When Paths Divide

PROLOGUE

PROLOGUE

The auditorium smelled like fresh flowers and polished floors, just like how it smelled on the first day of my senior year at Silvercrest High. It was also the first time I met him, again. Parang kahapon lang 'yung ala-ala nung nakita ko siya sa gilid ng stage, addressing the student body with effortless confidence.

He was charismatic, impeccably dressed, and entirely untouchable.

I was late that day, 'yung araw nung school assembly to welcome the first day of the school year. Tahimik akong lumusot at pumila sa likod na row, hawak-hawak ko pa 'yung folder ko kung saan nakalagay doon ang mga notes ko. Wala naman akong in-expect sa araw na 'yun, that was until he spoke, and something in his voice pulled me in.

He wasn't just commanding attention; he was rather bending it. From the way he bent down a bit to reach the mic to the way he tilted his head. No, it wasn't admiration, yet.

The school year of junior high was the first time I met him, when I had my first interaction with him, which changed my perspective towards him. He was cocky! Salit-salitan kami kung sino ang top 1 buong taon. That was when I knew he despised me because I always beat him to it. We never really formally talked about it. It was hard for both of us.

Just like the first day of senior year, the auditorium smelled like polished floors and fresh flowers. But now, the seats felt heavier with expectation. Families gathered in their tailored suits and dresses with whispers of excitement on this glorious day. Cameras clicked. The walls seemed to hum with achievements and pressure, a reminder to everyone about how far they have come.

Inayos ko ang tassle ng cap ko pati na rin ang toga gown, sinubukan ko rin hindi pansinin ang namumuong kaba sa tiyan ko. But for some reason, my mind kept wandering to him.

There he stood at the side of the stage, like the first day of senior high, he smiled politely and scanned the audience. He was polished, confident, and untouchable.

Ramdam ko ang presensya niya sa bawat sulok ng auditorium, making it feel small. Ang ingay sa paligid at tilang humihina tuwing nahuhuli ko siyang sumusulyap sa'kin.

As our principal called and handed out diplomas, my thoughts drifted back to the moments that had made this day feel heavier than any test, any debate, any award that could measure. Every accidental brush of hands, every teasing remark, every late-night argument whose answer was correct in a math homework, they all replayed in my head like a broken record.

Then my name was called, and I stepped forward, heart hammering, eyes scanning the room. Somewhere along the way, someone had captured my attention in a way no perfect grade ever could.

And though the future awaited us beyond the walls of Silvercrest High, right now, all I could do was step into the light, smiling at everyone who had been with me along the journey, and the pull of something unresolved. Something that had nothing to do with awards or honors.