Elora's POV

THERE was a huge sense of relief inside me when I got the assurance I needed from Elrond. I couldn't stop staring at the photo he sent to prove his identity. Even when sporting a straight expression, holding a frying pan and a spatula, he could still be very attractive.

I could still hear my laughter ringing in my ears when I first saw his photo. Kalaunan ay kakaiba ang sayang naramdaman ko nang mapatunayan niyang hindi siya poser gaya ng iba. Mas lalong napalagay ang aking loob sa kanya. I became more comfortable because I know he's real.

lord_elrond01: Good morning, Elora! Ingat ka sa pagpasok.

A smile automatically crept on my lips when I read his morning message. Mabilis akong nagtipa ng aking mensahe pabalik sa kanya.

eloramariz: Good morning! Thanks. Ingat ka rin

lord_elrond01: Walang problema, lods.

The short and casual exchange of conversations was enough to make my day. I couldn't keep myself from smiling as I went down to the kitchen to eat breakfast before heading out to school.

Nandoon parehas ang aking mga magulang sa hapag. My dad was busy sipping on his morning coffee while reading the newspaper. Sa harap niya ay ang platong wala nang laman. On the other hand, my mother was still quietly eating her breakfast—scrambled eggs, hotdog and fried rice.

Nagmamadali akong naupo upang makasama pa silang kumain ng umagahan kahit papaano.

"Good morning po," magalang kong bati sa kanilang dalawa.

"Morning. Kumain ka na," nakangiting sabi ni mommy at inusog papalapit ang plato kung saan nakalagay ang sinangag.

"Thanks, 'mmy," tipid kong sabi at saka kumuha na ng aking pagkain.

Agad naman siyang bumalik sa pagkain. Patapos na siya kaya binilisan ko na rin ang pagkilos.

"Elora, bilisan mong kumain at isasabay na kita pagpasok," baritonong boses ni daddy ang sunod na aking nadinig.

Slightly surprised, I turned to him with my eyes wide open. "Ihahatid ninyo po ako sa school?"

"Yes," he replied. "May dadaanan akong blueprint malapit sa school mo kaya sabay na tayo."

"Okay po!" nagagalak kong sabi at binilisan na ang pagkain.

My eyes probably twinkled because of too much happiness. Ever since I learned how to commute around Manila, my parents stopped driving me to school. Sometimes I would ask myself if it's a good thing that I learned how to be independent or not. I felt like I had not lived my life as their daughter to the fullest. And since it was a rare occasion, I knew I shouldn't take it for granted.

*****

PAGKATAPOS mag-umagahan ay agad kaming umalis ni daddy. We had a casual talk while we were on the road. The things we talked about were mostly about my studies. He led our conversation by asking questions.

Gusto ko rin sanang magtanong sa kanya patungkol sa kanyang trabaho, kaya nga lang ay hindi ko makapa kung paano. Even though he's my father, it was hard for me to approach him. I found our conversations awkward and unnatural. It almost felt like we're strangers.

Hindi ko maiwasang isipin na mas komportable pa akong kausapin ang taong nakilala ko lamang sa online kaysa sa kanyang kilala ko na simula noong aking pagkabata at kasa-kasama ko sa bahay. Muli ko tuloy naalala ang pag-uusap namin ni Elrond at ang kanyang litrato.

A quiet and controlled laugh escaped from my lips. My father glanced at me, so I pressed my lips in a thin line.

Mabuti na lang at hindi gawain ni daddy ang mang-usisa. He didn't ask why I suddenly laughed. If ever he did, I had no idea what to tell him, especially when a guy was the main reason.

I never had a conversation with my parents about boys. Ni wala rin silang ideya na nagkaroon na ako ng boyfriend. I wasn't sure how to tell them. Hindi rin naman sila nagtatanong kaya minabuti kong huwag na lang ding sabihin. I didn't think they were interested in knowing about those things in my life. The only thing they were concerned with was my studies.

"Do well at school. See you at home," sabi ni daddy nang itigil niya ang sasakyan sa Gate 1 ng aming campus.

"Thanks, Dad. Ingat po kayo sa pagda-drive," bilin ko bago siya tuluyang umalis.

Nang makita ko ang pag-arangkada ng kanyang sasakyan ay saka lamang ako pumasok sa campus. I tapped my ID on the scanner installed in our gates before I got inside. Maaga-aga akong nakarating dahil sa paghatid ni daddy kaya nagawa kong pumila sa elevator kahit mahaba-haba ang pila at sa third floor lamang ako.

As expected, since I was early, Karina had not arrived yet. I sat on my usual place whenever we had classes in that room. Lagi akong pumupuwesto malapit sa bintana dahil kita ang grounds doon.

