A Hundred and fifty Days

Break the Silence Part 1

'Time and distance between us

It wasn't the reason we didn't last
I guess our story end,
Before it even start'

(excerpt from A Hundred Fifty Days poem)

A hundred and fifty days had started when I left my hometown and transferred to another school.
For the first time, he wrote me a letter. He was there with me for the last time, for one last time.
~~
November 2004

Early Tuesday morning, I'm standing on the bleacher (under construction this year) where I can see the wide campus ground towards the entrance gate. This school aged since the '80s but the landscapes and gardens bloom in youthful vibrant red because of the dwarf santan flowers. The old corridors and buildings where I spend the last three and a half years of being a teen. Hallways are usually crowded and noisy during break time, but almost feel like a ghost town when a Math teacher is around.

Today, I'm here for the last time. There were few teachers and students I saw coming in but the whole campus seems so empty and quiet.

All classes are supposed to resume this week but a strong typhoon hit the region. Our two-week semester break got prolonged.
Honestly, my heart is feeling empty and lonely.
That's why I spend some time alone in the campus bleacher.
I'm here to tell my teachers that I'm leaving. I have to complete a clearance for my transfer documents. I came in early to reminisce what I've been through in this place. My mind is playing good memories with my friends, bestfriends, classmates, teachers and my co-officers in CAT. It was a great time I had with them.

I got nothing but memories. The only way I can treasure them is to keep on remembering.

Today, I'm wearing a white slim-fit t-shirt, a navy blue skirt (uniform) and a plain dark blue backpack with a small zip pocket in front. I love this pair of faded red Keds sneakers (it's a trend for no-socks style in my time). A coffee- colored scarf tied around my neck. I got this style from my cartoon crush named Alfred (from the classic cartoon series, Romeo).

I'm walking alone at the corridor (as far as I know, I'm alone) when I heard someone speak from behind, "What are you doing here?" asked Mark who greeted me with a grin. He had those little pearly white teeth complementing a nice gentle smile.
We had been good friends since third year. He's cool, dark and handsome by the way. (I guess I really need to use the word cool because he's not that tall when we were in high school). He doesn't call me by name when we talk to each other, but for me he is one of the best friends I have here in our school.
He had been my 'unofficial buddy' since I joined the Citizen Advancement Training as Corps Staff 2/ Intelligence Officer, and Mark as 2nd Platoon Leader/ Alpha Company.

"Wew! I let out a deep sigh after I almost had a heart attack. "Where did you came from?" I told him with a smile but a little annoyed because I hate being surprised. I continue walking while he match my strides.

"Why are you here? Do you have a writing task to do?" Mark asked me again when we're walking side by side .
I fell silent for few seconds, trying to figure out how to tell him. I don't think it's a big deal for him but I guess I am not prepared to be questioned why. Why am I leaving now? Why all of a sudden? For a good friend like Mark, it's hard to answer.
I let out a casual voice "I'll be leaving. I will transfer to another school in Tarlac". Suddenly, all I can hear is our footsteps together.
In the corner of my eyes, I can see him look down and turn to me. I can see him frown his eyebrows a bit.
I want to halt for a moment but I must go on. We're walking in deep silence for like forty-five seconds. It was the longest and loudest silence we ever got in our friendship. It seems that the pathway has been stretched longer ,or are we just walking so slow?
"You're kidding, right?" he blurted out with his blank expression eyes pinned on me.