"No Jennie Kim! I need you to come back now! It's already been a week Jen! The King has already been asking for you and thank God he's believing Kai's alibi. Pero hindi ko alam kung hanggang kelan ko pa mapapaikot tong si Kai. He's been bugging me to tell the King that you escaped" 

I can hear the sound of desperation in Jisoo's voice. Alam ko na as of this moment nagaalala na siya sakin at sa pwedeng gawin ng hari kapag nalaman niya ang pagkawala ko. Pero hindi pa ko pwedeng umalis, especially not now that Lisa and I are starting to get closer. Pagkatapos nung gabi nang sayawan ay mas naging malapit kami sa isa't isa. In fact, Lisa is starting to loosen up. She's already showing her soft side and I won't miss that for heaven's sake. Hindi ko alam but I love being around her already. Nasanay na akong siya ang unang nakikita ko pagmulat pa lang ng aking mga mata hanggang sa pagpikit nito. Nasanay na kong siya yung palagi kong kasabay kumain habang masaya kaming nagkukwentuhan. Simple things that I never imagined I would enjoy. At hindi pa ko handang matapos ang lahat ng ito. 

"I'm sorry Chu but I haven't done anything yet. Hindi pa ko handang umuwi" 

"But Jennie! You promised me!!"

Halos sumigaw na si Jisoo sa kabilang linya, but I'm sorry to her, coz that ain't change my decision. Ngayon pa lang ako nageenjoy and I won't let them take this happiness in me now. At least not now. 

"I didn't promise you anything Chu!" 

I didn't want to shout on her and I felt guilty when all I can hear was Jisoo sighed in defeat. Alam niya nang hindi siya mananalo sakin. So, I tried to compose myself before I talked. 

"Don't worry Chu, walang mangyayaring masama sakin. I can take care of myself and I will go home. Just... just not now. And I promise I won't say that you're part of my plan. Labas ka dito Chu" 

There's a moment of silence. Hinayaan ko lang muna siya but I waited for her to answer me back. 

"Okay you win! But atleast tell me kung nasaan ka. You know, I'm just worried" 

Ramdam ko sa boses niya how worried she was. I understand, coz this is the first time na nawala ako sa paningin nila nang ganito katagal. 

"I can't tell you where I am. Not because I don't trust you but because it is much better if you didn't know anything, but don't worry I'm happy and I'm safe. You don't have to worry. You know, I can take care of myself" nakangiting sabi ko kahit na hindi niya ko nakikita.

Once again she let out a deep sigh before she answered me. 

"Okay I understand. Just be safe and please... please Jennie, keep me updated para naman alam ko kung ano nang nagyayari sayo" pakiusap niya. 

"Alright, I will. Bye now Chu! Love you!" I said bago ko ibinaba ang telepono. 

I heave a deep sigh right after. Para kong natanggalan ng mabigat na bagay na nakapatong saking dibdib. Isang linggo ko rin kasing iniwasan si Jisoo dahil natatakot akong pabalikin niya na ko. I wasn't actually wrong, she wants me back but I don't want to yet. Thankful na lang ako na pumayag siya. I wasn't really expecting her to let me but I'm glad she did. I didn't tell her where I am kasi ayokong mas makunsensya pa siya. Atleast, if ever man, di niya kailangan magsinungaling sa Hari kung nasaan ako dahil wala naman talaga siyang alam. I don't want to put her in a compromising position. She's the only ally I have back in the palace and besides para ko na rin siyang kapatid kaya ayokong may mangyari sa kanya because of me. 

I was lost in my train of thoughts ng bigla namang may nagsalita sa likuran ko. I looked at my back and I saw Lisa standing there looking so fresh with her disheveled after shower hair smiling weakly towards me. 

"Penny for your thoughts?" 

I smiled at her and tapped the seat beside me. Nakaupo kami sa isang mahabang bangko sa ilalim ng puno ng mangga sa bakuran ng bahay niya. 

"You already talked to your parents?" tanong niya. 

The other night, Lisa offered me her phone para matawagan ko daw yung pamilya ko. Siguro akala niya namimiss ko na sila dahil nakatitig lang ako sa kawalan habang pinapanood ang paglubog ng araw. But actually, hindi ko pa namimiss ang Korea coz I am totally happy in this little sanctuary with her beside me. I told her, I have a phone with me, nakuha ko bago ako tumakas which is technically a lie, but she believed me. Ayoko naman talagang magsinungaling sa kanya but I have no other choice. But I promise I will tell her everything sa takdang panahon. Kapag kaya ko na at sana maintindihan niya kung bakit kinailangan kong magsinungaling. 

