Author's POV
The things we seek is already in front of us ,yet we choose to be blind and believe that we seek for something greater. When in fact, we should be contented.
" Ano sa tingin mo N?" Sabi ni Fred, Tatlo silang nakasilip sa pinto ng piano room, tinitignan nila si Ezra at si Noreen habang nag uusap, tumatawa at masaya.
" How can you make someone fall in love when his heart is closed?" Sabi ni N kay Fred at Klaud.
" Depende sa tao na kakatok sa puso mo?" Sabi ni Klaud.
" Ngayon ko lang sya nakita na ganyan" Sabi ni N.
" Sino si Ezra o si Noreen?" Fred asked.
" Both " Sabi ni N.
Bumalik na ang tatlo bago pa bumalik si Noreen at si Ezra sa dining room .
" So you're taking up journalism?" Tanong ni Hyuna kay Noreen."Yes po" noreen said shyly smiling. " What type of stories do you write?" Asked Lika.
" Fiction and Non Fiction, I spend most of my time writing articles about events in school...I also write poems" Sabi ni Noreen.
" May sinusulat kang bago diba?" Sabi ni Ezra. " Fiction " Dagdag nya.
Noreen felt nervous and she started to do brian storming dahil sa sinabi nya ,napilitan syang mag sulat ng story.
" Really? What is it about?" Like asked , looking all curious.
" It' s a vintage...fantasy, yun lang po muna pwede kong sabihin. Ayoko mag spoil haha " She got everyone laughing as they thought it was funny pero ang totoo, wala talaga syang story at wala pa syang naiisip.
-
The luncheon ended nicely, It was a happy reunion na nakasabit pa si Noreen. She went home to her brother's house which is bigger than Ezra's . Doon muna sya titira habanh nandito pa kuya nya.
Noreen grabbed a piece of paper and a pen, Sumandal sya sa sofa habang tina-tap ang ballpen sa temples nya trying to get ideas for a new story.
But there was nothing... Hinagis nya ang ballpen at papel out of frustration. She groaned as she shoved her face to a pillowcase.
" Ohh, anong nangyayare sayo?" Tanong ni N.
" Wala ako maisip, wala ako masulat " Sabi ni Noreen.
" Hey, Patingin daw " Umupo si N sa katabi na sofa ni Noreen at kinuha nya ang papel at ballpen ni Noreen. " Uhuh... Gusto ko tong idea mo" Sabi ni N as he scanned the paper. " Very abstract and very neat" Sabi nya, sabay abot kay Noreen ng papel. " Wala syang laman kuya " Noreen whined.
" Come on, that's okay. Kilala kita, at alam kong bigla lang yan dadapo sa utak mo like a butterfly at may masusulat ka din" Sabi ni N. " What do you think about Ezra?" Biglang sinabi ni N.
Na alarma si Noreen at napaupo ng tuwid, tinignan nya si N na parang may alam syang kakaiba tungkol sa kanya o kay Ezra, naintriga din sya. " What do you mean?" Tanong ni Noreen.
" I saw you both earlier, ngayon hindi ko alam kung parehas ba kayo ng nararamdaman o hindi, pero I know you both...Alam mo yun? It's like I raised you both " Sabi ni N.
" Does he tell you anything about me?" Sabi ni Noreen, she sat up straight as she was eager to know about it.
" Hmm..." N placed his hand on his chin. " Nothing special, sabi nya masipag ka, alam ko naman yun pero alam mo ang pinaka maganda na narinig ko galing sa kanya tungkol sayo, may natutunan daw sya sayo, you're very creative, alam ko din yun. Pero nanggaling kay Ezra na walang pakielam sa mundo masyado lalo na sya babae, he pays attention to you, malaking bagay na yun...and he answered your phone call?" N asked.
" I think once or twice " Sabi ni Noreen.
" Alam mo ba na hindi namin sya tinatawagan " N leaned closer to Noreen and noreen gasped and covered her face as she felt nervous. " Bakit? May phobia ba sya doon?" Noreen asked.
