Pelikula

2

She was cold.

Sofija hugged herself tighter and looked for a seat she can take while waiting for the rain to calm. She felt the wet socks irritating her skin as she watch the droplets from the roof. Sofija raised her head and saw the tricycles going in. She wished silently that one of the drivers would took pity on her and let her ride.

The lonely girl feels outcast. Other students were in groups but she was seated alone on the farthest bench near the guard house. Where she can feel safe and alone.

She fixes her hair that are now divided into sections because it's wet. She takes out her hand-held mirror to see if she still looks presentable. Her mom always said she'd look better if she was a little more paler. This caused her to have an obsessive skin care that would lighten her skin, she has centered her morning routine on applying brightening cream even when she already was the color of white.

Anyways.

Minutes passed and she gave up on trying to attend her first class. If she goes out in the rain, she will only get wet and will be sent home because she'd be drenched then.

She was contemplating on reaching the school guard and ask to call her home. She was getting ready to go home but just then, a running girl came to light from the gate. She closes her portable umbrella messily. Her blouse was fine and dry but her skirt drips with rain. Her white socks too, stained with mud.

It was Dahlia.

She smiled at Sofija.That was enough for Sofija to gain a sense of confidence.

Dahlia sat with her. With a distance that would keep Sofija dry from Dahlia's rain-soaked outfit.

"Bakit di ka nag-trike papasok?" Dahlia, initiating a conversation.

The rain poured a little more that made it hard for their casual talk since Sofija speaks softly because she would break at the slightest loud sound.

"It wasn't raining this hard kanina." The shy girl replies.

Dahlia nods.

"Ang unpredictable talaga ng weather, 'no? Kahapon sobrang init tapos ang lamig ngayon." Awkward weather discussions but Sofija was trying her best to contribute to their conversation.

"Yeah... haha." Dahlia went silent after that.

It was awfully quiet and Sofija was trying so hard to find words to say.

Another classmate came running from the gate and went with the bigger group. Not too long and Dahlia went with her. The confidence within her building up shattered together with the puddle breaking into circular waves as it meets a droplet.

Sofija was left brokenhearted by that subtle action of abandonment.

She wasn't used to the cold. She wasn't used to people leaving. Sofija clasped her hands to seek warmth. Maybe she really should've gone home.

She looks over to her right, where the rest of the students are huddled in masses. Where Dahlia ran off to.

January rain and Sofija is freshly 13. It has been months since she became a highschooler and yet she still finds herself alienated.

Mayhaps, it is her best friend's warmth she longs for on days like this.

She was reminded, it has been a while since she last talked to Ayesha. Girls her age are having their own facebook accounts, Ayesha is probably on facebook, too! She should create one to connect again.

Sofija shakes her head in protest to her thoughts. She was just about to delve into the heartbreak of losing her other half. She doesn't want that, she should worry about the dark clouds hindering her from attending class.

"Sofija!" Dahlia sounded from a distance.

The drops started sounding a little fainter everytime. Signaling that the sun will shine any moment now.

Sofija turned to look. Dahlia was standing with her umbrella open. The other classmate went on ahead with her own. The rain was still pouring but it wasn't as hard as it was minutes ago.

Dahlia gestured her to come and she does just as she was told. She was called and she mindlessly bridges the distance.

To Sofija, Dahlia looked brighter. Maybe because of the light being reflected from the puddle down her or she was literally just an angel.

"Let's go before we lose this chance." Dahlia held Sofija's hand and together, they ran in the rain.

Her shoes are probably muddied now. Despite having an umbrella to shield them, they would perhaps still reach their classroom completely drenched.

Sofija hated being cold. That includes getting wet by the rain. But this seemed fine. Because someone is holding her dear as they face the storm.

They arrived at their destination and their teacher was playing an animated movie on their TV.

Sofija noticed her shoes first. Yes. As she expected, all dirty.

"Hala! Sorry ang daming putik sa paa mo." The other girl searched for her wipes in her bag and handed it to her. "Sorry talaga omg."

Sofija helped herself wipe off all the dirt. "Thank you." Sofija voiced.

"You're welcome!" She replied. Her smile showing all her pearly teeth.

All of their classmates looked over outside to see their miserable state. Everyone

Once their teacher takes notice of the three shivering child, the other classmate included, she immediately instructed the students to come in and have them change into their spare uniform that was stored in their locker.

They both finally steps into comfort. Finding their respective seats. Since today, Sofija has just started noticing the little details.

Dahlia is seated right at her back. She's seatmates with the other classmate, Princess, who's apparently her best friend.

Two periods passed and Sofija still couldn't move on. That irritated her. This wouldn't come as a big deal to Dahlia. She will not remember that she shared an umbrella with her. Sofija should be over it because it is a normal interaction shared between two girl classmates. Perfectly normal.

She sighs. Ang again, she sighs. The world is already rough on her, why can't she be kind to herself for once.

Had Dahlia not come, she most probably would be still sitting there. Wishing to have the courage to ask the guard to call her parents- wishing for the sun to shine.

Wow.

Sofija was mesmerized that a simple kind act from a classmate managed to have her react like this.

Sofija can feel her heart jump from joy and she doesn't know why. She feels a raging heat inside her.

No.

It was not raging. More like a warm fire from a fireplace. That was what she was feeling. Kind and gentle. Warm.