THE HEART'S OF SILENT PLEA

#2

Nasa apartment ako, gulong-gulo na daming kalat pa deadline na kasi tapos daming pang pasahan!  i hunched over my laptop, surrounded by sketches and design books. the table are mess of crumpled papers and half-finished projects, I'm so  frustrated as i works on these project!

minsan napaisip nalang ako kong susunugin ko ba 'to para matapos na e!

"Come on, just work why is this so difficult?" para na akong tanga kinakausap ang sarili ko

i try to adjust a design on my screen, but it doesn't look right! i groans and rubs my temples.

"Why can’t i get this right? It's due tomorrow and I’m nowhere close to finished." I'm so desperate right now!

I glances at the clock; it's 2am already. my phone buzzes, breaking my focus i pick it up and sees a message from my friend.

from mieka : 
"Hey, Neriah! I haven’t seen you in a while. I’m having my baby’s christening this weekend. Would love for you to come!"

sighs weakly, i could use a break.

puro nalang ako break, pero deserves ko naman sguro to?

I reply quickly.

"Hey mieka, I’d love to come. I’ve been drowning in schoolwork, a break sounds perfect."

And set my phone down and takes a deep breath, looking at my chaotic workspace. natawa nalang ako, para sa pangarap kakayanin!

"Alright, just a few more hours. I can do this." i determined myself

___

It's weekend. The church is beautifully decorated for the christening and i walks in, looking more relaxed but still a bit tired. i dressed nicely but simply and nakita ko si mieka across the room, holding her baby and chatting with guests.

lumingon naman s'ya sakin

"Neriah! you made it!" she excitedly shout

"ofcourse, i wouldn’t miss it." tinawanan ko naman sya

she hug me warmly, saka tumingin sa baby nya

"This is my little sweeny. I’m so glad you’re here to meet her." pakilala nya

"She’s adorable, mieka. Congratulations."

As we chat, i scan the room and freezes when i spots finn what a small world! talking to a group of people. Memories of our last encounter flood back, and i feels a mix of excitement and nervousness and I quickly looks away, hoping he didn’t notice me.

"Hey, everything okay?" bigla namang sabi n'ya di na kasi ako nakikinig sa mga sinasabi n'ya

"yeah just.. a lot on" i forced to smile

"Want to talk about it?"

tinignan ko naman s'ya

"It’s just school. I’m swamped with projects, and nothing seems to be working out. I feel like I’m drowning."

" I get it, you’re incredibly talented, Neriah. you’ll get through this." tumango lang ako wala ng lumabas sa bibig ko e

I tried to relax, enjoying the celebration. i occasionally glances towards finn, but he seems engrossed in conversation with others.

The christening ceremony is over, and everyone has moved to the church hall for the reception. And I'm talking to some old friends, a little more at ease now i sees Finn again, this time closer, but still doesn’t approach him.

"Neriah, you seem distracted got your eye on someone?" mj teasing me sarap batokan e

"no, just... reminiscing. It’s been a while since I’ve been out." pagsisinungaling ko baka saan nanaman mapunta topic namin, e nakiki chismiss lang naman ako

"You’ve been working too hard you need to take care of yourself." sabi naman ni daniela

"I know It’s just... everything feels so overwhelming. I love graphic design, but the pressure is intense."

As we talk, Finn walks by, glancing at me? and we  make brief eye contact, and i quickly looks away, my heart racing rapidly!

kitang kita ko naman na dito sila tumingin, masyadong halata

The reception is winding down. And i was  sitting alone at a table, looking at my phone. Finn walks by again, nagdadalawang isip pa kong uupo o hindi, then decides to sit near mine but not directly next to me. he doesn’t speak, just sits quietly, offering a comforting presence.

Ayaw ko naman matuyo laway ko didto, so I'll try to approach him.

"hey finn" tawag ko sa kanya ang awkward naman nito!

"Hey neriah How’ve you been?" tugon naman n'ya laki pa ng ngiti n'ya ganda naman nang ngitin nito!

"i've been better. School’s been rough." nakasimangot kong sabi

"I get it. I remember how passionate you are about your work. It’ll pay off, trust me." he wink at me, landi!

"thanks, Finn. That means a lot." landi

Natapos din paglalandi n'ya kasi tinawag s'ya ng mga kaibigan n'ya, team mate nya sguro and they teasing us. tapos tong si finn pangiti ngiti lang kaya nagpaalam na s'ya sakin kaya balik introvert ako nito ayoko maki pagchismiss sa kanila! kaya lumabas ako sa venue mona para maghanap ng sariwang hangin.

And i received a message from logan, tinignan ko lang cellphone ko nagagalit pa naman to kapag di ako maka reply agad

cheating ba tawag kong  nakikipag-usap ako sa iba pero dipa kami?

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