See You Tomorrow, Yuki (EDITING)

ELEVEN

"Tsk. Bago lang 'to..."

Aciel lied down his bed and smiled like a fool; so different from his cold attitude towards Yuki a few hours ago.

"Ngayon ko lang siya nakitang naka-dress..."

Nawala rin agad ang ngiti niya sa mukha. Hindi niya maalis sa isip ang usapan nila kanina ng dad niya. Patagilid ang higa niya sa kama.

"Anong pamagat ng musical na 'yan?"

"That one. 'A Normal Person'."

"I'm sure Yuki was reading the same book. Pareho rin ang sinayaw at kinanta niya noon sa kanina..."

He was literally thinking that maybe they met even before he became her physical therapist. That maybe there's something significant about that certain event from their past.

Madali siyang tumayo at hinablot ang laptop niya mula sa gilid ng kama. Paulit-ulit niyang pinindot ang power button kamamadaling mabuksan ito.

"A... Normal... Person... book..." kasabay ng bigkas ng mga salita ang pagtipa niya.

[Published in 2000, the only work by the anonymous author "K".]

"Author K..."

[Read A Normal Person for free...]

[A Normal Person is a famous novel by "K"...]

"There aren't as many articles about it than I ex—"

[Musical Actress Lianne Suarez has left The Life Theater Company after her recently finished lead musical, 'A Normal Person'. Her lawyer confirmed that she was abused by President Gutierrez in exchange of the lead role. They did not provide any more details and asked for understanding and support.]

"HINDI NI'YO ALAM KUNG ANONG TOTOO," he uttered as the old article brought him back to what happened five years ago.

Tinigil ni Aciel ang ginagawa niya. Halos masira niya na ang computer mouse sa higpit ng pagkakahawak dito. Bumalik siya agad sa kama pagkatapos.

- - -

"Ingat pauwi," sambit ni Yuki habang kumakaway kay Jamie. "Tawagan mo ako kapag nakauwi ka na! Okay?!"

"Oo! Good luck with your rehearsal tomorrow!" sagot ni Jamie na nakasilip at kumakaway rin mula sa taxi. "Goodnight!"

Binuhat ni Yuki si Aki, malambing na hinihimas ang katawan nito.

"You're a big boy now. Mommy's having a hard time carrying—"

Pumiglas si Aki mula sa kaniya. Tumakbo ito papasok sa loob, at natanggal pa ang collar niya.

"That kid... Aki! Come to my room! Understand?!" She chuckled. "Sino bang kinakausap ko..."

[...formerly known as The Life Theater Company...]

Imbis na dumiretso sa kwarto niya sa second floor, lumihis siya ng direksyon para puntahan ang kwarto ng tito niya. Marami sana siyang itatanong.

"Tito Hakim. Paano mo nakilala si Aci—"

She heard him sobbing. She peeked through the blinds, and the lights were out in Hakim's room. She sat by his door, while he continued crying.