on October 13, 2022, we had our first encounter. It was a day filled with mixed emotions as we gathered for a Safety Officer meeting. At that moment, an indescribable feeling enveloped me – a blend of happiness and a hint of regret, like remembering something you cherished but now wish you hadn't.
Prior to our meeting, I stopped by a convenience store to purchase tea, keeping a promise I made to her that I would treat her to a drink. As I entered the school gates, I caught a glimpse of her, though I couldn't quite recognize her. Continuing to our designated waiting shed, I sensed she was the girl I coincidentally entered with.
Feeling a bit embarrassed and awkward, I swiftly handed her the drinks, distancing myself promptly. It turned out she was with her friends, adding to the social pressure of the moment. As I was about to leave, she suggested we take a picture together. Despite my lack of posing skills, I agreed, resulting in a somewhat awkward snapshot where I resembled a lifeless fish.
After our impromptu photoshoot, she promptly sent me the picture in real-time. Overwhelmed with joy, I shared the moment with a friend, proudly highlighting how this person, unbeknownst to her, had already begun to change my life. It was surreal to transition from seeing her solely on a screen to witnessing her in person, our shared photograph becoming a tangible memory of that significant day.
Our meeting that day commenced, and upon entering the room, I found myself perplexed as I couldn't spot the tall girl who was supposed to be part of the gathering. The meeting proceeded smoothly, At that moment, she asked me what was written on the whiteboard, but she had forgotten her glasses. Without hesitation, I walked up to the front of the board and took a picture of it, allowing her to zoom in and read the text clearly. It brought me immense joy to be able to assist her, even in such a small way.
and our teachers unexpectedly instructed us to introduce ourselves. Before that, we were grouped, and to my surprise, we ended up in the same group. As our introductions began, I spoke about myself, and she followed suit. Her voice resonated angelically, and I found myself captivated, wishing she could read a book or sing for me.
After our self-introductions, it was time to vote for DRRMC officers. Time swiftly passed, and as the meeting concluded, I contemplated approaching her to bid farewell. However, I hesitated when I saw her surrounded by friends, feeling a sense of embarrassment. Eventually, I decided to leave, and an hour later, we returned to school for the Phil IRI activities.
In that moment, I couldn't help but think, "Oh, she's so cute; I wish I could pinch her cheeks," although I refrained from doing so.
After the Phil IRI session, our group of friends decided to head to McDonald's because they insisted we deserved a treat. Even though I felt unsure about it, we made our way to McDonald's. During our journey, she messaged me, mentioning that she was at Jollibee, which happened to be close to McDonald's. I suggested going to Jollibee instead, but my friends teased, saying, "May gusto kalang makita eh" While I did want to see her, I remembered she was with her friends, so we ultimately decided to dine at McDonald's.
The next day, my father and I are going to Pampanga to pay a visit to my grandma's grave. During the bus ride, she was sound asleep since we left around 3 am. After an hour, we reached our destination, and just as I was settling in at my grandma's grave, a message popped up on my phone. To my delight, it was her reaching out, saying, "Meron akong chika" (I have some news).
Eager to know what was on her mind, I replied, "spill it." As I hopped on the tricycle, she continued to message me, sharing the details of an issue she was facing with her classmates. Apparently, there was a case of face-shaming, and she vented her frustration, sending screenshots of conversations with her friends about the matter.
While I couldn't directly intervene, I chose to be there for her, lending an ear and reading through the messages. It became clear that she needed someone to listen, and I recognized the importance of respecting her space while silently offering my support. I believed in her ability to overcome the situation, acknowledging that sometimes, all one needs is a compassionate friend to share their thoughts and concerns with.