WHEN Mia got home, she went straight to her room. It was as if it was just now that she felt tired. But despite that, she couldn't feel any regret in her chest because she was happy being and spending time with Erik.
There was a satisfaction in the smile that broke Mia’s lips and then she stared at the tall built-in cabinet in her room. From being sat on the edge of her bed, the young lady then stood up and approached, and opened it.
Inside the closet is where she saw hanging a familiar and very beautiful dress that had a good memory from her youth. She took it and put it out from inside the garment bag.
Mia caressed it lightly with her hand. Along with many questions that are now playing in her mind.
What if she chose not to go with Bernie?
What if she didn't let and allowed herself to believe all the sweet words and promises that he used to say to her?
What if when Nana Rosita died, she just left Pegasus and looked for another job?
Is it possible for her and Erik to meet again? Like what happened now?
Could she have made her life better and happier even if she was alone?
And above all, can it still happen that even if she for example became successful in her life, Erik will still see and notice her?
That even if she wasn't as weak as she is now, would he still want to talk to her? And if there is a chance, will he still kiss her so that he can give peace to her troubled mind and feelings?
With all those questions a sad smile broke Mia’s lip.
She wants to think that after everything, someone like her still has a chance. But in real life, someone like Erik who has a better and more comfortable future waiting for her in Canada is not suitable for someone like her.
Because even if she doesn't admit it, she knows that her life is doomed. And just like what she had said earlier, even if she dies it's okay. Because if her parents did not value and regret losing her and were able to give her away, maybe she is not the type of person to be loved.
At least in the afterlife, she has a chance to be with the only person who gave value to her, and that is her Nana Rosita.
*****
TEN YEARS AGO…
"CLASS, can you please be quiet for a moment? I was just there in the hallway, and I could hear your chatter!" that was what their class adviser Mrs. De Jesus told them as soon as she entered the classroom.
Mia's immediately lifted her head from the book she was reading. She closed it and then focused her attention on the teacher who was now standing in front of their class.
"Instead of studying and reading your lessons, you kept yourself busy chatting and talking nonsense! Why don't you be like Mia? She has always been so quiet and concentrates on her studies. The reason why she has been consistently number one since she started schooling!” was what their teacher even added.
Mia felt her face turn red quickly right after their teacher said that, so she decided to bow her head down. At that moment, she could feel the eyes of her classmates all focused on her again.
"I have an announcement to make," after that moment of silence, the voice of Mrs. De Jesus echoed in their classroom once again. "Next month your JS Prom will be held," when their teacher said that their classroom was once again filled with noise. "Wait a minute, let me finish first!"
"They are excited to go on a date Ma'am!" it was Resty, their gay classmate. When Mia turned around she saw him shaking his head while jokingly giving a sharp look to the girl next to him, Lourdes.
Mia couldn't stop smiling because of that. When she returned her gaze to the teacher who was speaking in front of them, she accidentally glanced at Bernie who was sitting in the front. The right side of the room is near the door.
Her seat is in the middle and the second row.
Bernie smiled meaningfully and Mia got what he meant. And because she knew that Erik couldn't ask her to be his date, she just nodded to Bernie.
Bernie's face immediately lit up because of that. Then his lips moved, and he said thank you in a voiceless way.
Mia just nodded with a smile and then returned her attention to their teacher.
"There will be a cotillion because that is a tradition. Now as the top one of the entire senior year," their teacher then confronted her. "you will be joining, Mia," she said to her.
Even if she doesn't like it, she has no choice. In that school, the top one and top two students are both obliged to join the cotillion, regardless of what kind of gender.
"And since our top two is a boy," when their teacher said that, Mia's chest began to heave. "You Erik will be Mia's partner, after all, you two are a perfect combination," with the last words their teacher mentioned she smiled sweetly so which caused noise in the whole classroom.
Mia's face blushed even more because of that. What else can she do? She knew she had no choice but to follow because after all, it was in her favor.
"Yes, you're a good match, why don’t you start courting Mia, Erik? After all, you live in the same village!" it was Resty again who sounded so thrilled and then agreed by Lourdes followed by the rest of their classmates.
Mia bit her bottom lip because of that. And when she accidentally turned to Erik who was on the left side of the room even though they are both in the second row, what she saw really surprised her.
He was smiling, his head leaning against the wall while staring intently at her. And when he saw her looking at him that was when the young man quickly looked away.
Mia secretly felt an immediate romantic excitement because of that.
But as she always did, she hid her feelings by suppressing her own emotions.
She quickly withdrew her gaze from him but in her mind, the beautiful smile on Erik's lips was still there. That kind of smile that is obviously happy and likes what is going on. It's in the aura of his face and also in the way his eyes sparkle during that time. That is why her secret admiration for him intensified.
Erik is really handsome. He has a fair complexion, he is also tall. His eyebrows are naturally lined, and thick, and just like the color of his hair, they are black. He has round dark eyes, a perfect nose, and kissable red lips.
Erik's nice body figure is also noticeable even though he is only in high school. She loved it when he parted his beautiful and clean-cut hair with his hand. It's like it’s so soft that she wants to comb it using her fingers.
So she no longer wonders why a lot of girls in their school like him. Girls who are all beautiful have a nice living and above all know how to dress nicely. Unlike her who can't even wear short shorts because she's shy. In addition to that, her mother always reminded her that a woman's body is sacred and should be protected, kept, and dress nicely.
After their teacher gave details about the JS Prom to be held next month, she started teaching their Social Studies subject. Mia quickly returned her attention there. But in her heart, she still couldn't believe that Erik will be her partner for the cotillion that school year.
She was thrilled but she tried to hide it. Because apart from knowing Bernie wouldn't like that, she also didn't want to hear any negative feedback from other people. Because of her life background.
Anyway, she's happy despite being in hiding for a long time so she could not ask for more.