Epiphany (Un/Requited Series #1)

Prologue

A/N: This is the first book in a series that I'll ever write. Really hope this goes well. Looking forward to this!

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TRYING TO have a life for yourself under strict parents, there's not much you can do. At such an early age, as much as I wanted to move at my own pace, I don't have anything against my parents; they have everything against me, provision, education, a shelter, food to survive, everything that may possibly keep me alive. All there's left to expect is to be tied to them like a dog and have your success planned underway until I can finally break free confidently.

Success.

Mahirap gumalaw sa mundo kung wala kang tagumpay. That's what my parents always told me. Bata pa lang ako, ito na ang naging mindset ko; or at least what my parents molded my mind into thinking. Nagagamit ko rin ito sa tuwing pinaaalahanan ko ang aking sarili na huwag basta-bastang sumuko.

Kaya naman ngayong may panibagong environment akong pinasukan, I'm holding firmly on my bag's sling.

Nilibot ko ang aking paningin sa paligid ng university matapos na makapasok ako rito. Today is my first day of being a senior high school student, and my expectations from this university are as high as a mountain. Nakakabahala ang magagastos ko rito but as long as they hold quality education and is worth the price, me and my parents are all good.

The freshmen had to attend an orientation kaya't nagtungo ako sa conference hall kung saan ito gaganapin. Napakarami ko palang mga kasama dahil halos puno na ang mga upuan dito. Hindi na katakataka sa pangalan ng school.

"Miss," pagtawag ng isang boses mula sa aking likod. I turned to whoever spoke, at nakita kong nakatingin siya sa akin. He smiled.

I awkwardly smiled back.

Walang lumabas mula sa kanyang bibig. Mukhang nag-aalinlangan siya sa kung anumang nais niyang gawin. Napakurap ako nang ilang beses dala ng pagtataka.

Sa tagal naming nakatitig sa isa't isa, I had the time to swiftly observe his physical features. He had the traits of a fine-looking human being. Base sa aking nakita sa kabila ng kadiliman sa loob, he had the following: moreno skin, round eyes, modestly sharp nose, thin lips, a great amount of height, and pudgy physique. Nakasuot siya ng black turtleneck, black trousers, and white sneakers.

An expression of astonishment mentally crossed my face.

He's well-made.

"Uhm," he mumbled. Nakita ko siyang napalunok. "P-please take this seat."

"No, thank you," mabilis kong pagtutol sa kanyang handog. "Marami pang bakanteng upuan."

"I can find another," he insisted. "Maupo ka na lang ditoㅡ"

I suppressed a smile. "I told you sir, I'm fine."

He pressed his lips together. "Missㅡ"

Instead of starting an argument with the man, I walked away from his place and found myself a seat. It wasn't that far away from him. Hindi malabong nakita niya itong bakanteng upuan na malapit sa kanya. Why offer me his seat?

Lumingon ako sa aking likuran upang tanawin ang kinauupuan ng lalaki kanina. Kumunot ang aking noo nang hindi ko siya mamataan doon. Ang bilis naman niyang umalis?

My interest faded as soon as the event began. Nang hilingin ng host na tumayo ang lahat, agad akong sumunod. However, I was only about to stand up properly when someone jumped to my side. I flinched out of surprise. It almost gave me a heart attack!

"Ano ba!" naiirita kong sigaw. Hininaan ko lamang ang aking boses upang maiwasang makuha ang atensyon ng nasa paligid. "Gusto mo bangㅡ"

The moreno guy shushed me and pointed the stage. Nabalot ng katahimikan ang paligid. "We're praying," bulong niya.

Umirap ako sa kanyang palusot. Bilang paggalang, pumikit na lang ako at nakinig sa dasal. Naupo naman kami agad matapos nito. I did not dare to talk.

"What grade are you in?" panimula ng aking katabi.

"Grade eleven, isn't it obvious?" tugon ko nang hindi siya tinatapunan ng tingin. I snickered.

Freshmen are the only students required to attend the senior high school orientation. Hindi nga naman obvious.

My peripheral vision showed me his expression of embarrassment. Wait, was I too rude?

Tumikhim siya at umayos ng upo. "We're on the same section, I guess."

I chuckled. "Pa'no mo nasabi?"

"Grade 11, Section II?" he asked.

Good thinking. "Your guess is quite right. You must be a stalker on Facebook, whatever your name is." I casted him a glance while stressing the word.

He rapidly blinked. "O-oh, I'm sorry. Hindi pa nga ako nagpapakilala."

Kumunot ang noo ko. What was he being so nervous about?

"Rayden Florendo, if you may ask." He offered me his hand.

Bumaba ang tingin ko rito. Tinitigan ko lamang ito nang ilang segundo, ngunit hindi natinag si mister Rayden doon. Hindi niya ito ibinaba kahit lumipas na ang ilang segundo.

"I'm not in a rush, go and make me wait much longer." Hindi ko matukoy kung nagpapaka-sarkastiko ba siya o seryoso siya rito.

Ibinalik ko ang aking tingin sa harapan. Nagpapahayag na ng isang mahaba-habang mensahe ang headmaster ng school. I have done my utmost to consistently put my attention on stage, but my seatmate's hanging hand was a great distraction.

Ugh. Nakipag-usap lang ako, please lang.

Nang hindi pa rin niya ito ibinaba matapos ang ilang minuto, nakipag-kamay na lang ako. He smiled. His effort's pitiful. Babalutin ako ng konsensya kung mas pahihirapan ko siya.

After our hands touched, agad ko itong ibinawi mula sa kanya. Ibinalik ko ang aking tingin sa harapan.

"Thank you, Iraen."

Ipapatong ko pa lang sana ang aking kamay mula sa pakikipag-kamay nang ma-estatwa ako sa aking narinig. Nagugulumihanan ko siyang sinulyapang muli. Did I just hear my name from his mouth?

Natuliro siya dahil sa pagtama ng aking paningin sa kanyang mga mata. I gave him a how-did-you-know look. But instead of making things clear, nakipag-titigan siya sa akin nang ilang segundo. Tuluyang nasira ang aking mukha dahil dito. He turned away from my gaze and scratched his nape, conspicuous awkwardness he wore on his facade.

"That's what your pendant says." He let out a light chuckle.

Bumaba ang tingin ko sa aking kwintas. My necklace pendant engraved the name Iraen. Natawa ako nang mahina. Right.

Silence enveloped us after that. Kapansin-pansin ang ginhawa sa kanyang mga kilos matapos nito. I let out a sigh of relief. Finally! A moment of peace and serenity.

Natapos ang orientation na hindi na siya muling nagsalita. Binalewala ko lang ito. When we were allowed to go to our own classes for another orientationㅡthis time, for each sectionㅡI went straight away. Hinanap ko ang aking phone sa bag para sa schedule na ibinigay.

Natuon lamang sa iba ang aking atensyon nang mamataan ko ang isang hindi pamilyar na papel na nakatiklop sa loob. I got hold of it, unfolding to see what's written inside.

Rayden Ramos Florendo
09201132232

Ipinilig ko ang aking ulo sa buong hall, hinahanap ang lalaking naglagay nito sa aking bag. There, I saw him leaning against the wall beside the exit door. Our eyes met. Bakas pa rin ang ilang sa kanyang mga tingin. Yet again, he was the one to break our contact first. Naglakad na siya palabas ng hall, leaving me confused.

Napapikit ako nang mariin at napa-hinga ng malalim. Itinabi ko na lamang muli ang papel sa aking bag.

Ayoko nang iisipin, please lang.