"Aunt Rems!" June received a warm welcome from Mother Remmy, just as she and Ricky got out of the car, everyone was waiting, Alina was there who was obviously more excited to see him.
"Welcome back!" Mother Remmy greeted June.
"You still haven't changed, you're still so beautiful," June whispered and hugged her aunt back. He glanced at the people who greeted him one by one.
"Yayo, Kikay, Alina, Aunt Remmy. And where is Martina?" June asked, frowning.
Mother Remmy immediately fell silent. "Because Martina isn't tired of making the most of her married life memorable; according to her, she and her husband went on vacation first."
"Ah, Martina looks happy now. It's a good thing she already found the one for her. By the way, do you have boyfriends or husbands already?" he asks Mother Remmy's three housemates.
"I'm Sir, I've been married for three years," Yayo replied.
"Sir, I only have a boyfriend," Kikay replied.
Alina didn't say a word and just bowed. Her heart was beating so hard because they met her first love again. And then she was embarrassed to meet June's gaze, because she might melt at any time.
"How about you, Alina? Maybe you already have a boyfriend?" June suddenly asked.
"Huh?" her face was slapped back to reality when she heard his calm voice. "I don't have any boyfriend, kuya," he replied shyly.
"It's impossible that you don't have a lover because you're attractive and have a good personality," June commented.
"Alina is still not allowed to have a boyfriend. Besides, she has no time to go out and her friends are few," said Nanay Remmy.
"That's right, relationships can sometimes be distracting to study." Alina seemed to be stabbed because she can't have a boyfriend like June in the future even if she studies hard. But for Alina, the guy has a point, being in a relationship is a distraction unless— they can't end up with each other.
"Come on, let's go inside for dinner," Nanay Remmy said to everyone and they went inside the mansion.
Alina intentionally gave up. She could not calm her trembling heart caused by their reunion with June. Maybe her mouth was almost torn by the smile and she didn't realize that the man she hated was in front of her.
"What's with that smile?"
Ricky's question made her look away. Maybe he's been watching her for a while, which is— annoying and spoiling a good mood. Ricky is always like that, as if she is the only one who sees him and criticizes even if she ignores his existence in the mansion.
"You don't care about that anymore," Alina replied with difficulty.
"Do you have a crush on Sir June?"
Alina averted her eyes because she couldn't admit that she admired June especially if she admits to Ricky. They are not close. So she decided to pass the young man but he blocked her every path.
"What's your problem huh?" She growled at Ricky.
"I asked you and you didn't answer. Silence means yes?`` The timbre of Ricky's voice was annoying.
"You don't have to stick your nose on this," Alina sighed.
"Okay. But you know, I just want to let you know that Sir June won't like you. You're no good for him," Ricky teased again and Alina's face wrinkled. He intends to throw jokes on her to find out how Alina will react. And by that frown on her face, it was confirmed that Ricky's blasting worked. And it was also confirmed that Alina likes June.
"So what? What if the wind suddenly changes? What if I became successful like him?" Alina will not let herself be defeated easily.
"So you really like him?" Even smiling in front of Alina, Ricky was secretly disappointed. But he can't blame her, June is an ideal guy for everyone. He got the looks, brain and a stable career.
"It's up to you to think."
Alina left him puzzled.
‘Annoyingly, I no longer idolize Sir— este, June!’ Ricky's face turned sour.
***
"There are so many achievements June even though you have only been teaching for a few years," Nanay Remmy enthusiastically praised her nephew as they shared dinner. June has been their topic before and he happily shares his experiences as a teacher. Everyone was impressed with him, especially Alina who didn't break her gaze at June. That didn't escape Ricky's eyes. Instead of being happy because June is his role model, he gets annoyed.
‘Why it has to be June Ybañez?’
He was choked while thinking of the goal to be like June. He quickly drank the water and immediately covered his mouth. "I'm sorry," he apologized.
"Isn't the food delicious so you choked?" Nanay Remmy jokes.
"Oh, it's delicious. It's like I just swallowed pepper," Ricky explained.
"Well then, Alina cooked it," replied Nanay Remmy.
"Alina is really good at cooking," Kikay agreed.
