Covered By My Own Umbrella

White Handkerchief of Z.D

Cathy and I are walking quickly down the road toward our school when she complains to me,

“I always remind you bestie to set your alarm earlier than usual, so that we don't be late,” Cathy uttered.

“Yes, I did. It is just that, I just woke up late this morning, because of something,” I explained to her.

“How come you're still a turtle in the morning? Professor De Guzman will be furious with us again because, imagine, we've been constantly late for a week now,” As Cathy is saying these things to me, I am thinking about the dream I had the night before.

I'm not paying attention to her; I'm just looking straight at the road when she startles me.

“Hey, bestie! Eliah Denise!” She yelled and grabbed my hands to get my attention.

“Bestie, are you saying something? What is it?” I responded and inadvertently asked her.

“Are you all right? I've noticed you've been distracted since this morning. Is there something that's bothering you?” She thoughtfully asked me.

“Oh, I'm sorry, I guess I am just sleepy from just four hours of sleep last night,” I explained.

“No, bestie, you can't lie to me,” She said, confronting me.

“What exactly are you thinking? You could tell me,” She asked and insisted.

When Cathy realized that something seemed wrong to me, she said, “There is something off to you and I know it.”

“To be honest, bestie, I don't know how to put it into words because I'm not sure if it's real. But, I know I can trust you and that you can help me in interpreting this dream,” I uttered sincerely.

“So, there's this one thing that has been bothering me since the moment I awoke. I had a dream concerning a specific incident that already happened in my life. In a nutshell, a reminiscence of the past; a memory,” I narrated to Cathy.

“Bestie, do you recall the story I told you about being embarrassed in front of many people because Gio played me for a fool?” I asked her.

“Yes, I clearly remember it. I figured you had already moved on from that and wanted not to talk about it, Right?” Cathy uttered.

“Yes, but I still have not told you about what happened after that incident,” I responded.

“When I was embarrassed, I ran away feeling humiliated and went to our school's alley to cry and release the hurt I've felt, when unexpectedly someone I didn't know but who wore the same uniform as mine appeared,” I continued, speaking with a low voice.

“When he saw me crying, he told me some words that actually comforted me that time and handed me a handkerchief that has initials embroidered on it. It writes, ‘ZD’,” I narrated.

“And then what?” Cathy was puzzled.

“That is the dream I am referring to,” I answered, quite screamed.

“I have dreamed that memory from my past, and when I woke up, I saw the white handkerchief he gave me, which is still in my cabinet. I have forgotten that I have been keeping it all these years,” I explained.

“Oh, I forgot, I brought it today to figure out this dream of mine,” I told her as I handed her the white handkerchief.

Cathy yelled.

“Bestie, I'm having goose bumps right now. How could it be possible that you dreamed a memory from your past?”

“Actually, it's my first time hearing that kind of story since most of the stories I hear are dreams that might occur in the future rather than dreams that have already occurred,” Cathy responded while still stunned.

“Yes, me too. That is why I am curious to learn why I dreamed such a thing,” I said, confused.

“Hmmmm, maybe that dream has significance in your present life, or you're really thinking about that guy?” Cathy throws a question.

“Don't tell me Z.D is your crush that is why you have not dated since you moved here. Yieee Eliah,” She said while teasing me.

“No, that is not true. I don't really know who he is. Yes, he saved me that day, but that doesn't mean I'm in love with him,” I defended myself.

“To correct you, bestie. I have no idea what his name is or where he is,” I added as I decided to walk again.

“Yieee, bestiee!” Cathy teased as she decided to walk as well.

"Bestie, put a stop to it right now. I'm not in love with him, and I don't want to see him again, despite the fact that he saved my life that day. I don't want to trouble myself anymore," I explained myself.

Cathy's teasing moments came to a halt when we arrived at school and entered our classroom.

“It is a good thing that Prof. De Guzman has not arrived yet. We're late but Prof. De Guzman is very late,” Cathy said, feeling relieved.

Cathy and I are not seated next to each other, so I return to my usual routine of being quiet and out of the center of attention.

Since the day I experienced being embarrassed in front of a large crowd at school, I've been trying to hide myself a lot and avoid getting under someone's attention.

I'm sitting at the end row, whereas Cathy is sitting at the second row near the professor's desk.

Prof. De Guzman suddenly enters the door walking towards the desk in front of us.

“Good morning, class! So, we will just be having such a short period of class, I think just 15 minutes because I have an urgent meeting to attend at the principal's office. I'm just going to announce your exam scores and turn back your paper,” Prof. De Guzman said.

I'm not paying attention to her as she announces our exam results; instead, I'm looking out the window panes beside my chair to soak up to some sunlight.

“It is such a beautiful morning; the sun's rays are rising beautifully,” I exclaimed.