" Is it a phobia? ... The last time he answered a call that's when his dad called him and told him that his mom passed away " Sabi ni N. " Simula nun hindi na sya sumasagot ng mga tawag, bahala ka dyan makailang missed calls ka sa kanya ,hindi ka nya sasagutin " Sabi ni N.
" Talaga? Isang call ko lang sa kanya sinagot nya " Noreen wondered.
" You like him don't you?" N asked.
Noreen nodded shyly. " I'll wait for him until he reaches his goal " Sabi ni Noreen.
-
Back when Noreen stayed over Ezra's Grandmother's house, Sinabi ni Ezra na gisingin sya kapag lumabas ng kwarto ang Lolo nya. Nagising ang Lolo nya mga 4 a.m. , gising nadin ang manang at naghahanda ng almusal nila, sinilip ng Lolo ni Ezra ang sala para icheck sya.
"Goodmorning po sir, sabi po ni Ezra gisingin ko daw po sya pag gumising kayo" Sabi ni Noreen, tumayo sya sa upuan nya.
" Wag na Apo, papahingahin mo muna ang Apo ko, pagod yan sya sa pag aaral" Sabi ng Lolo ni Ezra. "Ano pangalan mo?" Tanong ng Lolo ni Ezra.
"Noreen po, Noreen Lachica po " Noreen smiled at him.
"Ahh, Noreen, halika dito hija, samahan mo ako sa kusina " Sabi ni Lolo.
Inalalayan ni Noreen si Lolo habang naglakad sila papunta sa Kusina, Nandun si manang nag hahanda ng mga kakainin para sa buong araw.
" Ohh, Lolo sino ang kaibigan mo?" Sabi ni Manang.
" Kaibigan ni Ezra, girlfriend ka ba nya hija?" Tanong ni Lolo habang tinulungan sya ni Noreen umupo.
" Ay, hindi po...kaibigan nya lang po ako" Sabi ni Noreen.
" Hay nako yan talaga si Ezra, Ano ba gagawin natin sa Apo mo?" Sabi ni Manang na mukhang na str-stress na kay Ezra.
" Alam mo naman yang Apo ko, nag mana sa Lola nya, Hinintay ko pa grumduate bago ko nakuha ang matamis nyang Oo" Sabi ni Lolo as he let out a laugh.
" Hija, Alam mo ba yan si Ezra bata palang sya gusto na nya maging Doctor, naalala ko pa yan may laruan sya tapos nag che-check up check up daw sya" Sabi ni Manang habang nakangiti at naghihiwa ng repolyo.
" Nakausap ko sya kahapon, tinanong ko sya kung may girlfriend sya ang sagot nya saakin, Wala po. Tinanong ko naman sya kung kelan nya balak, ang sagot nya...Pag may trabaho na po ako, at pag sigurado na po ako " Sabi ni Lolo, Si Noreen naman nakikinig ng mabuti at nino-note lahat sa isip nya.
" Ang sabi ko naman, maganda yan Apo , manang mana ka sa Lola mo at sa Mommy mo, pero tandaan mo wag mo kakalimutan buksan ang puso mo " Sabi ni Lolo. " Ang oras kapag lumipas, hindi mo na mababalik yun, kaya hija , habang bata ka pa gawin mo na laaaaaaahat ng gusto mo, tulad ko. Kontento na ako, kung maubos man hininga ko, handa na ako" Sabi ni Lolo, Dinabog ni Manang ang kutsilyo nya sa chopping board, kumatok sya sa kahoy at nag sign of the cross. " Lolo ,Wag ka ng ganyan!" Sabi ni Manang.
" Bakit? Totoo naman? I have people who love me, Wala akong kaaway. I have beautiful children and grandchildren who's always there for me. May mga loyal akong kaibigan , I thank God everyday for my beautiful life " Sabi ni Lolo, Si Manang nakasimangot napangiti na.