I shook my head. 

"My sister" pagsisinungaling ko ulit.

She bob her head and said, "What did they said?" 

"They want me to go home" 

I saw how her expression changed. Biglang naging malungkot yung itsura niya but she's too quick to hide that emotion in her face and managed to wear an emotionless expression.

"Are you going home?" she asked straight into my eyes. 

Umiling ako. 

"I told her I will stay here for a while. I don't want to go home yet. I'm still enjoying my stay here in this island with you" 

I also looked at her straight in her eyes and I saw how her cheeks turned into crimson red. Alam kong naramdaman niya yun kaya dali dali niyang itinungo ang kanya ulo to hide her blushing cheeks. 

Cute!

I grinned. I am actually a little taken aback kung sasabihin ko bang I enjoyed her company or not but thankfully I did coz I can always treasure this reaction of her. Not everytime you'll see Lisa gets shy like this and I enjoyed it. I enjoyed seeing her blushed coz it made my heart soft and warm. It made me feel mixed emotions and I feel my heart giddy everytime she acts so soft and cute like this. 

I was about to lift her chin up so she could face me but she's quick enough to stood up and talked. 

"Changed your clothes. We're going somewhere" 

"Where?" 

"School"

Tahimik kaming dalawa na naglalakad papunta sa school kung saan nagtuturo si Irene. It was too silent but it was never awkward and I am so happy right now. Hindi ko maalis yung ngiti sa mga labi ko. Sabi ni Lisa sakin sinabihan daw siya ni Irene na ihatid ako sa school. Akala ko nga nakalimutan na ni Irene yung promise niya but I was wrong. Kaya naman eto ako, excited dahil first time kong mararanasan ang maexperience how it feels like to be in a real school. 

"Why did Irene suddenly asked me to bring you to school?" confused na tanong ni Lisa sakin. 

"Coz she promised me" nakangiting sagot ko naman. 

Hindi parin naalis yung confusion sa mukha niya and she looked at me with creased brows.

"And why would she promise you that? Don't tell me you haven't been to a sc---" 

Hindi niya pa natatapos yung sasabihin niya when I already cut her off.

"Unfortunately, yes. I've been to school but I haven't experience being a student of a real school"

I know she would ask me why kaya naman bago pa siya magtanong ay inunahan ko na siya. 

"I'm home schooled my entire life, elementary to College" I looked and smiled at her. 

Her eyes widened in shock at halatang kong di talaga siya makapaniwala sa sinabi ko. 

"Seriously?" tatawa tawang tanong niya.

I nodded at biglang nawala yung ngiti sa mga labi niya at napalitan ng pagtataka ang ekspresyon ng mukha niya. 

"That's boring! Bakit? I mean... why would your parents do that? That's a total bull! Sorry for the word... but I just can't imagine myself stuck in our house my whole life" 

I chuckled at her reaction. Of course I understand where she's coming from. Sa sandaling nakilala ko si Lisa napansin ko na she's a people person kahit na medyo aloof siya pag personal life na ang usapan but aside from that she's really a fun person to be with. As much as I want to live as carefree as she is, I can't. Well, that's how boring my life is. 

"I actually don't have a choice. My parents are over protective" I smirked. 

She bob her head still being amaze of what she learned from me. 

"But, how did you manage to do that? If I were you, I would always sneak out" natatawang sabi niya. 

"Do you think I never thought of that? I planned many times but failed coz our security was too tight" 

She creased her brows and look seriously into my eyes. Nagtaka ako sa biglang pagseryoso ng mukha niya kaya di ko maiwasang mapalunok sa kaba. 

"Tell me honestly, are you a princess?" seryosong tanong niya. Her eyes was darted straight into my feline eyes. 

Oh my God! What should I say? Did she already knew about me? Oh my God Jennie magisip ka, kailangan mong magisip at sumagot na bago pa siya makahalata. 

I almost panicked but I still tried to compose myself and think of an alibi.

I laughed.