"She's the best cook here. She works harder than us and she's persistent because she's younger than us," Yayo replied.
"Wow. Did you cook it? You've improved Alina, because you used to cook roasted foods," June jokes while glancing at Alina.
"I really studied cooking, because I'm ashamed of madam, That's the only way to surpass the amount she helped me. Therefore, I have to fix my work," Alina replied with a smile and glanced at June for a moment. She bent his head firmly to hide the redness on her cheek. It's a big thing for her even if it's a little compliment.
‘I really learned to cook so that when we get married, you won't leave me and I always want what you eat to be delicious.’
"Alina, don't think too much of your gratitude to me. You have helped me so much and I can see your dedication to the work," Nanay Remmy reminded Alina.
"Alina is really kind and brave. That's why I'm so moved by her attitude," June said and Ricky suddenly frowned. He really suspects that Alina and June have a deep bond—secretly.
"Thank you Kuya— Sir. Because you might become a professor at the university," Alina replied shyly.
"Are you excited to come in? You know, it's better there," June retorted.
‘Shall I go to a good school? It's better if I always see you.’ Alina just shook her head.
***
There was regret in Alina's eyes when June said goodbye even at night. Good thing, the apartment he rents is pretty close to the mansion. Nanay Remmy didn't want to send June home because she was caught talking to someone else.
"Oh hey, be careful huh," the old woman reminded June. "I will aunt, thank you for the delicious dinner," June replied humbly before he got into her car.
"I'll be back again," he continued.
Nanay Remmy and Alina just waited for June's car to get away before they entered the mansion.
"It's bad, the luck of June's fiancé. He's hardworking, smart, handsome and has some savings. All I know is that she should marry her girlfriend," said Nanay Remmy and looked at Alina immediately to find out how she would react.
"Ah, he already has a fiancé." Alina did not notice the sadness in her voice.
"Yes, in case I'm not asking about that. That boy is very private and prefers to talk about politics, history and other things than his personal life," explained Nanay Remmy.
Alina hid the disappointment she felt.
‘They're not married yet, there is still hope.’
"Alina, your mother's death anniversary is tomorrow. I also plan to have you make over at the salon for the entrance, what will you go to first?"
Alina felt even heavier when Nanay Remmy reminded her of the commemoration of the day of her mother's death. She almost forgot about it, not because of June but because of the fact that she didn't want to remember that she was orphaned early.
"I'm sorry Alina, I kept reminding you." Nanay Remmy gently stroked Alina's back as she noticed that her face darkened.
"It's okay Mom Remmy, I'll just go to her grave before I go to the salon," Alina replied. "All right, I'm going to sleep huh, you too. Goodnight," Mom Remmy said before leaving Alina.
Alina was just dumbfounded and chose to stay in the garden to get some fresh air before going to sleep. Seeing flowers and plants brings peace of mind and heart. He remembers his late mother as an enthusiast in caring for plants.
She sighed as she felt the tears fall from her eyes.
‘Don't cry Alina, don't ...’
He bent down again and felt the air touch his skin. When he was so sad, he expected to get sick again the next day.
"You're here too."
She sighed when she heard Ricky. She immediately wiped away her tears before looking back. "And you're here too ..."
"I've been here for a while, I'm still feeding your cat," Ricky explained and sat down on the empty space of the bench where Alina was sitting. He had noticed her crying earlier so he knew it wasn’t the right time to get pissed. But in his mind, he wants to comfort her and tell her that everything will be alright— whatever problems she has to deal with.
"Why are you still here? Can't you sleep? What are you doing?" Alina suddenly asked, then she glanced at Ricky. "You're so mean but thoughtful, but it's not like you're crying like a pity," Ricky said, with his straight face.
"If you're going to tease me again. Just mind your business and go inside," Alina said.
"I'll wipe away your tears for a moment." Ricky took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped it on Alina's cheek but she suddenly turned away and even slapped him on the shoulder.
"What's that smell? It's fishy," she said, referring to the handkerchief Ricky used.
The young man laughed. "I'm sorry, it's included in the bloated wrapper that was fed to the cat. I didn't use this handkerchief."
