Potchi's Love Potion

ONE

"Stand up, Miss Hernandez." I rolled my eyes in the air when Abby the Chubby called me.

He is our professor who is very angry with me. Because I'm always cutting on her subject so because of that, I'm always called in recitation.

"Miss," I said as I stood up.

"What is Phile?" she asked me. My classmates just winced at her question.

She likes to ask questions even if they are not related to her subject. Then if you can't answer her, you will be out to the class.

I cleared my throat. "Phile is defined as someone who likes, loves or is attracted to something," I replied.

She nodded. "What is Anthophile?"

I thought for a moment.

"A lover of flower or someone who appreciates flowers," I answered.

"What is Ceraunophile?" she asked again.

"A person who loves thunder and lightning," I replied.

She raised her brows. "What do you call a person who loves to drink coffee?"

"Javaphile?" I answered, brows are furrowed because I'm not sure.

"Correct! Next time asnwer me surely!" she sarcastically said.

I nodded.

I was about to sit down when she pointed at me again.

"I didn't tell you to sit down!"

You're not even saying I still need to stand.

"Okay," was my only answer.

"What is Pluviophile?"

"A lover of rain or someone who finds joy and ... Peace of mind during rainy days ..."

"Good. What is Chinophile?"

"A person ... Who loves cold weather, snow," I replied, not sure.

She nodded again and took a walk. "What do you call a person who likes to nibble a woman's earlobe?"

"G-gynotikolobom-massophile," I stammered.

"Good. Sit down."

I heaved a deep sigh of relief as I sat down. She even asked my other classmates who had no connection to her subject.

"Dismiss!" Miss Abby announced. My classmates shouted in joy. After Abby the Chubby came out, they talked about her.

"That teacher is really annoying! She's asking questions that aren't related to her subject!"

"And when you can't answer it, she's getting mad at you, fool!"

I rolled my eyes and left the room. I don't have a schedule of two hours so I'll hang out first.

I also have a long vacant time so I'm going to the garden, which is my favorite place here in school.

I have no friends so I am always alone. I am not friendly and I also have no intention of being friendly. It's better to be alone than to have a lot of plastic friends. And also, that's why I don't have any friends because they said I'm look rude.

Like duh! I don't have a bad attitude, sometimes I can real talk them so they're calling me a bitch. Grr.

"You asshole!"

I stopped thinking when I heard someone shout. I looked at the my left side. I saw a woman, she is being surrounded by five women.

I could see the fear in her eyes. I rolled my ehes in the air. That's why I hate weak people. They can't defend themselves.

I stood up and approached them. "Stay away from her," I said calmly causing them to look at me.

"Why do you care, huh?" the clown -looking woman pointed at me.

I raised an eyebrow at her.

"Do you want to be expelled from this school? Aren't you bullying her?" I shouted.

The girl seemed scared of what I was saying so she ran fast with her bully friends.

"Thank you."

I looked at the woman who spoke. She is beautiful, she has a tan skin.

We have the same height, I think.

I ignored her, I went back to the bench I was sitting on earlier. I was sitting under the mango tree.

"They say you're a bitch, but I don't think so," the woman commented and sat down next to me.

"I'm Via Cruz. Thank you for saving me, Hira Hernandez," she said smiling.

"You know me, huh?" I smirked.

She nodded while smiling. "Yup! There's no one who doesn't know you here at school," she replied.

I nodded. "Yeah, right."

"Are you cutting?"

I looked at her because of her question.

"Nah. 2 hours vacant, you?"

"Just the same. You were good at recitation earlier!" she added excitedly so my eyes widened.

"How did you know?"

"We're blockmates," she replied.

"Ah ... You're not familiar," I answered sparingly.

"You don't care about your blockmates so I won't be surprised." She shrugged.

"Whatever. Why do those women mad at you?" I asked curiously.

Via doesn't look quarrelsome so it's just weird.

"Ah... that? I reported them to the principal that they cheated in exam." She speak soft and quietly so I guess, she's shy.

