Encounters: Boy Meets Girl

In celebration of Hearts Day, a boy meets girl story

Encounters: Boy Meets Girl

Genre: Fiction, romance

Opening shot. Sarah de los Reyes was at the campus lagoon taking in the sun, wondering what to submit as her final thesis before graduation. It was only 5 months away and her Professor/adviser ordered her to submit an outline this week. She was thinking of doing something really outré, an out, out, out of the box tri-media art installation.

Her digital camera ever on the ready, her video cam still in her backpack, she closed her eyes and breathe deeply to center herself. She must have dozed off for a few minutes. She woke up feeling actually refreshed. A really cute couple resting against a tree back- to -back reading, caught her eye. She clicked away. The boy stood up, stretched and walked away. She realized they were not together after all.

At the cafeteria 2 days later while eating with classmates, Sarah saw them again. He was seated alone, eating. She passed him by on her way out . Sara takes another photo just as the girl brushed by the boy’s table.

“Is there a story here?” she wondered as she made her way to an ikot jeepney stop. In her mind, she was already composing one. “Well, I’ll be stalking the two of them in between classes at least for a couple of weeks. Wait, maybe this was just a coincidence. Never mind, I’ll go along with the flow and check out if synchronicity is all its hyped up to be.” That was the monologue whirling in Sarah’s head.

“Why didn’t I see it before? Encounters , close encounters, people on the street, on this very campus pass each other every day, but they never actually meet. I think I have a music video in the making.”

She starts typing on her laptop the outline for her graduation thesis.

“Encounters. Two university students on the campus under the same sunny skies, pass each other, but they never actually meet.”

A week later, as Sarah rushed down the steps of the Arts and Science building she saw the couple again. She already gave them names and made up a story. She’s Amanda, an art history major, he’s Paolo a law student.

Amanda was sitting on the steps of the building, reading her notes and occasionally staring at her toes encased in Happy Feet sandals. Paolo in a white t-shirt and ripped Bench jeans is looking at this watch, rushing up the stairs to a meeting, a class, whatever. His cellphone rings. He stops to answer it.

“Perfect timing.” , Sarah tells herself as she takes a video and a couple of still shots. This was the sign she was looking for, a 3^rd encounter of an even closer kind. “There’s no need to stalk them now, I’ll just go with the flow.”

A month later, pretty Amanda in a green and white dress and white sandals is sitting in an outdoor café alone. She is sipping orange juice and texting on a cell phone far from the university scene. Good-looking Paolo parks his big bike near the café , takes off his helmet , waves to friends and strides into a pizza parlor. Hyper Sarah de los Reyes, 22, graduating art student just happened to come out of the bookshop, aims her video camera and takes several photos. It was almost too good to be true.

The annual campus marathon by the fraternities to raise funds for some worthwhile cause was a much awaited event two months before the school year ends. Paolo is wearing jersey no. 17, Amanda is watching the runners from the side walk in front of the theater. He rushes pass her. Sarah’s camera and videocam were working on overtime.

Sunset, at a candle light ceremony, the winners of the marathon were given their awards. Amanda’s face is glowing with the reflection of the candle she is holding in front of her. Nearby, separated by six people, Paolo is giving high 5s to friends. Then he takes off his wet shirt as they poured water onto his head. Both were oblivious of each other.

Sarah still clicking away, shakes her head in disbelief, “How is it possible they never met?”

The scene now shifts to the inner sanctum of the university library, where cameras and video cams are not allowed. Sarah pockets her palm size digital camera with video cam capability. This time she actually followed Paolo to the library. He is now sitting in the reference section going through law books, she imagined.” With Paolo seated studying, can Amanda be far behind?”, Sarah quietly challenged the universe.

As if on cue, after 30 minutes, Amanda comes in with a group of classmates and heads towards the same area as Paolo. She sits with her back towards Paolo. Both are unmindful of each other.

Sunset, at a candle light ceremony, the winners of the marathon were given their awards. Amanda’s face is glowing with the reflection of the candle she is holding in front of her. Nearby, separated by six people, Paolo is giving high 5s to friends. Then he takes off his wet shirt as they poured water onto his head. Both were oblivious of each other.

Sarah still clicking away, shakes her head in disbelief, “How is it possible they never met?”

The scene now shifts to the inner sanctum of the university library, where cameras and video cams are not allowed. Sarah pockets her palm size digital camera with video cam capability. This time she actually followed Paolo to the library. He is now sitting in the reference section going through law books, she imagined.” With Paolo seated studying, can Amanda be far behind?”, Sarah quietly challenged the universe.

As if on cue, after 30 minutes, Amanda comes in with a group of classmates and heads towards the same area as Paolo. She sits with her back towards Paolo. Both are unmindful of each other.

Sunset, at a candle light ceremony, the winners of the marathon were given their awards. Amanda’s face is glowing with the reflection of the candle she is holding in front of her. Nearby, separated by six people, Paolo is giving high 5s to friends. Then he takes off his wet shirt as they poured water onto his head. Both were oblivious of each other.

Sarah still clicking away, shakes her head in disbelief, “How is it possible they never met?”

The scene now shifts to the inner sanctum of the university library, where cameras and video cams are not allowed. Sarah pockets her palm size digital camera with video cam capability. This time she actually followed Paolo to the library. He is now sitting in the reference section going through law books, she imagined.” With Paolo seated studying, can Amanda be far behind?”, Sarah quietly challenged the universe.

As if on cue, after 30 minutes, Amanda comes in with a group of classmates and heads towards the same area as Paolo. She sits with her back towards Paolo. Both are unmindful of each other.

What a beautiful tableau.” Sarah sighed to herself with delight as she clicked away with her camera and took a few minutes of video. “Oh my God ,thank you. I couldn’t ask for a better photo opportunity. Its like I choreographed the whole thing.”

