Blur into You

Chapter 4

It was their campus' campaign day and Yuriel along with Jaren decided to pass by in the hall for a moment to watch the candidate's speech. Pagdating doon, nadatnan nilang nagsasalita si Ansel.

Yuriel never knew that Ansel was running again in an organization. Halos dalawang taon din kasing wala si Ansel sa student council dahil sa personal na rason. And as someone who knew him back in junior high school, Yuriel somewhat thinks that this guy will definitely win the position. Alam niyang kayang-kaya ni Ansel ang pagiging isang student leader. He's natural at that.

Well, that's a comeback, he thought.

Beside him, he noticed Jaren standing quietly among the crowd, arms crossed, and eyes focused on Ansel. Hindi naman halatang invested siya sa speech ni Ansel, halatang-halata lang. Every now and then, Jaren would give a small nod, as if silently agreeing with what Ansel was saying.

As Ansel's speech came to a close, the students around started clapping, some even cheering. Yuriel gave a small smile while watching Ansel move backwards composed and confident. Pansin niya rin ang maliit na pag-ngiti ng kanyang kaibigan.

Interesting.

"Galing, 'no?"

"Pwede na," Jaren replied with a shrug, but the glint in his eyes betrayed the casual tone he was going for. It was clear that Ansel's speech had impressed him, though Jaren would never outright admit it.

Before Yuriel could say more, the next speaker was introduced. His attention shifted as the crowd began to quiet down again.

Sa gitna ng entablado, nakatayo ang isang matangkad na lalaki nang may kumpiyansa. He stood six feet tall in his neat uniform, his hair slightly disheveled from the wind, though it didn't wash away his attractiveness.

It even made him even more attractive... Yuriel shook his head at the thought.

It was, of course, none other than Elijah.

Kahit pa sabihing everyday look niya iyon, may dating pa rin. Yung tipong parang effortless ang kagwapuhan. Yuriel couldn't help but feel a little distracted by how Elijah carried himself. The sunlight coming from the hall windows highlighted his features—the sharpness of his jawline, and the intensity in his eyes.

Nagsimula nang magsalita si Elijah. His voice is calm yet cold and commanding. He wasn't one for long speeches, but he always knew how to get his points across. As he addressed the crowd that he was running for the position of Vice President of the Internal affairs & Operations, Yuriel found himself focusing less on the words and more on the person delivering them.

Nakahalukipkip ang mga braso niya habang pinapakinggan nang maigi ang lalaki sa harap. His eyes never left Elijah. Pinanood niya kung paano ito gumalaw habang nagsasalita, at kung gaano siya kasigurado sa ginagawa niya. Ang kanyang boses ay tila umuukit sa hangin gamit ang pansamantalang mikropono habang binibigkas ang kanyang talumpati para sa kampanya.

He admired how composed Elijah appeared in front of everyone—a stark contrast to their private conversation yesterday. Hindi mapigilan ni Yuriel na paulit-ulit isipin ang mga salitang nanggaling mismo kay Elijah.

"I just feel like I have to share you with everyone else."

Yuriel shifted in place, his mind drifting back to that moment. It was unlike Elijah to express himself so openly, yet Yuriel knew he was serious. And now, watching Elijah speak so passionately about the future, Yuriel realized just how much more there was to uncover about him.

Hindi talaga niya kailanman mababatid ang mga kilos at salita ng kanyang kaibigan.

Yuriel may have known Elijah for years, but there are still things that he doesn't know about the guy. Kahit ganoon katagal na silang magkaibigan, may mga parte pa rin si Elijah na tila hindi niya mabasa, mga bagay na hindi nito sinasabi. Nitong mga nakaraang araw, mas ramdam niya 'yon.