A Second Chance

Part 6 - The Search

Richard and Jerald arrived early in school to look for Nicomaine Mendoza, Grade 11 - Excellence. Their class will start at 10am so they have 2 hours to spare. They have asked almost all the Grade 11 students but they didn't see Nicomaine Mendoza nor her friend.

And so Richard and Jerald went to their own classes unsuccessful of their mission. Richard felt guilty for not being able to return the book early to Nicomaine, so she would still have the time to review. 2 subjects passed in a blur. Recess came. Richard and Jerald met at the cafeteria at their usual spot.

'Have you had your luck finding her?' Ask Richard

'Nope' Jerald replied

'Where's Sam?

'May kakausapin daw sa kabilang building' Jerald replied...'ayan na pala e' nguso ni Jerald in Sam's direction.

Sam arrive in a rush. 'Na-order mo ba ako Je?'

'Yes papi! and gave Sam's food.

Sam began eating. He overslept so he was in a hurry to get to school and wasn't able to eat his breakfast. Richard and Je just looked at him. He look at them while he took a bite of his quarter pounder and said 'momyo ko no koyo kwontohon ho...om rolly fomosh (translation: mamaya ko na kayo kwentuhan ha..i'm really famish!)

Richard and Jerald look at each other curiosity in their eyes, took a bite of their own sandwiches and look back at Sam. In just 2 minutes Sam finish his burger with a loud burp.

'Ewww...'Jerald. 'Papi have some finesse naman'..

'Talaga lang ha...ikaw ba yan Je?' Sam replied

'Ok, bat gutom na gutom ka and where have you been? Sabi ni Je nagpunta ka sa kabilang building? Ask Richard

'I overslept so hindi ako nakapag breakfast, that's why'. Taking a sip from his water bottle. 'and I went at the other building to talk to Shiela and Tata' a triumphant smile playing.

Shiela and Tata were their classmates during junior high. They only got separated when they where in fourth year.

'O what about them? Kamusta na sila? We haven't hung-out with them since the school started..' Richard asked

'they're ok..they've been hanging out with their classmates. That is why I went there because of their classmate' Sam said still smiling

'Uyyyy...mukhang may popormahan na si bombay! Jerald said pushing Sam a little.

'Nope...isa lang ang type ko no!' Referring to Juvy his 'girl friend'. Juvy doesn't know Sam likes her. Torpe kasi siya.

'Ok eh bat ka nga pumunta dun?'

'Ganito yon papis' Sam leaned over a little on the table. Jerald did the same while Richard is scanning the cafeteria hoping to see Nicomaine.

'Rich, don't bother looking for her' Saway ni Sam

'What do you mean' Richard look at Sam

'Last night...' Sam took out his phone and open his FB account '...after we talked I browsed my FB. I saw Shiela and Tata's pictures...' browsing his phone. After finding what he was loking for, he turned the screen at Richard and Jerald's direction..

'Lo and behold! look who I saw...' Sam look at Richard's reaction and smiled. It was their friends'pictures taken at the other building. In it is the girl he was looking for...Nicomaine.

'She really is beautiful' Richard said eyes twinkling and turned to Sam. 'Sam, so classmate siya ni Shiela at Tata?' He ask smiling from ear to ear.

'Yap pero sa elective subject lang'.

Richard grab his things and stood up..'I need to give her the book...while it's still early..may time pa siya makapag review' Richard stated, intending to go to the other building.

'Rich no need. You won't find her. She's not in school' Sam announce. They said she's not feeling well. I also talked to her friend, yung lagi nyang kasama, her name is Sarah'.

Richard sat down again sounding worried... 'Pano mamaya kay Ms. Cassy?' Tanong niya kay Jerald and Sam who just shrugged.

The bell rang. Time for his history subject. The three of them stood up and went to their own classes.