“Maellas, Cathy - 88, Magbanua, Eliah Denise - 100,” She announced boldly as she mentioned our names and scores.

I turned around to get my paper and stood up.

When I'm already in front, I find my classmates aren't paying attention to me, except for Cathy, who is smiling and proudly clapping her hands.

I am constantly aware of what they think of me. I am just a nerdy nobody who is intelligent but actually a total loser. I suppose I might argue that I am not anyone's favorite, including my own mom.

I am merely a choice for them when things are bad, but they won't approach me when they are at peace or not in need.

Yes, I could say that I have my friends and some family members who love me, but what about those for whom I care and love?

Don't they have time to show me some affection?

Or am I truly unworthy of their love?

Nonetheless, it hurts me that the people I regard to be my love are tossing huge boulders at me.

“Eliah Denise, very good that you once again got a high score. I know that your mom will be very proud of you,” Professor De Guzman said.

While I was recovering from the thought I had wondered, I immediately get back to my seat.

“Okay, class, now that I have returned your exam papers, you may now begin reading the research study in your history book at pages 50 to 65 about the Laguna Copperplate Inscription, which is the earliest known calendar-dated document used within the Philippine islands. So, just read the research study and get ready for the quiz at the next meeting,” Professor De Guzman commanded.

“Do you have any questions?” Professor inquired.

“None so far, ma'am,” said our class president.

“So, if you don't have any concerns, I'm going to dismiss the class now,” Professor De Guzman uttered.

“Okay, bye class! Have a great day!” Professor said with a smile on her face.

When the class was over, Cathy went to me to congratulate me on my high exam score.

She even told me updates about the korean drama she has been watching over the last few days.

Eventually, the assistant teacher of Professor Flores came into our classroom.

“Good day, HUMSS 12-A. I am here on Professor Flores' behalf. Professor Flores is currently attending a conference in the Division of Sta. Cruz, so she won't be able to attend your class at this time,” Professor Flores’ assistant announced.

“YEHEY!” Some of my classmates yelled.

“She did, however, tell me that I might dismiss her class sooner if all of you passed your assignment. So, simply place all of your assignment notebooks on the desk. And after that, you are free to go," Professor Flores' assistant clarified.

After we finished passing assignments, some of my classmates cheered because they were relieved that our economics class had been dismissed earlier than usual.

“Yes, indeed! Finally, I can now spend quality time with my cousins,” Bryan murmured.

“Hmmm, I think it is interesting to play video games on a console this time,” Aga, one of my classmates uttered.

“Hello, Sophie! Let's go to your place. Let's watch Meeting Booth 2 because you said we should,”

Francine said to Sophie, feeling excited.

As Cathy and I wanted to leave the classroom to go home, I unwittingly eavesdropped on all of these conversations.

On the road, Cathy and I are walking while she is eating the fried chicken balls she bought at the corner of our school.

“Oh, I almost forgot! Come with me first, bestie. Let's go to Gabby's classroom and bring him his lunch box. I'm also going to tell him that our last class was dismissed earlier, so I'll be home before him,” I asked Cathy for a favor.

“Okay, let's go. Good timing, I also want to see Matthew, omg he is really handsome and stunning,” Cathy replied as her cheeks are blushing.

After I have given to Gabby his lunchbox, we decided to go home so that we can also start reading the research study that was given by Professor De Guzman.

“Finally, we can now go home,” I said with a high voice when we were outside the gate of school.

(My cell phone rings from my pocket)

“It is mom,” I told Cathy silently.

“Hello, mom!” I said.

“Hello, Eliah! Thank goodness you answered. I assumed you were not because of your class,” Mom said, feeling grateful.

“No, Mom. Professor Flores is currently attending a conference in the Division of Sta. Cruz, so our class was dismissed earlier,” I promptly replied.

“Oh, that's great. In the meantime, I just wanted to let you know that your uncle Richard from Canada called. He told me that he will be visiting the Philippines with his family in one month,”

“Really?” I asked, feeling extra happy with the news.

“Yes. So, I want you to come home early and prepare yours and Gabby's things because we will be going to your grandmother's house, where uncle Richard and his family will be staying,” Mom instructed.

“Ok, mom. I will,” I responded.

“By the way, don't be bothered about your sister's things; I'm the one who will fix it when I get home,” Mom added.

“Yes mom, noted,” I answered joyfully.

“All right. Bye!" Mom said, so sudden.

Mom hangs up the phone just as I'm about to say 'I love you' and 'take care'.

“Bestie, let's go now,” I told Cathy.

"Why is your mom like that? She does not even remind you to be careful on your way home. She just hung up the phone when you had words left to say to her,” Cathy muses as she walks, her gaze fixed on me.