmane Laderas and her future husband Micky Yoochun.

(Itinurio ni Eigh sila Cha at Micky, lumapit ang mga tao para icongratulate si Cha.)

Eigh: congratulations.

(pagkatapos ng gabi, inihatid nang driver ni Eigh ang pamilya nya pauwi sa bahay nila at nagpaalam na rin naman si Eigh, dumeretso ang Knights at ang Princesses sa townhouse nila.)

Ghie: I'm glad we're complete in this very special double occassion.

Eigh: haha, yah, congratulations again Cha...

Cha: I am not sure if what I did is right, honestly.

Ghie: oh come on, that's every girl's dreams,

Shey: yah, what's the problem?

Cha: his mom doesn't know about me, yet.

Eigh: Cha, it's been 5 years already, I'm sure his mother already knows about it

Cha: I hope so...

--

Knights and Princesses. bk 3 part 8.

(kinagabihan naghintay si Seung Ri sa top balcony, alas otso na ng gabi nang bigalng may nagtakip ng mga mata nya.)

Seungri: Ghie...

(tinanggal ni Ghie ang kamay nya sa mga mata ni Seung Ri.)

Ghie: ow...

Seungri: next time don't be too obvious.

Ghie: it wasn't obvious...

Seungri: it is,

Ghie: tell me how was it obvious?

Seungri: 'cause you are the only one that I am waiting for this evening in this balcony.

Ghie: next time you won't notice me anymore.

(inakbayan ni Seung Ri si Ghie, at pilit itong tinatanggal ni Ghie.)

Ghie: get off!

Seungri: why?

Ghie: just get off! Your arm is heavy!

Seungri: just because it is filled with muscles.

Ghie: haha, funny.

(tinanggal na ni Seung Ri ang kamay nya sa balikat ni Ghie Kinuha ni Ghie ang pitaka nya,)

Ghie: I've lost something important..

(inilabas ni Ghie ang isang hundred dollar.)

Ghie: I lost my lucky charm.

(napalunok ng laway si Ghie.)

Ghie: but I wish, whoever is holding it right now will be lucky as I have been.

Seungri: sure he will be...

(napangiti si Ghie at inilabas ang isang picture at ipinakita nya ito kay Seung Ri.)

Seungri: who is he?

Ghie: my perv ex-boyfriend.

Seungri: I thought you have a boyfriend?

Ghie: I was lying that time,

Seungri: so what happened?

Ghie: I broke up with him,

Seungri: why? 'Cause he's a perv?

Ghie: he's not a perv actually, I just wanted to break up with him, 'cause I feel something is in store for me.

Seungri: what something?

Ghie: undefined, for now, but maybe later on it'll be defined.

Seungri: do you have a shift for tomorrow?

Ghie: uhm, none,

Seungri: wanna stay up here for the night?

Ghie: silly! It's freaking cold here.

(naglakad si Seung Ri papunta sa likod at kinuha nya ang dalawang jacket na nakalagay sa may bench atsaka bumalik kay Ghie.)

Seungri: here, wear this.

Ghie: for what?

Seungri: so you'll be warm...

(isinuot nilang dalawa ang jacket.)

Ghie: uhm...

(nilanghap ni Ghie ang hangin.)

Ghie: sometimes it's good to be out in the sea, at least I get a chance to see this kind of views...

Seungri: do you know what I like about seas?

Ghie: nope! What is it?

Seungri: it's the feeling I get whenever I sea the ocean, feel the air... and...

Ghie: and what?

(tumingin si Seung Ri kay Ghie at napatingin na din si Ghie kay Seung Ri.)

Seungri: hear your noisy voice...

(sagot ni Seung Ri habang nilalarao ang daliri sa buhok ni Ghie.)

Ghie: haha, jerk!

(hinampas ni Ghie ang kamay ni Seung Ri.)

Seungri: why?

Ghie: you're words are too flowery, Seung Ri.

Seungri: call me Baby.

Ghie: Baby? haha...

Seungri: why? My friends call me through that nick.

Ghie: you're the finance auditor of your family's renowned business and your nick is Baby?

Seungri: why not?

Ghie: ok fine whatever, Baby.

(naglakad si Ghie patungo sa bench at naupo rito, sinundan sya ni Seung Ri at umupo rin dito, naramdaman nyang nanginginig si Ghie, kaya inakbayan nya ito, nang magsimulang magpumiglas si Ghie.)

Seungri: you're chilling and you can't deny,

Ghie: so???

Seungri: don't try to remove my arms around you anymore,

Ghie: why?

Seungri: it'll keep you warm.

Ghie: is it your first time to be like this?

Seungri: to be what?

(walang sumagot.)

Seungri: hey to be what?

(tumingin si Seung Ri kay Ghie, nakatulog na pala ito, maya-maya pa unti-unting nalalag-lag ang ulo ni Ghie papunta sa balikat ni Seung Ri. Kinabukasan ginising ni Ghie si Seung Ri.)

Ghie: hey wake up!

(nang mamulat na ang mga mata ni Seung Ri nakita nyang tumakbo si Ghie papunta sa bakod ng balcony. Matapos magunat lumapit sya rito.)

Ghie: look! The sun's rising!

(tumingin si Seung Ri sa itinuturong lugar ni Ghie, at unti-unting nagiging asul ang langit.)

Seungri: it's pretty!

Ghie: haha, yep... and it means we are near the last port...

(tumingin si Seung Ri kay Ghie.)

Ghie: so we better get going 'cause I'm going home!

(hinila ni Ghie si Seung Ri patakbo para bumalik na sila sa kani-kanilang mga kwarto. Hindi na sila nagkita matapos mag-ayos at makadaon na ang cruise sa port, bumaba na ang lahat ng pasahero at huling bumaba ang mga empleyado. Naghintay si Seung Ri sa labas ng barko para sa pagbaba ni Ghie.)

