MARY - One Shot

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[Mary's character: Gloomier and quieter than in real life. Doesn't really open up that much with her friends.]
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There's a classmate of mine that I've liked since last year.

"That's all for today, class. Review and analyze page 31 and I'll see you again next week."

I watch as he closed his book while conversing with his friend. Ang gwapo niya.

"Mary, tara na." Mula sa pagtitig sa kanya ay lumingon ako sa kaibigan ko.

"Ah, wait, wait." Ipinasok ko ang libro ko sa bag at tumayo. Bitbit ang bag ay sumulyap ulit ako sa kanya bago sumunod kay Bernadette palabas ng classroom.
•

The reason I started liking him... is not really so special... or dramatic at all. I don't know when it started, but I just always catch him besides my vision. Then I realized that it was ME who always look at his way.

Nakapalumbaba akong sinusulat ang "draft" ng letter ko. Tumingin ako sa orasan. It's past eleven. And tomorrow's Monday again. I should be sleeping right now.

I spent another half an hour sitting and writing the letter. Pumunta na ko sa higaan at nagtalukbong hawak ang cellphone ko. Aaaand I spend another half an hour watching YouTube videos.
•
"Potek. Ang lalim ng mata mo, Mary ah." Sabi ni Karylle.

"Oo nga, na-late pa 'to kanina, buti pinapasok ka ng guard. Buhay ka pa ba?"

"'Di ko na alam... Nanginginig kamay ko."

"Ang kailangan mo kasi, sapat na oras para matulog, hindi kape!" Sabi ni Angel at hinampas sa akin ang maliit niyang bag. "Charot, it's not like I have the right to say anything, nagpuyat din ako kagabi." Tumatawang bawi niya.

...I'm planning to give the letter today. There's no use waiting any longer. Siguro ay iiwan ko na lang ang envelope sa locker niya at maghihintay sa quad 2.

[Yes, private school, yayamanin tau here😇]

The day ended as usual. Naka-uwi na ang mga pang-umagang estudyante maliban na lang sa ilan sa mga club members. He's one of them.

I've been waiting for less than an hour and he'll probably see the letter only after his club activities. Nilabas ko ang Tomi na binili ko at binuksan.

Hindi pa ko nakakalahati sa kinakain ko na lumapit sa kaliwa ko ang anino ng kung sino. Napalingon ako at nabigla. He's holding my letter..?

"This... is from you, right?"

I stopped.

...What do I say? It feels like every single pinch of my resolution suddenly vanished.

"...O-oo." Napalunok ako sa Tomi na hindi ko pa nangunguya.
•

We're both really quiet while walking side by side. Pagkatapos naming lumabas sa campus ay naglalakad kami sa malapit na park.

I don't even understand why. He just invited me to go out the campus and said nothing afterwards.

How did I end up in this situation?

Naramdaman ko ang pagsisisi sa pagbigay ng letter na iyon. I should've just stayed still and just kept quiet about how I feel.

Besides that, I'm so confused why I'm with the person besides me right now.

Tumigil siya bigla at tumigil din ako. He's finally going to say something.

"Regarding the letter..." He paused. "I... feel the same way."

...What?

"Gusto rin kita."

What?

"But... you didn't mention anything about us dating. Rather, you just want me to say what I think about you... liking me."