A Silence In The Chaos

Silence 4: His Services

Silence Four

I paced around my apartment, waiting for the cat to arrive. Si sir Noah daw ang mag aabot sa akin. Kaya naman sa pagpatak ng oras ng aming out ay agad akong umuwi.

The longer my anticipation lasted, I became more hyperaware of the ticking of the clock in my ears. Hindi ko alam kung anong oras uuwi si sir Noah. Madalas siyang mag over time. Who knows?

Nakatambay pa rin ang tatlong lata ng sardinas na binili ko noong nakaraan sa aking maliit na dining. What a welcome!

I almost flew to the door when I heard it knocking. The cat's meow filled my ears even with the door not close to being half opened yet

I expected sir Noah, but instead it was my landlady. I mean, napagkamalang landlady. Inihabilin lang pala ni sir Noah ang apartment sa kanya.

She stood at the entrance with the cat beside his feet.

"Sa akin iniwan ni Noah ang pusa. Ibibigay ko na sa'yo at baka mamaya pa darating 'yon."

"Tita Claire."

Sabay kaming tumingin ni Tita Claire sa kadarating lamang na si Noah. The first two buttons of his uniform already undone. Siguro'y nasakal siya rito.

"Ako na po ang bahala rito. Maraming salamat po."

"Siya sige hijo. Babalik na ako't magbbeauty rest pa ako."

"Mingming!" I squeaked then sat in front of the cat. I admired its gray color as I touched him gently. "Hello!" I talked to it like it's a child.

NIlagpasan ako ng pusa at nagdire diretso ng pasok sa loob ng apartment. Dahan dahan akong tumayo habang pinagmamasdan itong luminga linga sa paligid ng apartment. I can't stretch my lips into a grin but I felt happy! It's the first time in my life, that I've truly felt it. I always smile to express happiness, but inside I'm not. This time, it does not show in my face, but my heart knows I am.

"Thank you, sir Noah!" I almost leaned forward to wrap my arm around him, but I stopped midway. My legs hurt from the force of stopping myself.

We were both startled. I saw the hint of shock in sir Noah's eyes. Though not too obvious. His unbothered face slightly faltered.

I backed away while he cleared his throat.

"Like I said," he spoke casually. "The cat can only stay inside the apartment for a month. Magpapagawa ako ng maliit na tirahan para sa kanya. Don't let the neighbors see it."

I nodded. "Yes po sir. Salamat po!"

"Noah," aniya.

"Po?" I breathed.

"Noah ang itawag mo sa akin sa labas ng eskwela," sagot niya. "Hindi ko maramdamang normal akong tao kapag palaging may tumatawag sa akin ng sir kahit sa labas ng trabaho," he chuckled.

I nodded slowly.

"Okay..." I said softly. "... Noah." It felt easy on my lips.

"Hmm..." he hummed in approval. "I'll get going then... Ysabelle."

Nakatanga ako sa pinto nang makaalis siya. Noah.

Habang tumatagal ang araw, habang dumarami ang taong nakakasalamuha ko't mga studyanteng natuturuan ko. I was more desolate. Hind ba ito ang gusto ko? To have more people around me. Make friends and companion.

It's crazy how fast emotions could change in just a few minutes, hours or days. There were moments where I, out of nowhere, feel melancholic. Sorrow for no reason. My head felt full and burdened, like loads of massive bags were suddenly dumped inside it. My eyes were heavy lidded. I want to be in bed and sleep the whole day.