Flicker of light. That's what I see, that's how I see it. All this vehicle passing with the speed of light. Seconds later, the green light that will turn red. People walking and crossing the busy street. With different clothes and attire, different expression and moods, and different directions they take.

I wonder... What's on their mind right now? What are they thinking? How are they feeling right now? Are they happy? Are they in a hurry? Do they feel that the path they are taking right now is the right one? Do they know where is the right direction?

Enchanted... It's fascinating to think that this very road in front of me... This chaotic road witness every feeling, every hurry, and every emotion the passers feel without anyone showing and telling about it.

"And we danced all night to the best song ever

We knew every line, now I can't remember

How it goes but I know that I won't forget her

'Cause we danced all night to the best song ever," I sang along with the song while my earphones are still plugged on my ear. I never averted my gaze on the busy and chaotic streets of Carrington.

I even imagine myself dancing right now as I eat the tapa(beef) from my plate.

The nearly ending song stopped because of an incoming call.

Aly Calling...

I wonder why my friend is suddenly calling. What happened? The days she calls me were ranging from zero to none. I even doubted that my number is registered on her phone.

I swallowed the last piece of meat and drink my water. Then, I answered Aly's call.

"Hello," I greeted her, still looking outside.

"Where are you?! Are you still going to class?!" her tone is a little hysterical while asking.

My brows furrowed, "Of course, why are you even asking?"

I heard noises from the other line, sound of people walking around with the people I'm currently talking to.

"My God! What do you mean "Why"?! Do you know what time is it?! It's time for our second subject, Nali!"

It takes a while before I process what she said. Holy molly. I forgot to keep track on the time again! I'm good as dead now!

"Bye," I immediately said and ended the call quickly.

I promptly get my bag and my id hanging on its strap.

I put the empty glass on top of the plate before I came rushing for the front door of the eatery.

"Aling Cely, thank you po!" I thanked the owner of the eatery, she's in the cashier giving change to a customer.

She looked at me, "You little kid. Be careful, Nali!" I heard her shouted her goodbye as I close the door.

I swiftly run towards the pedestrian lane to cross the street. I am panting when I stopped because of the green light. Catching my breath for a second, before gazing at the descending number on the traffic light.

10...

9...

8... Oh, Lord!! This darn numbers! Are they slowing won on purpose?!

7...

6... I looked at my surrounding.

5... Many people are getting impatient like me.

4...

3... On the other side of the road...

2... The same scenario. I stare in daze with the people in front of me.

1...

I sprint like a runner, not minding the people walking towards me.

"This time I'm ready to run

Escape from the city and follow the sun

'Cause I wanna be yours

'Cause you wanna be mine"

I laugh a bit with I hear the chorus part of the song of my favorite band. My earphones are still plugged on my ear. What a fool.

Seriously? Is this some kind of joke? Am I filming a movie here?

I looked around. Despite the running, despite the busy street with the busy people, everything starts to slow down. Slo-mo.

I smiled softly when something crossed my mind. I thought about the unanswered questions I got earlier while on Aling Cely's eatery.

I wonder... What do people around here really feel? Are they happy? Do the busy streets fascinates them too? Are these paved roads the right path they are taking? What awaits them at the end of it?

"Oh my!" I got back from my reverie when someone bumped into me causing me to fall on the asphalt ground.

"Sh*t! Are you okay?" a baritone voice asked me.

I suddenly stopped moving. Am I okay? That's the question I always ask myself.

"Miss."

"Miss."

"Miss!" I jumped a little because of the shock. I'm spacing out again. My eyes turned to the guy who bumped into me.

His brows were furrowed as he looked at me while squatting in front of me.

"I- uh... Uhmm," I'm starting to get nervous. God! I'm not good at talking with others.

"I'm fine."

"D*mn!" A curse escaped my mouth when I remembered the reason why I'm running. I'm late for the second subject! I stand up immediately then I ruffled my skirt that got some dirt from the pavement.

Fetching my bag nervously that fell along with the earphones—still connected on my phone.

Then, I went back to running.

