Maybe Next Time

Epilogue

Lachlan

The room was full of people, but it might as well have been empty. The moment I saw her, everything else faded. Zaylee-I'd heard someone call her name once in our online class, but I'd never really paid attention before. May kasama siyang dalawang babae whom I assumed her friends.

Now, it was like I couldn't focus on anything else.

Umupo siya sa harapan ko, her silhouette framed by the soft morning light, and I was struck by how effortlessly beautiful she was. Her hair caught the light in a way that made it seem like it was glowing, there's also a red ribbon attached to it. Her bangs added to her cute expression, like she was completely at ease in her own world.

For a second, I just sit there, watching her. There was something about her-an effortless grace, a quiet confidence. I couldn't quite place it, but I felt a pull, like a thread connecting me to her across the room.

And then, suddenly, she turned and looked at me. Our eyes met, and everything inside me shifted. Her gaze wasn't just beautiful-it was
captivating.

My heart was pounding, and I felt this overwhelming need to talk to her, to be near her. It was like gravity was pulling me in, and I didn't want to fight it.

I couldn't help but keep sneaking glances at her. She was so focused, and so determined. I wanted to come over just to introduce myself, but now I was hooked.

I wanted to know everything about her. What made her laugh, what she was passionate about, what her dreams were.

I couldn't help myself. I wanted to catch her attention. So I did what any guy would do when he's completely smitten-I started bothering her. Not in a bad way, of course, but enough to get her to notice me.

"Pahiram ako calcu" I'd ask, even though I had my favorite calculator in my bag.

She'd look at me with those gentle eyes, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Sige, eto oh."

The next minute, it was something else. "May ballpen ka?" I asked again even though I had three.

"Tingin nga ako ng laptop mo" I bother her again.

And again, "Hiram ulit ako calcu."

She was so kind, so patient, always willing to help, and it made me wonder how someone like her could exist. It wasn't just her looks, though God knows she was beautiful. It was her heart, her kindness, the way she seemed to care about everyone around her.

How could God make something like her? I'd never met anyone like Zaylee before, and I knew I never would again. And the more time I spent around her, the more I realized that I didn't just want her attention. I wanted to be the reason she smiled, the person she looked forward to seeing every day.

-----

All I wanted was to sleep in, but the program head made it clear that the orientation was mandatory. So, there I was, standing at the gate of the gym, half-asleep, waiting for Jar to show up. Our plan was to get our attendance marked and leave as soon as possible. But of course, motherfucking Jar was late.

I checked my phone for what felt like the hundredth time, frustration bubbling up inside me. People were starting to flood in. The place was getting crowded fast, and I was still stuck outside, fucking waiting.

The line at the entrance started moving, people getting their attendance checked as they went in. I sighed, tapping my foot impatiently. The last thing I wanted was to be stuck in a crowded gym for hours, listening to speeches I didn't care about. Damn.