After a nice chat, tinanong ni Manang kung nakatulog na si Noreen, at ng sinabi nya na hindi pa nastress sila ni Lolonat pinatulog muna nila si Noreen, okay naman na daw sya.
A goal oriented man with a heart that is locked
-
" Sinasabi ko na nga ba eh! Pinag usapan namin yang lima simula highschool palang kami, hindi sya seryoso sa babae pero sa pag aaral, Oo. Ngayon, sa nakikita ko sa kanya sayo, hindi ko alam mag hintay pa tayo pero I like it, I love it!" N said clapping his hands like an insane person. " Wala kang pinag bago kuya" Sabi ni Noreen.
" Of course, Nathaniel Lachica will stay the same forever and ever . Remember, Umulan man o umaraw?" Sabi ni N.
" Nakangiti padin tayo" Noreen answered.
-
Noreen went to her room, It was bigger than her own room in her condo. She embraced her legs as she sat on the big computer chair in front of a desk, a paper and a pen and her laptop.
To him I'm like vitamins , and to me he's like caffeine
He's bad for me and I have trouble falling asleep because of him
" Noreen umaasa ka sa wala" Sabi ni Noreen sa sarili nya as she played with her pen.
She spent hours trying to write, paikot ikot na sya sa kwarto nya, nilalaro ang computer chair hanggang sa may naipon na pile ng scratch paper sa isang corner ng room.
Once upon a time there lived a Princess, she wasn't the prettiest princess nor the smartest, she was rather clumsy and she loves to read books and walk around the kingdom disguising as a commoner.
" Rubbish " Sabi ni Noreen, she crumpled the paper sabay binato nya nanaman sa pile sa gilid ng kwarto nya.
It was almost 5 a.m. and she threw herself to the bed and fell asleep.
-
Don't think about anything else
just look at me
smile for me
Ezra, the same time was lying on his bed and was also having trouble falling asleep.
Is it time? I will never know unless I try.
Ezra shifted his position, right, supine, left, lights on and off. Lumipat sya sa sala at ganun padin, hindi padin sya makatulog.
" What's wrong with me?" He said, he stood up , his mind was blank then it was corrupted by Noreen's image. Kinilabutan sya nung naalala nya itsura ni Noreen kanina, at ang usapan nila kanina sa piano room.
You also need to play the black keys to make music
He walked around the living room, tapos pinuntahan nya ang keyboard nya, he turned it on then he started to play a tune.
" If you're not the one for me then why does my heart tell me that I am?" He sang.
And then it hit him, he placed his hand on his chest, he smiled as he felt it beat hard as he thought of Noreen's smile, laughter and her magical personality.
I believe in alot of things and maybe you should too
Bigla nyang dinabog mga daliri nya sa keys, at nabuhayan sya, he was awake and alert and he realized." I believe in Love " Tumayo sya at dumiretso sya sa kwarto nya, binuksan nya ang secret drawer sa gilid ng kama nya, may green na vintage na box doon. It contained images, old pictures around twenty years ago.
Hinanap nya picture ng parents nya, the two were having dinner in a cruise ship, his father was wearing a suit and his mother was wearing a white dress. Maybe they got married secretly...
He carressed the picture and he almost shed a tear as he witnessed that an image can show you true love. The couple was deeply in love with each other, It was only a picture, an image, a physical thing, a paper but it showed the chemistry of two persons. Ezra felt it and his heart was touched. Maybe he was wrong about everything he believed in.
Tinignan nya ang likod ng picture at binasa nya ang nakasulat.
January 13, 1992
You are my starlight , I can never love anyone else as much as I love you.
You are perfect despite your flaws.
I'm sorry that you loved a busy man and you didn't mind that sometimes I can only be with you for five minutes
You waited for me patiently to get home even if Dad doesn't approve ,I will do my best to fight for us.
I will go to Singapore but I will come back, Soon we will have our child named Einstein, He will be as smart as his mother and as brave as his father.
I love you with all my heart my Emmanuela.
