"Love is the will to extend one's self for the purpose of nurturing one's own or another's spiritual growth... Love is as love does. Love is an act of will -- namely, both an intention and an action. Will also implies choice. We do not have to love. We choose to love." - M. Scott Peck

I wasn't expecting that I would have an impromptu visit to my grandparents. Since I've come home I haven't been able to visit them and I'm really sorry about it. It's also a blessing in disguise that Tanchellie dragged me here for a golf invitation so I could get to see them. How I missed this place so much. The last time I went here was before I left for Europe about eight months ago.

"It's good to be back here." I announced as I looked around the place.

"It's beautiful here and serene." The woman beside me commented.

"Yes, that's why they chose to retire here." I answered. "It was my grandparents who taught me to find and build a place like this of my own." I added.

"You mean your Villa in Laguna?"

I nodded. "Yes. If I ever stay here, I'll live in the Villa. But who knows really, or I can live like a travelling nomad abroad."

"Why? Do you see yourself living abroad?" She asked curiously.

"I am considering it. There's so much more to see in this world. I only have a chance to do it so might as well go for that chance." I slightly explained.

"Oh! Good Morning Ladies! Andito na pala kayo!" Bungad sa amin ng isang babaeng nasa late 70's ata.

"Hi Mama!" The woman behind my back answered.

"Tanchellie, napakagandang dilag naman ng kasama mo." Nakangiting pagtuon ng pansin ng lola niya ata to.

"Maraming Salamat po ma'am. Kayo din po ang ganda." Nakangiti ko ring sagot sa kanya. Mukhang mabait naman tong lola niya, hindi gaya ng apo niya na ewan ko nalang.

"Elena Aurora Lobete, ang magandang gran gran ni Tanch." Pagpapakilala niya sabay lahad ng kanyang kamay.

"Ako po si..."

Hindi ko na naituloy pa ang dapat kong sasabihin when I heard the booming voice of my nanna.

"Sarah! Baby, ikaw ba yan?" Buong saya at excitement na bungad ng lola ko sa akin.

Oh! How I missed my grandmother so much. I missed her affection. In the family, no matter how old I grew, I will remain their baby.

"Nanna!" I exclaimed as I moved closer to her and hugged her in a tight embrace.

"Sobrang miss kita baby!" She said as she cupped my face. "Ikaw na bata ka! Nakabalik ka na pala hindi mo pa kami binibisita. Sobra ka bang binubusy ni Jaime para hindi mo kami mabisita dito?"

I only answered with a bright smile. "Naku! Malilintikan ko talaga yang Daddy Jaime mo, pinapagod ang baby namin." Dagdag niya pang salaysayin.

"Nanna! I'm here already. Don't worry lagi na po akong bibisita." I assured her.

My grandmother turned around only to notice that we had an audience. Nakalimutan namin na may bisiti pala kami. "Sorry, Amiga. Ngayon lang kasi kami nagkita ng paborito kong apo. Si Sarah, bunsong anak ni Jaime."

"Naku naku! Kaya pala sobrang familiar ng batang to. Ito na pala ang bunso ni Jaime. Kamukhang kamukha ni Mary." Nakangiting sambit ng lola ni Tanch.

"Ou. Ito ang baby ng SJG Group." Pagsang ayon ni Nanna.

"Hi po Ma'am Elena. Ako po si Sarah." Pagpapakilala ko sa Sarili ko.

"Sus! Waive the ma'am Iha. Lola Elena nalang, parang apo ko narin ang apo ng aking butihing amiga." Masaya niyang tugon sabay pagpapakilala sa kanyang apo sa aking Nanna.

"At ito naman ang aking apo, Amiga. Si Tanch."

"Hi po!" Pagbati niya sa Nanna ko.

"Mana mana talaga, kay gandang bata rin. Welcome to our Mango Haven Farm, Tanch. I didn't know that you are a good friend of my baby."

"Imagine my surprise Nanna when we arrived here, akala ko saan niya ako dadalhin para mag golf daw, dito pala sa Mango Haven Farm natin." Kwento ko sa kanila.

"Diba ininvite niyo naman po talaga ako to join you here today para mag golf po?" Sabay tingin sa kanyang lola.

"Yes, Ija. Pinasunod ko siya dito sa akin to join us for a golf. Paborito niya kasi ang mag golf." Sagot naman ng lola niya.

"Teka Nanna? Where's Papop? Hindi ko ata siya nakikita." Tanong ko sa nanna ko.

"Oh! They're in the garden. Naghihintay sa atin. Let's go and join them there and grab some snacks. After that we can hit the golf course." Masayang imbita at suggestion in Nanna.

Agad naman kaming nagtungo sa garden. Nakabuntot lang kami sa mga elders na masayang nagkukwentuhan. Paminsan minsan ay sinasali din nila si Tanch sa usapan, just throwing random questions at her.

Habang busy ang aking mga mata sa kaka appreciate ng lugar as if memorizing it. Matagal tagal na kasi talaga since noong huli kong pasyal dito. Di ko namalayan that we finally reached the heart of the garden.

