"I will never stop until I get a hold of you, my Kiiro."

***

The class ended faster than I thought it would be, or maybe because it was my favourite subject, Philosophy. I fixed my things and went to the locker room to get some materials for the project given to us earlier.

The moment I closed my locker, Amber showed up which is only beside me. I almost suspected that she is following me not until I saw the name on the locker.

Amber Jane Legaspi
XII - ANDROMEDA

Maglalakad na sana ako paalis nang bigla niyang sabihin ang pangalan ko.

"Mr. Kiiro.' I turned around to face her.

"Overall rank two of STEM strand last year, right?' she added. I gave her a confused look, what is she up to? I just nodded as a response to her question.

"You have a rare eye disorder, right?"

"Yes, what about it?" I gave her a plain expression.

"Nothing. You might have fool everyone in this school, but not me. I am not like those idiots who believed in your façade."

Hindi ko alam kung anong nangyari sa akin matapos kong marinig ang mga salitang iyon? Tila may kung anong kumalabog sa dibdib ko. Even the aircondition doesn't stop me from sweating.

"Nervous?" she chuckled. "No worries, I'll remain my mouth shut. At least now, I confirmed it?"

She was about to walk when I responded that made her stop. "Confirmed? Really? Go believe what you want to believe, and besides, I have complete documents from my ophthalmologist, I can email it you if you want." I composed myself as much as I can, suppressed my trembling muscles and kept my voice intact. Hindi ko pinarinig sa kaniya nang kahit kaunti na kinabahan ako sa mga sinabi niya.

"You don't have to, thanks," she sarcastically stated as she walked away.

Napalunok ako at huminga nang malalim matapos niyang umalis. It's not that I hide my real condition, it is for my own safety and my psychologist suggested to remain silent about my phobia. Through that, I can recover faster, and might as well heal my condition.

***

5:30 PM, the sun is slowly setting, and the darkness is slowly filling the sky. I don't know when the last time was I looked at the sunset's true colors, not the black and white that I always see.

Wala sa sarili akong naglakad palabas ng school. I don't know but what Amber said earlier really had a great impact on me. If she's bluffing, how did she get the idea that I was lying? And if she's not, when and how did she know the truth?

Dahil sa lalim ng iniisip ko ay hindi ko na namalayan ang taong nakasalubong ko. We bumped into each other that made the both of us fell on the floor.

I groaned upon feeling the pain. I looked on the person I bumped into. Magagalit na sana ako dahil hindi siya tumitingin sa dinaraanan niya pero agad akong napahinto nang makita ang isang bouquet ng sunflower.

It is crystal clear in my eyes. The reflection of the sunset, and the petals of the sunflower. They were... yellow.

I immediately looked away as I feel my heartbeat went fast. My glasses, where are they?

"Sir, sorry ho kung nabangga-"

"My glasses?! Where are my glasses?!" I shouted while keeping my eyes closed. I must stay calm. Kiiro, don't think of it. Just breathe, don't think of anything. It's just a sunflower.

Matapos ang ilang segundo ay naramdaman ko ang isang kamay. Inabot nuto ang salamin ko, hindi ako nagsayang ng oras at agad kong sinuot ito. Pagmulat ng mga mata ko, nakita ko ang panginginig ng mga kamay ko. Sh*t! I forgot to bring my pills!

Hindi tumigil sa panginginig ang katawan ko, wala rin akong marinig noong mga oras na 'yon. Everything is silent but it is deafening. Kahit wala ng kulay na nakikita ang paningin ko ay hindi pa rin tumitigil ang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko. Pawis na pawis ang buong katawan ko at nahihirapan akong huminga.

"Sir, okay lang ho kayo? Sir?" Tumingala ako para maakita kung sino ang nagsasalita pero nanlalabo ang paningin ko.

Kahit nanginginig ang tuhod ko at walang lakas, pinilit kong tumayo. Tumakbo ako papalayo, hindi ko alam kung saan ako papunta. Parang may buhay ang mga paa ko, at ang gusto lang nito ay tumakas at lumayo.

