The Sun in Her Eyes

1: Masked Wolf

Four years ago...

When Harika realized she had forgotten her school ID, she let out a soft cuss. Umirap siya, bumagsak ang mga balikat at bumuntong-hininga. Nakalimutan na naman niya iyong damputin nang ipatong niya iyon sa kanyang vanity table. Bakit ba kasi nagsuklay pa siya nang huli kahit alam niyang maayos na ang kanyang buhok? Nawala tuloy iyon sa isipan niya. She's close for being late for the subject and has an exam. Paano niya masasagutan ang pagsusulit na iyon kung sa malaking gate pa lamang ng campus ay hindi na siya makapasok? Para bang gusto na lang niyang umuwi at magmukmok. She was so prepared for the exams, yet nothing seems to be going her way.

Nakaukit ang inis sa kanyang mukha habang naglalakad sa wide pavement sa labas ng campus patungo sa main gate ng Fairwater High kung saan siya pumapasok. She has one more year before entering a more challenging and advanced education. She's in her senior year and about to graduate. Kung ngayong sasablay-sablay na siya, paano pa kung tumuntong na siya sa kolehiyo?

Pinagmamasdan niya ang ilang estudyante na kasabay niyang naglalakad doon. Ang iba ay tila naghahabol na ng oras dahil sa pagtakbo. She noticed the blue laces dangling from their necks, which gave her the feeling of being very envious. Tinanggap na niya sa kanyang sarili na pipila siya sa linya ng mga walang ID—sa pila ng school violators. Ang iba roon ay hindi pinapasok dahil lumabag sa school rules; tulad ng may kulay ang buhok, fitted ang slacks at may piercing. She won't be returning home, but she will be spending hours in detention room.

Bago pa siya tuluyang pumila roon ay nasurpresa siya nang isinabit ng isang lalaki ang ID lace sa kanyang leeg.

He beamed at her as he approached her. "Ace your exams!" Tinuro siya nito. "I'll sacrifice my myself for you!" Nagawa pang ngumisi-ngisi ng lalaking ito.

"Waki, what are you doing?" said Harika with knitted brows.

Sinilip niya ang ID na isinuot sa kanya ng lalaking ito. It's Waki's school ID.

"Saving your ass... again. Sige na, pumasok ka na at baka ma-late ka pa." His nose scrunched as he laughed. Labas din ang mga ipin nitong ngumiti sa kanya at pumila na kasama ang ilang estudyanteng mapupunta sa detention room noong araw na iyon.

Waki's hair was a bit tacky, with short sides and swept fringe. Simple na medyo gulo-gulo ang ayos dahil sa kapal at itim na itim na kulay nito. It was a high taper fade, it looked good on him, conservative yet classic perfect haircut. Ngunit ang singkit na mga mata nito at malalapad na ngiti sa labi ang siyang nagdadala ng lahat. He smiled radiantly. He's so natural.

Nagmamadali nang naglakad si Harika papasok sa loob ng campus habang iniisip pa rin ang ginawa ni Waki kanina. He switched off for her. Should she acknowledge him for saving her behind or continue to ignore him as she had always been doing?

Joaquin Seiji Ishida has always been so classic, from his distinctive manner, particular style, warmth, encouraging aura, and timeless quality. His bubbly personality was evident in the sparkle in each of his smiles. Hindi rin nalalayo na magustuhan ito ng mga estudyanteng babae sa campus dahil sa personalidad at karisma na taglay nito. Palangiti, mabait at palaging may tuwa at saya sa mukha. Ito ang tipo ng tao na hindi mahirap i-appreciate. In contrast, when he is present, Harika experiences a visceral, almost physical response. He occasionally smiled so brightly that she struggled to contain it.

Nang matapos ang exams niya ay confident naman siya sa magiging resulta no'n. Last night, Harika studied for almost a sleepless one. She is making a greater effort and likely performing even better than her previous. Gusto niya rin kasing ma-qualify sa mga top university na tipo niya. If she has the required grades, it will be simpler.