“Gusto ko lang sanang magpakilala sa ‘yo nang pormal,” anang lalaking humabol kay Ina.
Tanda pa niya ang kapreskuhan nito noong una silang nagkaengkuwentro kaya nagtaray siya. “At bakit, sa palagay mo, magkakainteres akong makilala ka? Na guwapo…” Natigilan siya nang tumambad sa paningin niya ang nakaburdang pangalan sa uniporme ng lalaki: Lt. Kyle Magdayao. Napatayo siya nang tuwid at masama a
ng loob na sumaludo rito. “Begging your pardon, Sir.”He gave her a disarming smile. “I will accept your apology kung papayag kang mag-date tayo.”Bukod sa bawal tumanggi sa isang senior officer, hindi niya rin iyon magagawa dahil sa mga mata nitong napakalagkit tumingin. “Sir, yes, Sir,” aniya.Lalong lumawak ang ngiti ng lalaki…
Trivia:
- love ko forever si Lara Croft. sa Cradle of Life, nag-end iyon na magkaharap si Lara at si Terry Sheridan, nagtutukan sila ng baril and one had to shoot para i-preserve ang peace. or something like that. i had wanted a story that would begin with that image, tapos flashback na lang lahat kung bakit at paano humantong sa ganun. so i wrote the opening chapter at halos 3 or 4 years yata nabinbin yun bago ko nakuhang buuin nang husto ang kwento.
- for certain facts about PMA and being a cadet and a soldier, i referred to a friend, a Philippine Army Brigadier General whom i met in an interview which featured him in a website entry for the school i worked for in Dumaguete.
- i first thought of having Matthew McConaughey as the cover peg but i diverted my preference to Paul Walker. however, i dunno, Kyle’s face finally came out as Josh Holloway (of Lost fame). i also thought of submitting my photo to be Ina’s face pero dahil naging MIL ang category nito, nawala ang girl sa cover. hehe!
- to this day, Kyle Magdayao remains the best-loved among my heroes. except i guess if you include Elise Estrella’s Cameron Herrera (who is MY hero, as I’m Mallory Fuentes).