My feet slow down when I realized something, I looked back in the middle part of the road, the part I bumped into someone earlier.

"Sorry!" I shouted, regardless if that guy would hear it or not. I even forgot what he looks like.

I began to ran again towards the tricycle terminal that will drive me to school.

My eyes widened like those of an owl when I saw that the only tricycle just left.

"Kuya wait!" I tried to call the driver but my voice got drown with the sound of the vehicle on my side.

I checked my wristwatch. 2:10. I'm dead. If I wait for another ride to come, I'll reach the school on my third subject.

Looking ahead the road leading to our school. Lord, give me strength. I started running. Again. I sprint as if the devil is chasing me.

After 10 more minutes, I catch a glimpse of the tall gates of our school.

Calais City Academy.

The words are carved in the arc part of the tall classical gate.

I dash towards our building.

The guard shouts, calling me, "Hey kid! Where is your ID?! Hey!" Sorry, sir. I'm running late today.

"M-Ma'am, sorry I'm l-late," I'm looking at the floor when I reached the door of our room. It's even in the fourth floor!

My classmates' laughter filled my ears. I raised my head, my teacher isn't here!

For a second there, I forget to catch my breath. When I reach my assigned seat, I sit immediately.

"Hahaha" in my right side, Noe can't stop laughing. You really find it funny, sis?

It's embarrassing. I'm so freaking embarrassed right now. I don't even know if I'm glad the teacher isn't here or not. By the way, where is she?

"There's an urgent meeting among the teachers. The whole period and the next one is vacant. We won't leave this room for today, our last subject will be held here as well," Aly explained as if she read my mind.

I just nodded then turn to the window beside me. Even here, I can still see the road. I look up to see the cloudy sky today.

Slowly, I close my eyes as I rest my chin on the back of my palm. I feel the cold breeze coming from the outside. I nearly forget the experience I had earlier because of the calming feeling the air and the sunlight give me.

"So handsome."

"Faye, look! That's the guy you like."

"Hey, I know that guy."

"He's in college, right?"

"Dude, what's up?"

My eyes opened when I heard the voice coming from the door,"Excuse me, is this Section B?"

"Yes, can I help you?" Night, the class president politely asked.

"Is Inara Araceli Ferrer here?" My eyes flew from the window to the door because of the guy's question.

Hey, that's my name.

-------------------------

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Songs: Best Song Ever by One Direction

Ready to Run by One Direction

PO - that's a sign of respect for Filipinos.

Aling, Ate, and Nana(for women)

Kuya and Manong(for men)— that's what we call someone who is not our relatives. It's use for showing respect as well.

Ate and Kuya— are also used to address your older siblings.

Pronunciation:

Aling- [a. ling.]

Ate- [a. te]

Kuya- [koo. yah]

Manong- [mah. nong]

"Nali, someone is looking for you," my body jumped a little when Night call me. I push the bridge of my glasses 'cause it's slipping down.

My movements were slow as I get out of my seat.

Noe looked at me, confused, "Do you know him?"

I shook my head without looking at her as a sign of saying no.

Since my seat is at the back row and near the window, it's kinda far from the door.

As I get closer, my eyes were fixed on the guy near the door. Not on Night, but on the guy whose looking for me. It feels like I'm getting blown by the wind every second I get nearby the door.

Every step I take, I see every part of his face clearly.

Round eyes... I can't distinguish the color of his eyes because of our distance.

Pointed nose...

Thick and slightly furrowed brows...

Full, a little red, and slightly open lips... Looks so soft.

His black hair was neatly fixed, it suits him perfectly.

"Your name is Inara Araceli?" my fascination on his face comes to an end due to his question.

I looked straight into his eyes.

"Brown."

His brows furrowed completely, now it's like a connected line, "Huh?"

My whole body froze when I realized what I just said. It was supposed to be said on my mind only. Stupid, Nali. Brown, that's the color of his round eyes.

"I-i uh... I mean, yes. T-that's me," my voice is shaking. "Do I know you?" I asked, convincing myself that I am not nervous.

