Kung may medal para sa pag-iwas sa unnecessary distraction, dapat awarded na ako ng school.
At kung meron namang trophy para sa mga taong alam kung kailan hindi sumagot, I’d be a back-to-back champion.
Because here’s the truth: I don’t reply when I’m reviewing. Especially not to strangers.
Even if that stranger happened to wink at me two days ago and might have sent a message last night.
I mean, come on.
Priorities.
Tuesday – STEM Building, 3rd Floor Corridor
“Ano ‘yang tinititigan mo?” Atasha peeked over my shoulder.
“Chem reviewer.”
“Sure ka? Hindi ‘yung Messenger icon?”
I rolled my eyes. “Hindi lahat ng tingin sa phone ay tungkol sa lalaki.”
“Buti sana kung hindi masungit ‘yung lalaki.”
I gave her a flat look.
“Ano ba talaga sinabi niya?” she whispered.
I hesitated. Pulled my phone out and tapped his name.
I hadn’t opened the convo since Sunday.
One message lang:
Rhyler Davids: May utang kang tanong sa’kin.
That was it.
No emojis. No “hahaha.” No “lol.” Just that one sentence. As if words were currency and he was spending them wisely.
May utang kang tanong sa’kin.
Wala nga akong maalala kung kailan ako nangutang.
That Night – 10:41 PM
I had just finished my Gen Math reviewer. Three problem sets and one headache later, I finally allowed myself to glance at Messenger.
His message was still there. Unreplied.
I hovered my finger over the screen.
Debating.
Typing…
Deleted.
Typing again.
Eli: Wala akong maalalang utang.
Sent.
Immediately regretted it.
Seen 10:42 PM.
No reply.
Typical.
Wednesday Morning – Hallway by the Senior High Elevator
He passed by again. Ganun pa rin. No glance. No nod. No nothing.
Pero may isang subtle shift—yung parang napansin niyang nandun ako… pero hindi niya pinansin.
That kind of unspoken acknowledgment na hindi mo pwedeng i-confirm pero naramdaman mo.
He was wearing black again. All black. As usual.
Minimalist. Clean. Almost too clean. May pagka-artsy rich kid na tahimik sa class pero laging mataas ang score.
Nasa kanya ‘yung expensive silence vibe.
And honestly?
That’s the kind of silence na mas maingay sa ingay.
Wednesday Night – 11:03 PM
I was finishing my lab report when the notification came.
Rhyler Davids: Hindi literal.
YOU ARE READING
Strings of Fate
Teen Fiction"Hindi ako magbo-boyfriend. Hindi ako iiyak sa lalaki. At lalong hindi ako magpapakatanga sa love." That's Eli's rule. After seeing her friends fall apart because of boys, she promised herself she'd stay focused. No distractions, no commitments, no...
