Everyone had a childhood friend, someone that they played with all the time. I used to have someone like that.
"Mariaa mariaa! Tara! Let's play tago-taguan!"
Whenever I hear that childish high pitched voice, I would enthusiastically look back and see this boy around my age running up to me in glee.
He would grab my hands so roughly and shake them around, forcing me to play with him.
Me and him? We lived in the same neighborhood, Bagumbayan. I always wondered what made this boy so insistent on playing with me. I mean, he had his friend Rae... Ray? Raymundo, was it? Why wouldn't he play with him instead?
What's so special about me??
I won't lie—I did wonder if he had a crush on me. I mean, who wouldn't? Even back then, I already knew what crushes were to some extent. My friends and I would tease each other about that kind of stuff all the time.
They would ask me
「Hoy mariaaa~ why's that boy always playing with you?? Do you have a crush on him?」
One of my friends would ask
「No!! noo it's not like thattt!」
I would refuse, blushing while waving my hands. Those times were the most embarrassing time of my life.
Then sometimes he'd invite me over to his house, and we'd play games like Monopoly. Sometimes, he'd tell me about his dreams.
"When I grow up, I wanna be a writerrr!"
At the time, I thought it was kinda silly. Why a writer? Did he wanna write about prince charming meeting his princess or something? I didn't know any better, but still... for some reason, I had this gut feeling—maybe he really had what it takes.
When I turned 14 and he turned 13, he started showing me his stories. And honestly? They weren't bad!
Sure, the grammar was kinda, eh…
but the worlds he created?
So interesting!
From deep, existential questions like What happens when we die? Where do we go? to entire fantasy-esque realms.
Every time he told his stories, his voice would rise in excitement. He'd jump up and down, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
It was...
really cute.
But much of my past is blurry beyond that.
By the time I was 20 and in my third year of college, I stopped seeing him on the street. No more random invites to his house. No more excited storytelling.
When I finally went to check on him, his mom told me he had become some sort of shut-in. We never talked after that—not even on social media. He completely shut me out of his life.
It was frustrating.
I was starting to fall for him.
I just... couldn't tell him yet. I wasn't ready.
I wanted to see more of his stories, to read everything he wrote.
I loved his stories.
But I guess that's that, huh? No more sneaking into his house to read his newly made light novel...
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Beep Beep Beep
"guhh..."
I woke up and shut off the alarm. What was that?? Weird... for me to remember him...
I got up and stretched my arms, raising them high in the air.
I always start the day with light stretches—I believe maintaining my figure is a good mirror of my lifestyle and personality.
After my light yoga, I went through my usual routine: comb my hair, wash my face, take a bath, eat breakfast. Then, as always, I stood in front of my wardrobe, trying on different outfits...
Ding~
A notification popped up on my phone. I glanced at the screen—
「Ukay-Ukay」
Right! Today was the day I planned to browse for new clothes.
I changed into something cute: a yellow long-sleeve top and a white skirt, cinched with a white belt.
Stepping out of my room, I headed downstairs to where my mom was.
"Nanay, I'll go out for a bit. Gonna check out the ukay-ukay."
"Sige, take care, okay?"
I nodded, giving her a quick kiss before heading out. I don't have a father—my mom has been raising me on her own. That's why I want to graduate soon… to become an engineer… to help my mom.
I waited outside until a tricycle arrived, then rode to Gen. Luna. I always visit the ukay-ukay right beside Graceland—I've found really good high-end clothes there ever since my mom first brought me along.
As I stepped inside, I almost bumped into someone.
"Ah, sorry."
I glanced up at the young woman and—
My eyes widened.
「So pretty」
She was massively underdressed… but still, she was so pretty!
For some reason, I couldn't shake the feeling that she looked... familiar.
...Probably not.