In your life, people will come and go. Someone will suddenly barge into your door and change the trajectory of everything. It's either for the good or for the bad. No one can tell the future. Life is full of uncertainties and unexpected twists and turns. It's up to you how you'll ride your wave.
Just like what is happening to me at this very moment.
I hold on to my tote bag a little tighter as I look at the man who just suddenly came into existence in my life.
He was looking at me but eventually looked away when he realized that I was looking at him intently. He scratched his head as if he was already asking himself internally why he made such a move. Yuki's curtain hair was a little disheveled. But still, he is patiently waiting for my answer.
Lunch....
He wants to eat lunch with me?
What's his deal?
Is he still anxious about what happened last night? Does he feel responsible that I might do something again and he feels like he should watch me?
I don't get it. We're completely strangers.
He doesn't have to go to this extent, like asking me and all, just because of the ruckus I caused last night.
I was about to answer him when I heard a loud voice along the hallway coming from... well, my one and only friend, Dahlia.
"Kaia!"
Her black wavy hair is bouncing while she walks confidently with a big smile.
I smiled a little in return.
When she reached my side, she looked at the man in front of me.
Curious, Dahlia gave me a questioning look.
I shook my head, signaling that Yuki had nothing to do with me.
"Do you guys know each other?" Dahlia asked Yuki, making me sigh in defeat.
She is so nosy.
He was about to answer her, but I pulled Dahlia’s arms and dragged her away from Yuki.
"C’mon, I’m hungry. He just asked me for some directions. "
When we reached the cafeteria, I bought a heavy meal since I couldn’t eat breakfast earlier.
We were talking about random things when she suddenly brought up what happened a while ago.
"So... who is that guy earlier?" Dahlia asked while stuffing some fries in her mouth.
"Who?" I innocently asked as if I didn’t remember a thing.
"Duh! The guy from the hallway? It seems like he’s waiting for you to say something."
"Oh him? Just like what I said earlier, he was just asking for directions. Nothing special. " I shrugged and drank my pineapple juice.
"Really? It seems like he knows you. "
"He’s my classmate." I looked to my side when I saw her face brighten. Her eyes widened.
This woman.
I almost spilled my drink when Dahlia hit my arm.
"Damn you, Dally! My drink! "
"Why didn’t you tell me earlier?!"
"Does it matter?"
"Of course! How come you haven’t mentioned that you have a classmate like him?!"
"I don’t know him either, you know? It’s my first time noticing him.
My friend looked at me bewildered because of what I said.
"You what?! I mean, it’s been months since the start of our semester and even once, you haven’t noticed that face?! Like, THAT face?"
"Is it even an issue to not know your classmates?"
Is it really an issue?
I mean, all I do is attend classes, group with them if needed for the activities, talk to them if needed, but I don’t really put an effort into trying to get to know them. It’s only a waste of time.
I’ll die soon anyway. It’s better to not be attached to more people.
"How are you surviving every day at school without knowing someone from the class?"
I scrunched my nose and shrugged.
"And also, Kaia, he’s cute! You’re missing out on life! " Dahlia smirked and raised her eyebrows, teasing me.
I gasped upon hearing what she said. Dahlia is something else.
I stood up and collected my things. I need to go to my next class.
"Whatever, Dally. I’ll go to my next class. See you! "
When I reached our classroom, there were still a few people. I sat in the usual place where I can just stare outside the window if I get bored with the lectures my professor is giving.
It's still so sunny outside. There are only a few clouds in the sky.
Summer is already over, but the weather today is no joke.
People are either using their umbrellas while going to their next class or just plainly walking without them while enduring the scorching heat.
I looked at my phone to see the time, and it's already 12:55pm. The class will start soon.
Getting curious, I simply looked around the classroom to see if he is already here.
I'm not interested or anything, but I'm just wondering if he's really my classmate.
He's not here. Not in his seat earlier or in any seat available.
Is he absent or is the math class the only subject where we are classmates?
Was he retaking it?
My thoughts were cut off when my professor came in holding her laptop.
"Okay, class, get one whole sheet of yellow pad paper. We'll have a quiz today. "
Upon hearing that, my classmates became noisy.
A surprise quiz
Damn.
I cursed under my breath and proceeded to get the paper.
Wish me luck.
I stretched my arms when I heard the bell ring. I had a long day today. My mind is already tired from the recitation, the surprise quiz, and another recitation.
Finally, it's the weekend. I fixed my things and put them inside my tote bag. Let's get out of here, Kaia.
I went to the usual place I go to whenever I want to unwind.
The river.
I went to the vacant nipa hut to put my things and removed my shoes so I could dip my feet in the water later.
I walked near the water and sat on the rocks to enjoy the view around me.
It's so peaceful here. And as expected, the surroundings are full of healthy and strong trees. The setting sun even made the colors of the trees prettier. Even the clear water is so beautiful to look at because of the light coming from the sun, making it look more calming and warm.
I wish I could feel the warmth too.
I sighed and touched my right wrist.
The wave tattoo there is a mix of beautiful and maybe sad.
I suddenly want to go to the sea.
My attention got distracted when I heard a noise coming from the water.
Someone is here?!
A person is coming out of the water. He is wiping his face to get rid of the water.
His hair became lighter brown when it was hit by the light of the sun.
Contrary to his brown hair, his skin is fair, and it looks like it's kind of getting red. Maybe this man has been swimming here for a while now.
How come I didn't notice that I'm not alone here?
I decided to get up and just go home. Maybe it's not the right time to be alone here.
I was near the nipa hut and was about to get my things when someone held my hand. That made me startled.
Maybe it's because of my instincts or my adrenaline, I punched the person who held my hand with everything I could muster, making him fall on the rocky grounds.
"Get off me, asshole!"
I screamed.
"Damn, that hurts!" I was going to kick him too when I realized that this man was a familiar one.
"Yuki?!"
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