Strings of Memory

Chapter 27

Unfinished Symphony

After admitting to my mom how I felt, I finally decided to go back to school. It wasn't easy, but I knew I had to take this step.

As soon as I entered our building, I could feel the weight of countless stares pressing against me. The air suddenly felt thick, suffocating. Each whisper, each sideways glance—it was impossible to ignore.

I knew why.

My face was beaten up. The bruises, the cuts—they were impossible to miss. I must have looked terrible. People are always drawn to things that are out of the ordinary, and right now, I was the spectacle.

I forced myself to move forward, keeping my eyes fixed on the path ahead, ignoring the stares that followed my every step.

Pumasok ako sa classroom namin, and just like outside, the stares didn't stop.

The lively chatter that once filled the room instantly died down the moment I stepped in. The sudden silence was deafening. But I didn't let it get to me.

I just walked straight to my seat, forcing myself to act like I didn't notice how everyone's eyes were glued to me, how their hushed whispers filled the air as I passed by.

It was like they were burning holes into my back.

Pagdating ko sa upuan ko, imbes na umupo agad, napatingin ako sa desk na nasa tabi ko.

Her desk.

It was empty. And it shouldn't have hurt as much as it did—but it did.

I bit my lower lip, forcing down the lump forming in my throat. Pilit kong pinilit ang sarili kong umupo, pero hindi ko napigilang muling tumingin sa tabi ko.

And the moment I did, regret immediately sank in.

My chest tightened. My fingers curled into a fist under my desk. I already knew she wasn't here—but seeing it for myself hurt more than I expected.

Before, she was always there. Greeting me every morning kahit hindi ko siya pinapansin. Talking to me endlessly kahit alam niyang hindi ako sasagot. She was a constant presence beside me—one that I had taken for granted.

But now, her seat was empty.

Now, there was only silence.

And suddenly, I found myself longing for things I once found annoying.

I miss her bright smile. I miss the way her face would light up whenever I actually responded to her. I miss her voice—that beautiful voice that shook me to the core. And most of all, I miss her presence beside me.

Without her constantly talking to me, without her beside me... my day just doesn't feel right.

I... miss her.

"Good morning, Ma'am."

The sound of my classmates greeting our adviser snapped me out of my thoughts.

Napatingin ako sa kanya, and to my surprise, she was already looking at me.

I expected a scolding—for disappearing for almost a month without any explanation. For skipping classes and not even bothering to send a word.

But instead, she just gave me a small nod and a soft smile before starting her lesson.

Once lunch break came, lumapit sa akin si Rive.

Binigyan niya ako ng isang ngiti, pero hindi ko iyon sinuklian.

"Pinapatawag ka ni Ma'am Esquivel sa faculty office," sabi niya.