Chapter 8 – Heart at Second Glance
Scene: Classroom – Group Presentation Practice
For the first time in weeks, magkasama ulit sa isang task si Migs at Roni. Wala nang bardagulan, wala ring dramatic tension. Parang… may restart.
Pero hindi rin siya kampante. Kasi ‘yung “okay na kami” vibe nila ni Roni ngayon? Parang tumatawid sa manipis na lubid. Isang maling hakbang—laglag.
Migs (internal):9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsY9L7RjWY
“Okay. Just act natural. Don’t be weird. Don’t look at her lips—okay, too late. Focus, Castro.”
Roni (habang binabasa ang papel):9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuQjH0FmsY
“‘The importance of proper communication in resolving conflicts.’ Wow. Very meta.”
Migs:9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfmX7ZfFGF
“Perfect na topic natin. Applicable sa mga taong… ‘di marunong magsabi ng feelings.”
Roni:9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3GAdpAfSa
“Gusto mong may tama ka, no?”
Migs:9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52InXplU9a
“Kahit medyo.” Ngisi. Kahit half-joke, half-sumbat.
Scene: Canteen – The Pancit Pact
Roni:9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjumvRetgt5
“Hoy. Huwag mong kalimutan, utang mo ... Pancit Malabon at kikiam.”
Migs:9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxiOKdC52A
“Pambayad ng kasalanan?”
Roni:9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5JTMScoDG
“Pambayad ng character development.”
Tumatawa silang dalawa habang sabay sumubo ng kikiam. May mga maliliit na ngiti. Kulitan. Pero both are lowkey stealing glances habang kunyari focused sa food.
Migs (internal):9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlaAMcYXou
“Ganito ulit kami dati… pero ngayon, may mga ‘what if’ na. At isang ‘sana’.”
Scene: Roni’s House – Hanging Out with Her Family Again
Tatay Edgar:9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmxRSXQTco
“Oh, Migs. Tagal mong nawala rito ah. Akala ko pinatalsik ka na ni Roni.”
Roni (sabay sip ng tubig, halos mabulunan):9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaf0sBIbFRT
“Tay!”
Migs:9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1i3spMdvd3
“Hindi po. Na-ban lang po ako pansamantala. Pero nag-a-apply na po akong reinstated best friend.”
Nanay Linda (nakatawa):9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ671cd56gfx
“Welcome ka lagi rito. Basta ikaw, hindi kami kokontra.”
May kilig si Migs sa loob. Dito siya lagi bumabalik para maramdaman na may pamilya rin siyang turingan.
Scene: Sa Labas ng Bahay ni Roni – Pa-uwi na si Migs
Roni:9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvHQyZ2gI4
“Thanks sa Pancit at kikiam.”
Migs:9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ko3rj5xYU
“Thanks sa second chance.”
Tahimik. Wala munang biro. Walang sarkasmo. Wala ring confession. Pero damang-dama ang sinasabi ng mga mata.
Migs:9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGziMo95r5
“Alam mo ‘yung mga quote sa social media na… ‘Kung mahal mo, sabihin mo’? Gusto ko sana noon pa.”
Roni (mahina ang boses):9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyusYYHiRw
“Eh ba’t di mo sinabi?”
Migs (ngiti):9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQp7d5v2K3
“Kasi ‘yung mahal ko… may boyfriend na ngayon.”
At biglang… boom. Mood switch. Heart drop. Reality check.
Scene: Arianne’s POV (short ending snippet)
Pinanood ni Arianne mula sa bintana ang pag-uusap ni Roni at Migs. Hindi niya naririnig, pero kita niya ang ngiti. Kita rin niya ang tension.
Arianne (internal):9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDAACX7oY6
“Ang hirap palang sumingit sa kwento na matagal nang sinusulat ng tadhana.”
