Book of Flames [ UNDER-REVISION]

ʚĭɞ FLAMES 01

Whispers of Fate: Love Dillema

SIX WEEKS AGOજ⁀➴

If there’s one thing I would miss about this school as our moving-up ceremony approached, it would be the people I’ve spent the last eight months with. Hindi man ako kasali sa mga kalokohang ginagawa nila that earned us the reputation as the “worst section ever,” but being part of the chaos—like that one legendary trip to the guidance office—was a blast.

Imagine all of us, fifty students marching down the hallway to the guidance office, because our English teacher had decided we all deserved a scolding. Paano ba naman, sabay-sabay silang nagcutting class para mag-party sa bahay ng isa naming kaklase. Out of everyone, only Icy and Rylie actually showed up to class, and thank goodness I was home sick that day. I dodged the wrath of our English teacher, who sent a handful of them to summer class this April after our moving-up ceremony. Well, not that I entirely escaped, though—muntik pa rin akong magsummer class, thanks to a failing grade in math. Mabuti na lang, mabait ang teacher namin, pinagpasa na lang kaming bagsak sa subject niya ng floorwax at basahan.

“Paging miss Elaiza Mae Flores! May nagpapa-marriage po!”

The volume of my classmates’ chatter was almost deafening, drowning out the voice of the two students from the marriage booth. Kanina pa sila sumisigaw, yet, no one seemed to care. It was as if they were all wrapped up in their own worlds. Some were dancing in the corner, while others were engrossed in their mobile games.

“Flores daw!” sigaw ng kadarating lang na si Crisostomo habang dumidrible sa hangin. He tossed an invisible ball in the direction of Flores, and just as luck would have it, she turned to look at him. “Bullseye!” he uttered.

“Ano?!”

“Kanina ka pa tinatawag. May gustong magpasakal sa'yo.”

“Kasal?!” Hindi makapaniwala na nilingon ni Flores ang kaibigan niya na nakatutok lang sa pinapanood nito sa selpon. “Huy! Joke lang 'yon! Bakit mo itinuloy?!”

“Hindi ko naman talaga itinuloy, pinagsasabe mo?”

“Eh, sino ang nagpapa-marriage booth sa akin?”

“Aba malay ko? Bakit, sa crush mo raw ba? Baka naman ibang tao na may crush pala sa'yo?”

“Gago, ako? May magkakacrush sa'kin?”

I couldn’t help but giggle as Crisostomo let in the two people sent to fetch Flores, gently pulling her along. She had no idea that it wasn’t only her close friend who knew the identity of her secret crush. Pangalawa ako. She doesn't have to worry though. Her feelings won't be in vain. Just like the other relationships that started with childhood, isa sila ng ikakasal sa kaniya ngayon sa booth ang aabot sa totoong altar sa takdang panahon.

They may encounter obstacles and challenges that will test the strength of their love, but no matter what lies ahead, they will find their way back to each other. Their bond was written in the stars, destined to survive against all odds, because that union was always meant to be.

“Tabi! Paharang harang! Wala rito ang basketball court!”

My attention snapped instantly toward Alvarado’s group as she yelled at Crisostomo, who was blocking their way. They were the group of friends known for their unlucky streaks, especially when it came to love. Speaking of, umiiyak ang isa sa kanila, si Opulencia. Sawi na naman siguro ito.