Pursuing from the Shore (Sun Rays #2)

Bonus Chapter

Entry: Redler's Archive

Can you believe it, siren-eyed guy?

I didn't expect I'd spend that much time just standing in front of the literary board, kasama 'yong ibang estudyante na may hilig sa panitikan.

Imagine, five days, on and off, especially during remediation. I kept coming back like there was something I missed.

To tell you, there were so many pieces. Different voices. And some of them are unpolished, some of them are painfully honest. And for once, I didn't feel out of place.

I guess that's what stayed with me. That feeling of being understood... without needing to explain anything.

Thank you, siren-eyed guy. You didn't say much, but you didn't have to. You just let me be. Let me stay there, read, think, overthink. That already felt like support.

I remember how unsure I used to be about literature because of how easily people dismiss and underestimate it, as if meaning has to be proven through numbers first before it's taken seriously.

But standing there, reading all those works...
I realized literature was never meant to compete with what's "in demand." It was meant to stay and to hold things people don't always know how to say—to make sense of thoughts that don't fit anywhere else.

And not everything that matters needs to be loud about it.

We're graduating soon. Ang bilis 'no?

I used to think I had to figure everything out before this moment came. Like I needed a clear, acceptable answer ready for everyone.

But now... I've realized it's okay to choose something just because it feels right, even if it doesn't make sense to everyone else.

Even if it takes time. Because literature was never something I had to justify but something I had to be brave enough to choose.

— aredgate

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"May nanlalamang talaga, ʼno? Ipapatumba na ba natin?"

Narinig ko ang pagpaparinig ni Edorina sa akin, kasama niya si Asther. It was clear they were talking about me—after all, we were all sitting right next to each other. The reason why they were talking nonstop is because they have already found out that Davin and I are officially dating.

Itʼs been three weeks noong sinagot ko siya. That was absolutely one of the most treasured moments I ill never afford to forget. Ganoon pala ang pakiramdam na sinagot ko siya, and to this day, that feeling continues to tickle my whole system.

"Bakit ipapatumba pa? Pʼwede namang mas lamangan natin," Asther muttered maliciously, leaning his cheek against his palm while secretly staring at Edo.

I nearly choked on my own saliva and had to stifle a laugh. His voice was barely a whisper, just loud enough for me to hear. It seemed like Edorina had really no idea about the secret admiration Asther had for her. Ang manhid niya sa part na ʼyon.

Asther glared at me jokingly but Edorina smacked the table as she intrigued what was going on.

"Anong sabi mo?" tanong ni Edo.

Sheʼs totally unaware so Asther pretended to roll his eyes after diverting his attention on the opposite side. Mukhang fluttered ang mokong dahil sa biglaang paglapit ni Edo sa kanya.

"Sabi niya aabangan niyo raw ako sa gate," tanging naisagot ko kaya siya ngumiwi.

The bell rang immediately, signaling the end of the day, and we all quickly stood up. It's finally time to go home. These past few days have been truly exhausting. Since malapit na kaming grumaduate, the schoolwork has piled up all at once. At this point, nagpapasa na lang talaga ako dahil required.