Science or Shadows

Chapter 5

The morning light filtered through the gaps in the curtains, painting stripes across my face. I blinked, trying to remember the dream I'd just woken from.

A girl. A boy.

Their faces were blurry, like a faded photograph. I couldn't grasp their features, couldn't recall their voices.

A soft creak from the doorway pulled me back to reality. I turned my head, catching a glimpse of Nanny's worried face as she entered the room. She walked towards me, her hand reaching out to touch my forehead.

"Maayos na ba pakiramdam mo?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. Her hand rested on my forehead, her touch gentle.

"Why?" I asked, my voice a mere whisper.

Nanny's hand lingered on my forehead for a moment, her touch cool against my skin. "Ang init mo kagabi," she explained, her eyes searching mine. "Ngayon ang lamig mo naman."

"Anong nangyari?" Nanny asked, confusion clouding my mind.

"Alam kong umalis ka," she said, her voice a low murmur. "Bakit ka umalis? Tsaka dumiretso ka pa matulog nang buksan ang pintuan mo."

"Salamat at wala ang magulang mo," she added, her brow furrowed.

I saw the worry etched on Nanny's face, a mirror of the fear I often felt. I wished my parents would look at me with the same concern, the same tenderness. But they wouldn't. They'd only scold me for my mistakes, praising my achievements with a distant nod.

"Sorry, Nanny," I mumbled, my voice barely audible.

"Get some rest," she said, her gaze lingering on me.

"We had a class," I said, pushing myself up on my elbows.

I touched my forehead, feeling the cool skin beneath my fingertips. "I'm not sick. Okay?"

Nanny's hand lingered on my forehead for a moment longer, her touch reassuring.

As soon as Nanny left, I quickly sat up, grabbing the towel she'd placed on my forehead. She didn't want me to take a bath, because it would just make me feel worse. I just splashed some water on my face, brushed my teeth, ate a quick breakfast, and headed out the door.

I was already running late.

As I walked towards our classroom, I spotted Livia. She came bounding towards me, a whirlwind of chatter.

"Where did you go?" I asked, my voice flat.

"Dad and mom got separated," she said, her smile wide.

I stared at her, waiting for her to finish.

"I have two allowances now!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.

I let out a sigh. Silly.

We entered the classroom, and I quickly scanned the room. He wasn't there yet. Whatever. I didn't care.

I slowly placed my bag on my chair and sat down.

The professor arrived, and the class proceeded as usual. Participating in discussions, listening to lessons, the routine of school life continued.

I stole a quick glance to my side. He still wasn't there. Maybe he regretted what he did. Where should he be?

When the class ended, I couldn't shake the restlessness that gripped me. So, as Livia left, I lingered at school. I made my way to the teachers' office, the urge to search for answers pulling me forward.

My heart raced, nerves fluttering in my chest. I was alone in the office. I could feel the weight of potential judgment, the assumption that I was seeking out key answers from the records.

I opened the second drawer and sifted through the class records. I searched for Haden's folder, but it was nowhere to be found. Panic started to creep in as I frantically looked through every file, every page.

"Miss Hylen?"

I froze. Oh, no.

Slowly, I turned around.

I bowed my head. "Good afternoon, professor."

"What are you doing here?"

"Professor Jim asked me to find a folder on his table," I lied, the words slipping out without thought.

"Ah, I see. Make sure to go home after this, okay?"

"Yes, sir." I bowed again as Professor Kaniya settled at her desk.

I forced a smile as she organized her things, then quickly made my exit.

I let out a sigh of relief. Thankfully, I had managed to escape unscathed.

I make my way down the school hallway, my school bag slung over my shoulder. The straps dig into my skin as I walk at a leisurely pace, lost in thought about Haden's missing portfolio. Could it be because he's new here?

A quick glance at my watch reveals that it's only 4 pm, still too early. The professors let us out ahead of time due to a meeting.

I meander towards the old bulletin board, its faded announcements catching my eye.

Intrigued, I move closer, my curiosity piqued.

A picture on the board grabs my attention.

I step in for a closer look.

It's a girl.

She looks familiar, triggering a sudden memory of a dream I had.

A sharp pain shoots through my head, my heart squeezing with a familiar ache. Clutching my hands tightly, I gather the courage to keep moving.

The air around me feels heavy, suffocating.

"Okay lang po kayo?" Manong's voice startles me, his reflection in the car mirror drawing my gaze. I hold onto my skirt, forcing a smile and nodding in response.

As the engine roars to life, unsettling thoughts fill my mind. Why am I dreaming about a stranger?

Arriving home to an empty house, I head straight to my room.

Sitting on my bed, I hold my chest, the tightness returning.

It's happening again, the feeling of suffocation creeping in.

Gasping for air, I frantically search for my pills.

Where are they?

After a frantic search through my bag, relief floods over me as I find the pills. I swallow them quickly, taking a deep breath as calm washes over me.

Lying back on my bed, I gaze at my laptop on the study desk.

Determined, I decide to uncover the mystery of the girl in my dreams from the old bulletin board.

I navigate to the Westford University website, realizing the challenge ahead. How can I find her among so many students?

Scrolling through the women's student section, I begin the search, knowing it will take time.

Until I accidentally click on a link, leading me to a different page.

My eyes widen in shock as her face appears again.

Clicking on the link, I delve deeper into the article.

"Lily Perin, a grade 10 student, commits suicide," the words on the screen send a shiver down my spine.

The name triggers a memory.

Perin...

Wait, a sudden realization hits me.

It's Haden's last name!