Saudade

II.

One particular classmate seemed to notice the aura of her lonely classmate.

"She looked so gloomy, and also alone. I think she needs someone to talk with."

So for her to not feel lonely, Blessie, the happy-go-lucky classmate, went to sit besideher, despite feeling Johanna's austere persona. Noticing someone's presence, Johannalooked at her classmate and gave her a questioning look.

"Pretty," she thinks, but eventually pushed that thought away as she continued tostared at her.

Oh no, what is going on? why is she here?

Oblivious to her inner thoughts, Blessie smiled and introduced herself.

"Hi! I'm Blessie! Very nice to meet you!" then held out her hand. Taken aback byher sprightly aura, Johanna slowly shake her hand.

'Goodness, take me out of here!' Her inner thoughts shouted.

"Hi, I'm Johanna, pleased to meet you too."

With Blessie's bright aura compared to Johanna's mysterious one, both clashed,yet blended as they both continue to be at ease with their presence as they talk awaythe time until the bell rang, signaling for class to commence, forcing them to be on theirassigned seats.

The strings between polar creatures, now intertwined.

Minutes, hours fly passed by, the ringing of the bell echoed loudly, giving life tothe silent hallways, signaling for lunch period. Johanna and Blessie then continued togetting know about each other, until Blessie quipped.

"Hey, I should introduce you to my squad, they'll be happier to see you."

Being the shy, quiet and an introverted young woman, Johanna declined, theformer rolled her eyes and pulled her towards her group of friends despite Johanna'sinitial protests. Blessie cleared her throat, to which it caught her friends' attention. Sheintroduced Johanna to her squad and smiled. Johanna gave her a disapproving lookand tried to back out, but Amber, the approachable one went to the timid young womenand slapped her in the back, to which the latter grunted in surprise.

"Hi Johanna! I'm Amber, it's nice to have someone be part of our humble abode."

Amber exclaimed then chuckles, Johanna followed suit, albeit a bit silently, Amber'sfellow friends, Hyacinth and Julieta, also went to Johanna and introduced themselves,to which the latter also did. And so the five ladies continued to bond and getting to knoweach other, all the while eating their lunch. The bell once again rang, as lunch came toan end, so is their communication as they went back to their assigned seats, for now.

Hours later, the bell rang for the final time, as classes came to an end. Ascolored embers of the sky turned to heavenly shades of purple and blue, the squadwent home, happily talking about their day. Blessie and Johanna quietly trailed furtherfrom them as they wish to be more acquainted with each other. There they continue totalk about oneself until Blessie widened her eyes in astonishment.

"Wow, that must have been hard for you to have a heart surgery. But yousurvived it! I admire you, you're really brave." To which Johanna simply smiled.

"Yeah, maybe it's not my time yet. Still I have yet to live my life to the fullest,because we only got one shot in this heartless world."

Blessie frowned at her last statement, but kept it to herself as they continuedwalking. Even though they recently knew about each other, both are now aware of theirgrowing fondness towards each other as they wish to relish it more. As they reach thebusy streets from their silent road, they both parted ways after bidding each other goodbye.

Days and even months has passed, the bond grew stronger with each day, andthey continue to make happy memories, Johanna is now slowly opening up to them,much to the surprise of Blessie, whom she thought that she will stay quiet and timid.

At last, the creature finally comes out of her shell.

Their lunch period was full of laughter, memories and pure fondness within thesquad. From Amber cracking up jokes to Hyacinth teasing about Blessie's and Julieta'sheight, Johanna could not help but smile at her new set of friends, they brought out hertrue self without being judged, and that is enough for her.