ALIYAH
I sat quietly in the library, reviewing my notes for our quiz later today. I was waiting for Maye and the others, who’d stepped out to pick up a few things from the canteen. While waiting, I noticed one of the member of USW (Unity Sound Wave), Miles’ bandmates. It wasn’t surprising I’d recognize her—USW was practically a campus icon.
I was about to work up the nerve to approach Ghian, who was deeply absorbed in a book, when a voice suddenly interrupted from behind.
“Hep hep hep, saan ka pupunta, babaita ka?”
Startled, I spun around. “Grabe, Maye! Ginulat mo ako!”
Maye chuckled as Sabrina gave me a playful look. “Ano yang itsura mo? Parang nakakita ka ng multo.”
“Eh, paano ba naman kasi, si Maye bigla-bigla na lang nanggugulat!” I replied, still catching my breath. Shannel was trying her hardest not to laugh, clearly aware of the quiet library setting.
Maye looked at me curiously. “Saan ka ba kasi pupunta?” she asked.
I responded, pointing to where Ghian was seated, “Pupuntahan ko lang sana si Ghian at makipag-friends sa kanya.”.
________
MAYE
Here we were in the library, planning to study for our quiz later. I accidentally startled Aliyah while trying to ask where she was going. She mentioned she was planning to approach Ghian and befriend her, yet there was no sign of Ghian in the spot Aliyah pointed to.
“Kami ba pinagloloko mo, babaita ka?” Sabrina asked Aliyah, raising an eyebrow.
“No, Ghian was here kanina. I saw her reading some books pa nga eh,” Aliyah replied, sounding serious.
“Lol, gutom lang 'yan,” Sabrina teased Aliyah.
“True, Ate Aliyah. It’s kinda impossible that bebe Ghian is here, di ba? She doesn’t even come to the library that much,” Shannel added, barely holding back a laugh.
“Isa ka rin, Shan, napaka-delulu mo. Bebe ka d’yan, as if naman na mapapansin kayo ni Ghian,” I said, chuckling as Sabrina stifled a laugh beside me.
“Duh, whatever,” Aliyah shot back at us, her tone sharp and dismissive.
___________
FAST FORWARD
It was true—Ghian had been in the library earlier, quietly reading. Lately, she’d taken up reading as a hobby. She rarely visited the library, though, since she usually brought her own books with her. But today, without a book of her own, she had decided to stop by.
She’d noticed Aliyah looking in her direction with an intense gaze, which made her uncomfortable enough to leave the library sooner than planned.
___________
GHIAN
“Guys!” I shouted as I burst into the music room.
“Gosh, Ghian, please minimize your voice—I can’t focus,” Miles snapped, clearly irritated.
“Sorry,” I apologized with a smile.
“Bakit? What is it? Ba’t ka sumisigaw?” Claude asked, obviously eager for some gossip.
