PROXY SERIES: RESURRECTION

Chapter 42 - First memory of her

Nang magising ako wala na ang batang babae. Nasa ospital na ako at naroon na rin ang mga magulang ko. They cried while scolding me for what I did. Mahirap pero sinikap naming makabangon mula sa trahedyang iyon. Muling nanumbalik ang sigla sa aming pamilya ng muling magsilang si mommy ng sanggol na babae sa mismong taon kung kailan namatay ang kapatid ko. We named her Snow. A great reminder for the kid who saved my life. That girl who has a snow-like complexion. Snow was now eleven years old. A very healthy and happy kid.

I tried searching for that girl to personally thank her but she's nowhere to find. Sabi ng mga taong nasa ambulansya na nagdala sa'kin sa ospital, hindi na nila nakita ang batang babae matapos nila akong maisakay. Nakakapanghinayang.

Years had passed but my memories of the girl never fade. Her innocent and worried face even visited me several times on my dream. Para iyong isang magandang panaginip. Mistula siyang anghel doon. My angel and my savior.

God gave me fortune when four years after that, a lady with the same angle and face stood in front of my Godfathers restaurant applying for a job. Sa laki ng pinagbago ng itsura nito ay muntik ko na siyang hindi makilala. She doesn't look like a kid anymore. She was sixteen at that moment for peter's sake! A very gorgeous teenager and instantly, my heart fall for that face I didn't know I was insanely hoping to see again.

As part of my training before I build my own restaurant, I'm helping my ninong with his. I already experienced being the chef, the waiter, cashier and even a dishwasher and janitor of the resto so I could deeply understand the whole happenings around and also my futures employees.

It was a usual day for me. I was standing in front of the resto and assisting all the upcoming guest since we have lots of reservation that day and it's Sunday when a pretty lady stood in front of me. Mistaken her as one of our guets, I welcomed her with a smile and greet.

"With reservation ma'am or walk-in?"

Our eyes met and I was amazed with the beauty it hold. Her eyes was in soft gray. Nakakahalina ang bawat tingin at titig nito.

"Ahm, naku hindi po. Magpapasa lang sana ako ng bio data."

She smiled and that caused me trouble.

God, she looks like an angel!

Pinilit kong gawing normal ang reaksyon ko. Baka ma-weirduhan ito sa'kin.

"Bio data? Bakit, ilang taon ka na ba?"

Usisa ko rito dahilan para ito ay pagpawisan.

"Eighteen na po ako." She stuttered while speaking.

Pinasadahan ko ito ng tingin mula ulo hanggang paa. Kumunot ang noo ko ng mapansing mas mukha itong bata kaysa sa sinasabi nitong edad niya.

"Matangkad ka but you look younger than your age. Hindi ka naman siguro nagsisinungaling diba?"

Napakagat-labi ito sa tanong ko.

What the heck!

For a moment, I was breathless with her reaction.

Her beauty was a sight to be treasure. Her eyelashes are thick and curled, perfectly paired with her soft grayed eyes. Her nose was pointed and small. Her lips was naturally red, small and pouty. It looks so sweet and edible at the moment. God, her face shouts perfection and hell, I was turned on!

"Ang totoo sixteen pa lang po talaga ako." Her voice snapped me out from my thoughts. "Sige ho, salamat na lang."

She hurriedly turned her back. Sabay sa pagtalikod nito ang pagkalam ng kaniyang sikmura. For a second, I felt pity over her. Maybe she was hungry...and thirsty.

Ravenously hungry and thirsty....

Like a flash of a thunder something struck my memories.

"Sandali!"

Nakakailang hakbang pa lamang ito nang wala sa sariling humakbang ang mga paa ko para habulin ito. Maingat kong hinawakan ang kanang braso nito dahilan upang dahan-dahan itong humarap sa'kin.

Her face, her eyes, her voice...

....it's her.

"I can consider you to work here. Nangangailangan kami ng front girl. Magsusuot ka lang naman ng chinese dress at magtatanong sa bawat pumapasok kung with reservation ba sila o walk-in saka mo sila i-aassist kung saan sila uupo. You don't need to be eighteen for that job." I told her without second thought.

I found her. She's here. Standing in front of me.

She smiled widely making my heartbeat crazy.

It was thumping..loud and clear.

"Salamat po! Salamat po ng marami!"

She hold both of my hands while saying those and I suddenly froze with our contact.

Her captivating smiles and the softness of her hands pressed against mine, I was bewitched at the moment.

She flicked her fingers in the air awaking me.

"You're welcome. By the way, what's your name?" I asked after I recovered. Still controlling the tensions I had inside.

"Re...." She stopped for a moment and all I could do was to stare on her face while waiting. "Lunexia Andrada po. Lexy na lang po for short."

I smiled hearing her name but I believe an endearment was better for her.

"Nice meeting you Lexy but I think I preffer calling you...Winter."

Bahagyang kumunot ang noo nito. Animo'y naguguluhan.

"Hindi naman ako mukhang giniginaw ah?"

Saglit akong natigilan. It's like she spilled out loud her thoughts and that made me laughed.

God, she's amazing.

"That's not what I mean. I want to call you Winter because you look like a snow in a winter days. A very blooming snow."

Just like how she was, the first time she caught my eyes.