Please Remember Me, Alexzia

We Meet Again

Twelve years later…

ALEXZIA

        I was doing my best to stay awake because the owners are arriving. It’s really a challenge for me because I was so tired. I helped my mom and the rest of the house help team prepare everything. Too bad, my big sis, Thea wasn’t here during the day. She was among the Girl Scout Leader in school and they had a training. Cleaning would have been a lot easier and fun with her. We love to make fun of each other and any task is easy and fun when done with her. She’s funny and can really see the brighter side of things.

        As the head of the house help team, my mother had to make sure that everything is “perfect”. Yup, she is indeed a perfectionist. She heads the household helpers while my father is the assistant/driver of Mr. Kim.

        The sofa is so soft that makes staying awake even more difficult. Thea is beside me now, trying to poke my sides from time to time but now I guess she had fallen asleep. I was about to really give in to the feeling… Then I was jolted back to reality when my mother announced at the top of her authoritative but warm voice, “They’re here!”

        Then we heard cars arriving…

        My heart skipped a beat… then I saw them and as I scanned the arriving family, I was expectant as my heart pounded… then I felt a little disappointed for a few seconds. Where is the person I was longing to see?

MAGNUS

        “Magnus! Come on in!” 

        That’s my mom, calling out excitedly.

        We just arrived in the Philippines. It was quite a trip from Korea and I am so tired but I think it’s worth it because we had a lot of excited things planned.

        My father used to come here alone to take care of business. We used to come when we were younger. He brought us when his visit was during school breaks.

        Recently, the Philippine branch was given to him by our grandfather. Dad wanted to focus on this branch for a few years so he made a big decision. He decided that we should all stay together in one place. He prepared everything beforehand. He looked for the best school for me and my big sister, Rachelle. He even had our transfer documents ready.

        I’m just a twelve-year-old boy but I also have my preferences. Of course, I love my country, South Korea. It’s difficult saying goodbye to my friends and other relatives. But this is for the best since my father decided to focus on our business here and he wanted our family to be together. But we will surely visit our relatives back at home from time to time so that’s something to look forward to.

        Classes here will start in two months, and that means we have the whole two months’ vacation to take care of.

        “Magnus!” My father’s voice broke my reverie. I hurriedly got out of the car and was welcomed by a charming and energetic black cat that instantly curled around my left foot.

        “I presume, you’re with the welcoming committee. Nice to meet you! But isn’t it unusual to be welcomed by a black cat?” I told the cat. The cat scurried away as I walked forward.

        I stood in front of the house. It’s a two-storey house. Not as big as our mansion back home but still big. This will be our new home, I said to myself as I walked towards the front door.

        “Oh, here he is, my boy!” my father proudly says.

        “Oh, so handsome as ever!” beams Mrs. Cruz. “I’m sure you remember my girls, especially Alexzia because you used to be playmates during the times you visited a few years back. Oh, and if you remember, you and Alexzia were born about two months apart”

ALEXZIA

        There he is… why is my heart beating so fast? I don’t remember feeling this way towards him when we were younger. Of course, I had a secret crush on him since the first time I met him. They usually come for vacation so I got to see him for a few weeks every year. Oh silly me, of course we were younger then, I scolded myself. But again, why does this feeling seem to be stronger than before? 

        We were the best of friends. I’ve always liked him and he always protected me, like when bad kids bullied me. I was walking home from school when around five older girls blocked my way. They were from my school so I never thought that they had bad intentions until that afternoon. They pushed me and I fell on the sidewalk. Before one of the girls could hurt me more, we heard a loud scream.

        “Stop it! Don’t touch her and stay away from her!”

        It’s Magnus. He ran towards us, and the girls went scrambling off.

        “Are you okay?” He asked as he helped me get up.

        I was so shocked from everything that I can’t even talk. I just stared at him.

        “Lexie, are you hurt anywhere? Tell me. Please say something.” He said, full of concern and he checked if I had wounds or scratches.

        Then I started crying, still unable to talk.

