Simply You(Ongoing)

CHAPTER 4

Yessenia sat in the lounge area, her fingers drumming lightly on the arm of the plush chair. The room was quiet, the only sound being the faint hum of the air conditioning. Her thoughts were a swirling mix of calm resolve and simmering unease. It had been a long time since she'd had a conversation with Matheo, and even longer since she had last seen him.

Matheo had always been a figure of sharp contrasts in her life. In high school, their paths had intersected frequently, especially in academic circles. Both Yessenia and Matheo were celebrated for their academic excellence. Their rivalry, however, wasn’t just about grades or awards. It was about recognition, and the validation that came with it. In that charged atmosphere, Matheo had emerged as the victor on several occasions, and his win in that particular competition had etched a permanent scar on Yessenia’s pride.

She could still remember the day vividly. It was a prestigious academic competition, the kind that drew students from all over, and the kind that promised to make or break a budding scholar’s reputation. Yessenia had been confident, preparing for weeks, her notes and research meticulously organized. Matheo, on the other hand, had his usual air of casual confidence. He never seemed to need to prepare as much as others, his brilliance seemingly effortless.

As the competition progressed, Yessenia’s initial confidence began to wane. Matheo’s answers were sharp, his responses quick and precise. When the results were finally announced, Matheo stood tall on the winner’s podium while Yessenia watched from the sidelines, her heart sinking. It wasn’t just the loss itself; it was the realization that, despite all her hard work and dedication, Matheo had managed to eclipse her once again.

That day, Yessenia felt a pang of bitterness. It wasn’t merely about losing a competition. It was about the repeated validation of Matheo’s effortless brilliance versus her own hard-earned accomplishments. The seeds of her resentment took root then, growing into a complex mix of admiration and animosity. She found herself increasingly annoyed whenever Matheo was mentioned or whenever he made an appearance at any academic event. His achievements, once seen as benchmarks, now felt like personal affronts.

Fast forward to the present day, and Matheo’s reappearance had stirred these old feelings. The way he had spoken to her earlier had a familiar ring to it, a sort of competitive edge that she hadn’t expected. Yessenia had anticipated a pleasant conversation, maybe even a cordial catching up. Instead, there was an undercurrent of challenge in his demeanor, as though he was subtly asserting his dominance once again.

Yessenia leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes for a moment to calm herself. She knew she had grown since high school—more secure in her own abilities, more self-assured. Yet, every encounter with Matheo seemed to pull her back into that old rivalry, that nagging feeling of inadequacy that she thought she had outgrown.

She tried to analyze why Matheo’s presence triggered such strong reactions in her. Was it merely about the competition, or was it something deeper? Matheo had always been a figure who seemed to thrive on challenges. Could it be that his success wasn’t just about being better but about constantly testing himself against others? And if that was the case, why did she still let it affect her so deeply?

Her thoughts wandered back to high school. Yessenia remembered how, after that competition, she had made a conscious decision to improve herself, to never let Matheo’s success overshadow her own. She had thrown herself into her studies, finding new ways to excel and make a mark. That drive had taken her far, both academically and professionally. And yet, the shadow of Matheo’s success lingered.

It wasn’t just about winning or losing anymore. It was about proving to herself that she was more than just a rival, that her worth wasn’t determined by someone else’s achievements. The old grudge had become a personal challenge, one that she was still grappling with.

Yessenia’s reverie was interrupted by the sound of the door creaking open. Matheo walked in, his presence immediately filling the room. His confident stride, the way he carried himself—it was as if he had never left the arena of academic competition. He gave Yessenia a polite nod, his eyes betraying nothing of the competitive spirit she had sensed earlier.

“Yessenia,” he said, his tone warm but with an undertone that suggested a deeper conversation might be imminent. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Yessenia forced a smile, nodding in return. “Likewise, Matheo. It’s been a while.”

There was a brief pause, and then Matheo took a seat across from her. His demeanor was relaxed, almost casual, but Yessenia couldn’t shake the feeling that he was assessing her, measuring her in some intangible way.

“I’ve been meaning to catch up,” Matheo said, leaning forward slightly. “You’ve been doing some impressive work. I’ve been following your career.”

Yessenia’s heart skipped a beat. Was this a genuine compliment, or was there a hint of competition in his words? She chose to take it at face value, not wanting to read too much into his intentions.

“Thank you,” she replied, trying to keep her tone neutral. “I’ve been working hard, trying to make an impact in my field.”

Matheo’s eyes softened, and for a moment, Yessenia saw a glimmer of the person he had been before—the one who could be friendly, even supportive. “I’ve seen that. It’s impressive. I always knew you had a lot of potential.”

Yessenia was taken aback. The sincerity in Matheo’s voice was unexpected. Perhaps her perception had been clouded by past grievances. She had assumed that Matheo’s approach would be confrontational, but here he was, offering praise.

“I appreciate that,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady. “It means a lot coming from you.”

The conversation drifted to other topics, and as they spoke, Yessenia began to realize that Matheo’s presence wasn’t necessarily about competition. It was about mutual respect—something that had been buried under years of rivalry. Perhaps, like her, he had also grown and evolved.

As the conversation wound down and Matheo prepared to leave, Yessenia felt a strange sense of closure. The old resentments had not vanished entirely, but the meeting had shown her a different side of Matheo. It wasn’t just about winning or losing anymore. It was about understanding and moving forward.

“Take care, Yessenia,” Matheo said, standing up. “It was good to catch up.”

Yessenia returned the sentiment, feeling a subtle shift within herself. As Matheo walked out, Yessenia remained in the lounge, her mind buzzing with the remnants of their conversation. The past had a way of shaping the present, but she realized that she had the power to reshape her response to it.

The old competitive fire was still there, but it no longer burned with the same intensity. It was tempered by a newfound perspective. As Yessenia stood up and left the lounge, she felt a sense of calm, a quiet acknowledgment that she was more than the sum of past rivalries. The future was hers to shape, and she was ready to embrace it, free from the shadows of old grudges.