I found it relaxing to watch people outside without hearing anything from them. It was like watching a documentary about humans on mute. You'd see and observe different personalities just by watching them move. Sometimes, I would also follow leaves falling from the trees and count how many seconds it would take before it reached the ground. I know it might be weird or creepy but it was fascinating for someone who's curious about all things like me.

Natigil ako sa pagmamasid sa labas nang biglang nag-vibrate ang aking cellphone. Nang tiningnan ko iyon ay agad bumungad sa akin ang notification mula sa Alter. Since I left the house, I already turned on the data to receive his messages.

lord_elrond01: Nasa school na ako! Hinihintay na lang namin iyong professor naming laging late. Ikaw? Nakapasok ka na ba?

The corners of my lips lifted at the same time I read his message. He didn't have to update me his whereabouts but I appreciated his efforts. I couldn't deny that it somehow made me feel special and happy, but I was also slightly pressured to do the same. Kahit na medyo komportable na ako sa kanya ay hindi ko pa rin maiwasang makaramdam ng kaunting takot at pagkailang.

I told myself countless times not to dive in recklessly like I did before with Arthur. But something about Elrond always kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't help but anticipate his messages, and it was hard for me to hold myself back from replying to him.

eloramariz: Yes.

With a heavy sigh, I decided to minimize our exchange of conversations somehow.

eloramariz: And I'm sorry. I don't mean to be rude but can we just continue talking later? I just want to focus on my studies while at school.

Napapikit ako nang mariin bago nilock ang aking cellphone at itinalikod ang screen habang hinihintay ang kanyang i-rereply. Kaya naman nang nag-vibrate ulit ang aking cellphone ay ginapangan ako ng matinding kaba.

lord_elrond01: Awit studious. Saang subject ka ba nahihirapan? Haha.

His reply was unexpected. He could still joke around like usual. Although I knew I did wrong, it made me feel better. I was relieved that he didn't seem to take my words to heart.

Kahit na kating-kati ang aking kamay na mag-reply ay pinigilan ko ang sarili. I closed the app and put the phone inside my bag. Sakto naman ang pagdating ni Karina. There she was again with her suspicious look.

"Why are you so early?" she asked as she sat beside me.

Nilingon ko siya nang nakangiti. "Hinatid ako ni Daddy."

Ngumuso siya at tumango-tango habang inaayos ang kanyang gamit. I caught her stealing a glance on my bag. Nagkunwari na lang akong hindi iyon napansin.

It was a good thing that Karina decided to share her short date yesterday with Jack. Naalala kong sinundo nga pala siya ng kanyang boyfriend gaya ng kanilang pinagkasunduan. She told me that Jack took her to a fine Japanese restaurant before they went home. Nasabi niya rin na may lakad ulit sila sa araw na 'yon.

"Iba pala sa feeling kapag earning na iyong boyfriend mo at mature mag-isip at kumilos. I really feel like I'm in good hands," she said with a dreamy tone.

As I remembered from Karina's stories, Jack's employed at an internationally owned bank. He's three years older than us and also a graduate at Far Northern University. Tuwang-tuwa pa noon si Karina nang malaman niyang parehas sila ng kolehiyo. Isa iyon sa mga dahilan kung bakit niya naisip na talagang pinagtagpo sila ng tadhana.

Saan kaya nag-aaral si Elrond?

I couldn't help but think about that. It wasn't written on his profile at Alter. He was from Quezon City so I thought he should also be studying somewhere around Manila like me. Hindi rin mababa ang tiyansa na puwedeng parehas kaming dalawa ng kolehiyo.

Our university has another building just across our main campus in Manila―FNU Institute of Technology. Programs offered there are mostly different branches of Engineering. Sa pagkakaalam ko ay mayroon ding Electronics Engineering doon. Thinking about that increased the possibilities of us studying in the same university.

Kalaunan ay napabuntonghininga ako sa aking naiisip.

Really, Elora?

I used to not believe in destiny. In my opinion, whatever happens in our life was always a fruit or consequence of our actions and decisions. There was no such thing as destiny. We are the ones who control our life.

For years, I lived with that realistic mindset. I didn't want to blame destiny nor other people and continue making mistakes for thinking that I wasn't responsible for it. But then, there I was, looking for signs to see if Elrond and I were destined to meet. It was silly but it was something I couldn't keep myself from doing.

*****

"ELORA, samahan mo muna akong maghintay kay Jack please," pakiusap sa akin ni Karina matapos ang aming panghuling klase. "Punta muna tayo sa Coffee Project. We can start doing our assignments there. Libre na rin kita coffee or frappe or pastries―kahit ano'ng gusto mo!"

