7 years later...
The first day of college is like a chaotic buffalo stampede, with freshmen everywhere trying to find their way. It's a day of real "freshmen realness," as new bunch of students step onto the fancy floors of the university. Among them is Dalton Josiah de Marco, the grandson of the bigwig CEO and founder of De Marco Medical Complex, a top-notch hospital in the country known for its neurology expertise.
Prestihiyoso man kung tutuusin ay hindi niya yun ramdam. Tahimik niyang nilalakad ang corridors, walang pumapansin at walang may pinapansin. This is one of the advantages homeschooling brought upon him. Despite a heavy last name on his shoulders, he managed to blend in with everyone as if he's some rando.
Katatapos niya lamang magcheck-in at dahil late siyang dumating hindi nagtagal ay nag-announce na ang administrator para sa susunod na bahagi ng kanilang unang araw bilang kolehiyal/kolehiyala.
"Attention all new students! We are thrilled to welcome you to the exciting world of academia here at Mitchellson University. Our Orientation and Welcome Session is about to commence and we can't wait to introduce you to the ins and outs of campus life and the journey that lies ahead. See you at the auditorium!"
He, together with his fellow newcomers, made their way to the auditorium.
The halls are made to make everyone look and feel small. The floors beneath their steps were polished to shine, reflecting the grandness of the institution. Sa mga dingding naman ay marangal na nakasabit at nagmamasid ang mga alumni ng unibersidad na ngayon ay mga kilalang personalidad na.
Habang abala sa kani-kanilang mga usapan ang iba, isa-isang tinitingnan ni Dalton ang mga portrait. He actually knows a lot of them and had the opportunity to meet some.
Gustavo H. de Marco – Batch 1976
That's Lolo Gus. They weren't wrong, magkamukha nga kami.
The chattering noise became louder as they approached the auditorium. From its wooden door to its insides, it looks undeniably antiquated but also screams life. From the stage, the gray silk covered ceiling and every single seat that looks like it'll never tarnish.
"Good morning students, we're glad to see all of you thronging this auditorium. Before we officially start the program, may I request everyone who's already occupied a seat to stand up as we have specific seating arrangement. Thank you!"
As told, everyone stood up as the administrators take turns in announcing last names. Dalton patiently waited with the others, looking out for people he might know from one of the events he attended with his parents.
Nang nasa letter C na ang last names na ina-announce ay may isang babae na lumapit sa kaniya. She's wearing glasses and the prescribed uniform and evidently, there are alterations done with hers as it looks different from the others'.
"Hi, you're Dalton right? Dalton de Marco of DMMC?" she initiated. "I'm Crystal by the way."
Dalton has doubts about her. Mula pagkabata ay palagiang bilin sa kaniya na wag i-disclose ang kaniyang katauhan sa kung sino-sino lamang.
"Hi, excuse me but do I know you? I don't mean to be rude or anything I just forget faces and names," he put up an awkward smile, trying to play the situation cool. Socializing my ass.
She doesn't seem offended by what he said. Ngumiti lamang siya bago sumagot, "I know you'll forget but that's okay cause I remember. We met once nung fundraising gala sa Vidal Fashion, I hope that rings a bell."
It does ring a bell. Having met a lot of people hindi siya madali makaalala, lalo na't hindi naman siya mahilig makipag-usap. But Crystal, she is really familiar. Couldn't she be...
"Are you Tita Emma's kid?"
"BINGO! This is Tala Vidal. It's a joke from my childhood and up till now yun pa rin tawag niya sa'kin," she reached his hand for a handshake. "It's nice to finally meet you in a lighter mood," she added. Now that's a louder bell ring.
Bigla siyang namula sa huling sinabi ni Crystal. He finally remembered being a prick to her that day. Kunot-noo ba naman niyang talikuran si Crystal habang nagpapakilala ito ng maayos.
"I'm terribly sorry about that. I wasn't pro-people yet when we met," he apologized.
Crystal laughed at how serious he was. He, meanwhile, was a bit confused of her but laughed a little to show that he ain't an alien.
"Leave a seat for Mr. de Marco. Next, Dixon..."
"Looks like you've been summoned. Bye for now Dalton," she jested while waving her hand. He waved back and left, shaking his head at her unseriousness.
Muntikan na siyang mag-panic dahil 'di niya alam kung saang banda siya uupo. Good thing he was familiar with the person next to him, he rushed his way there. People have sat on every seat preceding his which put him in an awkward situation of saying multiple rephrased versions of the phrase "excuse me".
Sa wakas ay narating rin niya ang vacant seat na para sa kaniya. Naupo siya at pasimpleng nagmasid sa paligid. He does that a lot when he's in a crowd, usually to calm himself down and make anyone who sees him think that he's interested to be where he is.
"Oh gosh, oh gosh, I'm gonna shit my pants!" tarantang saad ng katabi niya, si Dixon. Patakbo itong umalis sa kinauupan. I hope he finds his way through those labyrinthine halls.
Dixon's disappearance is a shitty coincidence that revealed who he was sitting one seat next to all this time. "Aaron?"