"Why don't you fight back? Look at you, you're being bullied," I winced at her.

She chuckled. "No need. I don't want a fight."

I shrugged. "It's up to you."

She said something else but I didn't listen when I saw my inspiration in life.

Cynade Gutierrez, the man I love so much. But sadly, he didn't care to me. He always ignored me. But it's okay. I knew I could get him someday

Not now, but soon.

I've wanted him for a long time, only now have I decided to pay attention to him. I'm shy back then to him, but now, I'm not.

You need to do everything to get what you want.

I remembered our first meet, I was just in high school that time. The one who was crushing on me invited me to his swimming party. I came because I have nothing to do. I almost drowned when Cynade saved me. That's when I fell in love with him.

I even remember the date it happened, March 9th.

I have liked him for 7 years.

For several years I had hoped he would like me too.

"Stop staring, he might melt," Via spoked.

"You like Cynade, huh?" she teased.

"I don't like him," I said.

"Because you love him?"

I looked at Cynade before I replied to Via. "Yes," I admit.

"Yiee, hey, you know? You look good together!" Via exclaimed. I winced at her but immediately smiled at what she said.

I sighed. "What's the use if he doesn't like me?" I pouted.

"Why, have you ever asked him if he likes you?" she asked while raising her brows.

I shook my head. "Not yet."

"Oh, you don't? You know, maybe you both feel the same way," she convinced me.

"What if not?"

"Hira, feelings are changing," she replied gently.

I thought about what she said.

She's right. Feelings change.

"But I think he likes me too," I whispered.

"How did you say so?" she asked confused.

"Nothing. I'm just feeling it."

She winced at me. "You're assuming, eh?"

I rolled my eyes. "Nah!"

She laughed a bit. "I wonder why you have no friends. It's fun for you to be friends."

I stared at he.

"You know, you're the only one saying that," I commented.

She just smiled.

"You know, a lot of my blockmates has a crush on you. Even our blockmates before."

"But I won't be surprised either. You're beautiful and you're smart," Via added.

"I know," I said.

"Whatever. Anyway, where are you good at?" she asked.

"In bed," I jokingly replied causing her eyes to widen.

Her cheeks turned red. "What? What I mean is, hobbies, like that!"

I laughed and nodded. "Hmm, in arts."

Her brows furrowed.

"Hmm, arts? Then why did you take BS in Tourism Management?" she asked curiously.

"I want to be a Flight Attendant, that's why," I sparingly replied.

"We're the same," she said with a smile. "You know? Cynade also loves arts. He's good at drawing and he's also good at painting."

I smiled to her.

"I know. That's why I fall even more in love with him. We have the same vibes..." My cheeks heated at the thought.

"You have the same vibes but the feelings, never mind," she shrugged at laughed like a devil.

I gave her a death glare. "Tsk!"

"Oh, is that Cynade?" Via pointed to Cynade who had just come out of their building.

Business Management is his course.

"He's with Bella again!" Via frowned when Bella was mentioned.

Bella is Cynade's girl best friend. Nathan was his boy best friend. They are always together. Sometimes I want to slap Bella. She also likes Cynade. She acted like they are in a relationship. Like, duh? Cynade doesn't like her either. Duh, same.

Bellatrix is ​​her real name. Bellatrix Mendez.

She has a beautiful name, but a good behavior, no comment.

I caught Via staring at Nathan. "Do you like Nathan?" I asked him so her eyes widened.

"What? Of course not!" she immediately refused. "He's the one who likes me," he added.

"You're assuming, too." I chuckled.

Nathan is also handsome. Many also like him but no one can beat Cynade. Their family is well known here in our place.

"No. It's true. Nathan confessed to me, he said he loves me," she replied causing my eyes to widen.

"Woah! What did you say?" I asked eagerly.

"No, I was surprised when he said that so I didn't say anything."

"Don't you feel anything for Nathan?" I asked curiously.

"There is ... But I don't want to tell him that. He's a playboy. I don't want to get hurt just because I was replaced for someone else," she snout.

