Strings of Memories

second string

Hinarangan ako nito. Not only does he cause me annoyance, but also confusion. Para kasing nakita ko na siya dati, pero hindi ko siya maalala.

Nilapag ko sa nalalapit na table yung mga libro ko at tiningnan siya. "May kailangan ka ba?" I smiled pretentiously, but really, I wanted to find the book.

He turned his head sideways and twitched his lips, "Nothing."

I gave him a weird look in the eye before proceeding to search for the book.

"Miss Fer, may copy pa po ba nung Me Before You?"

"Wala, may humiram na." masungit nitong sagot habang inaayos ang salamin.

"Kailan pa po hiniram?" bumaling ulit ito sa'kin at tiningnan ang orasan.

"Kanina." she gave me a bored look.

Pumunta ako sa rack kung saan nandoon lahat nung bagong acquire ng school na books. I finally saw another book that I was intrigued of but when I was about to touch it, another pair of hands took it. Nagulat ako at kumunot ang noo.

"Sorry, miss. Kailangan ko lang sa book report." ika ng isang babaeng mukhang freshman.

"Ahh, it's okay." I completely understand that, so I just let it go.

Pumunta ako sa isang pamilyar na section kung saan nandoon ang works ni Nicholas Sparks. Babasahin ko na lang ulit yung mga istorya niya.

I entertained myself by reading my favorite parts from the novel, "The Notebook". Noong napasarap naman ang basa ay dumeretso na ako sa dating kinauupuan.

"...for you are the closest thing to an angel that I have ever met." I sighed at Allie's statement. Love is a beautiful concept indeed, you just have to find someone who's worthy of the love you have to offer.

Ibabalik ko na sana yung libro nang bigla akong may maalala. Napamura ako nang mapansing wala na yung mga libro ko dito. Shit! Masyadong napasarap yung pagbabasa ko. Saan ko ba huling nilapag yun? I searched for every table and noticed it's nowhere to be found. Nagtanong tanong na rin ako sa mga estudyante rito pero hindi rin daw nila alam. Malamang, Lia! Libro mo 'yan e!

Lugmok akong umupo sa labas bitbit ang shoulder bag. Kinuha ko ang cell phone ko at napansing nag-text pala si Leo.

From: Leo

"Lia! Emergency! Gutom kami ni tita, mag-uwi ka naman ng pagkain. Hehe."

Sinarado ko ang message pagkatapos ay tumingin sa paligid. Bumuntong-hininga ako nang mapagtantong wala na talaga. Subukan ko kaya ulit magtanong?

After hours of searching, I finally decided to give up. Ang hirap 'pag yung pinaghirapan mo nawala na lang bigla, worse is dahil rin sa kapabayaan mo. The wind blew, like it's trying to comfort me and a tear managed to escape through my eye.

Sumandal ako sa pasilyo, at sinalo ang baba. Maya maya'y may naramdaman akong presensya sa gilid ko.

I sniffled as I look at the man on my side. Ang isang kamay nito ay nasa bulsa at ang isang kamay ay may hawak na paperbag.

Sumisinghot singhot pa ako habang tinitingnan ang lalaking ito. Gusto kong magtanong ngunit hindi ko magawa. Standing in front of me was the intimidating man I saw in the bar. The same man who opened the door for me earlier with an amused look on his face. The same strange man who I am curious of all of a sudden. I looked at him with confused but grateful eyes.

"Here, I noticed you were looking for these earlier." he smiled, and for the first time out of all my weird encounters with this guy, I felt slightly comfortable.

"Thank you." kinuha ko ang paperbag at yinakap.

Binigyan niya ako ng isang makahulugang ngiti at tumalikod.

"Sandali..." narinig ko ang marahang tawa niya habang nakatalikod. He then turned to me as the corner of his lips rose. He's looking at me like it's a pleasure to do so.

Kinabahan ako nung tiningnan niya ako sa mata, kaya naman hindi ko matanong ang kanina pang bumabagabag sa akin.

"Uh..." inilagay ko ang paperbag sa likod at iniwas ang tingin sa kanya.

You have to ask him, Lia!

"Have we met before?" kinakabahan kong tanong. Mahina ito ngunit alam kong narinig niya dahil kaming dalawang lang ang narito ngayon.

Ang tagal niyang sumagot. Naiinip na ako... He fixed his gaze on me and believe me, I tried to show confidence but I failed.

He was about to open his mouth when I decided to end the conversation right away.

"Never mind, but thank you for this." I genuinely smiled and turned my back to him.