"Gentlemen, we're here." Rinig kong sabi ni Nanna but I didn't pay attention to it.

"Di mo man lang ba babatiin ang Papop mo, Sarah?" I instantly turned my gaze from the familiar voice that I just heard.

"Papop!" I exclaimed in happiness. I missed this old man so much.

I immediately went straight to his seat and hugged him.

"So long, my baby. Good thing that you decided to visit your grannies." He told me.

"Naku Julio! Kung hindi pa yang dinala dito ng apo ni Elena ay hindi pa yan mapupunta dito. Good thing at magkaibigan pala to sila." Pagsusumbong naman ni Nanna.

He gave me a sad smile. "I understand, Hija. I know how difficult it is to run a company."

I smiled brightly at my Papop to assure him. "I can manage Papop. Don't worry I will visit you often, promise."

"Tama na yan. Masosolo mo din yang apo mo mamaya Julio." Awat sa amin ni Nanna.

Binigyan lang ng masamang tingin ni Papop si Nanna. I really love how my Papop obeyed to the request of Nanna. Pag-ibig nga naman.

"I guess. Eto na din yung apo niyong hinihintay niyo." My Papop asked while throwing glances to Tanch.

"Yes, Julio. This is my granddaughter, Tanchellie." Sagot naman ng lalaking nasa parehong edad din siguro ni Papop.

"Nice to meet you sir, I am Tanch po." Masayang pagpapakilala ni Tanch.

"Hi Tanch! I'm glad that you happen to be a good friend of my apo. Kung hindi mo sinama yang mabait kong apo ay parang wala pa yata siyang balak dumalaw dito." Bungad sa kanya ng lolo ko with a very meaningful smile.

Ngumiti lang pabalik si Tanch bilang tugon sa sinabi ni Papop. Ako naman ay medyo nahiya dahil totoo lahat ang sinabi ni Papop.

"But I do understand. Mahirap kasing magpatakbo ng kumpanya at maghanap ng boyfriend. Opps. My bad." He said with a hint of laughter that he immediately hid.

Ghad! Kung ano ano na naman ang lumalabas sa bunganga ni Papop.

"Papop!" I almost shouted in irritation.

"I'm just kidding. Right, right. Busy with the company." He said laughing.

Ang kulit talaga.

"Sarah dear, this is my friend Frederick, who happens to be your friend's grandfather. Freddie, ang baby ko si Sarah."

"Nice to finally meet you sir, I heard a lot about you from my Papop."

"Finally, nakilala ko rin ang magaling na CEO ng Pacific Loop. I really admire your skills, Hija!" He said while we exchanges pleasantries.

"Thank you po!" Nahihiya ko pang sagot.

"Have a seat ladies. Nagpaserve ako ng snacks for us. Hintayin nalang natin." Nakangiting pahayag ng Papop ko.

Agad naman dumalo si Nanna, Lola Elena at Tanch kina Papop habang ako ay nililibot parin ang mga mata sa garden.

I smiled at the thought, noong mga bata pa kami we used to spend our afternoon here at naglalaro. Kay tagal ng panahon ang lumipas pero sariwa pa rin sa akin ang lahat, this is one of my happy place.

"Senti kana naman Sarah, halika na nga dito." Tawag pansin ni Nanna sakin.

"Heto na po." Sagot ko sa kanya.

"Oh! Hindi yata ako invited dito. Wala akong upuan eh." Tila nagtatampo kong sambit.

"You can sit here..."

Imagine my shock as I turned my gaze to the person in question. Wtf! Saan niya daw ako papaupuin.

"Here!" Sabay hila sa akin. Nawala ako sa balanse and the next thing I knew I was already seated in her lap. Napakandong ako kay Tanchellie.

I can't help but to look her in the eyes and it's full of life with hell firers. Hindi ko alam paano but bigla akong nakaramdam ng kilig sa kanya ulit. She just smiled at me while I was staring back into her. Losing in her magnificent eyes again.

"Tanchellie!" I heard myself whispering.

There was a triumphant smile on her face. Oh I remember she told me that she will drag her first name in my lips at the end of this day.

"There! Okay na po siya dito, we're best friends anyway." She announced to the elders as if she was telling them about the weather.

I'm dead! I silently cursed once I saw the shock from their faces and the meaningful smiles that her Mama and my Nanna have.

"I didn't know that you were that close, Hija?" Pagbasag sa katahimikan ni Nanna.

"Oh! You'd be surprised Nanna how close we are." She answered.

Pinandilatan ko siya ng mata. Mga pinagsasabi nito. Ghad.

"Tanch, kung sakaling malalaman mo if may kinikitang boyfriend si Sarah, don't forget to spill the bean to me ha." Seryosong sambit ni Nanna.

"Walang boyfriend to si Sarah? Sa kagandang bata pero wala pang boyfriend." Gulat na tanong ng lola ni Tanch.