"Via, you have to be hurt for you to learn," I smiled bitterly.

She sighed. "Ah, well, I'm not ready yet. Maybe when I finish school."

I raised an eyebrow at her. "The question is, does he still love you when we're schooling?"

A moment of silence prevailed over us before she could answer. "I don't know." She shrugged.

My eyes landed on Cynade who was walking away from us. My teeth gritted when I saw he's walking with Bella.

We are in our 2nd year of college. Close to graduate but I still can't get him. It's okay for me to be just a friend, but he doesn't really like me.

But I didn't give up easily, I knew I could get him too. Trust me, he will fall in love with me.

I hope so.

Just wait for me, Cynade. You will be mine.

Someday, you will moan my name.

TWO

"Hmp! Why am I so ugly in the picture?" Via asked annoyed while fidgeting with her cellphone.

"Wanna know why?" I asked.

Via looked at me. "Why?"

"Because that proves you're beautiful in person, not in picture," I answered. She smiled like there's no tomorrow.

"Yiee, I love you so much!" She was about to hug me when I move a bit away from her.

"Yuck!"

She rolled her eyes to me, annoyed.

"Lol! Just be thankful that I love you, becuase Cynade doesn't."

I looked at her and immediately and gave her a death glare.

"Just kidding but that's true, though...!" she complained.

"Shut your mouth, Via!" I irritatedly said.

I don't know but I'm comfortable with Via. Maybe because we're both loners. We've always been together and I can't deny she's happy to be with.

It's fun to have a friend. Although not many, as long as you are true to each other.

I said goodbye to Via who will be ahead, my schedule has just ended today. Via has another schedule so we can't be together for now. I can't wait for her because I'm hungry.

"Hey, I'm leaving," I said goodbye and clutched my small back pack on my back.

"All right, take care," she giggled for a moment and went to her next class.

I just nodded as I left the school. It was five o'clock when I got home.

One of the reasons I always wander is because I don't want to stay here at home. The people here are... Kinda evil.

After getting dressed I went straight to the kitchen. I removed the cover of the dish so I could see what's inside.

It's dinuguan!

I returned the cover of the dish. I don't eat dinuguan. It's not that it's isn't delicious but it's disgusting. Of course, it came from pig's blood.

"Kylie!" I shouted at my older sister.

Actually, I was just adopted. But who cares?

"What?" Kylie frustratedly asked.

"What's the dish?" I asked even though I already knew. Maybe there is something else. I'm really hungry.

"Dinuguan," she boringly replies while chatting with her lettuce husband.

"No other?" I asked, hoping she would say something more.

She raised an eyebrow at me. "Of course, no otjer, have you seen something else?"

"I don't eat dinuguan," I complained.

Why do they buy food they know I don't eat?

Kylie rolled her eyes. "Then don't eat!"

"You son of tofu! Buy a dish I eaten next time!" I shouted.

"Don't shout at me, Hira! You're so choosy! Eat that dinuguan, if you don't want to eat that, then You'll starve to death!" she shouted too.

"If I feed you a shit and then you refuse, I'll tell you're choosy?" I also raised an eyebrow at him.

She gritted her eat and walked closer to me. "You're talking back, huh?"

"In born," I casually answered.

No point talking!

"What's happening here?" Mom shouted at us. We both looked at her, I shook my head twice.

Actually, I don't really consider her as my mother. They also don't consider me a real child. So, quits.

I never once felt that they loved me. But why do I care? I can love myself.

Dad was very kind to me. But he's gone. He's not dead yet! He was working abroad. He's the one who's taking care of my studies, he sends me money every month. I am very grateful to Dad because if he did not help me, I would not be able to study.

What my fake family here at home know is that I am a working student. They thought I was a worker so I had money. But they didn't know that Dad was sending me. Dad also told me not to tell them, because Mom might take it and I'll never let that happen.

Mom told me that my real Dad was gone. He died when I was young. She said he had no news from my real mothet so I didn't know how to find them.

