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THE MIDDLE STAR
by:Zarahemla Casiño





In the twilight of one's life, you find yourself rummaging through old photographs and that's just what I'm doing now as i lounge in my easy chair looking out to the sea.

My only excuse for this indulgence is my age. im am an old woman now, nearing 75, though i would never admit this to anyone. i skim through the old albums and search for a photograph. as i thumb through the pages, the breeze wafts through me bringing along with it a tide of memories.

Suddenly, I am no longer 75 but 18. i am transformed from a frumpy old women to a svelte young girl. my easy chair becomes a seat in Professor's Kim's class. and i find myself seated across Miguel.

I've had a crush on him since last year. i dont think that he knows through. you see, Miguel and i are such good friends. i dont think he can past that. that's fine with me although it saddens me a bit.

Sometimes i get the idea that he likes me too because he send me little white flowers. my sisters think that they are just wild grasses. my sisters may be right. but theyre from Miguel and besides i like white flowers.

One afternoon though the little white flowers stopped coming. Miguel seemed didtant all of a sudden. i smiled at him and approach him to talk a little. but he excused himself. i was a tad miffed but i let it pass.

However, as days went by the rift between us got wider. i wrote him and tried to talk to him but he always had an excuse. i even asked our friends to ask him what was wrong. i got hint. that he was avoiding me, so i just let him be.

At the last meeting of our chemistry class, before the summer vacation, i was quite surprised that he approached me. he pulled me aside and asked me if we could talk.

"So whats up?" i asked

"Nica, Im going to London to continue my studies", Miguel said

"thats a great news!" i was thrilled for him

i knew that was he always wanted, im sure that his parents was pleased too.

"Uhmm.. there is something that ive always wanted to tell you", he uttered

Suddenly, he was silent. i looked at him. it seemed, he was deliberating with himself.

more silence

"nahh, forget it," he said

"what is it Miguel?", i asked. i had a distant feeling that it was something important.

he stared into the empty space trying to search for words. then he spoke, ever so slowly.

"Sometimes, somethings right wouldn't be right at the wrong time."

i was quite confused about the right being wrong part, so i just kept mum.

"...you see, i knew i was going to London.. and in a way, i felt that our friendship would be at risk if i took chance on you.. and that's the reason why i had been avoiding you these past months."

i finally understood what he was trying to tell me and i found myself smiling and crying at the same time.

"Nica, please dont cry. look up the sky, you see orion's belt?,"he asked me and pointed to the constellation in heavens . I nooded

"See the middle star?im giving it to you, for you to remember me by, the way you wont forget me." i still think of Miguel whenever i see the middle star but that night was the last time i saw him.