Maybe it was the cold. Maybe it was the gray skies. Or maybe ... it was the extreme beating of my heart that seemed to drain all strength from my being.

A strong gush of wind swept over the ground, moving everything it touched into oblivion. I felt a shiver run through my spine. Anglamig naman. I took a step and began to walk towards the school gate, tension rising as more and more students came into view.

It's been almost two weeks. Two weeks since I arrived in the city, and in no way can I say it's been easy. Gaano kaya katagal? Gaano katagal bago ako masanay?

The tall cream and blue painted buildings occupied my gaze, their massive sizes all the more emphasizing my insignificance in the face of the large school population. Napakaraming tao. Talaga nga namang isa ito sa mga pinakamalaking paaralan sa siyudad ng Baguio. I gazed into the crowd of uniformly dressed students, all seemingly occupied as each went on in their ways.

Narama kong lalo ang hampas ng hangin sa bawat hakbang. I held both my arms. Grabe. Muli akong napabuga ng hangin at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. Gradually, chatter from all directions filled my ears as I scaled up the Senior High's Building. Immediately I notice a few heads turning, eyes roving my form from top to bottom.

"Wow. Updated skirt length?"

"Look at that. Naka below the knee oh..."

"Hindi kaya siya sinita ng guard?"

My brows knit, lids clasping as I finally understood what I was hearing. Just as I thought. For a moment I thought nobody was gonna notice, hindi pala.

I bit my lip, gazing down at the army green checkered skirt that reached over my knees. I studied it with a careful glance. 'Seems appropriate enough. Wala namang nasabi sa dress code na bawal magdagdag ng inches sa palda ah. Anglamig pa naman dito! 

I discreetly eyed the ladies on the corridor, their mid-thigh skirts filling my gaze. Hindi kaya nilalamig ang mga ito? I blew the strands of hair away from my face. Ah basta. Komportable ako't 'yon lang ang mahalaga.

Napa-iling nalang ako at inilibot ang paningin. Nasa'n kaya yung classroom ko dito? Had I known na ganito pala kalawak tong building na 'to kinuha ko siguro ung mapa na alok nung guard.

"Miss Ngatiyon?" Bahagya akong lumingon, "Miss Ngatiyon, is that you?" A beautiful woman in teacher's uniform occupied my vision.

"Y-yes, Ma'am." I replied in awe.

"Ah, I see. I recognized you from the late enrollment session. I'm your adviser." She informed, "Halika, our classroom is this way," Nagsimula siyang maglakad. Dali dali naman akong sumunod.

"My name's Johanna Eyasan pala, Hija," Pagpapakilala ng guro. I nodded in percipience. Ang ganda naman ng pangalan niya, almost as lovely as she was. I kept stealing glances of her as we walked.Para bang napaka-gaan ng loob ko sakaniya. Peace and gentleness seemed to cloak her every movement.

"Ito ang classroom natin, Grace," I snapped to my senses. "You go on ahead while I go and get something from the office, okay?"

Tumango ako at inilipat ang tingin sa pintuang tinuro niya. Faint noises became louder as I began to walk, and soon, a student filled classroom filled my perception.

One by one their gazes shifted towards me, wonder eminent in their faces. Agad akong nagbaba ng tingin. Keep it calm, Grace. With my gaze lowered, I sought a chair on the back of class - a safe haven from the curious stares of the people around me.

As I sat, a voice of a woman ringed in the class. Si Ma'am Johanna. She carried a laptop in her arm and a projector on the other. Immediately, two of my classmates seated on the front row began to assist her in setting up.

"Good morning, class!" She greeted, and upon her word a wave of responses echoed in the classroom.

"By the way, before we jump to the lesson, let's give the new member of our class a few minutes to introduce herself, shall we?" She looked towards my direction and beckoned me to stand. I felt my heart race.

Dahan-dahan akong tumayo ako at naglakad patungo sa harap, turning around as I reached the board.

"G-good morning," I cleared my throat, "Ako po si Grace Ngatiyon, from Ifugao. Happy to meet you all," I paused, unsure of what to say next.

"Tell us something about yourself, Hija," The teacher spoke up, "Talents? Hobbies?"

"Ah," I lowered my head in thought, "Uhm, gusto ko pong nagbabasa ng mga libro. Minsan nag gigitara rin." 

"Wow, guitar?" The teacher nodded, "So do you sing too?"

I bit the inside of my lip in uncertainty. "Ah... m-medyo po." 

A wave of ooh's echoed in the class at my word. I looked around in wonder. 

"Sample, sample!"

My eyes widened, tension increasing as more students began to chant the word. 

"M-ma'am?" I gazed towards the teacher in confusion, hoping she would take my side and shush the class quite. But she didn't. She simply smiled and took a seat.

"Go ahead, Grace. We'd love to hear your voice." Lalong nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang marinig ang sambit niya.

Hala. Ito na nga bang sinasabi ko. I felt my cheek burn, my hand fiddling my  skirt as I gazed towards my classmates.

Ano na, Grace? Think!

I remained idle for a few seconds, my mind in search of a song, and as soon as I came to a decision, I lifted my gaze. Pambihira namang introduction to. May pa-special number pa. I released a breath and summoned focus.

"I love you this much, and I'm waiting on you," I heard a wave of cheers as I sang the first line, "To make up your mind, do you love me too?"

Ipinagpatuloy ko ang pag-awit. Almost immediately, the memory of my father flashed through my mind. This was his song, and I couldn't help but miss him as I sang each tune. 

"Halfway through the service, as the choir sang a hymn,

He looked up above the preacher, and he sat and stared at Him...

He said; Forgive me Father, when he realized,

That he hadn't been unloved, or alone all his life,"

A smile made its way to my face as I sang each line. This was his testimony. Kaya siguro lagi niya itong kinakanta para sa amin noon. Almost every night before we slept, we would hear this song. Every single night. Until one day, the singing stopped. Severed forever as he breathed his last. Melancholy mixed with joy filled my heart that at least - he's with God now.

"His hands were stretched out as far as they'd go,

Nailed to the Cross, for the whole world to know,

I love you this much..."

Marahan akong lumingon nang masulyapan ang paggalaw mula sa pinto ng classroom. A man in uniform stood in its midst, his almond eyes anchored upon me as I sang - sharp. I felt the urge to clear my throat once again. Ano ba 'yan. Maka- tingin naman ito parang nanghahamon ng away.

I ended the song sooner than I planned, feeling extremely awkward of his incessant gaze. Palakpakan ang pumalit sa boses ko nang tapusin ko ang kanta.

"Excellent voice, miss Ngatiyon!" I heard Ma'am Johanna remark. I simply nodded in acknowledgment and went back to my seat.

"Excuse me for a minute class, I need to take this call." Dali-daling lumabas ang guro at sa paglabas niya'y saktong pumasok naman 'yong lalake kanina. My brows knit.

He nonchalantly walked inside the class, his uniform unbuttoned as though he wasn't really planning on wearing it at all. His features strongly manifested a cordilleran vibe - a handsome face. Hindi ko naman sana gustong maging judgemental, pero bakit parang ang yabang naman nito?

Nagkibit-balikat nalang ako at ibinalik ang titig sa lamesa. Oh well, as long as he won't bother me. I kept my gaze on the table, thoughts soaring, when strangely, I saw a shadow hover above me.

Nag-angat ako ng tingin. Woah. He's so tall. Kahit siguro tumayo ako nasa may balikat lang niya ang height ko. I blinked back to my senses. Teka, bakit naman 'to nakatayo ng ganito sa harap ko?