Our Fleeting Glances

Chapter 10

[Playing "The Very First Night" by Taylor Swift]

Ten days. Sampung araw na parang bumalik kami sa simula, parang binabalik ang oras. Sampung araw na walang usap, walang pagkikita, ni hindi man lang kami nagkasalubong sa hallway. I miss him. Every single day, I miss him.

Sinubukan kong ilayo ang isip ko sa kanya. I drowned myself in work, pushing myself hanggang sa kaya ko. Pagod na ako kakaisip, so I decided to visit the museum to find some peace. But I should've known better, sana hindi ko nalang ginawa.

There he was. Just standing there, in front of my favorite painting. His hands tucked into his pockets, gazing intently at the artwork. He didn't see me, but I couldn't tear my eyes away from him.

I looked down at my phone, at the photos of us together, and the memories flooded back.

It hurts. I wanted so badly to walk up to him and tell him that I miss him, to confess everything I've kept inside. But it's too late, isn't it?

"I wish I could fly, the lyrics played, mirroring my thoughts. I'd pick you up and we'd go back in time" I wish we could go back...

Back to when everything was simpler, when I didn't know how much you meant to me. Before I fell for you.

I want you to take me away, to you. Just like on the first day we met when you took me away to my colorless life. But it's impossible to do so because you have already taken someone else to you.

"I miss you, my star," I whispered under my breath, hoping the words would reach him somehow. And before he could turn around, I walked away, just like I always do.

Days later, I finished my projects and decided to rest somewhere far from our usual spot. I needed space. No more revisiting places where memories linger.

While searching for my phone in my bag, I heard voices nearby. Familiar voices. I turned, sitting on the bleachers, and my heart sank when I saw them—Rios and Shai. They were standing behind the trees, just a few steps away from me.

I wanted to disappear. If only I could've left earlier, I wouldn't have to witness this.

I tried to calm myself, pero pagod na akong umiyak. I bit my lip, holding back tears. Sana hindi na lang ako nandito.

They didn't see me, siguro dahil nakasuot ako ng hoodie. But the trees weren't enough to block their words. I could hear every painful conversation.

"Bakit hindi ka bumitaw?" Shai asked, her voice trembling as tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Walang dahilan para bumitaw," Rios answered, desperation clear in his tone.

I bit harder on my lip, feeling a sting in my chest. His words felt like a dagger. Hearing him plead with her, almost begging, broke me. He loves her, he's always loved her. And here I am, just a bystander to their love story.

"Ikaw lang hanggang sa huli, Shai," he said, his voice filled with a certainty that crushed me.

I knew this was coming, yet the pain still hit harder than I expected. The tears I've been holding back finally fell. I left them and sought solace in the garden, where I sat hidden behind flowers, silently crying my heart out.

Eventually, I gathered myself. I had to move forward. I decided to leave—study abroad, pursue new dreams, and escape this suffocating situation. That's why I left without saying goodbye to him.

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