Soon: Baby Dear!

(tawag ni Im Soon kay Seung Ri sabay yakap at halik dito, kitang-kita ng dalawang mata ni Ghie ang nangyari, lumapit sya rito.)

Ghie: you caught me...

Seungri: wait... wait, Ghie...

(nalaglag ang wallet ni Seung Ri, pinulot ito ni Ghie at di sinasadyang nabuklat ito at nakita ni Ghie ang kanyang lucky hundred dollar sa loob. Naiinis na ngumiti si Ghie.)

Ghie: you have this all along...

Soon: wait, who the hell are you?

Ghie: the hell of your life, bitch!

(sagot ni Ghie kay Im Soon)

Ghie: now you can have this!

(ibinato ni Ghie ang wallet ni Seung Ri sa dibdib nito, at nagsimulang maglakad na punong-puno ng luha ang mga mata.)

Soon: you'll pay for this worker!

Ghie: sign a cheque yourself BIYATCH!

(sigaw ni Ghie. Paglabas nya naghihintay si Eigh at Cha sa kanya.)

Eigh: no need to ask, to whom?

Ghie: to a bitch and her dog!

Cha: come one, tell us more.

--

Knights and Princesses. bk 3 part 7.

(pagkagising ni Ghie, agad syang umupo sa kama at nagkamot ng mata, bumaba sya sa kama, at bigla syang napahinto nang mapansin nyang hindi ito ang kwarto nya, tiningnan nya ang paligid nya.)

Ghie: oh my...

(hinawakan nya ang katawan nya kung may suot ba syang damit.)

Ghie: huh...

(huminga nang malalim nang makita nyang may damit sya, hinanap nya si Seung Ri sa kwarto ngunit wala ito dun, lumabas si Ghie sa kwarto at nakita nya si Seung Ri na nakatayo malapit bakod nang barko at tinitingnan ang karagatan sa ibaba.)

Ghie: hey!

(binatukan ni Ghie si Seung Ri.)

Seungri: why?

Ghie: why? huh... Why am I sleeping at your bed? huh.... tell me! You probably have given one of those pills that pervs give to poor girls!

Seungri: haha, and then what if I did gave you something like that? What do you want me to do, huh?

(natigilan si Ghie at lumapit na rin si Ghie sa may bakod, inilagay nya ang mga braso nya rito.)

Seungri: you were sleeping for almost 4 hours now,

Ghie: I did?

Seungri: you were sick,

Ghie: oh, it was just mild though when I went out of my room, after you called me.

Seungri: you should've stayed inside your room...

Ghie: then what? You'll have me fired and black listed?

Seungri: about that...

Ghie: yep?

Seungri: I talked to your boss and told him that you are free now,

Ghie: really?

Seungri: yah,

Ghie: oh, gee! Thanks!

(niyakap ni Ghie si Seung Ri at maski sya'y nabigla kaya tinanggal nya kaagad ang mga braso nya sa leeg ni Seung Ri, napatingin sya sa reaction ni Seung Ri.)

Ghie: sorry...

Seungri: it's fine,

Ghie: so uhm, I'll better be off now, thanks again by the way.

Seungri: no problem.

(naglakad si Ghie pabalik sa kanyang kwarto at si Seung Ri nama'y pumasok na rin sa kwarto nya. Pagpasok nya at pag-upo nya sa sofa may nakita syang isang tasa ng kape sa lamesa, kinuha nya it at may nalaglag na note, and sabi sa note:)

Ghie: You total jerk and ultimate perv!................................ Thanks. >:-) Ghie.

(napangiti si Seung Ri at naisip nyang muli si Ghie, si Ghie naman habang naglalakad pababa ng hagdan,ay patuloy ang pasulyap-sulyap na ngiti sa labi habang naiisip ang reaction ni Seung Ri nang bigla nya itong yakapin. Pagpasok nya sa kwarto inilapag nya ang pitaka nya sa lamesa, papunta na sya sa CR nang balikan nya ang pitaka para tingnan ang hundred dollar nya. Ngunit nang wala syang makita...)

Ghie: oh.... where could I lost it? ooooh...

(buong gabi syang naghanap at hinalukay nya isa-isa ang gamit nya, pero wala syang makita. Kinabukasan sinuot nya na ang uniform nya at dumeretso sa taas ng cruise kung saan sya nakaasign mag-waitress,)

Ghie: what's your order, sir?

(tanong ni Ghie sa lalaking nakaupo sa lamesa at nakatakip ng menu ang mukha, iniisip nya na sana si Seung Ri ito...)

Bae: uhm, just give a mocha frappe...

Ghie: oh, okay sir...

Bae: hey! Ghie!

Ghie: we're not allowed to talk, personally! Save it later!

(bulong ni Ghie bago sya umalis. Pagkabigay nya kay Taeyang ng frappe, dumeretso sya sa kabilang lamesa.)

Ghie: morning sir,

Seungri: morning...

Ghie: what's your order?

Seungri: uhm, can I have this Ghie lady for my breakfast?

Ghie: uhm...

(sagot ni Ghie habang tinitingnan ang hawak nyang menu.)

Ghie: sorry sir, but we don't have Ghie for breakfast.

Seungri: how about lunch?

Ghie: negative!

Seungri: dinner?

Ghie: uhm, let me see... oh, she said she'll try.

Seungri: then, give me a cake for breakfast...

(sagot ni Seung Ri)

Seungri: I'll wait for you at the top balcony.

(bulong naman nito bago umalis si Ghie.)

--