The school year for grade 8 has concluded, and I'm about to embark on my journey as a grade 9 student. However, this time around, she won't be my classmate anymore, and the absence of contact with her is disheartening – "I can't see her huhuhu." As we transitioned from online to full face-to-face classes, I had the chance to see my new classmates in person. Yet, a division occurred within our section, separating us into two sets: Set A and Set B. I found myself in Set A, meaning that half of my classmates had a different schedule.
Our class kicked off with an orientation, and during this time, we were tasked with voting for our class officers. Surprisingly, I was chosen as the vice president, but I decided to decline the offer and opted for the role of Safety Officer. Little did I know that this decision would mark the beginning of something unexpected.
One day, all the safety officers for grade 9 were gathered for a meeting. It was during this gathering that I bumped into a tall girl whom I felt I had seen before, though I couldn't quite place where. As I entered the meeting room, my shock grew as I realized that she, too, was a safety officer. I attentively listened to our teacher's instructions about DRRMC (Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council), and after the meeting, I left the room, still processing the unexpected encounter.
Later that day, a friend from grade 7 shared some surprising news – the girl I saw during the meeting and the one I had a crush on were in a relationship. This revelation left me in a state of confusion, as I was not yet aware of different sexual orientations and identities. The shock lingered as I grappled with this newfound understanding
The school year unfolded smoothly, filled with great classmates and friends. As Teachers' Day approached on October 5, 2022, we all pitched in to prepare something special for our advisers. The day itself was a joyous celebration of our teachers, marked by a seamless event.
After the festivities, I mustered the courage to initiate a conversation with someone I had wanted to get to know better. It was around 8 pm when I messaged her with some random questions, not entirely sure how to start chatting. I went with a simple "Ano section mo?" (What section are you in?). I didn't expect a reply, thinking she might not know me and could be busy. To my surprise, after a few hours of waiting, she responded with a "Sino to?" (Who is this?). As anticipated, she didn't recognize me, perhaps because I used a second account with a different name
Despite the anonymity, my heart raced with excitement. After two years, I finally had the chance to chat with her. Our first conversation began with these simple exchanges, and after an hour of chatting, we bid each other goodnight. I went to bed feeling happy and content.
The next morning, I greeted her with a cheerful "Good Morning." To my surprise, she had overslept for school, being in Set B, and our schedules didn't align for a chance encounter in person. Undeterred, she shared her experiences from the late Teachers' Day celebration at our school,
They celebrated the belated Teachers' Day with her classmates. After the celebration, I was surprised when she sent me a picture of herself holding a black cat. She looked adorable with the cat, and it was then that I discovered we share a similarity – we both love cats. For me, it marks the first step towards getting to know her better.
After that day, we continued to talk about various things, and I felt like I was getting to know her better. During our conversation, I unintentionally brought up her ex. Realizing my mistake, I promptly sent apology letters, expressing my regret for mentioning her past. She reassured me, saying it's okay, and I took the opportunity to confess that I had liked her ex a long time ago. I also mentioned that I now have a new crush.
Surprisingly, she responded by asking about my new crush, inquiring whether I would see her the next day during our scheduled meeting for the Phi Iri. Caught off guard, I hastily replied, "Yes, because it's you." Immediately after sending the message, I panicked and sought solace in my mom, asking if there were dishes to wash as a distraction from the nervousness that gripped me.
Although I regretted not confessing my feelings properly, I made a decision to confess to her genuinely at a later time. Despite the uncertainty of her reaction, I was content with the fact that being friends with her was enough for me. This situation left me in a mix of emotions, from regret to anticipation, as I looked forward to the next opportunity to express my feelings more sincerely.