"Yrys is still in New York so just hand her the document. I'll just tell her to give it to me after her internship."
I wrap a curl of my hair on my finger and twirled it. I leaned against my seat as I ended the call.
"Malayo pa ba tayo?" I asked my personal assistant.
"We will arrive within five minutes, Ms. Alferro," she answered.
"How many times do I have to tell you to just call me Maricon? It's uncomfortable when you're speaking formally," I nagged at her.
She chuckled. "It is also uncomfortable for me to speak informally to you, Ms. Alferro."
Napailing naman ako. "Alright. Suit yourself," pagsuko ko.
I propped my chin on my palm and stared at the window of our car. Ang dami na talagang pinagbago.
"When was the last time you went back here in the Philippines, Justine?" I asked my personal assistant.
She looked at me and creased her forehead. "Three years ago, I think?"
Nag-iwas ako ng tingin sa kaniya at muling tumingin sa daan. I smiled bitterly.
"Sa tatlong taon na 'yun, napakaraming nagbago, hindi ba?"
"Dapat masanay ka na. Change is constant, Ms. Alferro."
I let out a harsh breath, still looking outside. "Yeah, right," I uttered.
"And this is the library, Ms. Alferro."
Napatango naman ako bago nagbaling ng tingin sa Head Teacher ng Avalon High.
"Bakit wala yatang estudyante?" tanong ko.
She laughed awkwardly. "Nasa klase po kasi sila, Ms. Alferro."
Napailing naman ako at inayos ang suot kong sunglasses. Bakit ba hindi ko 'yun naisip?
"Alright. Let's proceed," sabi ko na lamang para mapagtakpan ang kahihiyan ko.
Tumuloy naman siya sa paglalakad at nagpatuloy sa page-explain. Inilibot ko ang paningin ko sa kabuuan ng Avalon High.
Almost everything changed.
I sighed. "I'm kinda tired. Let's just continue this later. I also want to see the students so just call me on my office when it's their lunch break."
The Head Teacher nervously nod her head and lead our way towards my office. Kasunod ko naman sa likod ko si Justine na busy din sa kakatingin ng mga buildings sa Avalon High.
I stopped walking when I heard someone strumming a guitar.
"Why is someone playing a music? Hindi ba't oras ng klase?" tanong ko.
"Probably it's for their music class, Miss Alferro," the Head Teacher answered.
Magpapatuloy na sana ako sa paglalakad nang makarinig ako ng pamilyar na boses.
I will run, I will climb, I will soar
I'm undefeated...
Jumping out of my skin, pull the chord
Yeah, I believe it
I blinked my eyes a few times before I peaked on the window of that class. That voice... Could it be from...
The past, is everything we were
Don't make us who we are
So I'll dream, until I make it real
and all I see is stars
It's not until you fall that you fly...
That's him!
"Who is he?" Justine asked on my side while looking at the one who's singing.
"That's Mr. Pascua. He's a teacher here," the Head Teacher answered.
Napatango naman ako at muling tumingin sa loob.
When your dreams come
alive, you're unstoppable
Take a shot, chase the sun,
find the beautiful
We will glow in the dark
turning dust to gold
And we'll dream...
It possible...
My eyes widened when he suddenly turned his gaze into our direction. Agad akong tumalikod at nagsimulang maglakad.
"Who is he, Ms. Alferro?" Justine asked while following me.
"Just someone I know from the past," I answered.
"Talaga? Parang kilala ka niya, eh. Gulat na gulat noong nakita ka kanina."
I stopped walking and looked at her. "Really?"
She nodded. "How is he related to you? Kaibigan mo?"
I heaved a sigh before giving her a half smile.
"Seven years ago, I used to chase that guy."
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