Chapter 13:

Web Of Declaration

Art in Heart


The past day had been a whirlwind of the inexplicable. From the confrontation with Jerez and the enigmatic Diana’s confession to the unexpected introduction of Colie and her world of memories and unfulfilled artistry of her daughter, it was as though the threads of fate had woven together a tapestry of the extraordinary.

As the first rays of morning sunlight filtered through the curtains of Colie's living room, I found myself amidst a comforting embrace of familiarity. The soft hues of dawn cast a gentle glow upon the room's furnishings. It was a space imbued with the echoes of conversations shared, a haven where stories had been spun and revelations had unfolded.

Lost in contemplation, I let my gaze wander over the details that adorned the room. Paintings on the walls stood as silent witnesses to Colie's daughter's passion, each brushstroke a testament to the unspoken language of art.

But as the sunlight cast its benevolent touch, I was reminded of the present. A sense of urgency fluttered within me, like a bird eager to take flight. I had to move, and go to college.

As realization washed over me regarding the urgency in time, I gathered a few slips of paper and a pen. The ink danced across the paper, forming words that bore the weight of a newfound purpose.

The memo contained an address about Dr.Olsan Clinic, so Colie sent back Feso to him. Just after that, I placed the memo near her.

The vibrant morning sunlight breathed renewed energy into every corner of the city, and a smile lingered on my lips as I sprinted back to my home. The anticipation of the day ahead added an extra spring to my step, fueling my determination to get ready for college with utmost efficiency. Today was different; I wanted to venture to college alone, driven by a purpose that beckoned me.

With swift yet deliberate movements, I readied myself for the day ahead. The minutes seemed to fly by, my hands moving deftly to fasten buttons, tie shoelaces, and secure the essentials within my bag. I was resolute in my desire to reach college early, to ensure that nothing would deter me from meeting Diana and sharing what I held within.

Once I felt adequately prepared, I locked my house with a sense of purpose and began my journey, retracing the familiar path that had become a canvas of memories. As I walked, fragments of the past resurfaced, each one a piece of the intricate puzzle that had led me to this point. The initial sound of a thud, the discovery of the old lady, and the ripple effect of unexpected events—I reflected on how those seemingly unrelated occurrences had woven together to shape my present.

The old lady, whose presence had been a catalyst for the unforeseen encounters that followed, had crossed my thoughts once again. Today seemed fitting to visit her, to ensure she was well and offer gratitude for her role in this unfolding narrative.

Just as I reached her doorstep, a mixture of contemplation and curiosity coursing through me, I pressed the doorbell. Moments later, the door swung open, revealing the figure of the once frail old lady, now vibrant and full of energy. Her voice boomed, filling the air with an exuberant greeting, "Who are you? Do you want something?"

Caught slightly off guard by her energetic demeanor, I managed a faint smile and was about to respond when another figure emerged from behind her—Shena. Her presence brought a sense of familiarity and eased the unexpectedness of the situation. With a knowing glance, Shena addressed her grandmother, "Granny, go inside. He is Diana's friend and my junior."

The old lady's jesting tone lingered as she quipped, "Ah, friend or boyfriend. Anyway, you two talk." And with that, she retreated into the house, leaving Shena and me to our conversation.

Shena let out a sigh, her gaze shifting toward me. "So, what brings you here?"

The purpose that had driven me here resurfaced in my mind, and I responded with a touch of eagerness, "Ah, where is Diana?"

A hint of surprise touched Shena's expression, and she delivered the news that caught me off guard, "Actually, she already left for college early."

Sensing my disappointment, Shena added, "Anyway, thanks for bringing her back yesterday. I hope she didn't trouble you too much, though she acted weirdly."

"Weird?" The word echoed in my thoughts, a reminder of the very scenario I had hoped to prevent. If Diana's unusual behavior continued, it might lead to complications even beyond our private interactions. It was a concern that lingered, a thread of unease that had woven its way into my thoughts.

With a resigned nod, I knew there was little else to be done. I thanked Shena for the information and turned to leave, the weight of unspoken words and intentions lingering in the air.

After contemplating various scenarios, I finally arrived at college, apprehensive about how Diana's peculiar behavior might affect our interactions. The classroom was relatively empty, with only a few students present, and neither Sid, Pam, nor Akhish had arrived yet. As I settled into my seat and glanced ahead, a sudden commotion caught my attention. A group of four or five girls was approaching me. I wasn't particularly popular, so their sudden appearance seemed like an unexpected twist in the day's events.

One of the girls, dressed in a somewhat rebellious manner, directed her attention toward me and asked, "Hey, you're Endrick, right?"

Before I could respond, I noticed some of them whispering among themselves, and then I overheard one of them saying, "Oh, he's the guy with the eye patch."

Before I could utter a word, Diana's voice echoed through the room, cutting through the chatter, "I already told all of you not to approach Endrick. We're dating."

Her proclamation left me dumbfounded, and the group of girls exchanged glances before retorting in unison, "We don't care, and we're not interested in him."

The girls departed, leaving me slightly exasperated. Diana walked up to me, a greeting on her lips, "Good morning, Endie."

I wasn't quite sure how to respond, but I managed, "Morning. Just so you know, we're not dating. Don't spread rumors."

Her demeanor shifted, and she questioned, "Are you upset about it?"

I took a deep breath, deciding to keep things light in the morning, and managed a smile, "I'm not upset. Just be patient until Sunday if you want our 'date.' And keep it quiet."

To my surprise, Diana seemed to understand the situation easily, her smile tugging at her lips as she replied, "Alright, if you say so, Prince."

I let out a sigh, "Please stop calling me that and go to your seat."

She obliged and went back to her seat, and a sense of relief washed over me. As time passed, more students began to trickle into the classroom. Even Pam, Sid, and Akhish arrived, looking different in some subtle way, but they didn't inquire much. We exchanged nods, and they took their respective seats. Before our teacher arrived, Flaire, a class representative, took the opportunity to discuss an upcoming assignment with the class.

As Flaire concluded her announcement, she asked if anyone had something to add. Unexpectedly, Diana's hand shot up, and she stood up to address the class, "I want to clarify something. Endrick and I aren't dating, but we do have plans this weekend. So, no one should bother him, whether they're girls or guys."

Flaire seemed equally puzzled by Diana's declaration but responded with a simple, "Alright. Everyone heard it."

I couldn't help but shake my head at Diana's audacity. How could someone be so impulsive? The morning had taken an unexpected turn, leaving me wondering how I would navigate the web of complexities Diana seemed to weave around me.