at a glimpse

Beginning

Campus Tour

As I observed myself in the mirror, I think of possibilities...

Will there be new things I will see in our campus? or it's just the same way as it used to be? 

Same people, Same facilities, Same pathway and Same feeling of being there.

However, entering the campus feel so nostalgic, it's really been a long time since I studied here. Feels good to be back but for what? other than learning, playing maze in the crowded canteen just to feed yourself, sharing joy and stories with your classmates, and interacting with new people. But you know, I slightly look forward to it, meeting people. 

Once I set foot on the driveway towards the complex, I put into mind that I shouldn't look around too much and just look straightforward. And I did, I didn't bother to look at my sectioned seat, I rather isolate myself than talk with them, somewhat an awkward situation but also in peace. Also, maybe it's just the time that I'm still adjusting to the outside world because it really feels ages since then. I'm afraid, I might be too introverted now.

While keeping a straight face, the assembly started.

"Now, let us all stand up for the start of our flag ceremony."

Everyone stand and I put down my bag on the chair so that I can be free from the feeling of being body chained. On the other hand, as soon as I set my gaze toward the front. I saw him.

There's a boy and I can't help but to be mesmerized by how he stands. I know it's cringe, but I did. I am amazed how cool he looks just by standing there with his hands inside his pocket, his tanned skin, and the pair of sleepy chinky eyes when he looks back, and I met his eyes. I also notice where he seated at, in the front, the section of smarties. It's my cue, to be interested in his existence that I just discover in that moment. Being smart is one of the reasons why I liked a guy, and it is a need, a top tier standard for me. 

After the assembly and some announcement of whatnots, the tour began and all throughout the roaming around the school, I haven't met him, his gaze again.

Going home after the so-called tour. The first thing I remember is the time when I first laid my eyes on him, I know it already, his name.

Alster Ylaro Ormego

That's why I am here, at this time.

Stalking his profile and I don't know, I'm sorry okay. I'm just proving if I'm right about guessing his name. Since I really don't know him at all! I didn't know that since the start of high school, he also studied at the same year which means I'm his schoolmate before then.

"Bansot pa sya dati, kaya siguro hindi ko napapansin." I snort to that thought. Well, he looked taller now, unlike back then na anliit-liit pa, mas matangkad pa ako sa kanya noon. And I think hanggang ngayon naman, mas matangkad pa rin ako sa kanya. I am confident. Kahit sa malayo, mukhang mas matangkad pa rin ako.

A week passed, at simula na talaga ng opisyal na klase namin. Sa buong linggo na ang ginawa lamang ay para sa orientation, kung ano ang dapat at hindi dapat gawin. Yung mga typical na code of conduct sa school, rules na inexplain nila isa-isa. Ang sipag nga e. Pero the school warmly welcome us back. They conducted a gathering again to formally start the school year. They also gave us button pins, which is cute and pretty thoughtful.

But heck, nang magsimula na ang hanapan ng room. I accidentally went into a room full of new face students na akala ko, kaklase ko na! Yun pala, nagcclosing prayer na sila kasi half-day lang ang pasok, meaning pang-umaga sila tapos kami, pang hapon. And that's the set-up, two sections are sharing the same assigned room kasi andaming estudyanteng inaccept ng school namin! like, dear officials, hindi na po kami kasya so bakit pilit na mag-accept pa ng students na alam namang super populated na ang campus, gosh! stressed, buti na lang may aircon.

"Uy!" sambit ng kung sino man na nasa likod ko. Nilingon ko naman 'yon and guess what. Yung kaklase ko dati!

"UYYYY, MATEO! It's been a while!" sabay hampas ko sa kaniyang balikat. Wala e, sa tuwing natutuwa ako, lagi na akong nanghahampas, hindi naman yon masakit.

"Oo sis, tara tabi tayo." wika nito, "Don tayo upo oh," sabay turo sa may pangatlong row at dalawang upuan kasunod sa aisle. Pagkatapos naming maupo, nagkwentuhan muna kami, wala pa naman yung adviser namin so we catch up and talk about things.

In a short time may dumating na teacher. Lalaki sya na medyo matanda na pero makikita mong positive yung vibes nya. He introduced himself as our adviser and he's also the one who will teach us calculus. And I prettily sucked at math, hope I survive this school year. He then suggested na magpakilala kami isa-isa na pinagsangayunan naman ng klase. Siyempre, para na rin kahit pangalan, kilala na namin ang isa't isa. At nagsimula sa kaliwang bahagi sa unahan.

Dumating na nga ang pagkakataon ko, ang pagpapakilala sa aking sarili. Pumunta ako sa harap ng may maliwanag na ngiti, yung tipong kunyari, mabuti kang tao. Chariz, mabuti po akong tao, hindi lamang halata. Totoong ngiti ang pinakita ko sa kanila. 

I roamed my eyes inside our room, observing everyone. I cleared my throat.

"Hi! I am Jahnh Crys Caño." 

Pagkatapos kong ipakilala ang sarili, nagpalakpakan naman ang lahat at nangmaupo ako, tinanaw ko ang binatana sa kaliwang bahagi ko. Napansin kong may napadaan at tinignan ang silid namin.  

His gaze met mine, both looking at each other's eyes. Slightly panicked, I softly look away. Hindi ko alam pero, parang may kung anong kuryente and dumaloy sa sistema ko at nakaramdam ako ng hiya sa kaunting segundong pagkikita ng aming mata. Napalunok ako at nang may natatawang sinabi si Mateo sa tabi ko, sinabayan ko na lamang sya ng pagtawa kahit na hindi ko alam kung anong konteksto ang binabanggit nya. 

Why he's here? Same schedule ba kami? Hapon din ang klase nila? 

Questions flood my mind. But at that moment, I felt a sudden rapid beating in my chest.

－O－