Rewritten by Fate

Chapter Two

LIA POV

Nasa loob ako ng LRT, nag-aabang ng biyahe papuntang Katipunan. It was rush hour, and the train was packed. I held onto the metal bar, trying to keep my balance while people squeezed in. Suddenly, the train lurched, and I stumbled forward, colliding with someone.

“Whoa! Easy there!” A familiar voice rang out.

I looked up, and it was him—Evan. He was just as surprised as I was. The moment our eyes met, I felt a flutter in my stomach that I tried to ignore. He quickly reached out, placing his hand on my shoulder to steady me.

“Are you okay?” he asked, concern etched on his face, but I could see a hint of amusement in his eyes.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I replied, trying to sound nonchalant while shrugging his hand off.

But I couldn't help feeling flustered. His touch lingered, and I kept adjusting my posture, trying to shake off the warmth spreading through me. I caught a glimpse of his smile, and it made my heart race.

Evan chuckled lightly. “You’re cute when you’re flustered, you know that?”

How could he find me cute at a time like this? Nakakairita talaga sya.

I shot him a glare, but it only made him smile wider. “Shut up,” I muttered, turning my attention to the train doors as they slid open at the next stop. I was relieved when people started to pour out, giving me some space to breathe.

---

Pagdating ko sa school, nagmamadali akong pumasok sa classroom. I tried to shake off the memory of our encounter. The lecture was about to start, and I needed to focus. Our professor, a strict woman with a no-nonsense attitude, began her lesson.

But just as I was getting into it, I noticed Evan sitting a few rows back. Of course, he was on his phone, snapping pictures of himself, probably for his i********: or whatever. I rolled my eyes, trying to ignore him.

“Mr. Salcedo!” our professor’s voice cut through the classroom. “Can you please pay attention? This isn’t a social media class.”

The whole class erupted in laughter, and I couldn’t help but shake my head. Evan, unfazed, just laughed along, flashing his trademark smile at the professor. “Just making sure my followers know I’m learning,” he said cheekily.

“Out! Now!” the professor snapped, pointing towards the door.

Evan stood up, still chuckling, and made his way out of the classroom, throwing me a playful wink as he passed. I sighed, shaking my head again. “What a dork,” I muttered under my breath, but a part of me found it hard not to smile.

---

Later that evening, I was hanging out with my friends. They convinced me to go to a bar in Pobla, saying I needed to loosen up and have some fun. But I wasn’t really into that scene. I preferred quieter places, like cafés or parks where I could write.

“Come on, Lia! It’ll be fun!” Shion said and raised his eyebrow to me. “You never go out with us! Just for tonight, let loose!”

Reluctantly, I agreed, knowing I didn’t want to be the party pooper. As we arrived, the noise hit me like a wave. The bar was packed, and the music was blaring. I tried to enjoy myself, but the atmosphere just felt overwhelming.

After a while, I excused myself to get some fresh air outside. I stepped out onto the street, leaning against the cool wall of the bar, trying to catch my breath.

That’s when I saw him again…

Hays bakit ba lagi nagtatagpo landas namin ng isang to?

Evan was leaning against his car, laughing with a group of people. I didn’t want to stare, but it was hard not to notice how different he looked outside of class—more relaxed, more himself.

But then our eyes met. For a moment, everything else faded away. He looked at me with that same playful expression, and I felt my heart race..oh f**k!. I should have turned away, pretended I didn’t see him, but instead, I stood frozen.

“Hey, Lia!” he called out, making his way toward me.

“Uh, hey,” I replied, trying to play it cool.

“What are you doing out here?” He leaned against the wall beside me, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating off him.

“Just needed some air,” I replied, suddenly feeling a bit shy under his gaze.

He smiled, and I couldn’t help but feel a rush of warmth. “Want to join us? We’re just having a little fun.”

I shook my head, feeling my heart thumping loudly in my chest. “No, I’m good. I’m not really into bars.”

His expression softened. “I get it. But you should have some fun once in a while. You’re too serious, Lia.”

I felt a mix of frustration and intrigue at his words. “And you’re not serious at all?” I challenged myself, trying to keep the mood light.

“Touché,” he laughed, but then his expression turned a bit more serious. “But really, you’re missing out. Life’s too short to be so caught up in everything.”

I wanted to argue with him, to tell him he didn’t understand. But as I looked into his eyes, I realized he might be right.

The moment lingered, and I felt a strange connection building between us. But just as I was about to respond, a group of people came up to him, pulling him back into their circle of laughter.

“See you around, Lia!” he called over his shoulder as he walked away, leaving me standing alone in the cool night air.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. Why was I feeling so flustered? Why did I let him get under my skin so easily?

I stayed outside for a while, lost in my thoughts, the noise of the bar fading into the background.

---

As I headed back inside, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that this wasn’t the last time I’d bump into Evan. Something about him intrigued me, despite my best efforts to push him away.

I knew I had to be careful. After all, I was just trying to focus on my studies and navigate this new chapter of my life. But as I pushed through the door and rejoined my friends, I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen next.

— 🤍