My Paradiso

Chapter 1: A Quiet Morning in Diffun The sky over Quirino Province was just starting to brighten, the last bit of dawn fading into the morning blue. You could hear roosters crowing in the distance, mixed with the quiet sounds of Diffun waking up. It was the usual soundtrack for Marcus. Diffun was a small town where everyone seemed to know each other. Even so, Marcus often felt like he was on the outside, just watching. He was the kind of guy who never really fit in, never stood out. Tall and quiet, with ordinary features and a past he couldn't seem to shake. At 5'11", he was tall enough to get noticed, but he didn't have the personality to hold anyone's attention. His dark hair usually hung over his face, almost like he was trying to hide. His eyes, though, were sharp and observant. He saw everything, but didn't say much. Inside his dorm at Quirino State University, Marcus went through his usual morning routine. The fluorescent light in the kitchen flickered, its hum a steady sound in the quiet. Rice was steaming on the stove, and eggs were sizzling in a pan, the smell of garlic filling the air. He moved easily, stirring the eggs with one hand and grabbing the salt with the other, sprinkling it in. This was his life. Simple. Predictable. That's how Marcus liked it. He lived alone in the dorms, unlike most students who had roommates or went home on weekends. It wasn't that he had nowhere to go; he just didn't have anyone waiting for him. The clock on the wall read 6:42 AM. Time to get going. He put his breakfast on a plate—garlic fried rice, scrambled eggs, and a single fried tilapia he'd bought at the market. Sitting by the window, he watched students walking past the gate. Some walked in groups, laughing and talking. Others hurried by themselves, looking lost in their own thoughts. Then there was Marcus—always on time, always alone, always watching from the side. He was the guy who sat by the window, never the center of attention. A transferee from La Patria College in Santiago City, he was now studying Hospitality Management. He used to dream of becoming a chef. But somewhere between classes, deadlines, and the silence of his dorm room, that dream had faded. Maybe it was the pressure. Or maybe he just realized that dreams don't always work out. After washing his plate and brushing his teeth, Marcus grabbed his old backpack and slung it over his shoulder. He paused in front of the mirror. His hair, still damp from his shower, was combed to the side. He was wearing a plain white polo shirt and black slacks—nothing special. His sneakers were worn, the fabric faded from years of use. He looked at himself in the mirror: nothing special, not terrible, just okay. He locked his door and stepped out into the cool morning air. The walk to the university gate was familiar, each step as routine as the last. The trees along the road cast long shadows, their leaves rustling softly in the breeze. The canteen was already busy with early risers, the noise of talking and plates adding to the morning quiet. As he reached the gate, he saw her: Celestia Rivera. She was standing near the entrance, the morning light catching her long, dark hair and making it look almost like silk. Her ponytail was perfect, and her uniform was spotless—white and crisp, like she'd just stepped out of a magazine. She was about 5'4", with a graceful presence that naturally drew people's attention. Her face was beautiful, framed by her hair, and her eyes—deep and captivating, like a Korean actress—sparkled even in the dim morning light. She had the kind of beauty that made people notice her, the kind that attracted people without her even trying. She was the most popular girl on campus, the one everyone knew and everyone admired. She walked with a quiet confidence that made people stop and stare, even if only for a moment. But it wasn't just her beauty. It was the effortless way she carried herself. Everything about her seemed perfect, easy. And yet, if you looked closely, you could see something else in her eyes. It wasn't the happy, excited look that most people assumed. There was something heavier there, something hidden beneath her perfect appearance. A sadness that only she knew. For a moment, her gaze met Marcus's across the crowd. Her smile, bright and effortless, flashed for a second before disappearing. Marcus only glanced once. Just once. "She's beautiful," he murmured to himself, the thought quickly fading. Then he kept walking. Marcus knew his place in the world. And girls like Celestia? They belonged in the spotlight. They thrived there. He was used to the shadows.