"When are you going to stop pestering me?" Alina's nose seemed to be smoking with annoyance but it was the opposite of how she felt. He laughed at what Ricky did because the way he teased her was different. At least there is a new gimmick.
"As long as I'm here, I'll just tease you. Go to sleep. You're so ugly when you cry." Ricky's laughter grew louder and left Alina gaping to one side.
This night — it brings a mixture of joy and sadness. But somehow, she also thinks about what Ricky is doing and she thinks he's just doing that just to seek attention. But she knew that Ricky was not insensitive to her as well as to the other people with them in the mansion.
‘But why are you like that Ricky?’
***
"You two will be careful huh? You can also text Alina what time you can get home," Nanay Remmy reminded before Alina and Ricky left. Nanay Remmy took Alina with Ricky because she didn't want to bother Alina on the trip. The cemetery where her late mother is buried is far away from here.
"Yes Madam, I'll text you right away," Alina replied smiling before she and Ricky left the mansion.
"Where's your car? Does that mean we're going to commute?" Alina asked.
Ricky immediately shook his head and pointed the old model motor in front of the gate.
"Is that really your bike? I don't know how to ride a motorbike, eh," Alina replied with a smile.
"What's so hard about riding a motorbike? You just sit down and hold on. Is that hard?" Ricky raised the timbre of his voice and he put the helmet on Alina. He deliberately opened the shield part because he knew she was not used to wearing a helmet.
And how did he find out? The first time Alina was in their barrio, she was being recommended to his friend and his friend reported that Alina was screaming in fear while back riding. He was still laughing as he remembered that.
"I'm just going to commute. I'm not really used to it." Alina was about to take off the helmet on her head but Ricky quickly put it back and then closed the lock.
"That helmet is hard, as hard as your head," Ricky snapped. He got on the motorbike first and Alina did nothing but follow.
"Hold on tight, don't fall — on the motor. You're still a bit careless," Ricky reminded as he turned the motor key to turn it on.
"Okay," Alina replied sparingly and looked to the side of the road. She was so attached because without saying a word Ricky pulled the motor so she fell behind it.
Smells good.
She gasped, she would probably look for Ricky's scent if she could always smell his scent. Even though she wanted to stick himself even closer to the young man, she was still preceded by fear as he rode in the back.
She had seen motorists in accidents several times so she was really afraid to ride the motorbike. Ricky was running even faster.
"What's that? You look like a worm covered with a bath soap!" Ricky shouted, loud enough for Alina on his back. They waved because Alina was moving continuously, obviously nervous about how fast she was running. Add to that the large vehicles they see at the same time, such as buses and forward trucks, just when they reach the highway.
"I'm sorry," Alina returned as if disgusted to hold Ricky's shoulder.
"Hold on to my waist. Even if you crush yourself on my back, just don't be stubborn!" Ricky shouted. He smiled a lot when he said that to Alina but irritation could be seen in his voice.
As of now, it's okay to smile, the girl can't see his face covered by the helmet and she's just behind him. She wanted to hold on to him tightly, in that way— he could consider that he had already earned a trust from her.
And Alina is very close. He could smell more of the scent biting into Ricky's leather jacket. Maybe he could have stayed that long because she smelled a mild scent but she realized that they were also close to their destination. It is really faster to reach your destination when you only have a motor.
She estimated that the trip would take more than an hour by bus but they reached it for half an hour by motorcycle. Ricky made her impressed because of that.
Ricky chose to stay outside the cemetery. He also wants to respect Alina’s privacy so that she commemorates the anniversary of the parent’s death. Mother Remmy also told everyone how Alina got to the mansion.
His admiration for her grew. He proved Alina resilient despite the problems she faced throughout her life.
‘If you look at Alina, she looks innocent and kind. She was really light-hearted here, so maybe he was impressed from the beginning. Alina is so sincere and kind. She was very thoughtful to everyone in the mansion and she still got along well with her even though he always tripped her.’
He's aware that Alina is sweet but dangerous too, in a way that she almost killed Ricky by just using a soft pillow. He was especially challenged by her bravery. Ricky can then say that the trials of life have greatly strengthened Alina.
‘Yes, sweet and dangerous. Nice combination huh?’
The wind then blew him away in his thoughts.