COLLIDING HEARTS: THE START OF US (SLOW UPDATE)

CHAPTER 4

THE RUSH OF TIME

It felt like just yesterday we were running around during the Science Fair, but suddenly, everything seemed to move so fast. The festive atmosphere of December faded into January, and the countdown to our final days as high school students began. Exams were around the corner, graduation rehearsals were already being planned, and year-end events filled our schedule. Parang lahat na lang biglang nagmamadali.

January was all about academics. Quizzes, mock tests, recitations—our teachers seemed determined to squeeze out every bit of knowledge from us before we left high school.

Most of my days were spent at the library, nose deep in textbooks, trying to keep my grades up. Kahit ang mga kaibigan ko, bihira ko nang makasama. Everyone was busy with their own priorities.

One afternoon, habang nagre-review ako sa library, napansin kong may tumigil sa tabi ko. It was Aris. He placed a small packet of crackers and a bottled coffee on the edge of my table.

"Take a break, Zyan," he said with a grin. "Hindi ka magiging productive kung masyado kang nagpapakapagod."

I looked up at him, raising an eyebrow. "Salamat, pero kaya ko naman. Hindi mo kailangang gawin 'to."

"Alam ko. Pero gusto ko," he replied casually before walking off.

I shook my head, brushing it off as one of his random gestures. Pero deep down, it felt nice.

The following days, napansin ko na lagi niyang dinadalhan ng something simple—crackers, a small note, or even just a bottle of water. Kahit hindi ko sinasabi, natutulungan ako ng mga simpleng bagay na 'to.

By February, the school was buzzing with excitement for Valentine's Day. Every corner of the campus was filled with heart-shaped decorations, bouquets, and students nervously clutching their gifts for their crushes.

I wasn't particularly excited about it. My focus was on academics, and Valentine's wasn't exactly on my list of priorities.

That morning, I walked into the classroom and saw a sunflower placed neatly on my desk.

"For you," one of my seatmates teased, nudging me playfully.

"From who?" I asked, looking around.

She shrugged. "Malay ko. Secret admirer, siguro."

I glanced around the room and caught Aris casually leaning against the wall, pretending not to notice me. My heart skipped for a second, but I quickly dismissed the thought.

"Hay naku, Zyan. Huwag kang assuming," I whispered to myself as I placed the flower inside my notebook.

The rest of the day was filled with teasing from my classmates, pero hindi ko na pinansin. Deep down, I knew where it came from.

March came with a whirlwind of activities. From sports fests to year-end programs, our schedules were packed. One time, nagkaroon ng overnight preparation for a class presentation. We were all staying in school late, creating props and rehearsing our lines.

"Zyan, okay ka pa ba?" Aris asked as he handed me a bottle of water.

"Yeah, okay pa. Salamat," I replied, taking a sip.

He sat beside me, watching me quietly as I worked on painting a banner.

"You work so hard," he said softly.

I glanced at him, slightly annoyed. "Dapat lang, diba? Ayokong mapahiya ang klase natin."

He chuckled. "Oo na. Pero minsan, pwede ka rin naman magpahinga. Hayaan mo na lang minsan ang ibang tao."

"Like you?" I teased, raising an eyebrow.

He grinned. "Oo. Ako na bahala sa iba. Basta ikaw, magpahinga ka rin minsan."

Hindi ko alam kung bakit, pero may kung anong kilig sa sinabi niya. Napangiti na lang ako at nagpatuloy sa ginagawa ko.

As part of the graduation preparations, our teacher gave us a special assignment: write a heartfelt note for each of our classmates.

"Walang negativity, ha? Something positive lang about each person," she reminded us.

I took my time writing notes for everyone. When I got to Aris' name, I paused.

Ano bang isusulat ko? For the past few months, he had been consistent—always showing up, always thoughtful, always patient.

I finally wrote:
"Thank you for always being thoughtful, kahit minsan hindi halata. I appreciate the little things you do, kahit hindi ko laging pinapansin. Good luck sa college, Aris."

When I handed him the note, he smiled after reading it.

"Salamat, Zyan," he said softly, his eyes meeting mine.

"Wala yun," I replied quickly, looking away. Pero sa totoo lang, his smile stayed in my mind for the rest of the day.

One afternoon, after our final graduation practice, Aris walked me to the gate as he often did.

"Zyan," he started, his tone unusually serious.

"Hmm?"

"Pwede ba akong manligaw?"

I stopped walking and looked at him. For months, I had been brushing off his subtle efforts, convincing myself na hindi ko dapat bigyan ng pansin. Pero ngayon, hearing his sincerity, I realized that maybe it wasn't so bad to let someone in.

I smiled softly. "Sige. Pero huwag kang magmadali, ha?"

His face lit up, and he nodded. "I won't. Ako nang bahala. Just take your time."

It wasn't grand, but it felt genuine. For the first time, I allowed myself to see what was right in front of me.