He smirked. He f*cking smirked.

"You don't remember me?" he asked.

I slowly shook my head. "No, I'm sorry. Did we meet before?"

A smirk is still plastered on his face. Amusement is very evident on his eyes.

"Well..." He trailed off. "I have your ID, he added then lift his left hand that's holding my ID.

"OMG, where did you find it?" I muttered while stretching my right hand to get my ID back.

He placed it on my palm. "On the street. Carrington Street to be exact," he responded.

Carrington Street?

My eyes grew wider when I remember what happened earlier. Right! I bumped into someone earlier.

"It must have fell when I collided with someone earlier," I explained. Wait. Why am I even explaining? "Anyway, thank you," I thanked him and smile afterwards.

Shock was all over his face but it's only for a while. Maybe I'm just seeing things.

"No worries. I got to go, so bye," he said while slowly rubbing his nape.

I smiled again.

He began to walk the other direction far from our room.

"Thanks, again!" I shouted tho he didn't look back and just continue walking.

I turn around, I was surprised when I saw all my classmates were looking at me. They watch me and the guy I'm talking to earlier.

I gave them an awkward smile. Gosh, this is embarrassing.

Their eyes are still fixed on me when I started walking towards my seat.

"Do you know that guy, Nali?" Aly quickly inquired.

Come to think of it, I don't even know his name. Well, it doesn't matter now.

I shook my head. "He's just returning my ID."

Noe face us, "How come your ID is with him?" she confusingly asked.

"I think it fell when I bumped into someone. I was running that time, so..." I just shrugged.

"Right," Aly start off. "Where did you go this time, huh?"

"Aling Cely's eatery," I wear my ID after answering her.

Calais City Academy

Inara Araceli D. Ferrer.

Grade 12- STEM

Section B

I look pretty decent in this one unlike the one issued last year. I didn't wear my glasses when we took this photo. With my heart-shaped face, long black straight hair, deep set of eyes, pinking lips, and narrow nose... I must say I look good here.

"That always happened when you go there. You always forget to check the time every time you go there." Noe said, as a matter of fact.

"It's true," Aly agreed. "Why do you always do that? You're always looking outside when we eat there. Are you waiting for someone passing that street?"

I shrugged and choose not to answer their questions.

They might think I'm weird if I tell them that I always think how enchanting the road is. They're my friends since grade 3. But... I'm scared to see their reaction if I tell them unusual things about me.

I know they would understand me. But, I'm still sh*t-scared. There's always this feeling inside me that makes me scared... There's always the doubt... The what-ifs..

Our second subject ended without doing anything but talk. In the middle of our third subject, the student representative of grade 12 STEM enters the room.

"You can go home now. The meeting will last 'til the last subject. So, the dean announce that students can go home early," he announced.

I was happy to hear the announcement .And Aly, not so pleased about it.

"They should have let us go home earlier. What a waste of time," she complains.

I laugh at her remarks. Same old Alyzeah Eden Angeles.

Noe linked our arms so the three of us can walk together.

"Let's go to the mall," she smiled sheepishly.

"Pass." my words came faster than flash.

I get my phone and text the family driver to let him know about our early dismissal.

Me:

Manong Jude, we were dismissed early. You can fetch me now, I'll wait outside po.

Seconds later, I received our driver's reply.

Manong Jude:

Alright, hija. I'm on my way.

"Same," Aly said.

She removed her arm from ours and stopped walking, "Oh come on!"

My gaze met Aly's. We then look at Noe at the same time.

She looks like a puppy. Hahaha.

"You look like the mall, Noe," Aly tease her.

"Excuse me," she said as she crossed her arms. "I'm too pretty to look like that!" she rolled her eyes.

"I've got things to do. Next time, okay? " Aly conciliate to ease Noe's mind.

"Me too. My sister will come home today."

She got no choice but to accept our reasons. We reach the gate and saw our services waiting for us.

We bid our goodbyes shortly.

I open the door to the back seat and look at the school entrance again.

