The Truth Untold

Third Person's POV

*Flashback*

Adrian heard Bianca's weak voice calling out to him as he sat beside her on the bed. They were alone, hidden away in a secluded house in Palawan, a place where they had sought solace from the world.

The doctor had already delivered the devastating news that Bianca's sickness had reached a point of no return, leaving them with no other option but to wait for her to pass away. As each moment passed, they both knew that her time was near, and Bianca had begun mentally preparing herself for the inevitable.

Adrian tightened his grip on her hand and asked, "Yes, Bianca? Is there something you need?" He had no idea that her frail voice conveyed her final words.

Bianca mustered the strength to gently squeeze his hand, both savoring and saying goodbye to the warmth she felt for the last time. "I am sorry," she whispered remorsefully, her gaze fixed on his eyes.

Confusion washed over Adrian's face as he replied, "Why apologize, Bianca? You haven't done anything wrong. What are you saying sorry for?"

Tears welled up in Bianca's eyes as she silently conveyed her deep regret. "I am sorry I could not keep my promise," she finally explained, her apologetic eyes revealing her truth. "Please go back to Manila and meet my parents. Tell them that I am sorry and that I love them with all my heart. Promise me that you’ll never lose your beautiful smile and that you'll always find happiness."

Adrian's anger mingled with fear as he protested, "No, why are you saying this? Stop, Bianca. It's not funny," but deep inside, he could not be truly mad at her.

Desiring one last moment of closeness, Bianca beckoned him closer. Adrian leaned in, expecting a whispered secret, but instead, he felt a gentle peck on his lips. Time seemed to stand still as Bianca bestowed her final kiss upon him, whispering, "I love you…"

Overwhelmed with emotions, Adrian choked back tears as he responded, "I love you too, Bianca. Forever." Tenderness filled his touch as his hand caressed her cheeks, followed by a deep kiss on her temple. And in that sacred moment, he heard her exhale, her face adorned with a genuine smile.

Moreover, as Adrian reciprocated the smile, he observed Bianca's hand slipping out of his grasp. That sigh she let out happened to be her final breath, and her heart ceased its pulsations. She passed away while being cradled in Adrian's embrace. Distraught and disbelieving, Adrian softly tapped on Bianca's shoulders and gently shook her, desperately wishing for her to awaken once more. "Bianca? Hey? Wake up!" he pleaded as his tears cascaded down relentlessly. "No, Bianca, please come back! Bianca. This cannot be happening. You cannot leave me. Please, please come back," his sorrow expressed through endless streams of tears.

Beatrice's POV

*Present time*

At the start of a fresh school year, I found myself facing mixed emotions as I entered my last year of Junior High School. Doubts began to cloud my mind, causing me to question whether attending the first day was the right decision. Being a transfer student with nobody to rely on added to my concern. Additionally, I felt a sense of terror, loneliness, and invisibility. Even after a few visits to the school, everything still seemed unfamiliar. The vast school grounds, towering buildings, and the students themselves were so different from what I had been accustomed to. All of these factors made me contemplate backing out and giving up on this new world that seemed poised to consume me.

However, fate seemed to intervene at just the right moment. As I arrived at the school gates, a helpful school employee was there to guide new students. Navigating my way to the homeroom was a breeze, thanks to her assistance.

"This will be your homeroom for the rest of the year, Ms. Mendoza," she said with a touch of encouragement. "Good luck," she added before departing, and in gratitude, I offered her a respectful bow.

Taking a deep breath, I attempted to rally my spirits. "You can do this," I silently reassured myself, taking the first step towards the classroom door.

As I stepped inside, the weight of their collective gaze bore down upon me. It felt as if all eyes were magnetically drawn towards me. "Perhaps, it's because I am new," I pondered.

Surveying the room, my eyes searching for an unoccupied seat, I was approached by a boy who appeared out of nowhere. "Hi! I'm Paul," he introduced himself with a friendly smile. "You're Beatrice Chloe Mendoza, right? The transfer kid?"

Shyly, I nodded in affirmation and replied, "Yes, hello Paul. Just call me Bea."

Chuckling softly, he whispered, "So cute. Okay then, sit beside me!"

Before I could fully comprehend the situation, he took hold of my wrist and pulled me along with him.

In that instant, amidst the shock caused by his unexpected actions, I could not help but think to myself, "An emergency friend, indeed."

The sound of the bell echoed through the halls, a clear indication that classes were about to start. As I stood there, I could not help but feel a slight weight lifted off my shoulders, all because of Paul. He had this incredible ability to keep talking, captivating me with his stories until I found myself opening up and sharing my own.

In just a matter of moments, we had become closer, realizing that we had plenty of time since our first subject teacher was still on vacation overseas. He turned to me with a smile and asked, "So, you're from Bataan?"

I giggled, pretending to be coy. "Did I mention that?"

He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Hey, you just did!"

I could not contain my mischievous grin. "Oh really? I can't remember," I teased, playfully feigning forgetfulness.

His confusion was evident as he scratched his temple and stared at the ceiling. "Wait, what? Didn't you mention it?" he asked, clearly puzzled.

Laughing at his adorable reaction, I shook my head innocently. But the laughter continued to bubble up and escape me, unable to contain it.

"Aish, you're fooling me!" he exclaimed, playfully pointing at me. I continued laughing, unable to stop.

In a sudden burst of energy, he started running towards me, and before I knew it, we were both chasing each other around the classroom, giggling and letting loose. The entire class watched us with curious eyes, but instead of feeling small or embarrassed, I felt a newfound confidence. Paul's charm had a way of breaking down any sense of awkwardness, making me feel comfortable in my own skin.

After a while, he eventually stopped chasing me, and I came to a halt as well, but I continued to take a few steps backward, keeping an eye out for his next move.

"Hey, Paul. Tired already?" I teased, but noticed his focused expression. Taking another step back, I asked, "Hey, what's wrong with you?" Suddenly, I felt something beneath my foot. Wait, was it elevated? The realization hit me all at once. "Oh my gosh." I started to lose my balance.

Gasps escaped from my classmates, but I shut my eyes, preparing myself for the imminent impact with the ground.

But... why wasn't I feeling any pain?

Curiosity getting the best of me, I slowly tilted my head upward, and to my surprise, I found myself staring at the chin of a man. The image slowly came into focus - his nostrils, long eyelashes, and his noticeable cheeks. And then, my eyes landed on his lips, the nicest pair I had ever seen. Without a doubt, this man was undeniably handsome.

I could not help but express my amazement in a hushed tone, "Wow, he is incredibly tall." As I continued observing him, I managed to catch sight of his name tag, which read "Adrian Marquez."