Chapter 8

I went to the campus wearing a red tee and mom jeans that were paired with white rubber shoes. It was three in the afternoon and the hallway that I ran through was almost empty, probably because the students have ongoing classes around this time.

When I arrived at Neil's office, I knocked on the door then waited for a while until it was opened by Neil. He was wearing gray sleeves and jeans while he was holding a folder with papers in it. 

"Get in," he said with a cold tone then walked back to his desk. 

I stepped inside then closed the door behind me. Neil went on typing on his laptop then he dropped a small envelope on his desk. I looked at him as I waited for him to say anything but he just went on typing on his laptop.

I picked up the envelope then opened it. There was a letter inside that was written on a piece of paper. 

"Why are they sending letters instead of dropping by here?" I asked.

"That person didn't want to reveal her identity which her reasons were stated on that letter," Neil answered without looking away from his laptop. He must've typed something very important that he wouldn't take his eyes off at the damn gadget.

I opened the letter and read what was written there:

Dear Sir Neil,

I heard from a friend that you gave him good relationship advice that led him into happiness and freed him from the chains of that woman. But I am also having a problem that I don't know how you will solve this one. We just had our event, right? And I was asked by this guy to be his date for that event. So I accepted him and he became my date. Don't get me wrong, this guy is a good person but the thing is, he became obsessed with me. He became sweet and daring. He became someone that I wouldn't expect him to be, because he was my friend before. Like he has these expectations that I am afraid of ruining it. This is also why I wanted to be anonymous because I don't want him doing something horrible like he's going to embarrass me to anyone else in school.

Sir, if it's okay, please send me a reply by writing another letter and insert it in this envelope, leave it by the door of your office and I'll just pick it up."

"Geez. This is too easy. Why can't you just reply to it?" I told him then I placed the envelope back on his desk again.

He finally glanced up at me. "What do you think is the answer?"

I shook my head in a quick pace. "Duh? If the girl doesn't like the guy, reject him! How is it that hard? I mean, that's her decision, right?"

"You're right," he said as he tapped the frame of his glasses. "But as mentioned in the last sentences, the girl seemed afraid about the guy's capabilities to ruin her reputation in school."

I groaned. "It is the reputation again! I guess image plays a big part in the relationship."

"We have this called relationship pressure and this can't be helped especially if two people were coming from the same environment. Mostly, this happens when you're young and still studying. But when you grow up, people wouldn't care who you're fucking with because they are too busy with adult stuff."

Relationship pressure huh? Do I feel it this way with John? I think not. I mean, that's according to my will anyway.

"I think, it really wouldn't matter what other people think about you and your decisions, right?" I reasoned. 

Neil's eyes were fixed at me while he nodded, understanding my point. "We should reply to her then."

We began writing the letter as a reply to the anonymous sender. Then afterwards we put the envelope with strings attached to it by the door. 

It was almost six in the evening when we got out of his office. We walked along the crowd of students. Seeing them giggling and bantering each other made me smile and remember my days when I was younger. I used to have friends like these, but because of the years went by, a lot of them have already moved on. 

"I told you that guy is a mistake. You should've just invited me instead of him."

My head turned when I heard an overlapping voice just beside us. There was this guy who was talking to the girl walking right next to him. Both of them looked young and good-looking. 

"I thought you were sick and you're not gonna make it? This is also your fault!" she hissed at him then slapped his arm in a joking way. The guy chuckled then put his hand on the girl's shoulder. Judging by how they are treating each other, they were close friends.

"But still. I know Paulo is a nice guy to you but things are starting to get shit after that annual event," the guy said.

Me and Neil exchanged glances at each other because of what we just heard. Could this be the girl who sent us the letter? The story seemed similar. We were about to separate our ways from these kids but me and Neil had some sort of mental communication that we just decided to follow them instead and eavesdrop for more of their conversation.

"Why wouldn't you just tell him to fuck off, you know? This is also your fault. You kept giving him mixed signals then you're going whine at me saying that he was not letting you breathe."

The girl chuckled nervously. "I am not whining! I'm just saying that he was nice and all that, but things are changing, you know? I feel like it was not what it used to be. I actually liked him better before that event."

"Well, that happens, dude," the guy said. "The guy's showing off. That's why he was not before when he used to be."

Then the girl sighed. "I don't know, Sen. I really like him, you know? But it feels like it's too much already."

"Then just break up with him, what the fuck, Sera."

The two kids continued their way by passing the road when me and Neil stopped by the road after the vehicles passed through. 

"Well, I guess Sera doesn't need the letter anymore," Neil said as his hands were inserted in both of his pockets. Then he walked away and I was left in awe and watched the two kids from afar. For some reason, I feel like something's not right after hearing their conversation.