It's him. The guy who returned my id earlier. He looked at my father's car briefly. His attention were averted when someone calls him. His classmate, I guess.

The car starts moving. I looked at the driver when I remember something.

"Manong Jude, is Ate already at home?" I asked.

He glanced at me through the rearview mirror, "She's not home yet, Nali. Your brother is there at noon but immediately go somewhere."

I just nodded.

After 30 minutes we reach the front of our village.

Catalina Village.

We passed through some alley before we reach our street.

I can see our house from here. A two-storey modern house with earth tone colors.

There's no car parked at the garage. I'm the only one at home.

Well, it's nothing new. The days they are not home are more than the days they are here.

We're family but it feels like we are not. I'm home, but it doesn't feel like I am... I wonder what a real home feels like.

When we reach the garage, I opened the door.

"Thank you, Manong Jude," I said, smiling.

He smiled back. I closed the door and enter the house.

"I'm home," I announced tho there's no one to welcome me. Nana Linda is the only one at home.

She came out from the kitchen. "You are early today."

"There's a meeting po."

I put my bag at the sofa then sit beside it. I lean my head then closed my eyes.

Now, I feel too tired from too much running earlier.

I stay like that for about 10 minutes.

Then, my phone rang. I fetch it at my skirt's pocket to see who's calling.

Ate Raine calling...

My brows furrowed.

"Hello, Ate?"

"N-Nali..."

She's sobbing, I got alarmed. "Hey, what happened? Are you okay?" I asked. Nervousness rise within me.

She continues sobbing, "N-Nali... Grandpa is..."

-----------------------

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HIJA(for girl), HIJO(for boy)— is used to address someone younger than you.

Pronunciation:

Hija- [ih. ha]

Hijo- [ih. ho]

I immediately call Mang Jude from the backyard to say that we are going to the hospital.

Twenty minutes passed before we arrived at the front of the hospital. If it were not for the traffic, we could arrive earlier, say ten minutes earlier.

Elysian Medical Hospital

That's the name of the hospital my sister mentioned earlier. The good thing is that it is not far from our village.

When I step outside, I promptly run towards the entrance. The hem of my skirt were softly blown by the wind. I didn't have the time to change my clothes because of the panic.

"Excuse me," I squeezed myself with the others going inside the hospital. I even bump into someone, again.

Sprinting towards the front desk is my top priority now.

"Ignacio De Silva, sir." I was panting as I said my grandfather's name.

"Room 305, 8th floor, Miss."

"Thanks."

Running for the elevator, I saw someone inside. The door is closing.

"Wait!"

The man inside hold the door. Thank God.

"Thanks." I sparingly said. I'm tired. I lean the side of my head on the wall of the lift.

"Which floor?" he asked.

I'm still catching my breath. "E-eight floor."

Everything happened so fast. I'm unable to process the whole thing. I didn't even thank the guy when I've got on the right floor. I start to run like mad again, looking for the right room.

I start to look on the left aisle.

298...

300...

302...

304...

Then, behind me. 305.

"Pops!" I shout as the door open.

There, I saw him. My grandpa eating an apple while talking to my brother.

"Nali," he looked so shock to see me there.

Tears start brimming. I quickly run towards him and hug him.

"P-Pops," my voice shakes, my tears began to fell.

"Hey," he's caressing my hair. "Don't cry, I'm still alive."

Irritation spread to my whole body. "Pops, come on!"

My hot tears won't stop escaping my eyes. They just keep on falling.

"I'm fine, Nali. Don't worry, okay?"

"How are fine when you are here in the hospital?" He laughed at me.

Then I remember that we've got company here. I look back to greet my brother and my sister.

My breathing stopped when I notice Mama and Papa. They're here.

"M-Ma... Pa..." I tried to give them a smile.

Mama embraced me. I hugged her back.

Papa did the same.

The doctor said Pops got a sudden cardiac arrest. Fortunately, he's okay now.

Well, he better be okay. I don't know what I will do if ever I'll see him here again.

Pops' the only person I can talk to about my problems. All insecurities, the what-ifs, my fear of people's opinion about me, and me trying to prove myself to others.

