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Chapter 35 - THIRTY FIVE

As the first rays of sunlight streamed through my window, I found myself gently stirred from sleep.

The warmth of the sun's glow on my face was like a quiet reminder that a new day had arrived, bringing with it the promise of endless possibilities. 

The night before had been wonderful, a tapestry of moments that left me smiling as I drifted off to sleep.

But now, as I stretched and embraced the morning, I felt a surge of excitement bubbling within me.

What would today hold? What surprises might unfold? 

There's something magical about mornings.

They offer us a clean slate, an opportunity to start fresh and embrace whatever comes our way.

As I sat up in bed, I couldn't help but feel grateful for this gift, a chance to live, to experience, and to discover. 

I glanced out the window, watching the golden light dance across the trees and rooftops.

The world seemed alive, vibrant, and full of energy.

Birds chirped melodiously, their songs weaving a cheerful soundtrack to the beginning of my day.

It was as if nature itself was celebrating the arrival of morning, urging me to do the same. 

With curiosity guiding me, I began to wonder about the possibilities that lay ahead.

Mornings have a way of sneaking up on us, don't they? One moment, you're blissfully dreaming, and the next, your alarm jolts you into a race against time.

Today was one of those mornings for me, a whirlwind of hurried motions and fleeting thoughts as I scrambled to get ready for school.

It started with the realization that I might have hit the snooze button one too many times.

The clock was unforgiving, its hands inching closer to the dreaded moment when being late would be inevitable.

I jumped out of bed, my mind already calculating how to make up for lost time. There was no room for hesitation; I had to act quickly.

The first order of business was tackling a few "stuffs."

You know, those little tasks that somehow seem monumental when you're in a rush.

I darted around my room, picking up stray items, shoving books into my backpack, and making sure I had everything I needed for the day ahead.

It wasn't perfect, my bed remained unmade, and my desk looked like a tornado had passed through, but at least I felt somewhat prepared.

Next came the challenge of getting dressed. Choosing an outfit under pressure is an art form, and let's just say I'm no Picasso.

I grabbed the first clean clothes I could find, hoping they matched well enough to pass the casual glance test.

No time for second-guessing; I threw them on and gave myself a quick once-over in the mirror. Good enough.

With everything in place or at least as close to "in place" as it could be, I grabbed my shoes, slung my backpack over my shoulder, and headed out the door.

The cool morning air greeted me, a refreshing reminder that despite the chaos, the day was full of possibilities.

Sure, I had rushed through my morning routine, but sometimes that's just how life goes.

You adapt, you hustle, and you keep moving forward.

As I walked to school, I couldn't help but smile at the absurdity of it all.

Mornings like this are a reminder that life isn't always neat and orderly. It's messy, unpredictable.

Walking into school that morning, I was lost in my little world, my eyes glued to the glowing screen of my phone.

The hallway buzzed with the usual chaos: students chatting, lockers slamming, and the faint echo of teachers calling out reminders.

I was barely paying attention when it happened. I collided with someone, and my phone almost slipped from my grasp. 

Startled, I looked up, ready to apologize, and there he was, Daniel.

Time seemed to slow down as my heart skipped a beat. The one I had tried so hard to forget was right in front of me.

His deep brown eyes met mine, and for a moment, the world around us faded into a blur.

"I'm so sorry," I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper.

He smiled softly, his expression calm yet unreadable, and for a fleeting second, it felt like we were strangers.

How could that be? After everything we had shared, after all the memories that still lingered in the corners of my heart, it felt surreal to stand there like two people meeting for the first time.

I tried to move past him, eager to escape the whirlwind of emotions that his presence stirred within me.

But just as I took a step forward, I felt his hand gently close around mine.

The warmth of his touch sent a jolt through me, awakening feelings I thought I had buried.

My heart skipped again, pounding against my chest as if it was trying to remind me of something I had tried to forget.

"Wait," he said softly, his voice carrying a tenderness that made my breath hitch.

The sound of it brought back memories of our late-night conversations, the way he used to laugh at my silly jokes, the way his voice could make me feel safe even on my worst days.

I turned to face him, unable to hide the emotions swirling within me.

His gaze was steady, searching mine as if he was trying to read all the unspoken words I couldn't bring myself to say.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his concern genuine.

"I'm fine," I replied quickly, though my voice betrayed me with a slight tremble.

How could I be fine when every fiber of my being was reacting to him?

When just being near him made me feel like I was standing on the edge of something vast and uncharted?

He didn't let go of my hand, and I didn't pull away.

It felt as if time had rewound itself to the moment we first met the same electricity in the air, the same unspoken connection that had drawn us together back then.

My mind raced with questions I didn't have answers to. Did he feel it too? Did he remember how it used to be?

"Daniel…" I started, but my voice faltered.

What could I possibly say? Seeing him this morning made me realize how much I missed him.

That no matter how hard I tried to move away from him, a part of me still belonged to him?

He gave me a small smile, one that held both warmth and a hint of sadness.

"It's been a while," he said softly.

"Yeah," I replied, my voice barely audible.