"Yes, Amiga. Single and ready to mingle." Sagot ni Nanna.

"Amiga, would you care if I'll ask Sarah to tour a family friend from abroad? To show him around the South of Luzon." She said, asking permission from Nanna.

"By all means, why don't you ask her?" Sagot naman ni Nanna sabay tingin sakin.

"No, mama. Busy si Sarah. She doesn't have time for that. Why don't you just hire a travel agency?" Biglang sagot ni Tanch on my behalf.

I just feel like ang sama ko naman if tumanggi ako. If the time permits, I would be able to meet a possible business partner pa. At ang bruhang toh kailangan pa ito nagkaroon ng karapatan to decide on my behalf.

"Sure po Lola. I can tour your family friend around. Just give me a heads up po, anytime." I answered with full of enthusiasm.

Bigla naman akong napakurap ng bigla akong kurutin ni Tanch ng palihim.

"What's with you?" I mouthed to her.

Inirapan lang ako ng bruha. Ano bang ginawa ko? Hays! Ewan sayo Tanchellie!

"Food is here. Let's grab our snack and after that let's play match play." Buong sayang sabi ni Papop.

"So we are really playing golf?" Tanong ko while picking some fruits sa table.

"Yes.. The six of us will play a team match. Garcia vs. Lobete." Papop answered.

"Oh! So you're all serious after all." Sabi ko kay Tanch.

It's just amazing that I didn't feel any awkwardness habang nakakandong ako sa kanya.

"Beat me in the hole, baby?" She whispered in my ears.

Her whisper gave me chills and I became very uneasy at the moment. Hate mo siya Sarah! You need to distance yourself from her! Come on! You can trust her with your heart. Sigaw na sermon ng utak ko. Right, right.

I immediately stood up upon the realization. "I'll go ahead on the tee to pick my best club and practice my swing. Mauuna na po ako." Pagpapaalam ko without turning back.

Agad kong sinundan si Sarah na nagpaalam na magpa practice daw. If I didn't know her I would immediately believe it but, it wasn't the

case. I know she is not comfortable in my company given the scene earlier. But I can't help but to smile ng maalala ko ang nangyari kanina. Kahit pa I would deny it, but I know deep inside there is always the attraction that I can't hide. Siya pa rin talaga. Ang hirap lang dahil ang ilap at distant niya sa akin. Hold on lang Sis! Laban!

"Akala ko ba hindi ka magaling mag golf?" Bungad ko sa kanya while doing the perfect swing posture.

Hindi niya ako sinagot and instead she went in the swing.

"Wow! Ang galing parang umabot yata sa green."

"Anong ginagawa mo dito? Bakit mo ko ginugulo?" Pagsusungit niya.

"Oh!" I said while holding my hands up. Anong problema nito. "I'm just complementing your swing. Wala naman akong ginagawang masama."

She gave me a fake smile. "Really? Tell me! Ano ba talagang motibo mo? Nananadya ka ba? So our grandparents will have an idea about our associations?" Pambibintang niya.

"What? Believe me. I didn't know na magkakilala sila." I explained.

"Okay. Next time you can't just bring me with you sa ano mang mga lakad mo without asking my permission. Lalong lalo na yung mga ganitong mga family affair." Seryoso at may diin niyang sagot.

I wicked smile fitted my lips. "Bakit? Natatakot ka bang malaman nila ang namamagitan sa atin." I said trying to confirm my suspicion.

"We're only business partners. Nothing more nothing else." She retorted.

"Really?" I answered trying to challenge her.

"Enough Miss Lobete. Pwede ba? I said enough. This would be the last time, magkikita nalang tayo if it is about business or any sort."

Nasasaktan man sa sinabi niya but I need to hide it. Grabe naman tong babaeng to siguro nga she really hates me to death. I fake a smug para kunwari hindi ako apektado sa pagtataboy niya. "Okay. Let's have a bet." I told her.

"Ayaw ko nga." She firmly said while taking swings.

"Bakit? Natatakot ka? Magaling ka naman besides there are your grandparents na ka team mo."

"So you mean by playing this match play?" This time hinarap niya na ako.

"Yes." Sagot ko.

"Pag nanalo kami. You will walk out in my life, the quest is void at magkalimutan na tayo." She said with full of emphasis.

So ayaw niya nga talaga sa akin. Napipilitan lang talaga siya. That everything she showed is just because of the quest and nothing else. Ang sakit naman!

I forced a smile trying to supress the tears that are about to fall. "Okay. Deal. Pero pag kami ang nanalo. We will have a date at ako ang magdedecide kung ano at saan. How about that?"

"Deal?" She agreed, offering her arms.

"Deal!" Sagot ko naman, shaking her hands. "Don't worry, hindi ako papatalo sayo."

"I won't be so sure if I were you Tanch cause I intend to beat you, so I can freely moved on with my life na wala ka." She said as she walked away to move to the other tee.

Not in this lifetime Sarah! Just so you know I'm never letting you go.

*So Long! Sorry for being MIA.