The therapist playbook

THE FIRST

The days blended into weeks, and life for Raphael Lalo settled into a routine that was familiar, yet coloured with the vibrant hues of adolescence. Outside of the strange visions that haunted his nights, Raphael's life was like that of any other teenager—filled with school, friends, and, most notably, a girl who had captured his heart.

She wasn't the girl everyone noticed, neither did she demand attention, but she was quite captivating. With her dark short hair that framed her face perfectly, she had a presence that drew Raphael in from the moment he saw her. She was of average height, she was as shy as a lamb at first glance, but without the eyes she's lively and full of warmth around those she trusted. Raphael first laid eyes on her during a school field day when she was tending to the crops she had planted as part of a school project. The sun had glinted off her hair as she bent over the rows of plants, her hands gently brushing the leaves as she checked on their progress. To Raphael, there was something undeniably attractive about the way she moved, the care she showed for her work, and the quiet determination in her eyes. For someone reluctant to go, he was quite glad he decided to tag along with David and his farm partner Joseph. Curtis and Troy also tagged along.

Their meeting had been unplanned. Raphael, with his usual swagger, had wandered over to the school field, seeking a moment of peace away from the bustling corridors and noisy classrooms. But when he saw Oma, all thoughts of solitude vanished. He approached her with a casual greeting, masking the curiosity and admiration he felt. They exchanged a few words—simple pleasantries at first—but there was an immediate connection, a spark that neither could ignore. Soon, Raphael found himself returning to the field more often, under the pretence of checking on the crops, but really just hoping to see her again.

Oma had a close relationship with Margaret, Raphael's younger sister. In fact, she was more than just a friend; she had become a school mother to Margaret, always watching over her, making sure she was happy and safe. Oma’s kindness extended naturally to Raphael, and it wasn’t long before the two of them began spending more time together. Their relationship blossomed, not from some grand romantic gesture, but from the small, everyday moments they shared—walking to class together, exchanging jokes and smiles, and enjoying each other’s company.

Though the story of how Raphael officially asked Oma to be his girlfriend remained a private memory between them, it was clear to everyone around them that they were inseparable. Oma’s friends, Pearl and Grace, were initially protective, not wanting their friend to get hurt. They confronted Raphael one afternoon, cornering him near the lockers after school.

“What are your intentions with Oma?” Pearl asked, her voice firm but not unfriendly.

Raphael, caught off guard, managed a chuckle. “My intentions? They’re pure, I promise.”

Grace, the quieter of the two, nodded, but her eyes stayed on Raphael, gauging his sincerity. “Oma’s important to us. We just want to make sure you’re serious about her.”

Raphael met their gazes with his light honey-coloured eyes, all traces of his usual humour gone. “I care about her a lot. I would never do anything to hurt her.”

Satisfied with his answer, the girls allowed themselves to relax, and their conversation shifted to lighter topics. It was clear that Raphael was genuine in his feelings, and over time, Oma’s friends became his friends too, often joining their group during recess and after school.

In class, Raphael was known as the clown. He had a way of making people laugh, of turning even the most boring lessons into something entertaining. His teachers were often exasperated by his antics, but even they couldn’t deny that his presence kept the class lively. Jokes, pranks, and witty remarks were his specialty, and his classmates adored him for it. Despite his playful nature, Raphael was a good student when he applied himself, though he often preferred to coast on his natural intelligence rather than putting in the hard work.

His friends, David, Troy, and Curtis, were in different classes, so they only got to hang out during recess and after school. But those were the moments Raphael cherished most, when they could relax and just be themselves without the pressures of schoolwork or expectations.

One day, during one of the free periods, Grace approached Raphael with a serious expression, a rarity for someone usually so composed. She asked if they could talk in private, and they found a quiet spot in the library where they wouldn’t be disturbed. The soft glow of the table lamps cast a warm light on their faces as they sat down.

