The Beating of a Metal Heart [On Hold]

Chapter Four: The Deal: Is the Search Over?

Lothaire's Point of View

Queer. Magbestfriend ata yung dalawang yun eh.... parehong suplada.

It makes me wonder.... What don't I know? 

Ohh. That's easy. 

I really don't know anything. But that doesn't mean I don't want to.

I readied myself for school. I already felt quite good, because sometime later in the day, makikita ko siya. I don't know what might happen. But I am happy! It's quite weird.

Okay. Nandito na ako sa classroom. She's not yet here. It's alright....

Maghihintay ako. 

I stared at the door... willing her to come right in. Hurry Mathilde, I want to get to know you a little better.

Hildegarde's Point of View

Just like any other ordinary day. Went to school, but Mathilde's not with me. 

Oooooh burn. I can't believe him. Pagpasok sa room, guess who was staring expectantly at the door? 

Lothaire. I wanted to laugh and puke at the same time. Haha. He's being so obvious...  

Weak mo 'dre.

I went to take my seat, it was near his. He nudged me and asked:

"Wala pa siya? 5 minutes na lang oh."

I spoke my mind. "Ano ka ba? You're too obvious. Ganyan ka ba nagkakacrush?" I hissed, I'm getting a bit annoyed. He's so clingy. "She's sick today. She's not really that sturdy, you know."

"Oh."

He was disappointed. Jerk. Why was he like that? I understand that he's new and all that, but....

But....

But wait..... what if... what if... he's not what he seems? What if he can be the person who can help Mathilde loosen up and live a little? Right now she's practically a robot.. without feelings of any kind.. the only thing that keeps her holding on is the thrill of challenge, the 'battle' as she so calls it. And Lothaire, he's kind of crude.. and he's noisy.. and I don't think he's very smart. And he's transparent. He seems to be all sunshine. Maybe he could brighten up her dark world. Maybe. JUST MAYBE. Ahh, Mathilde.

I want to see my best friend smile again.. I want to hear her laughter again. It has been quite a long time. 

Alright. I made up my mind. I'll help him. He's different from the others... I think he's the one I was looking for, the one who can 'resurrect' Mathilde.

Tagal ko na ring naghahanap noh. Duh. Oras na para subukan ko na. And this guy, he's kinda attractive too. Just not my type. ^.^

"Hey, Lothaire. Listen up. Do you like Mathilde?"

"I don't know... I don't really know her very well yet.... But.." he whispered. "I think I do."

"Classes are starting..... " I nudged him. "In any case, go sit by me, it's allowed. I'll talk to you."

"Okay." he answered, quite bewildered.

The professor entered, Miss Sevilla, the math teacher. Math. Ugh. She went on to stand in front, and we all greeted her in unison.

"Good Morning Ma'am Sevilla."

"Good Morning class."

She asked the class secretary, Trina Arphie Santos, about the attendance.

"Ma'am, Miss Linton is absent."

"Oh well then. We won't have much trouble with that... I'll just give her a special test." she said prissily.

O my. May test nga pala. Di pa ata ako nagrereview?! Patay!

Ma'am Sevilla distributed the test papers. I looked at it. Quadratic equations pala.. If Mathilde were here, she'd only take the test in like, 15 minutes. That girl's quite a monster. Kaya ko to! I cringed, and began answering the test..

30 minutes later, we were all done. We passed the answer sheets to Ma'am Sevilla. I was then looking intently at my desk....

"Miss Hildegarde Manzon! How was the test?" Shocking. She addressed me. I don't know what to say to her...... Of course, who would want to say that they were almost at their wit's end in answering that test?

"It was fine ma'am."

Haaaaay. Thank heavens I came up with something to say before she caught me off guard, such a terror teacher. And look, she's even wearing white. TERROR. hihihi.

"Good." she said, and turned to the white board. "So now we proceed to our next lesson.... "

Thanks be given.

I didn't hear what she said anymore. Oh actually I think I did hear. The words just didn't register anymore. Di na nya mapapansin. She's going to write again, endlessly, on the board; talk endlessly, TO THE BOARD. 'kay!

I scrambled for pen and paper, and scrawled a note. Kahit na kinalahid pa ng manok yan, maiintindihan naman siguro yan ng abno kong katabi. haaaay. Kahit na magtest ako nang paulit-ulit ng quadratic functions, di ko makakalimutan yung plano ko noh.

Gritting my teeth, and giving Lothaire a slight tap, I handed him the note.

Bahala na!

Lothaire's Point of View

Oh finally. I got through that test.. I'm not really good in math but I did my best to answer the questions.

What's this? Inaabutan ako ni Hildegarde ng papel. I went on to read it:

Hoy Lothaire, magtino ka ha? Tutulungan kita. What did she say?

I wrote back: 

Pano naman? Di ka ba nagagaraan nyan, I'm not even sure if I like her. Oh I do, I do. Help me please.

Oh you do, trust me. And if you get to know her a little better, you'll like her even more. Matigas lang siya ngayon.... Sabi na eh.

And so went on that string of messages, all written on torn sheets of paper. Lahat din pangit ang sulat:

Okay, anung plano? Tutulungan mo talaga ko? I wrote.

Is this happening? Yes, it is! Hurrah!

Sabi ko nga eh. Ayaw mo pa maniwala dyan, upakan nalang?

OKAY.

Grabe naman tong babaeng to, NAKAKATAKOT.

Ilalakad kita. Wag ka lang magloloko, uupakan talaga kita.

I inhaled sharply. This is it.

Deal. I finally wrote. Thank you Hilda.

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!