Chapter 3
940 Words
Megan's POV
May mga araw na parang chill lang ang mundo. Yung tipong wala kang problema. Okay ang buhok mo. And the sun shines just right. But this isn't one of those days.
Tumulo ang vanilla ice cream sa blouse ko.
"Megan!" Tili ni Nicole habang pinupunasan ang manggas ko gamit ang tissue.
"Ang dami mong dala." Sabi ni Carla habang inaayos ang mga libro ko na halos malaglag din.
"Well, hindi ko kasalanan na biglang liko yung bata sa scooter." Reklamo ko.
We were walking papunta sa library after lunch. Calm and peaceful until a rogue eight-year-old with strawberry-sticky fingers came zooming by causing my cone to tilt and the ice cream to splat right onto my white blouse.
"Great." I sighed. "Now I look like a walking dessert."
"Or like someone na sinadyang paputukan ng feelings." Sabi ni Nicole.
"Sweet pa rin naman tingnan." Dagdag ni Carla.
Napailing na lang ako. This is what I get for trying to enjoy life's little pleasures—like ice cream and slow afternoons. But honestly? That's been my whole life lately.
Beautiful chaos.
The Library – Third Floor, Quiet Zone.
Pag-upo ko sa reading book, I exhaled.
Napatingin ako sa glass window. The sun was starting to fade into a soft amber hue painting the school with gold tones. Ang ganda.
But suddenly, the door creaked open.
And there he was.
Alexander Martin.
Tall. Mysterious. Laging tahimik. At may aura na parang soundtrack ng buong K-drama.
Ang puso ko? Nag-autoplay ng ballad.
"Hey." He said. Voice low. Calm. Cool. "May upuan pa dito?"
Napatingin ako sa paligid. Of course may upuan pa. Isang buong row. Pero bakit sa tabi ko siya?
"Uh, yeah. Sure." I answered.
"Thanks."
At umupo siya. Sa tabi ko. Like literally inches away.
Nag-blink lang ako ng ilang beses. Hindi ako prepared sa ganito.
Alexander Martin. My silent crush since last semester. Mahilig magbasa, laging may earphones, at may mata na parang sinisilip ang kaluluwa mo.
Hindi ko nga alam kung napapansin niya ako. Until today.
Flashback – Two Weeks Ago.
"Uy, Megan." Tawag ni Claire habang nag-aayos kami ng props for Theater Club. "Si, Alex, nasa audience kanina. Nanood sa play niyo."
"Talaga?" I asked. Trying to sound chill kahit gusto ko nang tumalon.
"Uh-huh. Nakangiti pa habang pinapanood kang kumanta."
Napa-lip bite ako noon. That play? That was the day I sang "Rewrite the Stars" solo. And apparently he was there.
Pero baka napadaan lang. Or bored. Or naghahanap lang ng charger.
But a girl can hope.
Back to Present – Library.
"Taga-Theater Club ka, hindi ba?" Tanong ni Alex habang nagbubuklat ng libro.
I blinked. "Uh, yeah. You've… Seen me?"
He chuckled softly. "Once or twice."
My heart skipped. Literally. Like a broken beat na napa-replay.
"I liked your voice." Dagdag niya. "You looked confident onstage."
"Salamat." I smiled. "Pero sa totoo lang kabado ako noon."
"Really? Hindi halata. You made it feel real."
Ay.
Para akong kinuryente ng butterflies.
"That means a lot. Thanks, Alex."
He nodded, then went back to reading.
Pero ako? I couldn't even remember what book I was holding.
Later That Afternoon – Girls Group Chat
Megan:
"GUYS! SI, ALEX. UMUPO SA TABI KO SA LIBRARY."
Nicole:
WHAT THE— AS IN THE ALEX MARTIN?"
Carla:
"Yung chill na parang laging may background music?"
Megan:
"YES, YES, YES. And he said he liked my voice. And he remembers our play."
Nicole:
"Okay, girl. Hindi na ito hallucination. Something's up."
Carla:
"Update mo kami every move niya. Like now. RIGHT NOW."
A Day Later – Hallway Encounter.
While I was fixing my locker, naramdaman kong may taong huminto sa tabi ko.
"Hey, Megan."
It was him. Alex. Wearing a black hoodie and holding a book titled Music and The Mind.
"Hi!" Napalakas yata ang boses ko.
Napatawa siya. "You okay?"
"Yeah, just… Surprised."
"I was wondering." He said. "Do you play any instruments?"
"Piano." Sagot ko. "Bakit?"
"Nice. I'm writing something. A short song. Naalala kita kasi bagay sa tone mo."
Wait. WHAT?
"You're writing… For me?"
"Well, inspired by." He said, shrugging lightly.
Yung smile niya? Soft. Sincere.
I felt my knees scream: SIT DOWN, GIRL.
After Class – Music Room.
At tumambay nga kami sa music room that Friday.
He let me read the lyrics.
> "If silence could speak. It'd echo her name in the quietest corner she burns like a flame."
"Ako ba ito?" Tanong ko, softly.
He looked at me. "Do you want it to be?"
Hindi ako makasagot.
My heart? Melting. Melts. Melted.
Sleepover Night – Nicole's House.
We were in our pajamas kumakain ng chips habang nanonood ng horror movie na hindi ko maintindihan dahil sa kilig overload sa utak ko.
"Girl, say it." Sabi ni Nicole holding a pillow.
I blushed. "Fine. Crush ko na talaga si Alex."
"About time." Sabi ni Carla. "Obvious naman. Even he looks at you like you're made of music."
"Hindi ko lang alam kung seryoso siya." I admitted. "He's mysterious. Laging tahimik."
"Pero hindi siya tahimik sa'yo." Nicole pointed out.
Carla nodded. "That means something."
Monday – Unexpected Spotlight.
We were called for special announcements during morning assembly.
"Singers needed for inter-school performance showcase next month." Sabi ng emcee. "Volunteer or nominate someone."
"MEGAN ELLAH MARRIE!" Sigaw ni Alexander mula sa likod.
Everyone turned.
Lahat. As in lahat.
Napatakip ako ng mukha. "ALEXANDER!"
He laughed. "You can do it."
Pagtingin ko sa kanya, he winked.
At tumakbo lahat ng blood ko sa pisngi.
That Night – Text from Alexander.
Alexander:
"If love had a playlist, you'd be track one."
Megan:
"That's cheesy."
Alexander:
"Only for you."
- Writer
