Ervic’s song brought my memory back to the very first day that I met him.

Six years ago...

Eight o’clock is the schedule of my first subject in school that’s why I woke up earlier than my usual routine. I was accompanied by our driver. I’m not yet eighteen that’s why I can’t have my own car yet.

My Mom kissed my right cheek as I said goodbye to her outside our front door. If only I could blurt out my true feelings. I couldn’t count on how many times I had persuaded my parents to allow me to enroll on one of the prestigious schools in Manila. But due to the political plans of my Dad I have no choice but to follow the order of my parents.

This year serves as the last term of my grandfather in public service. My father’s name soars above the other mayoralty candidates of their political party. As a result I am now one of the freshman students on the course Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering of San Ignacio College. I guess I am now stucked on this boring province!

Hectares of glade-green rice fields, verdant trees, agricultural crops and colourful ornamental plants caught my eyes as our car travels along the provincial road on my way to school. It’s not only once that I saw farmers with their carabaos busied plowing their rice fields as spears of dawn light drenched the morning sky.

It’s only 7:30 AM when I reached the school campus. Several students with an earlier class like mine were already inside. I already caught the attention of some bystanders as I got off from our striking BMW car.

After the security guard inspected my bag and school ID on the gate I walked straight to the pathway leading to the high and newly renovated college buildings.

According to my Mom, my grandfather funded almost every building on this school. It’s not surprising to see a building that was named after him. The all in white five-floor newly constructed structure has a signage few meters below its roof. Mayor Valeriano Joson Building

Some students whispered to each other as I came out from the gate. I think news about the transferee student; the only daughter of the next mayor of Municipality of San Ignacio was already spread. Some students eyed me with envy.

Since I was still a freshman I was allowed not to wear the school uniform for the first week of class. I decided to wear a dark blue jeggings and a purple sweetheart top. I sashay my way to my classroom displaying my Gucci shoulder bag.

Based on the hand outs, the schedule of my first class was at Room 506 of Engineering Building. My first subject was Math 113 also known as Trigonometry. The only problem was I had no idea where the Engineering building was!

I had second thought of calling my Mom but then I realized that I was already in college now and I wanted to become more independent. I could resolve pint-sized problem like this by myself.

I looked around to see if I could ask anyone. There was a nearby bench on the pathway where I stood. I saw a guy sitting comfortably on one of those benches; wearing a black t-shirt and black jeans. He carried a backpack while he’s busy browsing on his phone. I cast a deep sigh as I walked nervously towards him.

“Excuse me?” I asked politely.

He paused for a while and turned his head sluggishly towards my direction with his eyes still fixed on the phone. “Is there a problem Miss?”

I paused for a while as I stare carefully on the guy that was sitting in front of me. He really looked familiar.

I granted him a cheerful smile. I gawked at him from head to toe. He was not wearing the school uniform, so does it mean that he is a college freshman just like me?

Because of our close distance I could thoroughly examine his appearance. His pitch-black eyes are undoubtedly striking. He has well defined dimples on his both cheeks. His skin tone only proves that he might be working under the heat of the sun for a long time.

I didn’t realize that I am spacing out in front of him. I wasn’t able to make a response on him thus he stands up and turned his back on me.

I tried to compose myself as I call him once again. I cast a deep sigh before I poke him on his back.

“E-Excuse me?” I asked while stammering a bit.

He faces me again while raising both of his eyebrows. I blink once, slowly.

“I just want to ask if you know where the Engineering Building is. My first class is located at Room 506.”

He answered me lazily. “Did you see that far most building?” My eyes followed his view.

“That one?” I double checked with my index finger pointing at that particular building.

“Yes the yellow one,” he replied quickly. He looked at me impassively.

“That’s the Engineering Building and your room is located on the fifth floor. There is no elevator on that building that’s why you have to take the stairs.”

