CHAPTER 4:LIFELINE AND HANDSHAKES
633 Words
The library used to be my hiding place.
A quiet corner where I could escape my problems with books and notes.
Today, it was different.
This was my battleground.
I pushed the heavy glass doors open. Cool air hit my face, mixed with the scent of old paper and ink.
In my past life, I napped here between classes.
Now, this place was my lifeline.
“Malia? Ikaw ba ‘yung pinadala ni Dean Apilado?”
Ms. Santos looked up from the circulation desk. Stern. Sharp-eyed.
“Opo, Ms. Santos. Ako po si Malia, ang bagong student assistant,” I said, handing her my green form.
She scanned me up and down.
“Apat na oras ang shift mo after classes. Ikaw ang magbubuhat ng reference books sa Engineering section, magbabalik ng libro sa shelves, at magbabantay sa logbook. Malinaw?”
“Opo, malinaw po.”
“Suot mo ‘yang apron at ID. Start ka sa dulo. Magulo ang Mathematics at Structural Design section doon.”
I tied the apron around my waist. It felt heavy.
As I walked to the towering shelves, my heart raced.
I picked up _Advanced Engineering Mathematics_. The formulas inside used to terrify me.
Now, I wiped the dust off the cover and slid it into place.
I wasn’t just arranging books.
I was putting my life back in order, one shelf at a time.
I was pushing a cart of books when a familiar voice stopped me cold.
“Hey, Malia, is that really you?”
Janine.
Disgust and satisfaction mixed on her face.
“So the rumors are true. Library assistant ka na nga? Ano nangyari sa top scholar ng Engineering department? What a pity!”
In my past life, her words would’ve gutted me.
Now?
Nothing.
I stopped the cart, dusted my hands, and looked her dead in the eye.
“Hindi ko alam na may bago na palang tagasaliksik ng buhay ko rito sa library, Janine.”
My voice carried. “Pity? Nothing pitiful about earning an honest living to fund my education.
Mas kahabag-habag ang mga taong may oras mag-tsismis sa loob ng library imbes na mag-aral.
Calculus and Physics can be re-studied. But a toxic personality? Walang remedial exam para riyan.”
Janine’s face turned red.
“Shh!” Ms. Santos cut in from the desk. “This is a library, not a marketplace. If you’re not here to study, leave.”
Janine stomped off, humiliated.
One down. More to go.
I was grabbing the third cart when I bumped into someone.
Strong hands caught my shoulders before I could fall.
“Hey, are you okay?”
I looked up.
Dark eyes. Clean-cut hair. The scent of mint and fresh laundry.
Ang guwapo naman nito.
In my first life, I forgot what it felt like to be looked at without malice.
“I-I’m sorry,” I stammered. “Hindi ko napansin na may lalabas pala sa aisle.”
He let go slowly, smiling with a small dimple on his left cheek.
“It’s fine. Ako nga dapat ang humingi ng paumanhin. I’m Reuben. Accountancy.”
He held out his hand, holding a thick accounting textbook.
I hesitated, then placed my hand in his.
Warm. Steady.
“Malia. Engineering.”
“Engineering? Wow,” he said, eyes genuine. “That’s a tough course. And you’re working here too? Impressive.”
No pity. No disdain. Just respect.
“I’ll see you around, Malia,” he said. “Baka madalas na ako rito sa library mula ngayon.”
He walked away, and I stood there, heart doing something stupid.
_Malia, focus! You’re here to change your destiny, not to flirt!_
But I couldn’t stop smiling as I gripped the cart.
I guess my second life wasn’t going to be all about struggling after all.
- Writer
