A Collision of Hearts and Heroes

Chapter 1

Clarissa's POV

Name

Ilang araw na ang lumipas pero hindi ko pa rin mahanap 'yong pangalan ng lalaki. Zedi gave me a glimmer of hope by mentioning that one of NHU's players is her duo. I was surprised the moment she told me about it, because it's a damn coincidence. Taga-Heideu 'yong mga 'yon tapos nakalaro niya. And I'm sure there is something about that guy that made Zedi act like this. Hindi lang siya bastang ka-duo niya. Pero masyado akong nalungkot dahil hindi niya alam ang totoong pagkatao ng ka-duo niya. Therefore, I also won't be able to know the name of the guy I saw at the tournament.

I looked for NHU ML players online, but since their school isn't widely recognized, I couldn't find additional information. It just feels strange that, of all people I could be drawn to and interested in this way, it had to be the guy who's far away—someone I only saw once. I made up my mind to give up searching for him, but why does it feel heavy? I couldn't understand why I didn't want to get over it.

Time had passed, and I tried to forget the encounter I had with that guy. I even get frustrated with myself for how attached I was to that event in my life. Wala namang nakaka-intriga ron bukod sa ang gwapo niya. Boring nga 'yon, e, kasi nonchalant tapos masungit. Saka mukhang may girlfriend.

I had to convince myself that I could still find someone way better than him—someone who is not just handsome, but has a good personality. Pero natapos nalang ang school year, wala pa rin akong mahanap na kasing gwapo niya. Potangina naman kasi. Makapag-aaral na nga lang nang mabuti. I focused on my studies with Zedi instead. She has aspirations to fulfill, and I find motivation to study alongside her.

Ngunit hindi ko inasahan na ang isang masakit na pangyayari ang magiging dahilan ng malaking pagbabago sa amin. I didn't expect how one misinformation could lead us to this point. I went to school early in the morning only to find out that Zedi's scandal video had leaked. I was confused. Sinabi niya sa akin kung saan siya nagtungo noong engagement party nila ni Clark. The video happened after their engagement party, and Zedi clearly told me she was talking to Eztri that night, so no, I will refuse to believe that it was her.

It was a hell of a week.

Magulo.

Masakit.

Nakakalito.

Ngunit hindi ako pwedeng panghinaan ng loob dahil kailangan ako ni Zedi. I was there. I was there through every hardship she endured, and it breaks my heart to see her go through this. I loathe her family. I loathe them so much! Kung pwede lang isumpa silang lahat, e.

Dumating ang araw na umalis siya sa bahay para ipagpatuloy ang pag-aaral sa ibang skwelahan. I was devastated. Each day seems empty without Zedi; she's my only friend, and I find it so hard to navigate daily life without her.

If only I could decide her destiny.

"Clarissa, wait!" Clark called me.

It was lunch break, and he spotted me in the corridor. Hindi ko siya pinansin at nagtuloy lang sa paglalakad. Naiinis ako. Of all people who will understand Zedi, he's the one I thought would believe her, but what do I expect anyway? Simula pa lang isa na siyang malaking disappointment.

Nang hindi ko pa rin siya pinansin ay hinarangan niya ako. I gazed him with rage.

"Look, I-I'm worried. Nag-alala ako kay Atherelle kaya, please, sabihin mo sa akin kung nasa'n siya," pagmamakaawa niya.

Worried mukha niya!

"Kahit maghihingalo ka d'yan kakatanong, hinding hindi ko sasabihin nasa'n ang kaibigan ko."