Riddle of the Dots

ONE

10:10 am

There are two things that make someone late - -

  One, when someone runs behind (the set) time

  Two, when someone arrives After the royal highness.

Walking past the tempting smell of Manong's fish and squid balls and mangga-alamang, taking in a good amount of the oh-so-good-but-not-at-this-moment smoke of a liempo and inasal, hugging a knapsack in her front body while literally brushing her shoulders amidst a flock of students on the counter flow, the crowded streets of Sta. Teresita, under the scorching heat of the sun, she is still some 200 meters away from the University gate. Upon her calculations with the current speed of her pace she could reach the gate in 5 minutes, and her class in another 5 minutes. Just about time she can still wipe off the dust and oil and sweat from her face, queue in the rest room (hoping the water tanks were cleaned and refilled this morning), and pretty much settle herself. And by that time it will be 10:30 am, her first class today. She should settle in at that time, or at least before Professor comes in.

"Issa!"

Nope, don't take a look. There's no harm not taking a look around when you are in a crowd, she thought. Any minute of distraction would mean she will not be able to get there as calculated. She ran faster with head straightforward.

"Wait! Issa!---"

Before she can take another step, she felt a weight from the back of her shoulder. It was strong enough to pull her backwards. Shoot. Cancel all calculations.

Turning around, trying to wear the most patient expression she could give, she looked back. It was Yoana.

"Hey, finally," Yoana was gasping for air as if she has been into a 10 kilometer run. "Hihikain talaga ako kaka habol sayo".

Issa raised her arm, her eyes looking to and from her wristwatch to Yoana, implicitly showing her the time. Issa's watch almost touching Yoana's sweat-dredged face. Still panting and in dire need to increase her oxygen levels, Yoana's heavy breathing slowly eased the irritation Issa felt, gradually transitioning from irritation to guilt (she almost dragged Yoana on the crowd running after her).

"Okay now,", Issa sighed. "Thirty seconds..,", with a stern tone Issa demanded, "Tell me why under this extreme heat and race to get to our first class, would you need to call me out of Sta. Teresita and run like mad?"

Yoana's eyes beamed. "I have...something...that...", gasping in between breaths, Yoana uttered as fast as she can, "...may bring you the biggest change in your life!"

"If it will magically tame this messy frizzy hair without turning it to the texture of walis tambo, or fix my eyebrows without making me a Mona Lisa painting, then tell me what potion that is.." Issa smirked. "Ten down, twenty seconds".

Yoana's eyes rolled. "Oh Issa, change will come to those who are given the chance, but change will only happen  to those who embrace it. Where do you stand?"

Issa sighed. "Fine, twenty down. Ten to go"

Yoana took a deep breath. Bwelo.

"Ok-fine-I-got-a-new-phone-which-means-i-can-give-or-sell-you-my-old-one-the-blue-one!"

Issa's eyes looked at Yoana gradually threatening her. "Seriously? Stopping me in the middle of the street just for that news?", the pitch of her voice progressively ascending. Breathing in, Issa tried to compose herself. "okay, I'm sorry I should have thanked you of course, before I had my temper get the better of me."

Yoana smiled. Her breathing already back to normal.

"But how will it change me, as you say?", Issa shyly asked.