Dark Fairytale (A Published Book Soon)

Chapter 17: Cookie Cravings

Chapter 17: Cookie Cravings

She had a sweet, captivating smile – the one that would make all of her wishes granted. She definitely looked younger than me and most people would feel protective of her. She was just an adorable, little girl looking for a friend. But – why do I feel anxious talking with her? Also, how did she even know my full name?

Thinking that she would soon find someone better to befriend and leave me alone, I nodded. I mean, having a friend is cool and all, and I really appreciate that she likes to be with me. But she hadn't known me well yet. Kapag nalaman niyang outcast ako sa school, alam kong lalayuan niya rin ako. For now, I had to endure her company.

"Cool! Then would you like to go to the chapel with me after class?" excited niyang tanong.

Kunot-noo ko siyang tiningnan. "For a bible study?"

Tila mas lumapad pa ang kaniyang pagkakangiti sa sinabi ko. Ano pa bang mga bagay ang maaari naming gawin sa school chapel? The girl was really strange.

"Sorry pero kailangan ko pang pumunta sa library after this class," wika ko atsaka nagpatuloy sa pag-guhit.

"It's okay. The important thing is that we're already friends. We can just have fun next time."

Hindi na ako muli pang sumagot. I still feel uncomfortable sitting beside her. Hindi ko alam kung tama ba ang desisyon kong tanggapin ang kaniyang pakikipagkaibigan. Mabilis akong umalis ng classroom nang matapos ang klase. Pakiramdam ko ay may kailangan akong takasan sa mga oras na iyon. Nakahinga ako nang maluwag nang masiguro kong hindi na siya nakasunod sa akin. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit ganoon na lang ang pakiramdam ko sa kaniya. Para bang nasa isang horror movie ako kapag kaharap siya. Inilabas ko ang kapirasong papel na ibinigay sa akin ni Miss Veron atsaka nagtungo sa library.

Six books. I had to look for six books. Five of them were about poisons and antidotes while the remaining one was a picture book about cats. I couldn't even point out the connection of poisons and antidotes to cats. But that was Miss Veron for us. The more I learned about her, the more I couldn't understand. The past few days, I felt like I was being surrounded with people cloaked in mystery and I found myself getting lost amidst them.

Matapos makuha ang mga libro ay dumiretso na ako sa nag-iisang coffee shop ng school. I had enough money para mabili ang kape at cookies niya. Siguro naman ay babayaran ako ni Miss Veron para sa kaniyang pagkain.

I was able to do the tasks smoothly. I was actually getting more optimistic on my way to Miss Veron's office. Subalit nawala iyon nang biglang may umagaw ng paper bag na naglalaman ng cookies mula sa aking kamay.

"These cookies smell so good! Can I have some?"

Bago pa ako makasagot ay nakuha na niya ang isa at akmang isusubo na niya iyon. Mabilis kong hinawakan ang kaniyang braso at pinigilan siya.

"Put it back in the paper bag, please. Hindi 'yan saakin," pakiusap ko sa kaniya.

She pouted and seemed to be disappointed but nonetheless, she dropped the cookie inside the bag. Agad kong kinuha iyon sa kaniya at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. Mas binilisan ko pa ang aking mga hakbang nang maramdaman kong nakasunod pa rin siya sa akin.