Traces Of The String (Red String Series #1)

Chapter 11

Remain The Same

"Crush mo oh yie yie kilig yan"

Ngumiwi naman ako at tinaas ang middle finger kay Oliver. Pero hindi mapigilang itaas ang tingin at sundan gamit ang mata ang taong tinuro ni Oli.

"Titingin din naman s'ya" inabot ko ang manipis na libro sa katabing table at aabahan pang ibabato ito sakanya pero agad itong tumakbo paalis.

Bilang huling sulyap sa araw na 'to ay muli kong tinignan ang direkyon ng nilalakaran nya kasama ang mga kaibigan nya. She looks beautiful.

I thought earlier would be my last glance to her today but i was wrong. I saw clementine again in the library, she's with her friend na simula grade 8 palang ay nakikita ko nang kasama nya. When we were in 2nd year of JHS, we were on the same building and floor. I often see her. And now grade 9, same building again but not same floor.

"Akin na" she gave me the book she's struggling to put back at the shelf and i tip toed to put it back. She said thank you and I can feel my hands freaking shaking! It's been years since we're this close and i even shared words with her.

"Hala bro, dumadamoves ka?? Ayiehh nakausap nya" agad kong binatukan si Oli dahil sa pang aasar nya at nung nag katyawan pa sila kanina.

"Sana madapa ka"

First periodical exam day non nung kinabukasan, nag review pa ko para maka pasa at para umabot ang grade sa honors kahit tinatamad ako. Balita ko honor student sya, paniguradong nasa recognition yon. I need to be there too.

"Good Day to everyone, I am Clementine Salvator, The English President of Class 9- Orion. My Class adviser is Mrs. Jessica Lervago, and my English Teacher is Mr. Christian Don Pierlo"

Para akong manginginig sa lakas ng tibok ng puso ko.

I didn't expect her to be here too. At dumating pa syang late saktong nasa harap ako para mag pakilala! I was relaxed earlier and didn't mind introducing myself infront but she came unexpectedly and i felt nervous to the bone, i almost stutter while introducing myself but luckily, i didn't.

Kinabahan pa ko nung dumaan sya sa harap ko dahil dito din ang row na inuupuan nila. Katabi nya pa si Zen na kasama ko ngayon. I knew it. I shouldn't have sat on the center aisle chair.

"Pabile po. 10 pesos na kikyam" Inabot ko ang barya sa manong na halos kilala na ko dahil lagi akong bumibili dito. Mas gusto ko nalang mag lakad kaisa sumakay. Pero napatigil din dahil hindi ko napansin na kilala ko ang isa pang estudyante na kumakain din.

Not just any students. It was Clementine! Clementine na lagi kong nakakasalubong these days. Balak ko sana makipag kwentuhan sa manong pero pinili ko nalang manahimik dahil katabi ko sya.