Scarlet Strings of Love

Chapter 16: Net vtorogo shansa

"A second chance doesn't mean you're in the clear. In many ways, it is the more difficult thing. Because a second chance means that you have to try harder. You must rise to the challenge without the blind optimism of ignorance."

-- Ling Ma

What is a second chance? Why is it given to people? Do people really change because they're given second chances?

These are the thoughts running in Czarina's mind. Regina gave her a second chance, though technically they hindi naman daw nasira ang friendship nila, naging awkward lang sila sa isa't isa kaya matagal sila hindi nagusap. If, back then, Czarina had calmed herself down and listened to Luxus, would she have given him a second chance, too? If they talk now, would Luxus give her a second chance?

Will their friendship be mended by the promise of a second chance?

Would she give Emman a second chance?

"Czarina," Regina nudged her elbow, breaking her train of thoughts. Tapos na pala ang meeting. Ni hindi niya man lang narinig kung ano ang sinabi ng student council. Tatanungin niya na lang si Regina.

"Sabi nila, kailangan daw natin magisip ng slogan or motto pati pangalan ng team natin. Also, kulang pa tayo sa members kailangan pa natin ng external at internal auditors tsaka PROs," sabi ni Regina habang binabasa ang nakasulat sa notebook niya.

"May kaklase ako na gustong sumali sa student council, I can--"

May nakabunggo si Czarina and suddenly, basa na ang damit niya. Hindi siya nakareact agad. Ni hindi niya nga napansin na halos mag-dogeza na ang babaeng nasa harap niya. Kung hindi pa siya kinalabit ni Regina ay malamang hindi siya magsasalita.

She assured the girl that it was okay and that she doesn't need to pay for anything at tuwang tuwa naman ang babae habang naglalakad paalis. Uuwi sana siya para magpalit ng damit kaso hindi niya na napigilan si Regina na kausapin si Emman.

She observes them as they converse. Mukhang comfortable sila sa isa't isa. Nakuha pang tumawa ni Emman habang kinukwento ni Regina ang nangyari. Bumalik si Regina a few seconds later.

"What did you do?" Czarina asked.

"Tinanong ko siya kung may extra shirt siya. He told me the code to his locker," she said.

"But that's not right. Dapat siya na lang ang nagbukas ng locker niya," Czarina said. "Isa pa, nakakahiya naman. Bakit sa kaniya ka pa humiram ng damit. Pwede naman ako makisuyo kay Ivy-nee na padalhan ako ng damit."

"Ano ka ba, okay lang 'yan," Regina reassured. "Iibahin niya na lang ang code. Tara na, palitan mo na 'yang damit mo. Lalanggamin ka niyan."

Pumunta sila sa locker ni Emman at kinuha ang extrang damit na ipinahiram ni Emman. It's weird. Ngayon niya na lang ulit nakita ang mga gamit ni Emman. Parang familiar ang lahat, but at the same time, it's different.

Nang matapos siyang magbihis ay hinugasan niya ang damit niya sa sink ng restroom at bumalik na sila sa cafeteria. Kumain sila ni Regina at pinagusapan ang tungkol sa campaign nila. Magiging busy na sila sa susunod na linggo, kailangan nang tapusin ni Czarina ang mga assignment niya sa mga major niya. Her thoughts suddenly wandered to the person who lended her a change of clothes.

Was he doing his homework right? Was he giving at least a bit of effort? Naalala niya ang mga panahon na malaya pa silang nakakapagusap. Grade 9 sila at may pinagawang three paged essay para sa kanila. It took everyone else at least the whole week that was provided, but Emman was the first to submit after three days. Pinilit ni Czarina si Emman na ipabasa sa kaniya ang essay na ginawa niya, and boy was the content bullshit, just like what Emman had said.