Boundless Echoes

Simula sa araw na iyon, sa iilan pa naming interaksyon, I always found myself being drawn to the youngest Robles. Perhaps it was because she was the only true Robles.

“Aiah!” Colet welcomed me with a warm hug pagkababa ko ng sasakyan. The entire family was there, as if they had been waiting—expecting—our arrival.

I almost gawked.

Don Cristóbal Maximiliano Robles himself was present, standing with quiet authority. Beside him were his two sisters—Doña Maria and Doña Cristina—both exuding the kind of elegance that spoke of old wealth and power. Just behind them, I caught sight of the famous Madelyn and Genevieve, Doña Cristina’s twin daughters.

Madelyn, the older twin, was Mikha’s mother. Genevieve, the younger, was Gwen’s. They weren’t identical, but their presence carried the same air of quiet dominance.

At the front, my father was already embracing a familiar figure—Nicolo Vergara, the only son of Doña Maria. The sole heir of the Vergara estate, yet through blood, still a Robles. Beside him stood Jonathan Robles—Jhoanna’s father. The quiet yet shrewd man who built their consultancy empire into what it is today. Unlike his cousins, he didn’t command attention with charm or grandeur. He didn’t need to. His presence alone was enough to remind everyone why the Robles name held power. And right now, he was standing next to Nicolo, welcoming my father with the same composed authority he was known for.

Beside me, Colet tightened her embrace before pulling away, her usual warmth evident in the way she smiled. “Ang tagal mong hindi bumisita, ha,” she teased.

Before I could respond, a bright voice called out, “I missed you, Ate Aiah!” Gwen was approaching with Mikha at her side, their smiles familiar and welcoming. Gwen threw her arms around me in an eager hug, making me chuckle. Napangiti ako. These were the girls introduced to me last year. They were warm, familiar—easy to be around.

And yet, amidst all this grandeur, my attention flickered elsewhere—searching, almost instinctively.

Saktong pagkakalas ko sa yakap, bumaba si Jhoanna mula sa hagdan.

My heart pounded wildly.

She was there.

Jhoanna Robles stood at the grand staircase, effortlessly tall, her presence just as unreadable as the first time we met. Unlike the others, she wasn’t rushing forward with smiles and greetings. She stood apart—distant yet impossible to ignore. I don’t know why I expected her to be different today.

Our eyes met for the briefest second.

Still unreadable. Still unmoved. And yet, I kept looking.

Kunot-noo ko siyang pinagmasdan. Isang sulyap niya lang sa akin, parang kumalabog ang dibdib ko. I wonder why. Napaiwas ako ng tingin at saka naglakad, kasunod si Colet, papunta sa garden kung saan naghanda ng pagkain ang pamilya nila. We were going to stay here for a week. My father was here for business—something important enough to demand his full attention. It was expected to last an entire week, and he wanted us to be here with him. And since it’s summer, minabuti na rin naming sumama para magbakasyon. We are currently in Bohol, where the ancestral house of the Vergaras is located. I don’t know, though, why the whole Robles family is present. But whatever their business is, it must be important—because even Don Cristóbal is here.

After the garden breakfast, I find myself with Colet and Gwen. Nandito kami sa itaas, overlooking the open fields where Jhoanna and Mikha are racing on horseback. Beyond them, the ocean stretches endlessly, shimmering under the sun.

“Ngayon ka na lang napabisita, Aiah?” Colet asks, turning to me.

I smile at her. I used to visit here often since my family lives in Cebu—just a few hours away. Sa paglipas ng panahon, naging malapit na rin ako sa kanilang magpipinsan, especially Colet since we’re practically neighbors. Sa mga pagbisita ko rito, madalas kong nakakasama sina Gwen at Mikha. But never her.

“Oh my gosh, Jhoanna! Stop with the dangerous tricks!”

Mikha’s voice rings out from below, a mix of worry and laughter. Colet and I instinctively look down just in time to see Jhoanna pull the reins, making the horse rear up on its hind legs. For a moment, she looks untouchable—fearless. She only grins at Mikha’s scolding before tapping the horse’s side, urging it forward.

Colet stands abruptly, concern flashing across her face as she moves closer to the railing. “Jhoanna, mag-ingat ka!” She signals to one of the nearby staff, instructing them to go down. Gwen only laughs, shaking her head. Sanay na siya sa kaguluhan ng pinsan niya. She steps toward the railing, and without thinking, I follow.

Just as I reach the edge, Jhoanna looks up. Our eyes meet. A sharp, unfamiliar thud echoes in my chest. I don’t understand why.

I look away first—just as someone calls us for lunch.

Pagbaba namin, inaasahan kong nandoon ulit ang mga matatanda, but they’ve already left. Since I often visit Colet’s house and have shared meals with them before, they insist that I sit at the head of the table—saying na mas matanda raw ako sa kanila at bisita pa nila ako.

A few moments later, Mikha and Jhoanna enter, still in their horse-riding outfits. Colet takes the seat on my right, with Jhoanna beside her, while Gwen settles on my left, Mikha next to her.

“Aiah, you’re in your last year of college, right?” Colet asks.

Tumango ako rito.

“Graduating ka na rin, hindi ba, Colet?”

Umiling ito, making me frown. Paanong hindi eh magkasing edad lang kami?

“Iyon ay kung makakapasa ako, Aiah,” sagot nito bago tumawa.

Napatawa na lang din ako at nagpatuloy sa kwentuhan kasama sila—well, except her. Kapag siya ang nagsasalita, natatahimik ako. I just couldn't help myself. Kaya sa halip, tumutuloy na lang ako sa pagkain. Not long after, a fresh buko pie is served for dessert. Umaayaw na ako dahil marami na akong nakain simula pa kaninang umaga. Mikha tries to give me a slice, but I shake my head. Colet notices and calls Jhoanna.

“Jho, bigyan mo nga ng slice si Aiah.”

Agad naman itong tumayo at naglagay ng isang piraso sa pinggan ko.

“Kami ni Mommy ang gumawa niyan,” she says.

Napaatras ako nang bahagya, staring at her in surprise. I didn’t know she could bake. Jhoanna meets my gaze, at parang saglit na huminto ang mundo. I open my mouth to thank her, but no words come out. I clear my throat and look away. She silently returns to her seat.

“Thank you,” I finally manage to say as I glance at her again.

“You should try it, Ate Aiah. Masarap gumawa si Jhoanna ng buko pie,” Gwen chimes in.

Napatingin ako sa slice sa harapan ko bago dahan-dahang tumango.“Manang, saan nga po ulit nagpunta sila Daddy?” tanong ni Colet nang lumapit ang isang kasambahay upang salinan ng juice ang basong nasa gilid ko.

“Nasa mga Ricalde silang lahat. Sinundo nila ang lolo mo.”

Napaangat ang tingin ko sa sagot nito. So that’s why Don Vergara wasn’t present earlier—and why he wasn’t with his wife, Doña Maria.

“Anong oras daw po ang balik nila?” habol pa ni Colet.

“Walang sinabi, iha.”

Napangiti si Colet sa sagot nito at tumango. “For sure, aabutin sila ng gabi at doon na maghahapunan sa mga Ricalde. Let’s go out tonight, everyone!” baling niya sa amin, sabay ngising nakakaloko. Mikha cheered. Gwen smirked. But my gaze instinctively flickered toward Jhoanna. She didn’t react immediately. Instead, she merely reached for her glass, taking a slow sip of water. As if she was completely indifferent. I didn’t know why that unsettled me.

I looked away, but the feeling lingered—like something was about to happen, and I wasn’t sure if I was ready for it.