coaerals

Hattori Yuri
@evanescxncx

During Calliope’s competitive swimming days in high school, she was offered a training scholarship at the London Aquatics Centre in East London. Her parents didn’t doubt her for a second— they want their only daughter to experience the world. They took her to London that summer.One day after a long tiring first week of training, she woke up to a message from her parents: “To our favorite daughter,…”— like they had a choice, “We know training has been tough. Treat yourself with something nice. 우리는 당신이 자랑스러워요! 즐거운 쇼핑 되세요! Love, Eomma and Appa.” She rushed to her parents and thanked them. Her parents offered her a ride but she declined— wanting to explore the city on her own. After getting directions from her parents, she sprung like a bird free from a cage.Calliope had a tote bag, the metro card, her wallet filled with changes in pounds, the supplementary card, and a heart filled with desires. She knew her father’s card wouldn't decline, but she was very cautious of spending. As she browsed the shops, she spotted a beautiful pair of sunglasses at Prada, her eyes sparkled with joy and admiration. Calliope walked out of the store with a large grin on her lips.After admiring her new prized possession, Calliope checked the time and was shocked to see her train is near. She rushed past the flock of strangers and ran toward the station. To her dismay, the train was no longer there. She was thirteen and scared of talking to strangers. Calliope sat in the corner clutching the paper bags and her purse. She looked down and tears clouded her eyes, quietly sobbing.She suddenly felt someone’s presence near her. Calliope looked up and was faced by a tall guy with sharp features. Out of sheer panic, Calliope talked to him and told him what happened— how she got carried away by shopping, missed her train, and now has no way of getting home. And after debating on whether she trust him, she wiped her tears and followed him.On the way home, Calliope learned that his name was Hattori Yuri and is Japanese. She also learned that he was only studying in London at The Royal Ballet School. Their walk together seemed oddly familiar. It was weird because they were from different places. Despite the language gap, the two understood each other in ways they only knew. When they parted ways, Yuri left her his contact information. For the rest of her stay in London, they went around visiting places.Even as time passed and the distance grew larger, the two kept in touch. Messages, calls, letters, and even visiting each other's home. Calliope taught Yuri a little Korean which came in handy because he continued his studies in Korea after being in London. When summertime came, Yuri visited her in the Philippines where she returned the favor of showing him around just like old times in London. She was more than excited to share with him the beautiful bodies of water she wishes to explore deeper one day.No matter the distance— they would always find their way back to each other. Always picking up where they left off. Who would’ve thought that the girl crying in a train station, who just lost her way home, would find a friend for life?

Laurent Mattieu Yujuico
@cardiqxn

Finally! Freshman year! Calliope couldn’t wait to march under the arch for the freshmen welcome walk. Her bag was packed, she was in a yellow UST merchandise shirt, jeans, and a pair of white sneakers. This looked like a scene straight out of the books she’s read and stories she heard.And the welcome walk finally started! Her phone’s camera in 0.5x zoom as Calliope and her blockmates rushed through the crowd. They were last in line, so they didn’t expect much from the souvenirs. But they didn’t really mind it. All they wanted was the experience and memories from this day— a day that marked their new journey for the next four years.In the cheering crowd, she spotted a loud, tall guy with shaggy hair with a huge box. “Welcome to USTe, freshies! Wooooh! Good luck!” his group cheered. She spotted his group handing out little UST flaglets while he held the box. Hala! I want that! she thought to herself.It’s as if they heard her. The guy handed her the whole box of flaglets. There were at least a hundred pieces left in the huge box. With the adrenaline rush she was feeling, it was as if her hands had their own mind. She carried it and walked away— brows furrowed, so so so confused about what just happened. What the hell was she going to do with a hundred UST flaglets?One day during her vacant period, Calliope and her blockmates decided to visit Garaje Grill for some mango graham shake and tusok tusok. She was not even close to where they were headed to and recognized the familiar silhouette from afar, but she was unsure so she brushed it off. “Good afternoon, Manong! Bagong luto po ah!” She greeted the vendor happily and picked her food.As she ate her kwek-kwek, it finally clicked! It was the guy that gave her the whole box of flaglets. “Ikaw ‘yon!” she says muffled, her mouth full of food.“Ano?” The guy looked at her weirdly. She repeated herself, “Ikaw ‘yon, kuya! Nung welcome walk! Yung nagbigay sa akin ng isang daang flaglet!”His face looked different all of a sudden. He burst into laughter. Calliope was left confused yet again. “Hey, what’s funny? Anong gagawin ko doon? It’s still in my room!”“Iwagayway mo nalang sa UAAP! May four years ka pa naman!” He laughed and Calliope couldn’t help but laugh too.And that encounter was what sprung their chaotic friendship.A hundred flaglets.To this day, Calliope still doesn’t know what the hell she’s going to do with a hundred flaglets.