Signed by Dominique Yang.
" Sinulat to ni Dad? I was planned?" Kinuha nya ang picture at niligpit na nya ang box, he lied on his bed, holding the picture on his chest, he read the letter again then he smiled. He felt happy and he felt that he can breathe again. He really loved my mom.
He fell asleep with a smile on his face.
-
" Anak ng tokwa " Sabi ni Noreen, they were in front of the guild where they posted the sales of the two candidates for the promotion for Level 5.
There it was, Lamang ng three copies ang team ni Junior, he won 40% of the battle, ang inaasahan nalang nila ay ang votes ng faculty ng buong University by Department which accounts for 60%.
" I told you Eveningale, Wag ka na umasa " Sabi ni Junior showing his sly smiles as he walked away.
" Bes, wag ka mahinaan ng loob, hindi nila pwede imanipulate ang faculty " Sabi ni Julious.
" Really?" Lisa, the most positive member of the team even lost hope. she was sarcastic and she was frowning. " It has Balm's face!" Sabi ni Lisa.
" The cover doesn't matter" Sabi ni Aries. " It's the content that counts " Dagdag nya.
" Oh diba? We can still win!" Sabi ni Julious.
" Hindi.ko.na.alam." Noreen was staring blankly at the results. Tatlo na lang eh, tatlo nalang!.
Noreen walked around school with mixed emotions ,gusto nya pang umasa na mananalo sya kumapit sa chance na pipiliin sya. Her aura was dark and her shoulders were heavy, parang nakapatong doon ang buong mundo, isama na din ang araw at ang iba pang mga stars.
Napadaan sya sa oval and she paused from walking. Exercising releases happy hormones.
Dumiretso sya sa oval, lumakad sya ng isang round then she started to sprint. She started to lose count and her heart was exerting more effort that It ever did, yung tipong rinig na rinig nya na parang gusto na din tumakbo ng puso nya kasabay sya.
She ran until her legs already felt like falling asleep, lumakad pa sya ulit hanggang sa umalis na sya sa oval at umupo sa malawak na stairs sa administration building.
She was panting, still adjusting to the calm state. She was tired but she felt satisfied.
" Hindi ko maramdaman paa ko " She complained. She sat their for hours , contemplating, praying and hoping.
Wala na kasi sya magagawa ngayon kung hindi umasa at maghintay, It's there, the judges are there...Result nalang.
-
Few minutes passed and it's already 3:00 P.M.
A motorcycle stopped in front of Noreen pero hindi nya napansin, people noticed her in front of the administration building pero wala syang pake, she was blank.
It was Ezra, nadaanan na din sya kanina ni Ezra pero hindi nya napansin. Ezra on the other hand, has different plans.
" Hi kid " Sabi ni Ezra , he was wearing a black mask, but Noreen recognized him anyways.
" Hello " Sabi ni Noreen, hindi nya tinitignan si Ezra, nakatulala pa din sya . Ezra snapped his fingers in front of Noreen's face. " Hi kuya!' Noren faced him and waved at him mechanically, it made Ezra laugh.
" Ezra nalang diba?" Sabi ni Ezra, habang inaayos nya ang pagkain na dinala nya para kay Noreen. " Fries, greasy...oily" Sabi ni Ezra as he placed it next to Noreen. "Soda, acidic and sugary...with Ice cream, also sugar and burger, wow " Ezra smiled at a dull Noreen.
Hindi alam ni Noreen kung magiging masaya sya although she does feel happy about Ezra's presence pero this is so sudden and weird.
" They are not healthy but they make you happy " Sabi ni Ezra kay Noreen.
" Paano mo nalaman na nandito ako?" Sabi ni Noreen.
" Tatlong beses na akong dumaan dito at nandito ka padin " Sabi ni Ezra. " What's up?" He asked.