It had been a while, too long since we had last spoken, since we had drifted apart for reasons that now seemed so trivial compared to the weight of what we once had. 

For a moment, we just stood there in the middle of the hallway, surrounded by the noise and chaos of school life, yet completely isolated in our little bubble.

His hand still held mine, and I couldn't bring myself to let go.

It felt too familiar, too comforting, like coming home after being lost for so long.

"I've missed you," he admitted suddenly, his words breaking through the silence between us.

My heart swelled at his confession, but fear held me back from responding. What if this was just a fleeting moment?

What if letting myself hope again would only lead to more heartbreak?

But as I looked into his eyes, I saw something that gave me courage and sincerity.

He meant it. He truly meant it.

"I've missed you too," I whispered finally, my voice trembling with emotion.

It felt like a weight had been lifted off my chest, like finally admitting the truth set something free inside me.

His smile widened, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I saw a glimmer of the boy I had fallen for,

the boy who used to make me laugh until my sides hurt, who used to hold my hand like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Maybe we can start over," he suggested gently, his thumb brushing against the back of my hand in a way that sent shivers down my spine.

"I don't want us to be strangers." "he said"

 Neither do I.

I whispered to myself, staring at him.

Deep down, I knew that no matter how much time had passed or how much we had changed, some things remained constant, like the way he made me feel, like the connection we shared.

I nodded slowly, a small smile tugging at my lips. "I'd like that." 

But I have lost trust in you, it is the main reason I'm finding it hard to give us a chance.

"I know you're mad at me," he continued, his voice barely above a whisper.

It was the kind of voice that could melt even the coldest of hearts, a soft tone that carried the weight of regret and the hope for forgiveness.

"Just listen to me, please."

I took a deep breath, my resolve wavering as memories of our shared laughter and dreams flooded my mind.

As I listened to him speak, recounting his regrets and hopes for the future, I felt my heart soften.

It was a hurried moment, one of those fleeting instances where time seems to race against itself.

I glanced at the clock, realizing I would be late for the lecture.

"I have to run off," I said to him, my voice tinged with urgency.

Yet, as I looked into his eyes, I felt the weight of what I was leaving behind in that moment.

"Maybe we can continue this conversation some other time," I added softly, almost regretting the words as they left my lips.

Just as I turned to leave, his hand reached out and pulled me back into his embrace.

His arms wrapped around me with a warmth that seemed to melt away the rush of the world outside.

He held me tightly, as if letting go would mean losing something precious.

"I will see you later," he said, his voice low and romantic, each word carrying a promise that made my heart flutter.

Before I could fully process the moment, Saraph appeared out of nowhere, her teasing grin lighting up the hall.

"Lovebirds!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with playful mockery.

"That's enough. Let's go for the lesson." Her timing was impeccable, as always, both irritating and endearing at the same time.

I shot her a glare that could have pierced through steel, but she only laughed, completely unfazed.

In truth, I wanted to be annoyed with her, but instead, I found myself laughing along.

It was one of those moments where emotions tangled together with love, laughter, and just a hint of exasperation.

As we walked toward the lecture hall, my thoughts lingered on him. His touch, his words, and the way he made even the most mundane moments feel extraordinary.

Another day, I thought. Another day to savor moments like this, to hold onto the magic that seemed to bloom whenever we were together.

For now, though, life called, lectures and lessons, friends and responsibilities.

But in the back of my mind, I held onto that promise: "I will see you later."

And I knew that when it came later, it would be worth every second of waiting.

Today felt like it had been touched by a spell, a day where the ordinary transformed into something extraordinary.

The lesson unfolded like a symphony, each moment orchestrated with a rhythm that resonated deeply within the soul.

It was as if the room had been sprinkled with stardust, and we were all under its enchanting influence.

The lecturers, who on some days seemed weighed down by the monotony of routine, were today brimming with an effervescent energy.

They moved through the room like poets reciting verses, their words flowing like a gentle stream, captivating and soothing all at once.

Their liveliness was infectious, and it felt as though they had been touched by the muse of inspiration herself.

There was no trace of annoyance or weariness in their voices today.

Instead, they carried a warmth, a spark that lit up the space and made every moment feel alive.

It wasn't just teaching; it was storytelling, it was magic. The way they explained concepts felt like they were weaving dreams, turning complex ideas into something beautiful and tangible.

The atmosphere in the room was charged with an unspoken connection.

It was as if everyone present could feel the shift, the rare alignment of energies that made this lesson feel so special.

We weren't just students and lecturers today; we were companions on a journey, explorers uncovering the wonders of knowledge together.

As I sat there, taking in every word, every gesture, I couldn't help but marvel at how such a simple day could feel so extraordinary.

It reminded me of how beauty often lies in the smallest of moments – a smile shared, a laugh echoed, or the way someone's passion can ignite a fire within you.

Today's lesson wasn't just about learning; it was about feeling alive, about being reminded of the magic that exists in the everyday.

And as I left the room, I carried that magic with me, tucked safely in my heart,

knowing that some days are meant to remind us of the wonder that surrounds us if only we choose to see it.

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