I want to see them so I can get out of this house. The people here are evils.

They always insulted me, once I came home without food. The good things is, I know how to handle money. I only buy what I need.

Mom said, that's why I was adopted because my real parents didn't have anything to eat then. I understand them because life was really hard back then. I am not angry with them. All I want is to be with them again, because I have long dreamed of being loved by my own parents. I have never experienced being loved by anyone.

Am I poor?

But it's okay.

"Because Hira is so disgusting! She doesn't want the dish you bought, Mom!" Kylie complains to Mom.

The beauty of Kylie's name doesn't suit her because her animal behavior is so ugly. You thought it was nice, well, she was just my foot.

"What's that, Hira? You're really a stupid! You think you're beautiful if you act like that, huh?" Mom shouted at me.

"I'm really beautiful. You guys aren't," I whispered to myself.

I don't care if others say I'm rude. What attitude a person shows me, that's what I'll show them, too.

What is wrong with their bad attitude towards me, and then I just let it go? What are they, lucky?

I'm not that pathetic.

"You really have no respect, Hira!" Mom's eyes widened at me. Kylie smiled, she thought she would win over me.

Kylie is three years older than me. She could no longer work because after graduating from college she got married. Sounds like a fool, doesn't it?

Then she didn't go home to her husband's house because she was always being hurt. I said it was her karma.

That's why I always saying to myself, I will choose a good husband who will love me more than I love him.

"I'm rude because you're rude too. So we just quits," I said and walked out of the house.

"Why, you're going to run away? All right, run away! Don't come back!" Mom shouted at me.

I felt my chest ache at what she said.

"I'm really going to run away! I'd rather live on the street than be with you!" I shouted back and walked away from them.

Those bastards! Let's just see if they can cope without me. Kylie doesn't even know how to fry an egg. Even her panties are being washed by her mother. Getting married then knows nothing to do in life.

If you are getting married, make sure you know how to do housework so that others will not judge you. Okay?

Because I if I get married, I will do everything for him. And if we have children, I will make her feel the love of a mother.

I went in the cafeteria near our house. I was going to starve so I needed to eat.

While ordering food I took out my cellphone, I messaged Cynade on Instagram.

Me:

Hi.

I waited a few minutes before he replied.

Cynade:

Uh-huh?

I almost froze when he replied. The other diners stared at me.

Gosh! This is the first time he replies to me. I chatted him back then but only now did he reply.

Omg! I feel like he likes me too.

Or maybe love? I smirked.

"Here's your food, Hira."

I ignored Ate Sha, the one who manage the cafeteria.

Me:

You wanna know who's my crush?

I smiled as I typed. Omg! This is my chance!

"Hira?"

Cynade:

No.

I lost my smile at his reply.

Me:

Hahaha. Ride my joke.

Cynade:

Where's the car?

Tsk! It's annoying, huh?! He should be thankful I love him.

"Hira?!"

I could almost let go of my cellphone when Ate Sha, shouted.

"Hehe, I'm sorry, Ate. You'll have high blood right away..." I signed peace with her.

"I've been calling you twice! Who are you chatting with and you're so excited?" she sighed and handed me my food.

"No, Ate, this is my future husband," I replied as I giggled.

It was nice to hear I call him husband.

Ate Sha smiled at me. "Whatever. Do whatever you want, Hira," she winced before turning her back on me.

She knows me because they took me here. Here I ate when I was not inhabited by the dish of my fellow demons in the house.

I just took a bite and went back to flirting- I mean chatting.

Me:

Please...

Cynade:

Okay, who's your crush?

Me:

Read the first word in my second chat.

I waited a few minutes for him to reply but I received nothing. I almost became depressed and lost my appetite.

Badtrip! I hope I just keep quiet.

THREE

The principal announced that we have no class for two days. There was trouble at school, our dean allegedly had a fight.

Someone seems to be trying to take her life. A bomb was allegedly found in a building near ours. Fortunately, some of our professors know how to defuse a bomb.