        Just then, he hugged me tightly and said, “It’s okay to cry. Were you so afraid? I’m here, Lexie…”

        He’s the only one who calls me Lexie.

        “Lexie? Are you okay? Lexie?” His voice brought me back to the present. I didn’t realize that I was staring at him. Then I felt a sharp pain in my arm. I looked beside me and it’s Thea. She pinched me to “wake me up.”

        Then I shifted my gaze to the person in front of me and said nervously, “Oh, hi, Magnus!”

        “What a relief! I thought you have forgotten me.” He replied then gave me his killer smile. My heart just melted.

        “Huh? How could I forget you when…,” I said then changed my mind midway.

        “When what? He asked eagerly.

        “How can I forget you when you’re one of my two best friends!” came my reply. How can I tell him that I have a crush on him since, wait… I can’t remember when it started. It’s almost like the feeling was always there since the beginning.

Magnus

        Mom, Dad, Rachelle and Alexzia’s family went in to the house. I was leaft alone with Alexzia at the entrance. I don’t know why I felt disappointed at what Alexzia said, that I am one of her best friends. Is it because I am not the only best friend? Of course I remember she has another best friend, Yssa. Or is it because she sees me as a friend? Do I feel bad that I’m a friend? If not a friend, then what? Oh no, I can’t let her find out that I like her as a girl. How would she react?

        “Mags? Did I say something offensive? Why do you look so down?” She blurted.

         Mags… that’s how she calls me. She’s the only one who calls me that. I consider it as a word of endearment.

        “Sorry, you know how I sometimes get lost in my own thoughts.” I said, trying to smile a bit more cheerfully.

         “Okay, tell me about it later. For now, I’m sure you’re so tired. We prepared dinner so I think it’s ready. I’ll see you tomorrow, then?” She asked but I seem to be so mesmerized.

        Buffering… buffering…

        “I think you really are so tired. Jet lagged too. Go on…see you!”  She said then started to walk away. But I grabbed her hand.

        “Wait!” I said and she froze in her tracks. When she turned around, I can’t believe I asked, “May I please uh, see you before you go to sleep? In an hour, maybe?”

        “Huh? Are you sure you aren’t going to just dive into bed after dinner? You had a long flight plus two more hours of travel to come here” she said, smiling. My heart started pounding.

        “Is that a ‘No’? Aww, it hurts.” I said while pretending to feel pain in my chest.

        She suddenly laughed loudly and said, “You’re starting to be an actor, huh? So cute! Okay teddy bear, let’s meet in the garden at the kiosk. But there’s lots of time tomorrow. “

        I again pretended to be hurt. “You’re hesitating. It’s for just a few minutes, please?”

        “Did I say, I won’t? Now go on.” She said and smiled again.

Honey

        I kept looking at my son who is talking to Alexzia. “Corrine, look at them. Oh, how adorable. Aren’t they so cute together like that?”

        “They’re friends and I’m happy about it and don’t forget that they are young. Let’s not expect much or you will be disappointed if the prediction doesn’t come true, right?” was Corrine’s reply. “Let’s not get pressured by the prediction, okay? If they are meant to be, then we’ll see it unfold before our eyes.”

        “So true,” I replied. “I guess I got carried away by the prediction. But I like Alexzia. She’s smart, friendly, respectful. She’s just so easy to like and love. I wonder what my son thinks or feel about her. I’m so tempted to ask him but at the same time afraid that I might be in the way.”

        “Thank you for being fond of my daughter,” Corrine said with a bright smile. “Dinner is ready.”

        “But Corrine, hear me out…,” I pleaded. “I know my son. Can’t you see the twinkle in his eyes as he talked to your adorable daughter? I’m sure he has feelings for her. And look at Alexzia, she also has those twinkle in her eyes.”

CORRINE

        I gasped at what I heard then I glanced at where Honey was looking. True enough, my daughter and Honey’s son were like sweethearts. There was an aura of sweetness between them as they talked. The only thing is, they are only twelve-year olds. But the energy swirling around them, though I would not want to admit to Honey, is undeniably that of love.