What? I couldn’t believe what he had just said! There was no elevator? And I had to walk all the way to the fifth floor? I scratched my forehead as I started to worry if I could manage to climb my way up to the fifth floor.

“Oh okay! T-Thank you!” I said while panicking a bit. The guy walked away.

Without choice, I walked towards the farthest building from the gate. It’s a good thing that I brought an umbrella inside my bag. I’m still protected from the morning sun, though I could feel each drop of sweat on my forehead.

After I closed my umbrella I started to walk on the concrete stairs. I was catching my breath as I stepped my Louboutin pumps on the last stair landing. I couldn’t count on how many times that I dropped my tumbler every time that I gasp for some air.

My sweetheart top was soaked with sweat. I can feel that my armpit is damp too. It seems that I joined marathon. I will make sure that I will address this concern to my grandfather. I’ll tell him to put an elevator on all building of this school.

I really pitied those Engineering students who were assigned to the sixth, seventh and eighth floor. The subjects are already tough then they are losing energy on the steep stairways.

“I just want to ask where Room 506 is. This is the Engineering Building right?” I ask a female student that passed by.

“No Miss this is the College of Education building,” she said with certainty.

“Come again?” my not so convinced reply.

“The building near the entrance with the sign Mayor Valeriano Joson building is the Engineering building. The elevator of this building is still under maintenance that’s why you have to take the stairs on your way down Miss.” She patiently explained to me.

Heck yeah! I suddenly felt that my world collapse. What a ruthless brute! He lied to me? But why?

After I gave my heartfelt thanks to the student I gritted my teeth due to annoyance. I struggled on my way down the stairs in order to reach the right building. I glanced on my wrist watch only to find out that there were only ten minutes left before my first class.

I constricted my fist in order to form it into the shape of a rock. I’m definitely going to punch someone today. He’d better make sure that he already left that bench or else he’ll get two black eyes on his way home.

Luckily that brute wasn’t on that bench anymore. I walked briskly as I sighed in frustration. One day I’ll make a revenge on you. One day we’ll be even! I kept on making silent curse.

As I push the number “5” on the elevator control panel my thoughts passed through on the first day that I saw that ruthless guy. Now I remember! It’s definitely him!

He was no other than the guy whom I caught showing grudges against my grandfather during his speech last week. I could clearly remember that moment...

FLASHBACK

A round of applause surrounds the whole school ground after the principal introduces my grandfather to the audience.My parents and I were seated in wooden chairs that were lined-up properly on the stage. We stand up quickly alongside with the delighted audience.

It is the inauguration day of the stage that my father funded for San Ignacio National Highschool. Loud march hymn comes from the drum and trumpet band was played as my grandfather walks vigorously towards the rostrum.

My grandfather is so charismatic. There is no doubt why he always got elected to be the town’s mayor. He possessed that magnetic smile that pulls everyone towards him. He is very approachable even to the poorest citizens of our town.

While my grandfather was busy on delivering his speech my eyes darted on the group of four males that are standing near the stage. They are all wearing black t-shirt and jeans. They listen conscientiously to the speech of Grandpa.

One of them is carrying a guitar while the other guy is holding a pair of drum sticks on his both hands. I start to wonder if they're going to perform on the stage. Are they part of a band?

I can’t help but notice the quivering girls that stand beside them. Those guys are definitely good looking. The guy who wears a silver crucifixion necklace stands out among the four. After he talks to the guy beside him he darted his stare back to my grandfather. His gaze fixated on him for a long moment.

His calm emotion suddenly becomes rigid and dark. Immense sign of disapproval and dismay was written all over his face.

I started to question his unreasonable reaction. Why does he look that way on my grandfather? I can sense intense hatred on his pair of orbs. I am also certain that his jaw clenches.

END OF FLASHBACK

Now I wonder if he had a buried anger towards my family. The growing blaze in his eyes when my grandfather was delivering his speech was bothersome.

I didn’t know if it’s just a coincidence or did he intentionally let me walk the stairs?