I remember the thing he always say to me whenever I tell him how I try to prove myself to others.

"Nali, hija... You don't have to prove yourself to other people. You've got nothing to prove to them. Yourself is the only one you need... You need to prove yourself to you only. Never seek other people's validation, okay? Just do what makes you happy, and what makes you proud of yourself."

I'm happy every time he tells me that. He's right. I don't need other people's validation of me. I know it's right but I still try to prove myself to them. It became my nature, it became a habit, and it sucks.

We spent the night there. The doctor said that Pops will be discharge tomorrow.

We talk about things, we laugh, we eat together. All of us. I'm glad to be there. I can't remember the last time we ate together as a family.

Can I stop time for this certain moment?

12:00 pm when Mama and Papa decide to go home. They have work tomorrow.

Kuya Ryle is with his laptop, typing something. Work probably.

Ate Raine is sleeping at the couch. She must be tired from the ride home.

I yawned. I'm sleepy too.

I walk towards the one-seater sofa and hug the throw-pillow. I close my eyes.

"Hey, baby. W-wake up," is that Mama?

"Nali, wake up na. Ate is waiting here, your Kuya too. Even Aly is here awhile ago." it is Mama.

"Nali."

"Nali."

"Nali!"

My eyes quickly opened. Kuya Ryle's creased forehead welcome me.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"Y-yeah..."

"You must be dreaming. You continuously shook your head. Even your eyebrows are furrowed," he calmly said.

I gave him a small smile. "Where's mama? I thought she's here."

"Did you forgot? They go home earlier, Papa and her."

"R-right."

He went back to his laptop. I glance at my sister and Pops. They are both sound asleep.

I checked my phone. 4:30 AM.

I bet Kuya didn't sleep.

"I'll just buy some coffee, Kuya. You want some?"

He looks at me and shake his head. "I just finish drinking my coffee."

I then nodded.

My movements were limited as I go outside the room. Even opening and closing the door, I did it slowly so the people sleeping won't be disturbed. I began walking and look up to see where's the nearest cafeteria.

The sign says there's one on the first floor and there's also one on the tenth floor.

I choose the one on the 10th floor. It's nearer. When I got inside the elevator, I rest my head on its wall.

What was that earlier? I'm sure I heard Mama's voice earlier. Did she go back? She also mentioned that Aly is there. Maybe they came when I was asleep.

My thoughts were cut-off when the doors open.

I buy some iced-coffee. I prefer cold beverage despite the cold weather.

When I was about to go back to Pops' room, my gaze go down on the elevator's button. Instead of pressing the number 8, I choose the last number that will lead me at the rooftop.

I want some fresh air.

The door opens. The slightly dark rooftop filled my eyes.

I started to walk towards the railings.

Jeez. It's freaking cold.

The iced-coffee I bought earlier just makes it more cold for me.

Thank God I'm wearing a cardigan. Mama let me borrow it when she noticed that I'm still on my uniform.

I plan to skip class tomorrow, I mean today. It's dawn already. Good news is my parents let me skip classes. They'll just inform my teacher, that's what they said.

I finish the iced-coffee when I reached the railing.

The memory of earlier came to my mind. Pretty sure my mom didn't go back. It's also impossible that Aly will come since Pops' condition is not that serious.

I remember the times I encounter the same scenario before. Someone trying to wake me up. Weird. Weird dreams, huh?

"Yeah. Weird dreams."

I looked down to calm my mind. I saw the road. Still busy even at this hour huh?

Then, I looked up. I saw the moon through my glasses. Wow.

I hugged myself because of the cold air then heaved a deep sigh.

"God, what a view," I say as I look down again to see the road.

"Yeah" someone said. Who's that?

I look at my right. There's no one.

On my left. There... I squint my eyes to see who's that.

"Oh," I said while pointing my finger on the person who talk. "It's you," the tone of my voice rises.

It's him, the guy who returned my ID.

He's looking up. Looking at the moon. He let out a deep breath.

"Yeah, it's me."

-----------------------

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