Chapter 2: The Beginning

(Bea POV)

On a Sunday morning, everyone was at home, and when I say everyone, it is the regulars which would include Kuya's friend, Thirdy. We have known Thirdy for many years, since we were kids. Neighbors from LGV. Our parents are close to his, too, because most of the time, Thirdy prefers to stay with us instead of going out with his family plus his siblings, Kiefer and Dani. He and Kuya went to the same school in elementary and then Thirdy was transferred to Ateneo by his mom and dad. Around the same time when they transferred to Cainta.

"O Thirdy, you are here. Join us for breakfast. I am sure you're tired from the travel. Who drove you here?" I heard my dad said.

"Kuya Bill did. He will come back for me later." He politely said.

After awhile, Kuya came out of his room, ready to play with Thirdy at the basketball court.

Even though Thirdy and his family have moved to Cainta, Thirdy still visits us on a regular basis. He has been a familiar face here every Sunday. I get along fine with him din.

"Bea, what are you going to do today?" Kuya asked.

" Work on my school project. It is almost graduation time, so I have to make sure that all my requirements are done."

I will soon be in high school and Dad said I will be transferring to Poveda.

"Don't believe her, she will just play with her phone." Thirdy teasing.

"Hey, Thirdy, shut up. You should join us when we hear mass later today so you don't bully me."

"Where are you headed to, boys?" My mom asked.

"Just the mall, Mom. But we will play basketball first. Right, bro?"

"Of course. That's tradition already. Let's go, Bei, join us for a quick basketball game." Thirdy said.

"But I am not into basketball, duh." I said

"Stop teasing. Everybody take your sit so we can eat then Loel and Thirdy can leave. But don't forget, mass will be at 6 tonight." My dad told us.

Eversince Thirdy transferred to Cainta, this has been our normal set up on a Sunday. Kuya Bill, their driver brings Thirdy to us in the morning, Kuya and him plays whatever and then we hear mass, have dinner then Kuya Bill picks him up.

I miss Thirdy, our neighbor. He is always at our house, playing and teasing with everyone. He was so kolokoy. But now, he lives so far. He is like a brother to me, he always takes care of me like Kuya Loel does.

March came and it is time for my graduation.

We were complete, Thirdy included, of course.

"Hey kid, you're in high school already. I am sure you will have so much fun." Thirdy teased me over grad dinner.

"Oh my, my sister is now a teenager, you can't be courted yet." Kuya Loel teased.

" Duh, Kuya, I will still be in an all girl's school, what are you talking about?." I protested.

"Ooops is someone complaining?" Kuya asked.

"Of course not. I am excited to go to Poveda. I am sure it will be fun there, too just like in St. Paul's."

My mom and dad just laughed at us. This is very normal to us, when we infuriate with one another.

Then, Thirdy got a call from his mom on his cellphone.

"Excuse me. I will just take this call" As he walked away.

When he went back, he already asked permission from all of us. Kuya Bill is already waiting for him outside the restaurant where we went after my graduation ceremony.

Kuya Loel accompanied him just to make sure that he is safe.

They have always been like this. Even if my Kuya visits him in Cainta, it is the same scenario. Their friendship has never changed even if they are already far from each other.

Kuya Loel and Thirdy are childhood friends. When Kuya was about 6 ( and I was 4), he introduced Thirdy to us whom he met at the basketball court. We were in that same village since my parents were married. Thirdy, I have learned from Kuya transferred when their mom was pregnant with her youngest sister, Dani.

I am friends with Dani but because I don't go out that often, I am not able to interact with her that much. But our parents are good friends. The small get together that we have on some occasion with Thirdy's family has become a tradition.

His parents are nice, Tito Bong and Tita Mozzy and then of course Thirdy's eldest brother, Manong Kiefer. He is in high school, too and playing for the Blue Eaglets with Ateneo. I dunno why Kuya is not as close with him as he is with Thirdy, they are just about the same age. Thirdy is older than I am by a year.

"Hey Bea, why are you staring!" My kuya pinched my arm.

"Kuya! I was just thinking how it would be like in my new school."

"Excited, baby girl?" My dad asked me.

"I am sure it won't be hard for you to adjust, Bea. Anyway, it is still an all girl's school." My mom said.

"When are we shopping for school things?" I asked.

"Hey Bea, your graduation rites just ended, you have not even enrolled and yet you are thinking about your school things?" My kuya teased me.

Then both of Kuya's and my phone beeped, a sound our phone makes when a text message comes to our phone.

Thirdy: I am home. Thanks, bro. Please tell Tito and Tita thank you.I will see you, guys, next weekend