Track

The Shadow and the Saviour

Nerissa's POV

I was awaken by my dog, licking my face. Bumangon ako at inilapag si Pepsi sa sahig. I reached for my watch and nakita kong maaga pa naman.

More than one week na ang nakalipas since nung party and pangalawang araw ko na ito dito sa 'king apartment. I'm not even sure how I have decided to move out.

I grabbed an apple and stuffed it in my mouth nang ako'y makaupo sa couch. Kinuha ko ang libro na nasa ibabaw ng center table at nagsimulang magbasa.

Saturday naman ngayon so, napagdesisyunan ko na lumabas at bumili lang ng ibang supplies na kakailanganin ko para sa aming project. I put on my white hoodie and locked the door.

Medyo malamig na ang panahon. Pumasok na ako sa isang stationary shop at kinuha ang mga kakailanganin ko.

'A3 size sketch pad, check, blending stump, check, acrylics, check, fan brush, uhuh, prisma colors, okay.' I said to myself in a low tone.

Hindi ko na napansin ang oras. 9.30 pm na pala. Sa bagay, mga eight thirty na ako lumabas.

As I walked down the streets alone, I can only see the street lamps guiding my way as they vanish every time I look farther. The reflected, autumn leaves from the puddles of water added more beauty to the sight.

*ting!*

I snatched my phone from my pocket and saw that there's a notification in instagram. Hm, let's see.

[Group Picture]

@missmitchbrey

This is one of the best nights ever! #PartyNight #BESTEVER

Hindi na talaga nagsawa sa party. Pero, nang nakita ko yung mga ngiti sa mukha nila, hindi ko maiwasang hindi mainggit. Aish! I wasn't like this before.

So what if I'm a bookworm? So what if I'm a nerd? So what if I'm a loner?

Naalala ko nang nasa middle school ako, my classmates would use to go out. Most of them. They never asked me to come. The next day, mag-uusap sila about what happened. Hindi ko maiwasng ma out of place.

There was an instance nga na, prepared na prepared na ako and sobrang saya ko noon dahil inaya nila ako na mag-hang out. Maaga akong dumating sa napagusapan na place, and when I arrived wala naman sila. I waited for 5 minutes, hanggang naging 10, 30, 1 hour, 2 hours. Hanggang sa umalis nalang ako.

Habang naglalakad, nagpatuloy nalang ako sa pagbrowse sa instagram. I saw an amazing portrait of a famous actor and nakita ko na isang kakilala ko pala ang gumawa noon.

I remembered, since middle school, I was always the second place, second honour, sub and just an option. The people around me, did not find me likeable. Araw araw, pinapaalala ko sa sarili ko na someday, I will be the number one. In terms of art, sa music, sa studies and I even tried na maging 'likeable'. Pero, hanggang ngayon, ito pa rin ako, mag isa. No one, to hold on to.

Lucky are those who have their best friends, trusted ones. Yung mga taong makakaintindi sa kanila aside from their family. And, again, here I am, alone.

As I arrived in my apartment, I immediately fell on the bed. My head tilted back and I noticed that the curtains were drawn aside and the full length window was half opened.

I got up from the bed and napansin kong may nahulog ata sa sahig. Necklace, a two-tone stainless steel bullet necklace. This isn't mine, I know. Parang nakita ko na ito somewhere. How did this thing get here? Isinara ko na ang bintana at inilagay ang necklace sa drawer.

I turned off the lamp and pulled the blanket up to my chest.

Nanatiling nakapikit ang aking mga mata ngunit hindi pa rin ako makatulog. Kinuha ko ang aking phone at tiningnan ang oras. 12.33.

I had a vague feeling that someone is looking at me. I glanced at the window and was appalled with what I saw. It was a shadow of someone, but it vanished right away.

Napaupo nalang ako sa kama at iniling ang aking ulo. Maybe I was just hallucinating. Rinig ko ang mabilis na pagtibok ng puso ko habang may namumuo namang malalamig na pawis sa aking noo.

~

MONDAY

I am currently here at the canteen eating alone. Habang kumagat ako sa aking sandwich napansin kong may umupo sa aking harapan. I lifted up my head to see who it was. Wait... Siya yung lalake dun sa party nina Mitch. The guy with the lovely Australian accent. Yung lalakeng nagtanggol  kay Belle from that arrogant bloke. The saviour in the party.

'Hello Nerissa. How's your day?' bati niya sa akin at ngumiti ng malapad. Paano niya nalaman yung panglan ko?

'Hi! Uhm, okay naman.' I replied and smiled as well.

'Why are you alone? Are you waiting for someone?' tanong niya ngunit I am still stuck of thinking how he knew my name.

'Hey, I'm sorry. I have not introduced my self yet, isn't it? Haha! Anyway, I'm Theodore Hayes.' sabi niya at inilahad ang kanyang kamay.

'Nice to meet you.' I said at ngumiti.

'Are you thinking kung paano ko nalaman yung pangalan mo?' tanong niya. Tumango nalang ako as a response.

Tinuro niya yung notebook ko na may printed name na- 'Nerissa Bluewaters'. Ahh.

'So, are you waiting for someone?' he asked for the second time.

'Hindi naman.' sagot ko.

'Uh, you were at the party right, more than a week ago? I assume you've witnessed that whole scene.' he said.

'Yes ako nga yun. Pero, I haven't told anyone.' I assured him. Tumango siya at tumawa ng mahina.

'Let's just forget about it.' he said and uminom mula sa can ng soft drink.

~

Masayang kasama si Theodore. I did not expect na siya yung tipong mahilig mag joke and nakakatuwa kasi kahit gaano ka corny yung mga jokes ko ay nagagawa niya pa ring tumawa. Parang ang close na aad namin sa isa't isa.

'Anong next class mo?' tanong niya sa akin.

'Maths. Ikaw?'

'Same pala tayo! C'mon!'

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A/N: Hello guys! Thank you so much for reading my story! Please share this to your friends if you like it. Let me know about your opinion. Comment below! Maraming salamat po ulit! :)