Chapter 5: Runway
I stood whole naked in front of the full-length mirror as I traced the pendant on my neck. The second I took it off my body, my reflection in the mirror slowly faded until there's nothing.
Sometimes when I don't wear this, I forget what I look like. I've been living for centuries now, but my memories of the past were still crystal clear in my head. That's the only thing I hate about myself. I remember everything.
Huminga ako nang malalim bago umupo sa kama at sinandal ang likod sa ulunan nito. Hubo't hubad pa rin ako habang nakatingin sa cell phone ko.
I scrolled through my photos. Napangiti na lang ako habang pinagmamasdan ang mga litrato ko. I have been through a lot of things, but I like my life better now.
These photos will become memories someday. I don't age, but everyone does. Just because I don't age doesn't make I can stay who I am today. The changes in my life were forced.
I know one day, I will be forced to take a different path to create a different identity.
Umangat ang tingin ko kay Kristan na nakatayo sa pintuan ko. Naka sweat pants lang itong puti habang hawak si Lilly. The bitch gets thicker everyday. It's been just a week!
"Ayaw mo bang mag-lunch?" tanong niya.
"Are you offering me your cat?"
He shook his head. Napansin kong humigpit pa ang pagkakahawak niya sa pusa. Iritado pa rin ako sa pesteng 'yon, pero hindi ko maipagkakailang malaki ang naitulong niya kay Kristan.
"Just a wine will do," I said.
Binalik ko sa screen ng cell phone ang atensyon ko. Lilly has been unusually cool with me. Hindi na niya ako gaanong naasar dahil tahimik lang siya. But there's something about her that's bothering me.
"I will get you one," I heard him.
Pinatong ko sa kama ang cell phone bago nag-inat ng katawan. Binuksan ko ang kurtina. Mataas na ang sikat ng araw. Today is my free day. Wala akong ibang gagawin kung hindi ang manatili sa bahay.
I pulled myself a comfortable robe and went out of my room. Naabutan kong nagsasalin ng wine si Kristan sa kitchen. Umupo ako sa stool at tinitigan si Lilly na nakaupo sa ibabaw ng lamesa.
"Meow," she whispered as she scratched the back of her ears.
I glared at her. She suddenly stopped scratching her ears.
"I don't want to hear their thoughts again," dinig kong sabi ni Kristan. Humarap siya sa akin saka nilapag sa harapan ko ang wine glass.
I sighed. "Then, don't."
"Paano?" He sat on the chair across from me. "I didn't want to hear their thoughts, pero bigla ko na lang naririnig. It's bothering me."
I sipped on my wine. I seriously don't know the answer to that. Hindi ko alam kung kailan ko natutunang isarado ang isipan sa iba at huwag basta-basta pasukin ang isipan nila. It just happened.
He pouted his lips while rubbing his palms against Lilly's white fur. I could tell the bitch loved it since she leaned her head on his hand.
"I want to go for a jog," Kristan said.
Hindi ako kumibo. Nakatingin lang ako kay Lilly habang umiinom ng wine. Pilit kong iniintindi kung ano ang nagtutulak sa akin para tuluyan siyang magustuhan.
"Just for ten minutes," he added.
I didn't respond. Malawak ang likod ng building at wala gaanong pumunta roon. Doon madalas na nagj-jogging si Kristan tuwing umaga o kung gusto niya lang magpahangin.
