PERDIDO SIN TI (Lost Without You)

Flashback — March 15, 1998 Roberts Community High School, Section Edward The air was thick with tension inside Room 4C of Roberts Community High School. Though the electric fans spun lazily from the ceiling, no one seemed to notice the heat. Everyone’s attention was fixed on the front of the classroom, where their class adviser stood, holding a manila envelope close to her chest like it contained the fate of the universe. In a way, it did. It was Deliberation Day, the day Section Edward would find out who among them would graduate valedictorian—a title that came with prestige, honor, and more importantly, a full scholarship to college from the school’s board. For most students, it was just another Monday. But for Amethyst del Valle and Alexander Robert Lopez III, it was the culmination of years of academic rivalry, sleepless nights, and unspoken tension. Amethyst sat at her usual seat by the window, fingers curled tightly around her pen. Her heartbeat was erratic. Kahit anong pilit niyang maging kalmado, hindi niya mapigilang kabahan. She needed that scholarship. Desperately. She needed the scholarship that came with being valedictorian. It was her only shot at college. Unlike most of her classmates, Amethyst had no parents to fall back on. They died in a car accident when she was only eight. Since then, she had lived with her uncle’s family—people who fed her, clothed her, but never really made her feel at home. She endured it all quietly, her only escape being school, where she could shine, where she was more than just "the orphan." Her classmates only saw her brilliance—how she breezed through oral exams, how her essays were often read aloud in class. What they didn’t see was the way she flinched every time her phone buzzed, the way her eyes dimmed whenever dismissal bell rang, signaling the return to her uncle’s cold, loveless house. At the other end of the room sat Xander—confident, composed, as usual. Clad in a crisp white uniform and his signature wristwatch, he leaned back slightly in his chair, one leg casually crossed over the other. To anyone looking, he seemed unaffected by the tension. But inside, his thoughts were running wild. “Kung matatalo ko pa rin siya and she will end up second, how, will she still get the scholarship?” Because the truth was—no one else in the class knew that Xander Lopez was the only son of the school’s founder, Alexander Robert Jr. He had grown up in privilege, never lacking anything materially. But he never flaunted it. His father raised him to live with humility, and part of that was keeping his identity a secret. Most students believed he was just another intelligent, charismatic student who happened to be good at everything. What they didn’t know was that his family funded the entire school, and that the valedictorian’s scholarship came from a foundation in his father's name. And now he was about to win it. Because if he was being honest, Xander had always been one step ahead. Not because he was trying to beat Amethyst—but because he genuinely enjoyed the chase. Their rivalry had pushed him to do better. It had meant something. And then… it meant everything. He fell for her. Not the way high school boys fall in love for the thrill or the mystery, but the way a man recognizes someone who reflects his values, dreams, and soul. He loved how she smiled at younger students in the hallway. He noticed the way her eyes softened when she was explaining something to a struggling classmate. He saw the sadness she tried so hard to hide behind her achievements. And he knew her story. He had quietly asked someone to look into her background last year—he had to. He wanted to help, but not in a way that would embarrass her or make her feel indebted. He just needed to know how bad things were. And they were worse than he expected. That’s when he made a silent promise: “No matter the result of the delibaration, she’s the one who will get the scholarship. I’ll make sure of it.” (Well, he knew technically aiya at siya pa rin ang magiging valedictorian. Although Amethyst is equally smart, but his record is always ahead of everyone. it came natural sa kanya.) But he couldn’t just give it to her. Hindi pwedeng malaman ng iba ang totoo niyang pagkatao. That would change everything. It had to be discreet. As the adviser called out the names for the top five, everyone clapped politely. But when she finally said: “And for this year’s valedictorian, with a final average of 98.76%... Alexander Robert Lopez III,” the class erupted into loud applause. Except for Amethyst. She smiled, clapped with the others—but her eyes dimmed. Just a little. Xander glanced at her. She caught his gaze, and for a split second, he saw it—that flicker of disappointment. And it cut through him like a blade. Two months earlier... They had been inseparable once. Xander and Amethyst weren’t officially together, but their bond was obvious to anyone who paid attention. They studied together, walked home side by side, exchanged notes, shared jokes only they understood. Some even teased them about being a couple. “Crush mo si Amethyst, no?” his best friend once said. Xander shrugged. “Maybe. Maybe more than that.” But two months ago, Amethyst started pulling away. She stopped joining him during breaks. Became distant. Cold. Xander confronted her one afternoon in the school library, hiding behind the shelves of old encyclopedias. “Why are you avoiding me?” he asked, voice low. Amethyst looked down. “I’m not avoiding you.” “Then what do you call this?” “It’s better this way.” “Better for who?” “You. Me. Lahat. We have finals. You have a future. I have to win this.” “You think being with me will make you lose?” Amethyst’s voice cracked. “No. But if I let myself feel anything for you... I might not fight as hard.” He wanted to tell her then—about his plans, about how he’d make sure she gets the scholarship no matter what. But he couldn’t. Instead, he lied. “Then good. Kasi I never liked you like that anyway. You were just competition to me.” He saw the way her shoulders stiffened. Her hands curled into fists. Then came the slap. PAK! It echoed in the quiet library aisle. And just like that, they were done. Graduation Day. Xander stood onstage, delivering his valedictory speech. His voice was steady, but his heart was anything but. He looked at Amethyst sitting in the front row. Her face was unreadable. He delivered the speech like it meant something. But the words blurred together. He didn’t care about medals or trophies. He only cared that she would be okay. That was the last time they saw each other, during graduation. Except that Xander had her watched everyday and made sure she was fine. He decided not to show up to her. He thought she could focus more if she won't see him anymore. He wanted Amethyst to succeed, go to college with the help of the scholarship, and one day be able to leave the house of the family that has never really welcomed her. A few days later after graduation, Amethyst received a call from the school board. “Ms. del Valle,” said the voice on the other end, “we’re pleased to inform you that you’ve been selected to receive the Roberts Foundation College Scholarship. Based on your exemplary academic and extracurricular record, the board has made a special decision.” Amethyst was stunned. “But… I didn't the valedictorian…” “There are exceptional cases,” the caller said gently. “And we believe in your potential.” She dropped the phone after the call ended, hands trembling. For the first time in weeks, she cried—not because of pain, but because hope had returned. What she didn’t know, what she wouldn’t know for years, was that Xander had met with the board in private the night after graduation. That he told them: “Give it to her. I’ll cover the difference, if needed. She needs it more than I ever will.” And because his father trusted him, they did. Years would pass. Amethyst would graduate top of her class in college. She’d rise in the business world, eventually building her own company. Strong, fierce, and independent. Xander would inherit his father’s position and responsibilities, running the school behind the scenes, continuing the family’s quiet mission of giving back. Neither of them knew they’d cross paths again. Neither of them expected the pain of the past to come rushing back. And neither of them realized that despite the years, despite the silence... The heart never really forgets.