Scarlet's Letters

SL: Twenty Four

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Lirio worked overtime at his office. Siya na ang huling umalis ng company building. Parang nagkakasundo pa naman ang mga papeles na dumami kinabukasan. Ayaw niyang matambakan at ma-stress lalo si Ciara. Kanina, balak na naman itong hiramin ni Fourth. Kung bakit, ewan niya sa masungit at aktong-matanda niyang pinsan.

Hindi siya umuwi agad bagkus nag-commute lang siya papunta ng Colon Street. Iniwan niya muna sa parking lot ng company ang kotse niya. He's wearing his casual clothes from the morning. Walang makakahalata na isa siyang CEO kesa sa iba niyang mga pinsan na ang lalakas ng aura lalo na si Fourth. Parang mangangain ng kung sino. He silently prayed that his secretary would survive the uptight and perfectionist boss of the San Miguel Empire.

Lirio saw the neon lights of a karaoke establishment. Malapit lang iyon sa alma mater niya noong college. Pumasok siya roon at nag-rent ng one hour.

The videoke screen flashed in front of his eyes. The neon lights were dancing inside the room. Noon, kasama niya ang dalawa niyang kaibigan sa pagvi-videoke. But if he wants to break his happy and tired mask, he prefers to sing alone in that room.

Pinili niya ang kantang paborito niyang kantahin. Kapiling niya ang kantang iyon nang mawala sa kanya si Eden Sofia. It's too painful to bear before but years gone by, Lirio accepted it no matter how hard it was.

If you're not the one then why does my soul feel glad today?

If you're not the one then why does my hand fit yours this way?

If you are not mine then why does your heart return my call?

If you are not mine would I have the strength to stand at all?...

Before, memories with Eden Sofia flashed in his head. And it did now. But as he sang it, he closed his eyes. Iba ang nakita ng mga mata niya. It's this lady in his neighborhood who happens to write a book about him, as its hero.

Lirio stopped singing. He felt like there was a current ringing in his ears. And he was dumbfounded. How did she manage to enter his head while singing this song?

He purposely sighed and left the karaoke room, not finishing the one hour rent. Mababaliw siya pag nagtagal pa siya roon.

Napadpad ang mga paa niya sa Night market. His eyebrows furrowed when he saw a woman. Her pretty face was reflected by the lights coming from a a store. Ipinilig nito ang ulo habang may tinitingnan sa glasswall niyon. There's a silent peace in her face. Mukhang mang kalmado ito sa labas, alam ni Lirio na minsan tinatago nito ang mga emosyon nito't mga saloobin. So much, for observing her way back highschool.

"Hey," he approached. Mukhang di na ito nagulat na makita siyang naglalakad rito palapit. But she was taken aback when he blurted the words next.

Ah, bahala na nga.

"You owe me a date."

* * *

Berry didn't know how it happened. Namalayan na lang niya ang sariling kasama si Lirio. She was so dumbfounded to react that it took her seconds to realize that Lirio had pulled her into the Night market. Wala namang malisya ang date na ito para dito, di ba? But he's a guy, and he knows what he wants. But this was harmless, right?

"Hey, don't overthink. Consider this as an undefined date." Lirio snapped her out of her reverie.

"Undefined," maang niya. Bago pa siya magreklamo ay hinawakan siya nito sa kamay bago pa siya masagi ng mga taong bigla na lang pumasok sa Night Market. They were close to each other that she's the first one to detach from his grip. Ni hindi niya masalubong ito ng tingin.