Mauyan's Secret

I happily went to school that day in my usual joyous state. National Examination to wrap up Junior High School is fast approaching and I needed to do my best to come out in flying colours. Our principal said we would be starting in a week's time so I had better really concentrate because, "to be fore-warned is to be fore-armed". Everyone in class sees me as a threat when it comes to competing for the top position in class but maybe they do not even care anymore because they know I would always top the class. I am grateful for a chance at the top. All these are what was running through my mind as I made my way past my school gate this beautiful morning. I met Mr. Patrick on my way as I was about cutting across a corner that leads to my class. "Beautiful Mauyan, how are you? Your smile is as bright as usual" he said. I replied him shyly and further asked whether he had a great night and how his family was. Getting to the class, my classmates responded to my greetings in that gloomy state that they usually respond. Only Farida, my best friend, waved at me from the front of the class where she is usually seated. Let me inform you that Farida has never been envious of me topping the class always (well, none that I know of) probably because she was also very intelligent and have never really cared much about competing to top the class. She was usually on the fun side most of the time. Back to my classmates, I got used to them being so cold towards me. So, I just ignored them and went straight to meet Farida who was already coming towards me with her arms stretched wide for an embrace. As Farida came close, I noticed she was giggling uncontrollably and she could not wait to let out what was on her mind. She quickly hugged me and whispered into my ears, "We have a new student in our class, he is very handsome", she said. My instant instinct was to scold Farida for being so insensitive to be talking about "a handsome new comer" when we have to write our Junior High School National Examination in a week's time. However, instead of doing exactly as I thought, I just walked pass her and moved to my seat (pretending like I did not hear her). My beautiful friend still followed me to my seat, all the while wearing a dull look like she was hurt that I did not reply her. "Okay, Farida, I can not deal with you looking at me like that with those pretty, bulgy eyes of yours. So, I heard what you said, we have this new guy in class and he is the talk of the whole school because he is handsome..." "Yes! Yes! Yes! Mauyan, you need to see him, you really need to see him" "I need to see him, I really need to see him (mimicking Farida in a funny tone)...What am I to do with that piece of information?" "Just agree to see him first...Please, will you?" "Hmmmn (signs) okay trouble maker, but on one condition..." "What condition? (Farida happily asked)" "I will only come to see him when I'm ready and I am not going to speak with him" "Do not worry, we do not have to go until you are ready. Besides, he was asked to stay in the library for the next two weeks till we finish our National Examination because he was not registered. We will just go and peep through the library windows" "Too much of information Parrot Farida...How do you know all of these?" "I saw him in the principal's office this morning when I passed by on my way to class. And I overheard some of their conversations" "Hmmmn!!! Okay. I will let you know when I am ready". With that, I moved over to my seat wishing I had not agreed to go with Farida to spy on the so-called handsome guy. I sat comfortably on my seat and started looking through my books to revise some of the things we have been through. Suddenly, Miss. Emilia came into the class. She is one of the teachers I really like even though I am not so fond of the subject she teaches which is Economics (do not be surprised, I do not ever fail any subject but I have my preferences). "Good morning Miss Emilia", the whole class stood up to greet. "You can all have your seat. Mauyan, how are you today?" She said fondly. "I am fine thank you Ma", I replied. "After the class, do well to see me. We need to compose a song for the extra curriculum activities so that we can teach all students on the assembly ground" "Okay Ma". I said shyly. Immediately I replied, I could hear several murmurs and grumbles behind me. I even heard Sonia, one of the girls in my class say, "as if she is the only one". I just shifted uncomfortably in my seat and continued with the class. Right after the class, Farida stood up from her seat and came towards me. "Whatever she has to tell me must be some kind of gossip". I said to myself while I looked straight into her eyes. "Seems you've made for yourself some life time enemies". (We both laughed). "On a serious note, you know I would never do that. I don't know why they hate me so much". "Well, you can not be snatching the top position from people every term and still expect them to like you (Farida laughed) "Is that supposed to be a joke? (I asked, obviously upset)" "Common, I was only joking, it's their problem if they don't like you, forget it". "(Sighs) Okay...I need to see Miss Emilia. I would be back". "Please come back on time so we can go see our Prince Charming (laughs)". "Your Prince Charming, you meant to say. Why did you even remind me...Anyways, I'll be back". I ended up having a long meeting with Miss Emilia on how to go about the composition of the extra curriculum anthem. She wanted me to share all musical parts accordingly so as to ensure that the harmony comes out nicely when the anthem is being sung. "This woman must really have faith in me". I said to myself smiling. Like she was reading my mind, she said, "I trust you that every aspect of the anthem will come out beautifully. Get to work darling". Lest I forget, Miss Emilia is a great/talented singer and song writer so it often surprises me when she puts so much trust in an upcoming talent like me. As soon as I stepped out of Miss Emilia's office, Farida was already there, probably waiting to drag me along, "oh! We wanted to go see the new guy, I totally forgot", I was saying to myself when Farida suddenly seized my hand and started dragging me. "You stayed too long Mauyan, we will soon have our next class, let's go on time". Farida half-dragged and half-pulled me straight to the library. I was resisting at first but when I soon discovered that it is either I willingly allowed her to drag me or she would drag me anyway. On getting to the Library, the whole building was deserted. Angry that no one was there, I faced Farida to direct my frustration towards her but on facing her, she looked disappointed herself. So, I just swallowed whatever I had to say and said, "Now what? Let's go back to class". Suddenly, a pair of the most beautiful blue eyes I have ever seen looked towards my direction. I didn't care whether he saw me or not, I just went straight down below the closest window to me. Farida, not knowing who or what I saw joined me and bent beside me. "What happened?" She said alarmed "I saw him" (my eyes widened in surprise). "I told you, he is here" (Farida giggles). "Okay, enough, let's go back to class" (I stood up and moved away from the Library window). "But you have not seen him enough". Farida said. "Ofcourse I have, let's go before we get late for the next class". I said, not wanting to think about the guy I just saw. "Okay, I give up, tell me what you think about him. Is he really handsome?" "Well, I don't know, he is okay" "Just okay? Hmmmn" (Farida gave me a funny look) "Yes, just okay..." (We headed back to class but the face I saw still remained in my subconscious). I kept asking myself, "HAVE WE MET BEFORE?"