A Pure Heart: Missing Piece

Kabanata 09

I stepped out of my car as soon as I parked it in our garage. Upon entering the mansion, I headed straight to the dining room. I was somewhat surprised but also anticipated it when I found my family having their dinner.

"Did you have dinner, sweetheart?" Mom asked me with a smile.

"Not yet," I replied simply.

"Then come here and join us."

"Come over," Kuya Ralph, also called out to me.

I simply shook my head at them and continued walking toward Manang Dolor.

"Kindly bring my meal and a glass of milk to my room po, Manang. Thank you," I told her, then proceeded to leave the dining area and head to my room.

After taking a shower, my food still hadn't arrived, so while waiting for it, I sat at my study table and opened my MacBook. Agad umagaw ng pansin sa akin ang larawan na wallpaper ko pa pala hanggang ngayon. I smiled wistfully as I gazed at the picture of me with Kalil. We both appeared so happy in that photo. If things hadn't happened the way they did, we might still be together today.

I think it was about time to change the wallpaper. We broke up a few years ago, so I thought it would be a good idea to update it. Masyado kasi akong tamad na palitan ito noon, at isa pa, masyado kong pinapahalagaan ang pinagsamahan namin kaya kahit wala na kami, gusto ko may bagay pa rin na magpapaalala sa akin na minsan ay naging malalim ang samahan namin.

I quickly browsed through my files in search of a new picture. I chuckled while scrolling through the options. Ako lang naman maganda, bakit pa ako naghahanap, hindi ba? Kaso maganda lang ako pero hindi ako litrato.

I suddenly stopped scrolling when a particular photo caught my attention. It was a picture I found highly familiar. Nakalayo na kasi ako sa paghahanap pero ngayon nakita ko ito. Surprisingly, this image was still in existence. I had thought it was deleted, so it was quite a surprise to see it again.

"Anna, before you leave, can we take a photo together as a memento of our meeting here?" he asked, getting his phone from his pocket.

"Do what suits you," I replied.

As he wished, we snapped a selfie on his phone and then did the same on mine.

"You're the first girl I've met who resembles the girl in my drawing," he mentioned with a smile.

"That's interesting..."

"Can you do me a favor?"

"What is it?"

"Could you use our photo as your wallpaper?"

Huh? He's quite weird for that. Why would I do that when he's a complete stranger to me? However, since I was younger and more accommodating back then, I agreed.  

I smirked and shook my head as I gazed at the photo. Gago? Ang uto-uto ko talaga noon. I didn't know who, whether Claust or Kalil, had changed it. Basta isa sa kanila ang nagpalit niyon dahil masyado silang seloso. I thought the photo had been deleted when my wallpaper changed. I didn't think much about it since I was sure Warly wouldn't make it his wallpaper now. He might even think he was too dumb to do that at this point.

I wonder if there's any chance we'll meet again someday? I hope we cross paths, anywhere, as long as we meet.

But talking about Claust, how is he doing now? Surely, he's doing well with his life.