We felt only fear and nervousness. Some parents of students there no longer want their children to go to school.

I thought that maybe we weren't have no class not just two days, I was feeling like the mess was still going well.

I shrugged, I had to think about where I would sleep now.

I can't rent because my savings will be wasted.

If I could just sleep on the street, I did. Case in point, I don't fit in there.

I was currently resting because I had just finished eating when I heard a familiar voice call to me.

"Hira?"

I looked at someone who spoked. That's why it's familiar because it's Via. I patted my clothes when I saw a rice there, and stood up in my seat.

"Via? What are you doing here?" I asked, confused.

There was a look of shock on our faces to see each other here.

"It's really you, Hira!" excited Via said and ran over to me and hugged me.

"Are you from here?" she asked after hugging me.

We sat in my seat earlier.

"Yes. Are you? You're from here too?" I asked.

She shook her head. "No. I just went somewhere here," she replied.

I nodded and didn't speak. I stared at the emptiness.

"Do you have a problem?" she asked calmly when she noticed my gesture.

I sighed. "I left our house, I'm homeless now," I replied, causing her eyes to widen.

"What?"

"Yes... I'm wondering where I'm going to live temporarily," I replied, whispering.

She was silent for a moment. "You can go with me?" she replied so I stared at her.

"Could I? Your parents might be angry," I replied, causing a smile to fade from her lips and replace it with sadness.

"Oh, why do you look like that? Did I say something wrong?" I asked in astonishment.

"No. My parents are gone."

I suddenly felt sorry for Via. Because maybe, I know the feeling of not having a parent.

"Sorry."

"It's okay,!" she laughed but also immediately sighed and looked at the sky.

Its aleady night so little by little the stars will fill the sky.

"We were in high school when Mama and Papa disappeared. The ship they were on, sank. They were on their way home to the Philippines from some other country, in case a tragedy happened that we did not expect." Her voice was tinged with sadness.

"Did you see their body?" I asked so she looked at me and shook her head.

"No."

Because of what she said, I was encouraged.

"Oh, then they're still hope! When there's no corpse, there's no dead," I smiled, trying to calm her down.

She smiled at what I said.

"Hopefully," I heard her whisper.

"By the way, if your parents are gone, who will be with you in life?" I asked, confused.

"My older brother."

"Oh! Do you have an older brother?" I asked in shock.

"Yes. He's 30 years old. Engineer."

My eyes widened. "Wow, engineer? Your older brother is an engineer?"

"Yeah, unly?" she scolded me.

"You have an older brother, then you'll let me live with you?"

"Yeah, why? That wouldn't make him angry," she said.

I shook. "That's not what I was thinking."

"Then what?"

"Maybe your older brother will fall in love with me," I replied.

Via laughed so I turned my back on her.

I raised my brows to her. "What's funny, huh?"

"No," she laughed again. "My brother has a girlfriend," she said, still laughing.

I took a deep breath. "Good, then," I replied.

"So, come on?"

"Wait. I'll get my things first," I replied to her.

She accompanied me to my former house. The two bitched looked at me as I went inside.

"I thought you ran away?" Mama's question to me was reassuring.

I was thrown into the air.

"I'll just get my stuff," I said and went straight to my room to pack my things.

I brought two suitcases. The other one is for my clothes while the other one is for my arts equipment.

I can't leave that here because my comrades here will throw it away.

I went out with two suitcases.

"Oh?" Kylie said.

"I'm leaving," I said sparingly.

"You can't live without us, Hira. You'll be back here," she added.

I raised an eyebrow at her. "You're the ones who can't do it without me. Just think, who's going to wash the clothes? Who's going to wash the dishes? Who's going to cook? Who's going to do the housework? Nothing. I'm the only one who can do that. "You, Kylie, can you do those?" I grinned at my fake sister.

She did not immediately respond to what I said. I saw her color became paled. She realized maybe I was right.

I'm the only one doing household chores here. I'll just watch what happens when I leave here.

Because without me, their lives will be going to be a hell.

