"𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝑺𝒖𝒏𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒆"

𝚂𝙷𝙰𝙳𝙾𝚆𝚂 𝙾𝙵 𝙳𝙸𝚂𝚃𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴

Arc tried to move on from the day he collapsed. He told himself it was just another episode, nothing worth remembering. She was just a stranger who happened to help, he thought. I shouldn’t hold on to that moment.

But Darcy’s face lingered in his memory.

A few days later, Arc spotted her walking across the campus courtyard. She carried her books close to her chest, her steps quick, her gaze fixed straight ahead. He hesitated, then called out, “Darcy, tama ba?”

She stopped, startled, then gave a small nod. “Yes. You’re… Arc, right?”

Arc smiled faintly. “Oo. Salamat ulit sa ginawa mo. I’ve been trying to forget that day, but… it’s hard.”

Darcy shifted, adjusting the books in her arms. “Forget it. It was nothing. I just happened to be there.”

Arc tilted his head, studying her expression. “Still, you helped me. Hindi ko makakalimutan.”

Darcy gave a quick, awkward smile. “Well… you’re fine now. That’s what matters.”

There was a pause, the kind that stretched too long. Arc tried to fill it. “Do you usually study at the library? Nakita na kita doon minsan.”

Darcy nodded briefly. “Yes. I spend most of my time there.”

Arc chuckled softly. “Figures. You look serious all the time.”

Darcy looked down, her voice quiet. “Maybe.”

Arc wanted to ask more, but Darcy’s body language was clear — she was already inching away, her grip on her books tightening.

“Anyway,” she said quickly, “I should go. I have… things to finish.”

Arc gave a small smile, hiding his disappointment. “Alright. Ingat ka.”

Darcy nodded again, almost too fast, before walking off. Her steps were brisk, her shoulders tense, as if she couldn’t leave the moment quickly enough.

Arc watched her disappear into the crowd, sighing. “She saved me, but she doesn’t even want to talk. Awkward, but… maybe that’s just who she is.”

Darcy, meanwhile, whispered to herself as she walked. “Keep your distance, Darcy. Just keep your distance.” She didn’t want to think about Arc’s smile, or the way his voice carried gratitude. She wanted to believe it was nothing just a passing encounter.

Yet the awkwardness of their exchange lingered in her chest, like a tide she couldn’t quite push away.