Chapter 1

My apartment was in the Vianna's Building, which I had recently moved into. I came from another province, but it didn't take long for me to get here. It was my first time being independent in life. I grew up with my auntie and uncle. I have nothing to call 'my own family' because my sister and mother died in an accident when I was young. As for my dad, always at work. He's a sea captain and I want to follow his position. I really don't want to leave my auntie. They considered me a real child and I didn't have any resentment towards them. Actually, the couple almost shed blood when I left. But I know they understand that this is for my future, for our future. There is no senior high school in my previous school or even in the whole province where I come from. It was my first day being a student at Cannard University. We are the first batch of senior high in the Philippines thus, apprehension is to be anticipated. Since I'm planning to take BS Marine Transportation in college, STEM strand is what I entered this senior high. I registered during my vacation since they used an internet website for enrollment and gave the students a schedule to follow a week before the date of the meeting. MTW, my class is in the morning and that is my night class. I don't know if the only CU has night classes even tho we're just in a senior high, but I can say that my new environment/life is more interesting now. I got out of my apartment and then went downstairs. I walked down the quiet and clean alley before reaching the waiting shed—near the highway. I was waiting for a jeep or a bus, but the tricycle arrived first, so who am I to say no? Maybe I'll be late for the first day and get in trouble with the teachers afterward. I don't want to be recognized because I'm late for class. I want to be known as an active student. I love studying, learning new thing. I have full confidence in myself when it comes to academics. Here I am sure I am good. My trip to CU was easy. Before I finally entered the gate, I took a deep breath. "Lord, I hope there is no distraction. Please keep me away from the handsome smart one." As a teenager, that was my weakness. Once I was shown the motive of a thin, white, smart, and quite handsome, my jaw dropped immediately. I'm not the type to be approached by men so if anyone tries in this another phase of my life, hopefully not smart and handsome. I'm not pretty, I'm just fixing myself to become a presentable one. I'm not rich, I'm just decent so I hope no one dares to distract me here. But I have a strong feeling that nothing will distract me because my cousin said,I was said to be scary to approach because I looked serious and knew only to study. In short, I look like acrimonious, and of course, that's not the fact that can describe who I am.I'm not a snob, but I don't do the first move that's why I look like it. CU is a big university compared to my previous school. The junior high school building of CU does not have a second floor and they also have a different uniform from our—seniors. I went straight and there I saw students wearing the same uniform I was wearing.I smiled. This is probably the building of the senior high school. Two high buildings are parallel and I don't know which one to prioritize. I saw a teacher coming so I didn't hesitate to ask where the STEM-11 classroom was located. "Good morning, Ma'am. Which one is the building of STEM-11?" She smiled before pointing to the right building with her index finger. "Third floor, hija." I smiled back and thanked her before walking up the building. I was in front of STEM11-A and was ready to open the door when it unexpectedly opened, revealing a student clutching a cup of coffee. We were both shocked by what happened and I immediately backed away when I realized the coffee had been thrown at me. What the hell! This is my first day and I can't miss it because of the stupidity of this classmate of mine! "S-sorry, I didn't mean it, Miss," the man apologized but I don't know if he was really sorry because of his tone! What the heck! Why is there a coffee? Didn't he take a breakfast? What the freak! I shouldn't have shouted and fought him. I didn't speak to him and I didn't even look at his face. I'm disgusted! I'm disgusted even more so much! I can't think of any other way than to ask permission from my adviser for me to take the night classes. And I'm grateful that she agreed. I can be compared to a withered vegetable when I return to my apartment. I immediately washed my uniform so that the coffee would not stain. It's really good that it's not so hot because if it's not, probably my stomach has a wound. Grrrr! I have a lot of expectations on the first day of my classes but then, here I am. But I could do nothing but accept that I had a bad start. I spent the whole day studying in the STEM-11 subject PreCal. I just ate noodles because of my laziness to do such a lunch. Night classes start at six o'clock but even though it's only four o'clock, I'm already preparing myself. At four-thirty in the afternoon, I went to the university. I was already at the classroom door and slowly turned the doorknob until I could open it. As soon as I walked into the room, I was delighted by the fresh air and cool temperature provided by the air conditioner. The windows are closed, but the classroom is still bright due to the several fluorescent lights affixed to the ceiling. There are no other students besides me, I went straight to the place I wanted to be until the end of the school year. I prefer the first row because it keeps me away from the distractions. I sat and awaited my classmates' arrival. The room I entered became increasingly raucous as time passed. They all seem to know one other, and no one has yet expressed an interest in sitting next to me. Our GenMath teacher came and of course, before the lesson started, we did a self-introduction. Nothing important happened because I am not interested in anyone. I'm okay even if I don't have any friends. Education is highly important to me and I can achieve high grades without receiving help from them. If no one comes near me, it's okay. Being a friendly is not my style at all. In fact, I don't have a best friend to be called. We finished our five hours class and because I was frugal, I didn't plan to eat at any food chain. I plan to buy a printer so I save my allowance given to me. I didn't expect Cannard University to have a school bus however it is exclusively used every night classes to assure the safety of students. And of course, this is included in the tuition fee! Cannard University is one of the well-known private schools in this province and even though it was just my first day, I could already feel the quality of the university.I am optimistic that the fees students will pay will be well worth it. I went down to the waiting shed and walked down the alley. Because there is a street light and no hanging out, it isn't particularly frightening. I'm not a believer in ghosts, yet I'm terrified. I'm not sure, but I have the suspicion that someone is following me. I'm not sure if it was just my imagination, but I felt it before getting on the school bus earlier. Even on the bus, I can feel the gaze on me. I walked faster and prayed fervently. I hope this is just my hallucination, Lord. I'm just seventeen years old and I still have many dreams to achieve in life. Is this what auntie said? I am not safe when I am alone. Calm down, El! You are close to your apartment! I turned and saw the building where I was staying. I can hear my own quick heartbeat while catching my breath due to the uneasiness I'm experiencing right now. I gulped when someone emerged where I was supposed to be passing by. Without asking who is he, I knew he was the one following me from behind. Because of the light coming from the street light, I could see the soft form of a man approaching closer in front of me. I didn't know him and I didn't know if he knew me. I have only just seen him and I can think of no reason why he is here in front of me. As he approached, I backed away until my back hit the hard thing and I knew it was a tree. He cornered me with his arm wrapped in a black jacket. He stared at me with rage, anguish, hatred, and longing in his eyes. I don't really know him, no matter how much I examine every facet of his face. "It's been almost a fucking seven years, El. Don't you know me anymore? Have you forgotten me?" Seven years? Known? Forgot? What the heck! I did not know him and I had never seen him. But, how does he know who am I?