Ysla Dominique Tiu
@cortisowI

University of Santo Tomas, Paskuhan 2022.It was the most awaited event of every Thomasian— the UST Paskuhan. Calliope had a digital camera, a disposable film camera, and her phone camera. The hustle was real! She had to capture this moment for her memory box.The fireworks was bursting in the night sky. Adie playing in the background.Calliope’s cheeks were hurting from all the smiling she’s doing. What a beautiful experience.She was taking a picture of the sky when all of a sudden, she sees… an eye?“Hello po! Pwede pong magpa-picture? My phone’s dead na, please.” The girl asks.Calliope just nodded and took pictures on every device she had. Her familiarity with the cameras helped and definitely, the mystery girl’s charm.After taking the photos, Lola Amour started playing. They quickly exchanged social media accounts. Her name is Ysla Dominique, she’s currently an Early Childhood Education student.Raining in Manila!Before they even got the chance to go their separate ways, the two vibed to the song together. It was like Callie found herself a someone with the same energy.'Cause it's been raining in Manila, hindi ka ba nilalamig?
Mahirap bang mag-isang nanginginig?That day, Calliope spent her first paskuhan with a new found Thomasian friend. They kept in touch and she soon found out that they had common friends.Everyone knows everyone in España.

Jeremiah Weinn
@Wei2Sick

Another summer vacation for Calliope— Palumbanes Islands, Catanduanes. Her parents were dispatched here for work and of course, Calliope had to tag along to see the waters.The marine life in Catanduanes was breathtaking.Calliope strolled along the shore. She spotted rock formations from afar. The water wasn’t so shallow so she decided she’ll try diving over there.She laid down her things on the sand and climbed the rocks. With her equipment, she swiftly dives down the water beneath her. The clear water was refreshing. She hasn’t gone deep but she can see corals from where she was.Her snorkeling mask was on. Go time. Corals. Turtles. Clownfish. Marine life here is mesmerizing.When she was satisfied, Calliope came up for air. She removed her mask and shook the water out of her ears.“Aray!” Something hit her on the forehead.She looked around and saw a kid squatting on top of the rock formation she jumped from.“Hoy! Ikaw! Come back here!” The kid’s eyes widened and he started running away.“Mama! May sirena! Hinahabol ako!”, he hysterically shouts. Calliope ran towards him. Her clothes swimsuit dripped with water.“Huli ka! Ikaw yung bumato sakin, noh?”, she grabs his hand.“Mama! Mama! Mama!” The kid tried pulling his arm away.“Hala! Ang ingay mo! Bakit mo hinagis sa noo ko yung bato?” Calliope asks.The kid stopped moving. “Akala ko kasi isda ka rin! Bakit ka ba doon lumalangoy?”, he says, placing his hands on his waist. “At hindi bato ‘yon, Ate! Pandesal ‘yon!”“Ang tigas naman nung pandesal!” Callie shouts back. After bickering for what seemed like forever, they settled back down on the shore. The two exchanged names.His name was Jeremiah Weinn. He lived near the beach and occasionally visited that spot to feed the fishes. His friend, Diego, gives him the leftover pandesals so he can crumble it for the fish.For the rest of the summer, they kept in touch. Weinn was like a little brother to Calliope. Being an only child, she values friendships so deeply.Once again, the sea has brought her a new friend for life.