DIALOGUE

HEARTLAKE UNIVERSITY — STUDENT COUNCIL OFFICE
2:30 PM

GRAESON:
Thank you for your hard work today, guys. I hope everything will move smoothly for our upcoming intramurals.

Graeson, the student council president, ends the meeting with gratitude. The meeting took at least 1 and a half hours since it started. It was a tough but smooth meeting at the same time. Tough because everyone — the club presidents — will be having another set of workloads, but smooth at the same time because everyone seems cooperative with the said meeting.

After dismissing the meeting, Stella made her way to the door, following the other club officers who left the room one by one. She let out a heavy sigh of relief after having a glimpse of some fresh air.

Stella closed her eyes for a moment and let out a heavy sigh again. The meeting earlier somehow drained her energy and she couldn't help but feel relief after the meeting ended. After almost 3 years of interacting with people again, Stella couldn't help but feel drained even though she wasn't doing anything other than listening and writing minutes for their organization.

Stella looked back at the student council office. It's a bit quieter than earlier. For the nth time, she let out a sigh again, but this time, it was a sigh of disappointment. Stella expected to walk with Lucian to their organization room. She expected to have at least a brief moment with him even though they don't converse too much. But to her disappointment, Lucian remained inside the student council office to discuss something with the council president.

SAKURA:
Hi!

Sakura, Stella's best friend, clung her right arm around Stella. She excitedly looked at Stella as the latter smiled at her softly.

Thankfully, Sakura was here to help Stella from drowning in her own thoughts. She had been her savior every time her thoughts were trying to drown her. It was like Sakura was a fishnet trying to save her every time Stella was about to drown.

SAKURA:
How's your experience so far? Okay naman?

STELLA:
It was fine. I liked hearing and writing every little detail sa meeting kanina!

Stella can't also contain her excitement anymore. Because of being locked up for almost 3 years in her own room, every little thing seems new for Stella. All the emotions that she feels feel like a new feeling for her even though she has felt them before. Everything seems new and Stella never complains about it.

SAKURA:
I'm so glad to hear na hindi ka nahihirapan. I'm so proud of you, my love.

STELLA:
Hindi naman sa hindi nahihirapan, my Saku. There's still a little hesitation pa rin in how to interact with other people, especially since I'm not familiar with the others, but I think I still did great!

Stella smiles even wider. Even though she won't tell what she felt, the emotion in her eyes is already evident that she's also proud of herself. For Stella, this is a little progress. And she will treasure every progress she has as long as she can because, for her, time is also a treasure.

SAKURA:
Of course, you still did great! Kung hindi lang kita kabisado, hindi ko mapapansin kaba mo. Haha! You did great presenting yourself kahit nakaupo ka lang sa may bandang likod ni Pres. Lucian mo.

STELLA:
Sakura! Stop calling President Lucian, Pres. Lucian mo! What if may nakarinig sayo? What are they going to say?

Stella hysterically said. She knows how popular Lucian is, especially with the girls. She already knows how he was admired by many. That's why even though she likes and admires him just as the other ladies see him, Stella wants her feelings to be kept in the box.

Stella knew she had no chance here, especially since Lucian seemed to be in love with someone else, and that's the very reason why she didn't want to push her feelings further.

SAKURA:
What's wrong with it? Are you still afraid ba that someone might hear us?

Stella nodded at her answer.

SAKURA:
My, god, bebe. Hanapin muna kako karapatan nila bago sila mag-alburoto sa inis!

STELLA:
You're so mean, my Saku.

Stella whispered softly which made her friend scoff in disbelief.

SAKURA:
Whatever.

Sakura dismissed the conversation immediately. When Stella pouts her lips while looking at her feet, Sakura already knows that her friend is getting uncomfortable with their conversation, and she never wants to upset her kind best friend.

SAKURA:
Anyways, let's eat? Since we are excused for our afternoon class, why not let's enjoy our freedom for today? Try natin ‘yong bagong bukas na siomai-an sa labas!

Stella's face brightens just by hearing about food, especially siomai. She's been a sucker for siomai since she was a kid. She's been in love with it and she will never get tired of eating it.

STELLA:
I've been planning to try their siomai! I heard na masarap daw sauce nila.

Stella and Sakura were so happy that they didn't even notice the guys at their back listening to their conversation. They were both holding their hands and were about to walk when someone called Stella's name.

LUCIAN:
Stella.

Stella froze from the ground she was standing with and slowly turned around to face him. Thoughts suddenly flooded Stella's mind.

Did he hear our conversation?

SAKURA:
Oh, Lucian! Kanina ka pa diyan?

LUCIAN:
I just got here? Why?

SAKURA:
Ah . . . Haha! Wala naman. Natanong ko lang.

Stella sighs heavily. It was as if a thorn had been pulled out of her because of what she heard. Good thing Lucian didn't hear anything from their conversation.

LUCIAN:
I heard you're going to the new open siomai-an. Kung ayos lang sa inyo, I wanted to join you.

STELLA:
But . . .

Stella unknowingly said. She covered her mouth in shock upon realizing that she just blurted out what should have been in her mind.

LUCIAN:
It seems like Stella doesn't want me to tag along.

STELLA:
H-Ha? N-No . . . I'm so s-sorry po. I didn't mean it t-that way . . .

Lucian laughed a little as if teasing her. Stella pouted in embarrassment. On the other hand, Sakura thought of something not-so-evil, well at least for her.

SAKURA:
Oh, I just remembered something. May gagawin pa pala ako ngayon. Bebe, why not samahan mo na lang si Lucian kumain sa labas. I'm sure nag-cra-crave rin ang isang ‘yan ng siomai, right?

Lucian didn't put any malice on Sakura's intention, he nodded his head in agreement. Stella pouted even more when she realized she had no escape from the situation.

So, the day ended with Stella and Lucian filling their cravings . . . and making Stella's heart flatter with the whole interaction.