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. 'Yon nga lang hindi rin niya alam ang pangalan ng ka-duo niya.

I looked for NHU ML players online, but since their school isn't widely recognized, I couldn't find additional information. Hindi ko na alam saan siya hahanapin kaya tinigilan ko nalang nang nagtagal.

I stopped searching for that stranger's name; I focused on my studies with Zedi instead. She has aspirations to fulfill, and I find motivation to study alongside her. Lumipas nalang din kasi ang ilang buwan at hindi ko na talaga nalaman ang pangalan niya. In those months, my life was peaceful-no more toxic suitors and no more getting attached to the wrong guy.

I went to school early in the morning only to find out that Zedi's scandal video got leaked. I was confused. Sinabi niya sa akin kung saan siya nagtungo noong engagement party nila ni Clark. And I can't. 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 sole companion, 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 will 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."

"C-Clarissa, please! I want to know if she's doing well-"

"Of course, she isn't doing well. After everything that happened to her, tingin mo maayos siya? Gago ka ba?" Inis kong iniwas ang tingin ko. "Patawa!" I left after that.

These people are seriously getting on my nerves. It's like they're all useless-every single one of them! Zedi's family, Clark, and even the investigators-they're all completely worthless! Hindi nila kayang mapalabas ang ang totoo kaya nakakabobo.

Kung sino man ang nasa likod nito, sasabunotan ko siya sa bulbol niya!

Every time I have vacant days, I pay Zedi a visit. Sobrang nakaka-miss siyang kasama kaya kahit gaano kalayo ay nagtitiis ako. Beyond everything else, I know she needed someone to lean on right now. She was alone, surrounded by unfamiliar faces in a place that still felt strange to her.

I accompanied her wherever she went-kahit sa trabaho niya pa 'yan ay naroon ako. Sometimes I'd wander around, and other times I'd enjoy a meal indoors. Papadilim na nang matapos ang oras ng duty niya.