The Crimson Curse✔

Chapter 18 - Duel

Dang, that was awakening. Stronger than a caffeinated drink.

Hours passed and luckily I didn't feel sleepy at all. After the encounter with Loren, nawala ang antok ko. Last class ko na ngayon for morning session and everything is fine, teacher Hones keeps us all active and alive in her class that resulted to attentive students.

There are times when she asks some question and I'm happy to say that nearly all of my classmates loves to answer and share their opinions.

I liked how she uplifts students to share our thoughts about her subject and the current lecture. Most of all, I like how she never embarrass some students, like myself, who doesn't have the right answer at all times. Instead, she promotes failure with dignity and moderation. Dahil ayon sa kanya, failure is the essential way of learning.

Without failing we all may think we're right all the time, that we're perfect but in this world being right and perfect doesn't work well. It is not good to not fail because we could never start again.

Being a failure makes us who we are, another failure just like everybody else. The good thing about it though is that we will rise again, never to fall again at the same reason why we became failure at the first place and I couldn't agree more.

Mabuti at siya 'yung last class namin sa umaga dahil kung hindi ewan ko nalang, baka naka simangot na 'tong mukha ko. Since as a matter of fact, last class in the morning feels like forever for a class that could be considered boring and hard.

But anyway, classes here in Veliks academy is no different in other schools where I come from. Except nalang siguro sa katotohanan na bampira ang mga kamag-aral ko na may extraordinary abilities.

Time passed by so quickly and now the bell echoed all over the halls. Teacher Hones then dismissed the class with a smile on every student's face. Tumayo ako at inayos ang uniform bago nagligpit ng gamit.

"Una na kami, Nerissa." Nagtaas ako ng tingin sa kaklase ko. "See you around." Sabi ni Chelsea. Ngumiti ako sa kanya at sa mga kasama niya.

"Yeah sure, bye Chels." Tugon ko at nagpatuloy sa pagligpit ng gamit.

Afterwards, mag-isa akong naglakad sa hall papunta sa cafeteria kung saan kami magtatapo nina ate Mik at Yana. Walking with students headed to the cafeteria, napasinghap ako nang may kamay na humablot sa akin. Pulling me away from the crowd and into the corner.

"Hey, it's me. It's Calvin. Sorry I startled you." Malalim akong napahinga nang malamang si Calvin lang pala iyon.

"No, okay lang." naka ngiti kong sagot ngunit nawala agad ito nang yumuko si Calvin. I asked him if he's alright which he answered with a nod.

"I haven't apologize sincerely to you Nerissa." Wika niya. "What I did...noong isang araw. Gusto ko lang sanang–" nahinto siya sa pagsasalita nang kinuha ko ang kamay niya at hinawakan iyon habang direktang nakatingin sa kanya.

"Calvin, hindi mo kailangan ang humingi pa ng tawad. You've already apologized and I accepted it." hindi siya sumagot kaya nagpatuloy ako. "You already realized you're mistake at masaya ako dahil doon. Tungkol sa sinabi mo sa akin noon, ako dapat ang humingi ng tawad. Dahil Calvin, sa totoo lang ayokong masaktan ka. At wala akong alam sa nararamdaman mo o paano ko susuklian iyon. Kaya Calvin, please don't be sorry anymore."

Mahina kong pinisil ang kamay niya at maingat na sinabi ang totoong nararamdaman mula sa puso ko. "I love the relationship we have right now, you as my friend. I couldn't be happier. I hope you also feel the same."

Matagal bago siyang sumagot. "Masaya ako na masaya ka sa pagkakaibigan natin, Nerissa." His hands covered mine. "If that's how you feel I will honor it." tumango siya.