Nang matapos ang exam week ay makakahinga na nang maluwag ang mga estudyante. Maging si Annara ay inisip na ang tungkol sa mga bagay na kanyang gagawin 'pag natapos na ang kanilang mga pagsusulit bilang gantimpala sa kanyang sarili.
Wicker have been more focused in his studies this time. He's too eager to ace the tests, he's competing to nobody, he's just wanted to fully spend most of his time in the library and do better than before.
Minsan ay nagkakaroon silang dalawa ni Annara ng study hour, iyong oras na tutulungan nila ang isa't isa para mag-review kahit pa magkaiba ang strand nila.
They help and learn from each other with their own style of techniques and studying materials. Iba ang epekto kapag nag-review ka habang may kasama, mas epektibo at madaling maalala.
Maganda ang sikat ng araw, ngunit mararamdaman pa rin ang lamig ng panahon. Sanay na ang balat ni Annara sa ganitong klase ng klima, kahit pa mababa ang tolerance niya sa malamig na panahon. She adjusted well, her skin thickened as she grows.
She sighed in relief as she was lying supine on the grass looking at the sky. She and Adrian used to do this when they were nothing else to do but to rest and feel the moment.
Nakahiga siya sa malambot na damuhan mula sa kanilang bakuran habang pinagmamasdan ang ganda ng kalangitan. She's wearing a cardigan her father gifted her when she was sixteen and a gloves Adrian just gave her without any occasion.
Annara took a nap. It's just her mind is cooperating from the quick meditation she did on purpose. Cold air breezes, the grassy lawn touching her nape's skin.
As soon as she open up her eyes, she saw a man upside down staring at her while gently smiling. Her heart crisps with so much longing and wanting.
"Adrian?"
She looked at his eyes, gleaming beautifully, like twinkling full of stars. Gusto niyang sunggaban ito ng halik at hagkan nang mahigpit, subalit hindi man lang nakipagtulungan ang katawan niyang gawin ang bagay na gusto niya.
She held her breath. Adrian never leaves a big place in her heart. Siya at siya pa rin.
"Hi, Annara . . ."
Nanumbalik ang mga labi niya sa normal mula sa malapad na pag-ngiti nang mapansing hindi si Adrian ang nasa harapan niya.
Lumukot ang noo niya at namilog ang mga mata.
"Wicker?" Napabalikwas agad siya ng upo at hinarap ito. "What are you doing here?" Marahan niyang inayos ang nagulong buhok sa pagkakahiga.
"Just visiting you. I met Thea over the gate and she said that you're here. Kaya rito na agad ako dumiretso."
Annara read the wholeness of Wicker. She knows why girls do like him, he's visually stimulating. Through his black pea coat, to great pair of jeans, looking down to his sleek boots. He's also wearing a wool gird beret hat that simplifies his handsomeness and admiringly looks. He probably has a good wardrobe, especially how he carries it like a model.
"Ikaw, ano'ng ginagawa mo rito?" he asked, sitting with her.
"Lying here." She smiles meeting his gaze. "I just don't feel like doing anything. In short, nagsisiyesta," she added.
"In this kind of weather? Hindi ba masyadong maginaw para matulog dito sa bakuran ninyo?"
"It's not that cold right now. Tolerable naman ang lamig. Gusto mo bang mag-kape muna? Halika sa bahay, ipagtitim—"
"Uhm, Annara . . ." Umiwas siya ng tingin dito. "I just wanted to ask if you have some time? I mean, if you're free these coming days? I just bought two tickets in one of the museums here in Fawnbrook. Mind if you wanna come with me?" May kaba sa tono ng boses ni Wicker. He doesn't want to get things any longer. Ibinulalas na niya kung ano ang nais niya kaya binisita niya si Annara.
BINABASA MO ANG
Strange Voices of the Dead
Mystery / Thriller"I feel more than infinite with you." When Adrian died, Annara, a student library assistant, began hearing ghostly voices. Later in life, she meets Wicker, who resembles him, and this changes everything, making her realize that those strange voices...