She was just about to pack up and sneak out when Paolo dozed off and fell asleep on top of his reference books. He had dark tinted aviator glasses on to shut out the glare of the lights. Amanda stands up and looks around, sees a book on the table of Paolo reaches out and opens it, then leaves for the check out counter. Sarah was thrilled. “I think I have more than enough materials. One more month to finals, time to work on the photos, edit the music video and put the finishing touches on the mock-up of the manga cover.” Her professor approved everything.

Flyers were sent out all over the campus for Encounters, a tri-media exhibit. Sarah made sure Amanda and Paolo each got more than their share of the invitation. The final phase, the conclusion of her art installation was really dependent on the two converging at the exhibit. “Oh well, if I made it this far, I just need one more burst of synchronicity.” She went to her room and sat for an hour of attunement, visualizing the final outcome.

E-day. A line was forming in front of the university gallery. The flyer stated it was a one day art installation of a graduating student. It took Sara and friends three days to set everything up including the giant TV screens on both corners of the room. Video cameras were set up on the ready, her trusted digital camera ready to go.

Sarah’s parents were an hour early and even hired a caterer who prepared a simple buffet. She was getting anxious from the anticipation and had to do her breathing exercises. And then, just like that, she saw Paolo join the end of the line in front of the gallery. “One here, one more to go.” Sarah whispered a silent prayer.

The crowd was getting restless. The flyer stated the exhibit will open at 6 P.M. sharp. It was 6 and Amanda was not around. “Improvise, improvise.”, Sarah told her self. Activating a plan B in her mind, Sarah gave the signal. The doors were thrown open and the crowd shuffled into the room with a buzz . Everything hanging on the wall was covered or draped with white clothe.

Then, at 6:05 P.M. ,Sarah saw Amanda entering the gallery with some friends. “Ready, set, action.”, she motioned to her classmates and Professor. The lightsgot brighter and the sheets covering the photos were released simultaneously. The tv screens were full of images of people in the gallery. Aha in an ascending crescendo filled the room as the excitement kicked in and the buzz got louder.

Amanda, talking to a friend was nudged to check out the photos. Her eyes were wide open in wonderment. In front of her was a giant water color mock-up of a manga-like rendition of herself and a boy she didn’t know.

Paolo ‘s face was full of amazement, then he smiled. The wall was filled with photos of himself and a girl he never met.

“They make a good-looking couple for a toothpaste advertisement.”, Professor Enriquez told Sarah with a laugh. “Yes, “ Sarah countered,” They look like they won top prize at a genetic lottery!”

The video cams were searching out Paolo and Amanda recording their reactions and it was instantly replayed on the video screen. From opposite ends of the room, Paolo and Amanda watched themselves on the screen. Then the crowd thinned and Paolo and Amanda found themselves alone with the spot light on them.

It was a slow-motion moment as they shyly walked towards each other prodded on by friends. “Hello”, he told the girl while extending his hand , “I’m Diegogot brighter and the sheets covering the photos were released simultaneously. The tv screens were full of images of people in the gallery. Aha in an ascending crescendo filled the room as the excitement kicked in and the buzz got louder.

Amanda, talking to a friend was nudged to check out the photos. Her eyes were wide open in wonderment. In front of her was a giant water color mock-up of a manga-like rendition of herself and a boy she didn’t know.

Paolo ‘s face was full of amazement, then he smiled. The wall was filled with photos of himself and a girl he never met.

“They make a good-looking couple for a toothpaste advertisement.”, Professor Enriquez told Sarah with a laugh. “Yes, “ Sarah countered,” They look like they won top prize at a genetic lottery!”

The video cams were searching out Paolo and Amanda recording their reactions and it was instantly replayed on the video screen. From opposite ends of the room, Paolo and Amanda watched themselves on the screen. Then the crowd thinned and Paolo and Amanda found themselves alone with the spot light on them.

It was a slow-motion moment as they shyly walked towards each other prodded on by friends. “Hello”, he told the girl while extending his hand , “I’m Diegogot brighter and the sheets covering the photos were released simultaneously. The tv screens were full of images of people in the gallery. Aha in an ascending crescendo filled the room as the excitement kicked in and the buzz got louder.

Amanda, talking to a friend was nudged to check out the photos. Her eyes were wide open in wonderment. In front of her was a giant water color mock-up of a manga-like rendition of herself and a boy she didn’t know.

Paolo ‘s face was full of amazement, then he smiled. The wall was filled with photos of himself and a girl he never met.

“They make a good-looking couple for a toothpaste advertisement.”, Professor Enriquez told Sarah with a laugh. “Yes, “ Sarah countered,” They look like they won top prize at a genetic lottery!”

The video cams were searching out Paolo and Amanda recording their reactions and it was instantly replayed on the video screen. From opposite ends of the room, Paolo and Amanda watched themselves on the screen. Then the crowd thinned and Paolo and Amanda found themselves alone with the spot light on them.

It was a slow-motion moment as they shyly walked towards each other prodded on by friends. “Hello”, he told the girl while extending his hand , “I’m Diego Villarico.” Hi,glad to finally meet you, I’m Victoria Ledesma.” she replied.

“OMG”, Sarah thought to herself,” even their real names are perfect.”

Then, the short film of the chanced encounters of Paolo and Amanda to the music of a True Faith favorite “Dahil Ikaw” started to play on a different screen.

Professor Enriquez told Sarah,” Cut, Print, Pack up. You get an A+ for this young lady. Congratulations. Now time to tell everyone what its all about.” 

Sarah made her way to the couple who were finally conversing as the crowd burst into applause. Fade out.

To be continued…..

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