“There’s this guy… Ansel,” Grace began, her voice hesitant. “I think I like him, but I’m not sure if he feels the same way. I don’t want to make things awkward, but I also don’t want to miss my chance.”

Raphael leaned forward, his eyes locked onto hers. “Tell me more about Ansel. What makes you think you might like him?”

Grace took a deep breath, collecting her thoughts. “We met in class, and we’ve been talking a bit for a while now. He’s kind, funny, and we have so much in common. But every time I try to get closer, I feel like he pulls back. I don’t know if it’s just me being paranoid or if he’s really not interested.”

Raphael nodded thoughtfully, his expression empathetic. “Alright. So basically you’re unsure about his intentions. Have you tried talking to him about how you feel?”

Grace shook her head as she drew back with a shocked facial expression. “No, I don't want to do that, why would I do that? I don't want him to think of me in a weird way . I was hoping maybe you could offer some advice. You’re always so perceptive about people.”

Raphael smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “I’ll do my best. But first, let me ask you something. What do you hope to achieve by confessing your feelings to Ansel? Are you looking for a relationship, or just wanting to clear the air?”

Grace hesitated, considering her motivations. “I guess I want to know if there’s a chance for us to be together. I mean I like him, like I feel a connection with him, and I don’t want to let it slip away.”

Raphael nodded, his expression thoughtful. “Ansel’s a good guy,” he said finally. “But you need to be sure about your feelings first. If you make a move before you’re ready, it could lead to an uncomfortable situation. Take your time, get to know him better. If you still feel the same way after you've gotten to know him then yeah you can confess your feelings .”

Grace wasn't satisfied but at the same time she was relieved by his words. “Thanks. I really needed to hear that. Just talking to you makes me feel better.”

Raphael smiled back, his eyes warm. “Anytime, That’s what friends are for.”

The weeks passed, filled with the usual ups and downs of school life. Raphael continued to charm his classmates, entertain his friends, and deepen his relationship with Oma. They spent more time together, their connection growing stronger with each passing day. Raphael appreciated Oma’s quiet strength, the way she cared for those around her, and the way she made him feel grounded despite the chaos that sometimes surrounded him.

Their relationship reached a new level one evening after school. They had stayed behind to finish a project, and as they walked across the school grounds, the setting sun casting long shadows on the grass, Raphael felt a surge of affection for Oma. He stopped, turning to face her, and second-guessing himself, he thought about leaning in for a kiss but he wasn't sure she on the other hand was more experienced than him and she read the room. Grabbing his hands to make him calm down she leaned in and kissed him. It was a sweet, tender moment, but it didn’t go unnoticed. The school’s year head, who had been making her rounds, spotted them and immediately intervened.

“Oma, what do you think you’re doing?” she scolded, her voice stern. “This is not appropriate behaviour on school grounds.”

Raphael and Oma pulled apart, their faces flushed with embarrassment.

“And you, what's your name and who are you ? I’ve noticed you’ve been distracting Oma from her studies these past few weeks,” the year head continued. “I’m going to ask you to leave her alone, as a matter of fact, hand me your parents number. Because this is unacceptable. You should be focusing on your own work and let her focus on hers. And here you two are, making out”

Raphael’s heart sank, Oma instantly went on her knees as she burst into tears pleading for his sake, he stood there staring at the floor as she pleaded for him. The year head kept going on and on till the class teacher for Oma came in and calmed her saying it's unlike Oma so she should give them another chance. She also emphasised on them splitting as that was the reason for not calling their parents. Raphael nodded in agreement. He didn’t want to cause trouble for Oma, especially not with her academics. As the year head walked away, Oma reached out and squeezed Raphael’s hand, offering him a small, reassuring smile.

“We’ll be okay,” she whispered, her voice filled with quiet determination.

And as they walked away from the school together, Raphael couldn’t help but feel a mixture of emotions—frustration at being caught, worry about what the future held for them, but most of all, a deep, unwavering affection for the girl who had become such an important part of his life.