"Can't you leave?" Kylie said causing me to laugh.

"My decision is complete, I'm leaving. You take care of your life." I walked out of the house.

"Go ahead and leave! Don't come back here, Hira! You are ungrateful!" Mom shouted.

"Good luck!" I shouted back.

Via was surprised to see my two suitcases. "What's this, a vacation?" she asked sarcastically.

"Because there are my other stuffs in arts, amd my make-ups," I said so she nodded.

"Ahh..."

Via helped me carry my suitcase.

Their house is not that far, just a few corners between us.

I was amazed to see their house. That's second floor. The house is pastel green. That's a nice design. Well, I won't be surprised, his older brother is an Engineer.

"Tara, Hira," Milka invited. She opened the door of the house.

The beauty inside amused me more. It was big and also airy to look at. Obviously prepared and well build.

I nodded. Looks like I'm not leaving here.

"Your house is beautiful, Via. Maybe I won't come back at home again," I joked.

She slightly laughed at what I said.

"Kuya planned it," she said.

"Where is your older brother?" I asked because there was no one else inside. The door was also locked when we arrived.

"Maybe he wander outside," was her only reply.

I just nodded.

She took me to the second floor. I looked around because their house was really nice, there was a big chandelier in the middle. There are also paintings hanging on the walls.

She took me to one of their guesroom. The guesroom is also nice. All are pastel green and the others are white.

There is a large bed in the middle, on the side there is a study table and a bookshelves. There is another side table and cabinet.

I felt so happy to see it. My room in our house is small.

I was even more excited because the room had its own comfort room. So beautiful, I have nothing to say.

"Arrange your things first, get downstairs after," Via ordered and closed the door.

I wasted no time. I put the clothes I was carrying in a cabinet, the others I was carrying I put on a table.

I lay briefly on the soft bed, I comfortably lay there and rolled over.

There is a small aircon at the top of the bed and there is an electric fan on the side. "Nice!"

I left the room, I found Via cooking a dish. I helped him for a while, I went out of the house to look at the fountain and garden I saw in the back.

There is a light there so you can see what is there. I was amazed at the design of the garden. The size of the fountain and the water was lit. Different colors. I even saw butterflies perched on different flowers. There were roses and sunflowers there so I was amused.

I heard a car horn so I walked to the front of the house. I saw a black montero.

Shit! Maybe Via's bother arrived!

It parked in a garage. I just noticed now that they have that.

The car engine stopped, I ran into the house and went straight to Via.

"What happened to you?" she asked when she saw me.

"Your bother is here!" I panicked.

Hope I don't get kicked out of here, shit! I don't want to live on the road.

"Via?" someone shouted outside, I heard the door opened and closed. I also heard footsteps coming here to the kitchen.

I was so attached to Via's dress. She just laughed while looking at me. "I'm here, Kuya," Via shouted back so the footsteps got stronger.

"Via- What the?" Via's older brother stopped talking when he saw me. There was a look of shock on his face when he saw my whole being.

Via's older brother is handsome. Tall, elegant and manly. But he looked scary and serious in life.

"Brother, she's Hira. Hira Hernandez. My friend, she was kicked out of their house so I invited her here," Via explained.

I just stood by her side. Her older brother raised an eyebrow at me. "Okay," he said and left in front of us.

I stopped for a moment and breathed a sigh of relief as it finally got stuck.

That's it? Just like that? What a waste of my nervousness.

"Shit!" I said and fetched water from the fridge.

Via just laughed. "Why did u left your house, anyway?" Via asked.

"Those are evil creatures!" I shuddered.

I told Via about my experiences with them.

"Oh? That's how they treated you. It's a good thing you left," she commented.

"Yeah, eh. Thank you, Via," I said.

"What for?"

"For letting me live here," I asnwered.

She smiled.

"It's nothing, you know! We're friends, aren't we?"

I smiled too.

"Thank you very much," I replied and gave her a tight hug.

I just found a new home, and a new friend. I'm so lucky to have Via. I thank God for giving me a best friend like her.