I was running senselessly when I realized that I'm already in the middle of the road. I can't here anything aside from a loud beep from my behind. When I turned around, a fast-approaching truck welcomed by eyes.

It was my end, having a pathetic death, or so I thought.

I closed my eyes waiting for the bus to hit my fragile body, that time, I accepted my fate. I shook when I felt someone held my wrist and pulled me gently but enough to get me out of the truck's way. The next thing I knew, someone is embracing me with his or her arms. I was too afraid to open my eyes, my body is still trembling from both the shock and the panic attack I had earlier.

"Everything is fine, open your eyes, Kiiro." A man's voice- deep husky yet gentle and comforting. I slowly opened my eyes; I looked around and saw that we are in the side of the road.

Bumitaw sa akin ang lalaki pero inalalayan niya pa rin ako sa pagtayo. "Kaya mo na ba tumayo? I can feel that your knees are still trembling," he asked and that's when I took a glance of the man who just saved my life.

I think he's the same age as me, or maybe a year older than me? The first thing I noticed is his monolid eyes, those were jet black- deep, dark, and mysterious. His faded curtain hair was styled neatly that made him look matured and manlier, he has these defined pointed nose and perfectly clenched jaws. His taller than me, way taller than me. I think he's about 6 feet in height, and aside from that, his body is also well-built, strong enough to pull me earlier in the verge of death. One thing I can describe him in a whole, he's handsome.

"Kiiro, I'm asking you, kaya mo na ba?" Nabalik ako sa sarili ko nang marinig siyang magsalita.

"Y-Yes, I'm okay," I replied then he slowly let go of me. I can stand by myself, it's just that my knees are trembling, but I can manage.

Wait. Did he just call me by my name?

I look at him with a confused look. "How did you know my name?" I said and gave him a sharp glance. I stayed away for a bit, even if he saved my life, I cannot let my guard down, again.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm not a stalker or whatever you call it, napadaan lang ako," depense niya.

Pinanliitan ko siya ng mata, I think he's not lying though. "Then why did you know my name?"

He chuckled and said, "Sino bang hindi makakaalala sa overall rank two ng STEM last year?"

"Wait, you're from Criston University too?"

"Uhm, yes? You don't remember me, don't you?" I was confused by his response. Do we know each other before?

"Don't be confused, halata sa mukha mong naguguluhan ka. We just interacted once, practice ng recognition last year but it's not that significant."

"By the way, I am Savior Kyle Ramirez, from Aquila, katabi lang ng section mo," pagpapakilala niya at ngumiti sa akin. He offered his hand. I don't really do such things but since he saved my life, I accepted his hand.

"Kiiro Misaki."

"You know what, dapat sana nasa Andromeda rin ako, but sadly, I didn't get to enter the Top 30 last year," he opened up.

In our school, the first year in senior high school which is grade 11 is sectioned randomly. Then, in grade 12, we are grouped depending on our general averages and my section, Andromeda, are filled with students who made it to the top 30.

Akala ko matatapos na ang kwento niya pero sinabayan niya ako sa paglalakad habang patuloy siya sa pagku-kwento.

"Are you heading the same way as mine?" I asked that made him stop talking.

"No, why?" he replied.

"So why are you walking with me?" I don't intend to sound rude here, just a disclaimer.

"Hmm, hinahatid ka sa bus stop. Making sure you got home safe," he replied and shrugged his shoulders.

"And why do you have to do that?"

"Are you uncomfortable? Sige unahan na kita, I'm sorry if I am making you uncomfy, pero what if mangyari ulit 'yong kanina? My conscience can't afford to imagine what might happen to you." I looked at his eyes and all I see is genuine and pure intention.

I remained silent as we arrived on the bus stop. Kahit nakarating na kami doon ay hindi pa rin siya umalis, he stayed until the bus arrived.

"Take care and nice to meet you, Kiiro," he bid farewell.

I was about to enter the bus, but I slightly turned to him, "Thank you, for earlier," I said and walked towards the seat. I did not wait for his reply or even look at his direction. Even if people might call me cold and rude, I still know whenever I owe someone.

But I should not get attached or make friends with anyone. That's for my safety and theirs too.