"I know I'm beautiful as a princess, I wished I am but am not" 

I tried not to stutter habang sinasabi ko yan, pulling a forced laugh out of my mouth. I just hope I sound convincing. 

I looked at Lisa and she seems like contemplating. I swear parang sasabog na yung dibdib ko sa kaba pero nakahinga ako ng maluwag ng bigla den naman siyang humagalpak ng tawa. 

"You're too full of yourself! Who told you you're beautiful?" 

Buti na lang! Buti na lang naniwala.

Kunwaring sinamaan ko siya ng tingin bago ako sumagot. 

"YOU!" sabay turo ko sa kanya but she just continue to laugh at me. 

Talagang inaasar ako nito ah. Let's see. Lumapit ako sa kanya. I tiptoed and leaned towards her ear and whispered,

"You even told me I'm gorgeous, Lisa" 

I laughed when I saw how flustered she was and how her cheeks turned crimson red. Iniwan ko siya at nauna na ko maglakad.

Jeez! I really love teasing her and making her blush. I enjoyed seeing that I can affect her this way. 

Makalipas ang ilang minutong paglalakad ay narating na namin ang school kung saan nagtatrabaho si Irene. I stopped the moment na makarating na kami sa gate. I looked up and I saw the flag on the pole then I smiled. Hindi ko maiwasang mapangiti dahil sa excitement na nararamdaman ko. 

Lumapit kami sa gate at agad namang dumapo ang mga mata ko sa loob. Tahimik ang paligid dahil siguro on going ang klase. Wala ni isang estudyante ang paggala gala sa labas. 

"Oh Lisa!?" Tanong ng isang lalaking sa tingin ko ay bantay ng gate ng eskwelahan. 

"Hey, pupuntahan lang sana namin si Irene" sagot naman ni Lisa. 

"Ah oo, nabanggit nga ni Ma'am Irene na dadaan daw kaya. Tara pasok kayo" 

Agad na binuksan nung lalaki ang gate. Lisa and I said our thanks to the man. I happily roam my eyes around the school. Hindi siya kalakihan tulad ng mga eskwelahan sa Seoul, but the ambiance is really nice dahil sa mga puno sa paligid nito at dahil din sa malinis nitong kapaligiran. Habang naglalakad kami papunta sa kung saang room naroon si Irene ay di ko maiwasang mapangiti sa mga estudyanteng naglalaro. Sa tingin ko PE nila to. Bakas sa mga mukha nila ang saya habang naglalaro. I felt sad kasi narealize ko kung gaano karaming masayang memories ang namissed ko dahil nakakulong lang ako sa loob ng palasyo. I can't remember having a happy memories like those kids tungkol sa pagkabata ko. 

Muntik na kong kainin ng kalungkutan nang biglang may pumisil sa kamay ko. When I looked at my hand, I saw that someone is holding it and that someone is Lisa. Nakatingin siya sakin and she was smiling weakly towards me. Hindi ko matandaan kung kelan kami naghawak ng kaway pero sa tingin ko simula pa kanina dahil parehong medyo namamawis na ang mga kamay namin but she never let it go. She held me tighter habang hinahanap namin ang room ni Irene. Di ko naman maiwasang mapangiti habang tinitignan ko yung magkahawak naming mga kamay. Her hand was so soft and it fits perfectly with mine. 

After a few seconds, huminto kami ni Lisa sa harap ng isang classroom. I looked inside and I saw Irene happily teaching her students. Hindi naman nagtagal at napansin niya na ang presensya namin ni Lisa. She smiled and waved her hands towards us before she excused herself in her class. 

"Kanina pa kayo dyan?" 

"Hindi naman masyado" nakangiting sagot sa kanya ni Lisa. 

Bigla namang napangisi si Irene nang hindi ko alam kung bakit until Lisa and I saw her looking down habang nakatingin sa magkahawak naming mga kamay. I never realized na magkahawak pa rin pala kami til now. 

Agad namang binitawan ni Lisa ang kamay ko and we both look away at hindi naman naiwasan ni Irene ang pagtawa. Lisa and I both blushed dahil sa nakakalokong tawa ni Irene. 

"Let's go inside" aya sakin ni Irene and I just nodded my head leaving Lisa behind us. 

Lumingon naman si Irene kay Lisa. 

"Lisa, you wanna join us?" 

Lisa bob her head and sat beside me.