It Started in the Library (Completed and Editing)

Chapter 4: Prince

Chapter 4: Prince

I caught her stealing a glance at me and I couldn't help but smile inwardly. Diosa. Her name suits her.

When I went back to the library yesterday I was so surprised to find her letter. Pasaway kasi si Duke, my seventeen-year old brother, at pinilit pa akong i-edit yung love letter niya while I was busy doing my research. Palpak pa yung sign pen niya nagtatae. Bwisit na bwisit tuloy ako at pati yung t-shirt ko namantsahan. I didn't realize na kumalat na yung ink kasi nagmamadali ako at magsisimula na yung next subject ko and my classroom is located at NIGS. Sa kakamadali pati yung draft ni Duke naiwan ko pa sa loob nung libro at na-realize ko lang na nawawala nung pauwi na ako at ti-next niya ako na wag ko daw kalimutan yung letter niya. I had to run back to the Main Lib just to retrieve the letter. 

Buti na lang at ka-org mate ko si Chris yung student assistant at mabilis kong nakuha ulit yung libro pero laking gulat ko ng mabasa ko yung message ni Library Girl. Hindi ko alam kung matatawa ako o maiinis pero sobrang na-curious ako sa isang babaeng halatang nagagalit pero at the same time ay ginawan pa ako ng favor.

"Chris, kilala mo ba sinong huling humiram nito?"

"Um, pa-out na ako eh. Andun sa likod yung records, bakit?" Tanong niya.

"May love letter sa akin eh," nakangisi kong sagot, "Ano bang itsura niya?"

"Cute. Naka-glasses. Maliit lang pero sobrang kinis." Nakatawa si mokong.

"Type mo?"

"Oo naman. Ngiti pa lang ulam na. Gusto ko nga hingin yung number kanina."

That got me more interested, "Pwede bang mag-iwan ako ng message sa kanya?"

"Ha? Baka naman di na bumalik yun."

"Kahit na, just try okay?"

Kinabukasan maaga akong dumaan ng library para iwan kay Chris yung sulat. Nung bumalik ako ng lunch break sinabi niyang nakuha na raw ni Library Girl yung letter ko. Sa sobrang excited ko ay naikwento ko pa sa org mates ko yung nangyari. They bid me goodluck at panahon na raw na mag-move-on ako.

All day long I was anticipating our meeting. She sounds so feisty in her letter pero may sense of humor. Nakakatuwa. Kaso pagdating ko sa Lib Steps naalala kong di ko pa pala nakuha yung pangalan niya kay Chris. Pumasok ako sa loob pero tapos na daw yung shift niya at nakauwi na. I leaned back on the pillars and watched the people coming and going for a while until I saw a petite girl walk into view. She was wearing a simple white shirt, jeans and rubber shoes. She wasn't cute at all... She was gorgeous. Her long hair cascaded down her back with each movement. Walang hint ng make-up but she had a rosy-white glow to her skin. Umupo siya sa steps and fiddled with her phone. I noticed na lahat nung mga tao eh napansin rin siya and I decided to make my move bago pa ako maunahan ng ibang kausapin siya.

I stood behind her for awhile unsure of what to say when she looked up to me.

"Hi Ms. Library Girl" I heard myself say.

She just stared at me for a full minute and I began to panic. Shit, baka hindi siya yun!

"Sorry, akala ko ikaw yung i-me-meet ko" I started to back away from her.

"Prince?" Damn. Why does my name sound so freakin' good coming out of those lips?

"Yes?"

 "Sorry, yes I'm Library Girl. Actually my name's Aya." she smiled at me and gave me her hand. Right then and there, I felt like grabbing the opportunity and brought her up. She looks so small. I think she could barely reach my shoulder.