Aurora Borealis

Chapter 35 - What Does It Mean To You?

>> • LAUREN • <<

It is the canvas hanging on the pure white-colored wall that took my attention by the time I took my first step in his apartment.

Aurora.

Nakasabit din sa gilid ng painting ang medal na nakuha niya noong naipanalo niya ang painting na ito.

"How long are you planning to stare at it?" ibinalibag ni Baldo ang kaniyang bag sa couch.

"Oh, sorry. I got mesmerized by the painting." saad ko at naupo sa sofa.

"I'll go get changed first." aniya at pumasok sa kaniyang kuwarto.

I roamed my eyes around his place. It's not the first time that I've been here, but I always felt like there's something new in here.

Doesn't he feel lonely that he's the only one occupying this apartment? Maybe not. He keeps on saying that he doesn't need companions since they're annoying.

But, it just feels empty.

I have the same feeling whenever I go back to my dorm after class. I'm not the type to be sentimental about being alone, but it still hits different when you know there's someone waiting for you when you got home.

Well, I suppose he doesn't feel lonely since there's Agnes next door. Rather, he is pissed off by Agnes' antics.

Maya-maya pa'y lumabas na siya, suot ang isang itim na oversized shirt na tinernuhan ng puting shorts.

"What are you giggling for?" masungit na tanong nito nang mapansing pinipigilan ko ang paghagikhik at pagngisi.

"N-Nothing. It's just that your sandals look cute."

My remarks seem to make him upset even though I meant it as a compliment. I can hear the loud stomping of his feet that are minimized by the squeaking of the crocs. Agad din siyang bumalik na may suot nang tsinelas.

"Hey, bakit ka nagpalit? The crocs look cute earlier." saad ko.

"Shut up. You don't care what footwear will I wear. Stop messing around." aniya at naupo sa tabi ko. Inilabas ko naman sa bag ko ang laptop, kasama ang mga libro na hiniram ko kay Madame Librarian.

Speaking of, hindi na muna ako tumuloy sa Archives' Section dahil naroroon pa rin ang sama ng loob na nararamdaman ko. Perhaps it's not a good idea to let it be, but the more you throw anything to the flames, it will only add fuel to the fire. But if we let it cool, nothing might remain but cold, crumbled ashes never to return to what it used to be.

"You got a long face ever since you came in class. Did something happen between your gang? Not that I really care, I'm just concerned that the research might not turn out okay if you're being bothered by some issues." puna niya at kumuha ng isang libro.

I'm not sure if it's right to tell him, but I guess his point might be true. I've read some stories on the Internet that it sometimes better to tell an unknown stranger about your troubles and worries, although it might implicate that you're showing vulnerabilities.

It's not that Baldo is a complete stranger, he's just aloof among the others that's why people barely know his personality, including me.

"Wendy and I got into an argument." panimula ko, "We found out that we both like Tohru. No one among us wants to back down, even though no one has made a confession yet."

Natigil naman siya sa pagbubuklat ng libro, ngunit hindi pa rin umiimik. I can feel the awkwardness in the air, maybe because it's really weird that I revealed something about liking a friend and wants to take it on a more intimate and higher level.