Four years ago (1st Year College)...

Sarah

"Hey, kaya mo yan! I'll see you later, alright?" Billy smiled at me with encouragement as we stepped foot inside their university which also happened as my university also.

Today also marks his 6th month of courtship since he first asked for my parents' permission at the beginning of this year, January, to be specific. Apart from that, he was quick enough to say that he has charmed his way to my parents' hearts.

Hindi ko alam kung anong gayuma ang ginawa niya sa parents ko at ganoon na lang sila kaluwag sa akin pagdating sa kanya! I am their only child, for Pete's sake!

"Yes, thanks." I returned his smile and I took a deep breath as I watched a throng of students ambling their way into the four storey buildings and to their respective classrooms.

Billy's building is located near the back entrance gate of the university so he has to be minutes ahead of me to get to his class. Tourism building is just situated here at the center of the university itself so lesser time is needed.

My first class starts at 8:00 and his at 7:30. I still has ample time to tour around our building before I wait outside of my classroom.

As I roamed around, most students have their own circle of friends. It was understandable since they might be older than me. I contented myself being alone for a while until I meet  somebody whom I will be comfortable with.

I headed into Room 114-A when I saw it was fifteen minutes before time. As I went into the room, I almost tripped over someone who's about to step out of the room.

"Oof!" The voice grunted as I fell into him when I expected my untoward disaster to the ground.

"Oh my gosh! Sorry, Miss!" A female voice exclaimed from behind and the male who I toppled over helped me stand up.

I blinked and my knees felt wobbly beneath me. Cringing in pain, I felt the sprain in my ankle.

"Hala! Shit!" The shocked voice of someone cussed under his breath and before I knew it, I was lifted and carried to somewhere.

I couldn't protest because the searing pain in my ankle was too much. In a matter of time, I was laid to a bed inside the clinic.

"Oh! Anong nangyari sa kanya?" The nurse exclaimed and came to my aid.

"Natapilok po, Ma'am. Nasprain po sya." The guy said and I did not dare to open my eyes because of embarrassment.

"Oh sige, ako na bahala sa kaibigan mo, Tyrell." The nurse said and she looked at me just in time that Tyler left us. "Umalis na sya. You can open your eyes now."

I opened an eye and when I was sure, I opened both and sighed. "Nakakahiyaaaa!" I groaned and the nurse chuckled.

"Gamutin na natin yan. I advise you to rest for three days at least para mabilis ang recovery mo." My eyes widened at her words.

"Kakasimula pa lang po ng semester,  Nurse! Absent po agad ako?" I asked in bewilderment as she started treating my ankle.

"That was an accident. Hindi mo naman ginusto 'yun eh. I will tell your adviser about it. I am also sure that Tyrell will inform your teachers about it. He is responsible enough to do so." The nurse said to me in assurance.

But I was still doubtful. Until she said, "Sino ang tatawagan ko para masundo ka? I will also issue an excuse slip in case your professors will look for you."

"Si mama po. My dad is out of the country." I said and she nodded. I gave her my ID and she began calling Mom.

After three hours, I was lifted to sit on a wheelchair not to injure my ankle more. Mom even has the nerve to laugh at me as she pushed my wheelchair towards the exit of the department building.

"Ano ba yan, anak! Unang araw mo sa college, injured ka na agad!" Mom teased me and I rolled my eyes.

I was about to give her my rebuttal when I noticed Tyrell walking towards us.

"Ako na po, Ma'am." Tyrell hurried to push my wheelchair. I blushed when I remembered how he lifted me on the first day of school.

"Naku, hijo! Salamat! Hindi ko nga alam paano ko iiwan saglit si Sarah dahil kukunin ko pa ang kotse sa parking." Mom said and she smiled at him.

"No problem po, Ma'am." Tyrell smiled and I felt even more embarrassed.

Pwede namang itulak ako hanggang  sa parking! Nang-aasar pa talaga si Mama!

"Uh, punta lang ako sa kotse ha! Bubusinahan ko na lang kayo pag nasa harap na ako. Red na Vios na may plate number SMH yung kotse." Mama said in a rush and went off leaving the two of us alone.

"Th-thank you nga pala sa pagdala sa akin sa clinic kanina." I finally said when we are alone.

"That was nothing. I want to say sorry too. Naghaharutan ang mga kaklase natin kanina. Nakita na kita papasok and hindi ko sila agad nasabihan na may papasok sa classroom kaya saktong pagpasok mo, nagtumbahan sila papunta sayo." He explained apologetically.

"Kilala mo ba yung lalaki na sumalo sa akin kanina? Hindi pa din ako nakakapagsorry sa kanya. Nabigla ako kasi pagpasok." I said and he nodded.  "May nakabangga din kasi sa akin na babae sa likod na nagsorry pa nga."

"The guy was Alvin and the girl was Zenaida." He said briefly.

"Hala! Alas-nuwebe na! Wala ba tayong klase? " I panicked and he shook his head.

"Relax. Sa first day, hindi lahat ng professors present. And don't worry, I'll tell them about you." He smiled. "Tyrell Williams nga pala. You can call me Ty. Or Rell. Or Tyrell."

"Sarah May Houston. Or Sarah." I smiled back at him.

"I'll call you Princess, then." He grinned and I frowned.

"Hanggang dito ba naman?" I cringed.

"Bakit? You are a Princess." He chuckled and we heard the horn honked.

"That's my cue." I said and he nodded and pushed my chair to where Mom is.

When we reached the car, Tyrell helped me sit at the back and both he and Mom fixed the wheelchair before they placed it at the trunk. Nurse said that they can let me use it for a while and return it this weekend as soon as I am fine.

Before we leave him, he called out my name.

"Can I have your number, Sarah?" He asked and I nodded. He gave me his phone and I punched in and saved my number on his phone. "Call you later! Ingat!"

I waved and closed my window. I saw Mom's teasing glint.

"Ang ganda talaga ng anak ko! Kasingganda ko!" Mom chuckled softly and maneuvered the car.

"Maaaa! Classmate ko sya! And, I already have Billy!" I exclaimed which made her raised her eyebrows at me.

Oh my gosh! I forgot to tell Billy about today!

✉✉✉

1st day high!

1st day, sprain?

Awit!