Loving Nathaniel Croux

Prologue

Author's Note:

This part is not edited. Any misspelled words and grammatical errors are present.

Disclaimer: Most of the parts here in this part are based on experience of the writer.

The wind blows hard as the raindrops fall from the dark cloudy sky. I am still standing still while looking up. The drops of the rain flow from my face and I do not mind. For I, even the rain cannot wash out the tears. It is still useless... I am broken and I don't know how to pick up the pieces back all together again. Then I notice that there is a man who is not far away from me who holds an umbrella and even utter a word, but I don't care at all and remain unresponsive.

''There is a reason why people die. Stop crying.'' That man said.

''Why do people need to die? Yes, I know that people will just come over you. You will just meet them... But in the end, they will always leave you.''

The man smiles from what I said. ''You should stop crying right now. It is raining hard, and you do not want him to be in sorrow, right? Just remember this... Even though he is not with us, he will always be in our hearts. He will be."

I look into his eyes and little by little I smile. Yes. Maybe I need to start to move forward but it does not mean that I will forget about him. He will always stay in my heart.

10 YEARS AGO

In just few months, I will march up to the stage to receive my hard-earned college diploma. It has been what? 35 months of learning not just with pens and papers nor with gadgets and markers but with passion to strive more each day.

"Hey, Kumusta kayo sa thesis?" my block mate, and best friend, Anna asked.

"Just the same pero hanapin ko mamaya yung research adviser namin. Malay mo may improvement nang mangyari pagkatapos."

"Basta ito lang, Nathalia ang deadline for final defense will be next 3 weeks. Mayroon nang mga nagdefense. Book binding na sila." Anna reminds me and I smile back

"Yup! Thank you for the reminder. Don't worry. Kakayanin 'yan."

"That's the spirit, girl! NMAT na rin nga pala sa Sunday. Nakapag-aral ka na?"

Yeah, NMAT season na pala ngayong buwan. It's so fast! "Medyo kasi 'di ba ang priority ko ngayon ay ang thesis namin?"

Ngumiti na lang ako ng tipid at saka naman nagpaalam sa akin si Anna para bumalik na sa upuan nito na nandoon sa may itaas. There seats are arranged upwards and since nandito ako sa may bandang unahan dahil medyo malabo ang mata ko kaya magkalayo kami nito. My seatmate, Annabeth who is also my thesis partner is busy texting on her phone. Magka-usap siguro sila ng boyfriend nito.

Thesis tapos NMAT pa sa Sunday and for sure may mga quizzes pa sila by Friday. It's so tiring.

After nang class ay pumunta na ako sa department para tingnan kung pumasok ang adviser namin. May mga pagkakataon kasi na hindi pumapasok ang adviser namin dahil siguro sa dami ng gawain. She has a lot of duties not just in school that I am enrolled with but to national organizations since our adviser was part of the officers.

I knock first then look for the attendance that is above the desk of the department's secretary. I almost squeal in happiness kasi nandoon ang adviser namin. I consulted her and may mga konting revisions lang naman na kakailanganin then I and Annabeth can go to Ms. Syquia, who is a part of our thesis panel, for the schedule of our final defense.

Palabas na ako ng department when a tall person who is wears white uniform bump me. Medyo napabitawan ko ang papers na hawak ko at halos bumagsak ang shoulder bag ko dahil sa dami ng aking bitbit.