" Nanalo si Junior sa sales, kaya medyo nawawalan na ako ng pag asa pero, okay na ako ngayon. Tatanggapin ko nalang ang fate ko, atleast I did my best " Sabi ni Noreen, finally with a smile on her face. " Ngayon hinihintay ko nalang ang result ng faculty" Dagdag ni Noreen.
" Anong oras mo ba malalaman ang result?"
" Mamaya po, mga 5 p.m. siguro " Sabi ni Noreen.
" Sakto, wala akong gagawin, samahan muna kita " Sabi ni Ezra as he smiled at Noreen.
Noreen felt that was odd, blood rushed into her cheeks at napansin ni Ezra yun but he refused to point it out, he was smiling inside as he noticed that she was blushing.
Noreen started to nibble on the fries and dip it onto the ice cream. " Sure ka? Wala ka bang gagawin?" Sabi ni Noreen.
" Finished all my requirements, wala na akong exams, First day na ng christmas break bukas, So I'm free " Sabi ni Ezra.
" Oo nga pala break na, hindi ko man lang naramdaman " Sabi ni Noreen.
" May mga bagay siguro tayong hindi talaga nararamdaman late na natin narerealize " Sabi ni Ezra.
Naweirdohan si Noreen sa kanya and she started to nibble faster, she was experiencing mild anxiety.
" Like what?" Noreen asked, thinking was it a good idea to discover more about what this boy is thinking about.
" What if? You admire someone tapos, hindi mo lang maamin sa sarili mo na nagkakagusto ko na pala sa isang tao na hindi mo akalain magugustuhan mo sya" Sabi ni Ezra.
" Well, marami na akong nabasa na ganyang scenario and eventually, matatanggap nya din at aamin din sya " Sabi ni Noreen. " Ahh! Pero sa ibang story hindi sya umamin ,huli na tuloy ang lahat, It depends at tsaka, grabe ka naman! Love has no boundaries " She added, she started to sweat, naghalo na ang mga bagay na pinagkakabahan nya, ang result at kun ano ba iniisip ni Ezra.
" You watch too much romantic stuff " Ezra laughed.
" I write them too" Sabi ni Noreen.
" Oras na ba? " Sabi ni Ezra as he looked at his watch.
" Oras na?" Noreen wondered.
Ezra stood up and he shook it off, he was nervous , his legs were trembling. " Whoo! whoo!' He chanted then he sat down. He looked at Noreen then he smiled.
" May sasabihin ka ba saakin?" Noreen asked.
" Uhh, Okay. Here it goes, Noreen when you came into my life you were very noisy and you looked unpleasant. You're an emotional wreck and you're weird...and I like that, I like you" Ezra cringed because of his own words, Tumayo nanaman sya at nag jog in place tapos umupo nanaman sya. " Narinig mo ba sinabi ko?" Sabi nya kay Noreen na nakatulala lang sa kanya.
Sinampal ni Noreen sarili nya. " Did you just...confess? Wait lang, Ako?" Sabi ni Noreen.
" Ikaw...Ikaw eh " Sabi ni Ezra. He smiled at her again, feeling entirely happy about his confession. His heart was thumping hard.
" You make me happy and you make me do things that I never did before and feel glad about it" Dagdag nya.
" This is not happening inside my head right? Totoo to diba?" Noreen asked Ezra.
Ezra nodded, he grabbed a piece of table napkins and used it to wipe off Noreen's sweat. " Grabe ka mag pawis kapag kinakabahan ka " Ezra teased.
Noreen froze upon Ezra's action , she felt like her soul left her body , the butterflies won't leave, she wanted to jump out of joy if only she can feel her legs, instead, her toes curled, she covered her mouth, she squealed and she was smiling like the happiest person in the world.
HE LIKES MEEEEE!!! Sigaw ng kaluluwa ni Noreen.
" Ikaw ahh~ " Noreen teased Ezra and poked him, sabay balik sa kilig state, pinapadyak na nya paa nya sa kilig while Ezra was also feeling the same thing. Hindi din sya mapakali at nakangiti din sya ng sobra.
Finally.