"Mga anong oras ka ba masusundo ni Jack?"

"Baka six-thirty daw!" she answered right away and pouted her lips. "Alam mo namang sa Makati pa siya nagtatrabaho at medyo traffic pa pero paalis na rin siya."

Nodding my head, I smiled at her. "Okay. Samahan na kitang maghintay," I told her. "But you don't have to buy me coffee. I'll pay for my own."

Her eyes twinkled as she pulled me into a sudden embrace. "Okay! Thank you! I love you!"

I really didn't mind if I'd go home later than usual. Gaya ng sabi ko, mas gusto kong mayroong pagbabago sa takbo ng aking araw. It was a good way to free myself from the loop that day.

Kaya naman para mas madami kaming magawa ni Karina sa café habang hinihintay si Jack ay wala kaming inaksayang oras. Naglakad na kami mula Morayta papuntang España. Nang makarating sa Vista Residences ay pumasok kami kaagad sa Coffee Project.

There were only a few vacant tables left once we got inside. Students, studying alone or having group discussions, flocked the place. But although the café was jam-packed, it still maintained its peaceful ambiance.

"Ayon! Doon tayo umupo!" Mabilis akong hinila ni Karina papunta sa bakanteng upuan na pangdalawahan sa tabi ng malaking bintana. "Ano ang order mo? Ako na ang bibili."

"Iced mocha," sabi ko sabay kuha ng aking wallet para kumuha ng pera.

"You won't eat anything?"

I shook my head and smiled. "I'll just have a drink," I said and gave her two hundred peso bills.

"Okay, okay."

After she took my money, she placed her bag on the chair in front and headed to the counter, while I leaned back on the chair before scanning the place.

Despite being a frequent goer to that café, I couldn't help but admire the creativity when it comes to the interior. They didn't stick to only one style or concept. It has an artsy, warm vibe. The color palette they used reminded me of Harry Potter for some reason. There were also beautiful paintings on the brick walls. But the decoration which caught my attention the most were books hanging along with the pendant lamps.

I once thought about having that kind of decoration inside my room because of aesthetics. But as a bookworm, I couldn't bear the thought of seeing some of my books suspended in the air like they would fall anytime. And so, I didn't carry on with the plan of doing the same thing.

Nang matapos ako sa pagmamasid sa loob ay ibinaling ko ang aking ulo upang tumingin sa labas. I wasn't surprised to see a lot of students, wearing different uniforms, and some civilians walking on the sidewalk. Our university is located in what we call University Belt. Madaming kolehiyo ang nakatayo sa parteng iyon ng Maynila. Kaya kahit sa loob ng Coffee Project ay galing sa iba't ibang unibersidad din ang mga estudyanteng nag-aaral at tumatambay.

While watching everyone passing right outside the window, my eyes widened at the sight of someone familiar to me. Flustered, I stood up while my heart hammered on my chest.

The ribbon rays of the setting sun slipping through the gaps of the pillars shone on his face. There was a flicker of gold when it hit his black eyes, making it look brownish. His black hair was slightly disheveled, styled natural and manly. His lips would get thinner every time he would open his mouth to speak with a friend he was walking with. And I didn't know if it was just the fit of his uniform, but his body looked more built than what I saw in his pictures.

I wasn't sure at first if it was really him. I only knew how he looks through his photos. Ngunit nang makita ko siyang ngumiti nang bahagya sa sinabi ng ksama ay naalala ko ang kanyang ngiti sa icon na gamit sa Alter.

Triggered by the adrenaline inside me, my body acted on its own. I quickly moved to exit the café but they already passed by once I got outside. His name was already on the tip of my tongue. I bit my lower lip hard to stop myself from shouting his name.

"Elrond..." I whispered in the air as I watched him go farther and farther away.

Kahit na nakalayo na siya ay hindi pa rin tumigil sa pagwawala ang aking puso. I was just wondering where he could be studying. And seeing him in person, on his uniform, I immediately got the answer to my question―University of St. Aquinas; the university closest to ours.

Still bewildered with who I just saw, I headed back inside, straight to our table. Wala pa rin si Karina kaya kinuha ko ang aking cellphone mula sa bag. I turned on the data just to see if I got any message from him. Hindi naman ako nabigo dahil ang huling mensahe kong natanggap sa kanya ay sampung minuto lamang ang nakalilipas mula nang pinadala.

lord_elrond01: Tapos na ang klase namin! Chat ka lang pagkatapos ng klase mo. Pauwi na kami ng kaibigan ko.

Biting my lower lip, I put my phone down and recalled his face.

"I know..." I uttered absentmindedly.

Is this really what you call destiny?