Almost

Recurring dream

It is part of our research to defend our study. Shylie and I were put in the same schedule. And the last group to defend was my group on which I am the leader. And after we successfully defended our research, me and my groupmate Paul took the remaining time to gallivant around our campus to see if there are changes and to see who our classmates are because almost half of them are transferees from other schools. Paul agreed to take a stroll around the campus before they go home to play for a moment and take a nap because they're only allowed to go to the campus for that day as what's been stated to their school's regulations.

I saw a girl wearing white dress elegantly. My eyes may not recognize who that girl is, but I'm sure as hell my heart does. I felt a sudden change of heart beat, we went upstairs as I was curious about who that woman is. As we went to the computer lab, the girl in white dress turned around and it was Shylie after all

"I knew it was you, enchanting as ever"
I uttered~

Then I felt a sudden tranquility of atmosphere.

So Shylie was shocked as she turned around.

Shylie suddenly approached me reaching for a tight hug. It had been a long time since we last met. And they talked in a jolly manner.

Allistair: Whoa I never knew you were here!

Shylie: So was I, are you the last group?

Allistair: Yes we are, we just got finished actually.

Shylie: Defended?

Allistair: Do you still have to doubt?

Shylie smiled before she said " I know you can do it easily, I have no doubts. I'm proud of you "

Allistair: Not as half as I do, dear

Shylie: You weren't even there! You could've seen how thrilled I am.

Allistair: Were you there? When I was defending?

Shylie rolled her eyes and said "Touché!"

Shylie: Can you stay? Pleeaassee~ So we can grab lunch together!

But at that time, I was shaking while talking to her. I just have to act fool about it. Because that's who I am, who I was, and who I'm going to be. But talking to her made me feel like coming to a home to a place I know.

"I don't think I can dear" I gently told her " I have to go somewhere and me and Paul will play later on. Maybe next time."

And I messed up her hair teasingly.

And Shylie fixed her hair and pouted because she felt alone at that moment and she was begging Allistair to stay because she isn't used to being alone. She used to be with her friends all the time even before the pandemic.

So Allistair went home immediately because he felt so damn nervous that he started to sweat profusely.

As the school year ended, our adviser Mr. Acoba told us " I would like to invite all of you to my brother's newly built art gallery right across the street. He said that it would be free as it was newly built. It would be my pleasure to lobby on your behalf as a good way of ending this school year with you, dear students. And free dinner for everyone who'll come and join me, my treat" and the whole class started to celebrate and agreed to Mr. Acoba offered. One crisp autumn afternoon, the whole class started to line up along with their artistic outfits to the art gallery. Shylie was ecstatic, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she chattered about the various exhibits they would see. Me, on the other hand, was lost in my own thoughts, the weight of my unspoken feelings heavy on my mind.

As we wandered through the gallery, Shylie pulled me toward a room showcasing impressionist paintings. She stood in front of a beautiful piece depicting a couple dancing under a starry sky, her eyes wide with wonder. "Isn't it amazing?" she whispered. "The way they captured the movement, the emotion... It's like you can feel the love between them." I looked at the painting, then at Shylie. Her face was illuminated by the soft light, her expression was one of pure joy. I knew I couldn't keep my feelings bottled up any longer. Taking a deep breath, I turned to her.