Would you believe in the Red String Theory?
Well, I might.
A year ago, I stumbled upon a friend request. It was indeed, out of the blue. Still, I accepted him.
“Is there a Tourism Management course in Misamis University?” I asked.
“I’ll ask a friend.” He replied.
Surprisingly, he answered quickly.
Surprisingly, we studied at the same junior high school.
Surprisingly, they were classmates with my ‘all-so-loving’ fifth grade classmates.
Surprisingly, almost all of my friends knew about his existence. While I, I did not even have the slightest idea about how well-known he was at our school, not until a year ago.
Days, weeks, and eventually months passed since I first started the conversation.
He was studying at Ozamis City while I’m at Aurora — we’re hours away from each other. Though, his family was in the same town as me, he decided to study away from his hometown because of a specific reason.
One moment I could not forget was when we ate dinner together. It was around 9:00 pm and it was a chilly evening considering the eatery was located at the second floor of an establishment.
Tito outfit. Mask. MU ID.
At first, I wasn’t bothered by the fact that he was wearing his ID at night time. “Maybe it’s a discount for some transpo,” I thought.
It was our first meet. And ‘awkward’ was the word to describe that situation; although, I was accompanied by my twin brother.
“Maybe we should go?” I asked, cutting him off to what he was about to say.
It was 10:00 pm. I already noticed earlier the workers were waiting for us to wrap up — we’re the only customers left.
“I know them, don’t worry. They wouldn’t mind.” He effortlessly said.
Uh… Okay? Is it just me or he sounded really cocky?
“And then she said th— ”
“Um, okay. We should really go.” I immediately stood up.
The workers were obviously waiting for us! Ugh! How couldn’t he detect that? They might be tired for the day and still, he continued to chat like the eatery’s not gonna close?
“I have something to tell you.” He suddenly said amidst our phone call.
“What is it?”
“It’s embarrassing to tell though.” He said in a small voice.
“Go on, I don’t mind.”
“When do you think I knew about you?” He asked.
I paused. Hmm? When? I guess in junior high school? Since we did study at the same school.
“Junior… high?” I said — unsure.
“It was actually on second grade.”
“…” Uh, what? Second grade? In elementary? I definitely look filthy at that time! I’m sure of it!
“As far as I remember — second or third grade…” He added.
“Is it true though? How could you know someone like me?” I remembered a friend of mine said that he was famous in jhs, she even asked on how on earth I didn’t know about him. Beats me.
“You remembered my tita I talked about right? She was a teacher on your school. That’s why I tend to visit ARPS, despite the fact that I’m from SPED.” He started. He was referring to the nearby elementary school.
“I could really recall that one time I’ve done an activity with, I think… my tita’s students. You remember that ‘toothbrushing thing’ at afternoon then right?” He asked.
Indeed. I could recall that. It was an activity done by our school.
“I was about to brush my teeth when you suddenly appeared in front, at a distance. As I can recall, you were being playful with someone and you smiled at… me, or so that’s what I think. You were smiling at the person behind me, and you know what I thought while I stared at you?”
Um, usually you can’t remember your elementary days right? Although, some times it really remains in memories, but this? I can’t remember that it happened! Or maybe I just can’t remember? Or I just don’t want to remember my days in elementary?
“W-what?” I asked in awe.
“Her eyes disappear when she smiles…” He said and screeched like a girl who just saw her crush. It’s not surprising. He sometimes behave like one.
My lips uncontrollably let out a smile. It was not a big of a deal before— the fact that I’m chinita; not until I heard him say that. I could really visualize that scene — adorable.
“Are you really sure that was me?” I asked for the nth time.
“I already told you, it was really you! It’s you, okay?” He assured me.
“You remembered my cousin, right?” He added.
I immediately thought about that bully of mine at sixth grade who has the same surname as him.
“You were cousins?!” I was shocked. I haven’t thought about that.
“Yes. And since that incident, you were the main reason why I visit ARPS from time to time. I didn’t even know your name until sixth grade; until you became classmates with my cousin. One time, when I saw you near your classroom and my cousin was with me, I didn’t hesitated and obviously asked him what was your name.” He told— as if reminiscing the past like it was the back of his hand.
“I even added you on Facebook countless times in, and since elementary — but you didn’t even accepted me…” He said in a low tone.
“How could I? I really didn’t noticed you. I promise. I haven’t read your name popped up on my screen. I just can’t remember it.” I replied on the other line while intently recalling those times I was on Facebook.
I just couldn’t process the fact that he knew me not in high school. I expected that he would knew me because they were close friends with my fifth grade bullies; which was mainly the reason why I wouldn’t want to remember my elementary days— it was hell.
He freaking knew me since elementary?! How could that possibly be? When I just knew about his existence since a year ago? Since twelvth grade? And fate even knitted and added an unexpected thread of turn of event, wherein he would transfer to another school at shs. We would be studying at the same grounds then, if he hadn’t transferred.
“Mom, this is Cyrill. We will study for the upcoming MSU SASE.”
“Good day, ma’am…” He greeted shyly.
And just like that, my family knew about him ever since he visited our household. My mom and grandmother even interviewed him and got our study delayed for an hour.
We were like that every weekends before the exam. He always comes home at Fridays and the next day, at noon was our schedule for studying. He helped me in Math, while I helped him in English. That was our routine before the MSU SASE and eventually took the said exam together.
Dad said Seventh-Day Adventists don’t eat pig meats
I thought I already told him I’m an Adventist? I thought he already knew?
I thought you already knew? Why?
Dad told me about your religion. He’s a pastor at our church, actually. He explained things about your belief and how it was an opposite to Jesus Reigns.
And? Your point… is?
Dad seems to disapprove about us.
A what again? Disapprove? They were even very welcoming to me at their shop every time I stop by. His sister would even smile at me when we pass by each other at school. So, why now? Now that I’ve grown comfortable with him?
Maybe he’s perplexed? About what his dad told? He’s the type that needs a thorough explanation even in small things. What more in that heavy topic? He might misunderstand it — he easily gets like that without a thorough explanation after all. Maybe his dad was just sharing some piece of advice and then he’s taken it seriously and did overthink about our situation. I knew he’s that kind of person.
Turned out the string of fate only intertwined our threads for some time, not for a long period of time.
I might believe in the Red String Theory.
He once saw the little me.
He then saw the teenager me.
We saw each other and finally met.
And we never saw each other again.
The Red String Theory is, after all— a mystery.
We were strangers at the very beginning. Not until the string of fate intertwined our paths and stumbled upon each others’ arms — for quite a moment in time.
