Violet

Part 1- Start of Something New

*Phone rings*

Editor Ria

Ugh. Ilang beses ko na iniignore yung calls niya. I mean, wala talaga akong maisip for my new story. Wala akong inspiration. But I shouldn't ignore her like this. She's the reason why "Blue" became a reality. I still let it ring for a few more seconds, then I accepted the call.

"I've been contacting you for like a hundred times!", not really a hundred more like 30 times lang naman.

"Hello to you too, Ms. Ria"

"So, any update? It's been six months since your last book. Isn't that enough for you to think of any story?", I actually felt sincerity on her voice. Six months, huh? After the success of "Courage and Friendship", my mind just went off. Don't get me wrong, I love creating stories that children will love pero this time, I just can't get into it.

"I need more time. Sorry talaga Ms. Ria. I think I'll focus on my studies for the time being. If I think of something, I'll contact you right away."

"You know what, fine. You should focus on yourself more. But when the time comes na nagkalaman na yang utak mo, call me right away." She ended the call.

Sigh. What to do Violet? I put my phone in my bag and headed to the library.

There's this spot sa library where I often sit and study. It's right below the second floor and beside the window where I can see the students. Simula pa lang nung bata ako, I like observing people. Ano kayang life story niya? Bakit di siya sumusunod sa elevator etiquette? Bakit yung lalaking 'yon ay naka long socks and shorts tapos slippers?

I brought out my journal. This journal is my life. All my thoughts, rambles, basta lahat ng hinanakit ko is written here. It's a customized teal blue journal and may violet flower in the middle. This gave birth to my famous children books. I scanned through the pages. It's far from being neat, 'yung mga pages have random thoughts and doodles. As a writer, I tried to draw my own characters. I mean they look childish, but it works. This journal has been through a lot, huh. From the start of "Blue", the success, and now the downfall. I hope not though.

Even though Blue's books are famous, I decided na it's better to separate it from Violet Herrera. Hindi ko naman sinulat yung mga stories na 'yon for me to be famous. Gusto ko lang ishare yung mga nagawa ko especially to the children. I want them to know the power of books. I want them to experience the world that I make.

But it's a shame na wala akong maisip. I even received a letter last week from a 7-year-old kid. A. written. Letter! Thanking me for writing stories. I mean ang cute right? Who would've thought na may bata pang magsusulat ng letter para ipadala sakin? Of course, it was first sent to Ms. Ria's office then she gave it to me. While reminiscing about the cute letter may nahulog na libro at tumama sa ulo ko. Ouch! Fu--- Fudge cake!!!!! Bakit naman sa ulo ko pa?

I picked the said book and immediately look up. I saw the guy leaning at the railing sa second floor and I glared at him while touching the part of my head na natamaan. Paano pag nagka amnesia ako ha?

"Sorry. I'll go down to get it." Wala man lang sound of sincerity. Lalo tuloy akong nainis.

The guy hurried to me. I'm still glaring at him.

"You shouldn't sit here under the second floor, you know danger hazard." DANGER HAZARD? Ikaw lang danger hazard dito, sino bang naka bagsak ng libro? I pushed the book to him.

"Just go and be careful next time not to drop something." I said without paying much attention. I mean this is my spot, my butt likes this chair, there's no way I'll change my spot because you're so clumsy that you drop a book. The guy went back, and I put my things in my bag.

I should stop thinking about books. Sign na ata 'yon. Parang gusto na pumasok ng libro sa ulo ko.

I headed to class. It's a Gen-Ed class kaya sa lecture hall, lots of students from various disciplines yung nandito. I don't even know someone here personally. Umupo na lang ako kung saan may vacant seat. I brought out my books and notebook for this class to review for the last discussion. Hmm... Pavlov's conditioning theory. Dogs... I brought out my journal to write something about dogs, maybe a story about friendship of a dog and an old man? Dumating na yung prof and began discussing, I put my journal under the chair beside my bag. I felt sleepy, actually kahit matulog nga ako siguro hindi mahahalata sa dami ng tao. Kahit nap lang and my eyes began to close.

The sound of continuous alarm yung una kong narinig. I opened my eyes and people are clamoring. What the?

"Anong nangyayari?" I asked the person next to me. Pinunasan ko pa yung slight laway sa gilid ng bibig ko.

"May small fire daw somewhere in the building."

I hurriedly put my things in my bag. Sunog? Shockers, Imma head out. Gusto ko pa mabuhay. Hindi ko pa nakikita mga favorite Korean drama actors ko. Hindi ko pa naakyat yung going down na escalator. I head out of the lecture hall.

Who would've thought na yung sunog na 'yon is the start of this freaking hide and seek.