The following morning, the campus was bustling with energy. Posters about the upcoming University Cultural Fair were plastered across every wall. Everyone was talking about it—there would be booths, games, performances, and a special night concert.
“May balita ka ba?” Crisantie nudged Yeshin as they walked toward the cafeteria. “Group performances will get extra credit this semester. Kailangan natin sumali!”
Yula joined in, “True! And we need you, Yesh! Sama ka na.”
Yeshin sighed. “Wala akong energy para diyan. May essay pa ako kina Mrs. Gomez.”
“Edi tapusin mo, tapos sabak tayo,” Crisantie winked.
Before Yeshin could respond, she noticed Huevon sitting quietly in a corner of the café. He looked tired, staring blankly at a document on his laptop. She excused herself from the girls and walked toward him.
“Von?” she said softly.
He quickly closed his laptop and looked up, forcing a smile. “Oh… Yeshin. Hey.”
“Okay ka lang?” she asked, sitting across from him.
He hesitated. Then said, “I got my acceptance letter.”
Yeshin blinked. “Acceptance? Where?”
“Canada… For university exchange. Three years.”
Yeshin’s heart dropped a little. “You're… leaving?"
She didn’t know what to say. A heavy silence sat between them.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” she whispered.
Huevon smiled faintly. “Baka kasi… baka hindi mo naman pansin alam kong busy ka.”
Yeshin looked at him with soft eyes. “Von… I’ll miss you.”
That’s all she could say.
Later that day, at the rehearsal room...
The university had opened spots for cultural performances. Crisantie, Yula, and even Yeshin ended up signing for the group performance. As they were practicing choreography, the door creaked open.
It was Xavio.
He leaned on the doorframe with his usual cocky grin. “You dance too, Yeshin? That’s new.”
Crisantie whispered, “Girl… he’s stalking you again.”
Yeshin rolled her eyes. “May kailangan ka?”
“I’m performing too,” Xavio shrugged. “Solo number.”
“Oh, wow. May time pa pala ang Mr. Mayabang.”
He walked closer. “Actually... I was thinking, maybe we could do a duet.”
Yeshin looked at him like he grew a second head. “Duet? As in… tayo? Gusto mo akong mapahiya?”
But Xavio didn’t back down. “You’re the only one interesting enough to share a stage with me.”
Crisantie and Yula exchanged glances—mixed with excitement and warning.
“Pag-isipan mo na lang,” Xavio said with a wink as he exited the room.
That evening, at the rooftop garden...
Yeshin needed air. She stood alone, looking up at the stars, the chill wind brushing through her hair. As she closed her eyes, she felt a warm jacket placed over her shoulders.
She turned—Huevon.
“I saw you leave the building,” he said. “You looked sad.”
Yeshin nodded. “A lot’s been happening.”
They sat together on the bench, silence comforting them both.
“Yeshin…” Huevon suddenly said. “I know you like him.”
Yeshin’s breath hitched. “I… I don’t know.”
“I just want you to be careful,” he continued, voice soft. “Hindi lahat ng ngumingiti sayo, totoo.”
She turned to him, eyes glassy. “You sound like you’re saying goodbye already.”
Huevon looked at her, eyes heavy. “Maybe I am.”
Suddenly, Yeshin felt something warm around her pinky. She looked down.
A thin red string glowing was wrapped gently around it.
Her breath caught.
“Von…” she whispered.
But when she looked back up, the string was gone.
Or maybe… it was never visible to begin with.
To Be Continued...
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The Red String Theory
RomanceThis story is about a female college student. Her mother told her about the Red String Theory but she doesn't believe it, because she doesn't believe in any theories or beliefs. Now, will she believes that the Red String Theory happens in life, when...
