The Book in Disguise

1

Vina

MY heart was pounding hard, just like a fast train, while I sprinted through the narrow alley. I moved swiftly and gracefully, similar to a nimble gazelle. My determination was unwavering; I had to catch the person who had stolen my phone and someone else's wallet. It felt like a race for survival, and there was no way I could allow the thief to escape.

As I ran, I clenched my fists and squinted my eyes, focusing intently on the thief. 

In a different situation, I could have been calmly walking to school. But at this moment, I was running with all my might in the early morning light. Tahimik ang daan at tiyak na tulog pa ang mga tao. 

I was the one chasing, and he was the one being chased. I gritted my teeth when the thief tried to throw me off his trail by knocking over a trash can. But I had experienced such tricks before, and I easily leaped over the obstacle, putting even more effort into catching him.

Then, dahil na rin siguro sa katangahan niya ay nadapa siya. There was a can in his path that he didn't see, and he crashed into it, falling to the ground. I swiftly took advantage of the situation and quickly pressed my foot firmly on the back of his neck.

"You stole my phone, you bastard!" I snarled, my words a venomous hiss.

"Get off me, you crazy bitch!" he spat, trying to dislodge me.

Hindi ako susuko. I pushed even harder, insisting on what rightfully belonged to me. Matapos ang ilang minuto, he reluctantly pulled out my phone and the wallet, handing them over with a gloomy look on his face. I quickly examined my phone, feeling relieved to see that everything was still there.

"People like you, really." I growled, standing up and stepping away from him.

The thief scrambled to his feet, his glare fierce and unyielding. "Akala mo malakas ka, huh?"

"No need sa pag-aakala," I replied, my smirk oozing confidence. "Because I know I am."

He suddenly lunged towards me, but I swiftly dodged his attack, moving smoothly like a flowing river. I landed a punch on his face, causing him to stumble and fall to the ground again. With a calm yet menacing tone, I warned him not to mess with me.

-

"Here," maingat kong iniabot ang itim na wallet na hawak-hawak ko habang nakatingin sa mukha ng lalaking tinulungan ko.

Walang dudang mas matanda siya sa'kin ng ilang taon dahil sa pangangatawan at tangkad niya. Nakita ko rin ang ID niya. He is a college student. Isa pa, hindi ko maiwasang hindi tumingin sakaniya dahil sa kakaibang kulay ng mga mata niya. Kulay abo 'yon na may bakas ng pagka-asul. Ngayon lamang ako nakakita ng ganito kaya hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili ko na mamangha.

As I look at his face, I feel puzzled by the mysterious emotions that appear and disappear. A mix of worry and curiosity washes over me as I try to understand the puzzling enigma in front of me. His expression is hard to read, and it contradicts the sense of innocence he projects despite his air of secrecy. How can someone seem so pure yet so hard to figure out?

My thoughts are interrupted when he looks at his wallet, lost in his own thinking for a moment. Slowly, he takes hold of it with a gentle grip, and I can't help but notice how his fingers delicately touch its worn leather surface. His eyes, like calm and deep pools of water, focus on me, and he softly asks, "Are you okay?" His voice is soothing, like a gentle breeze.

With the same gentle touch, he removes my bag from his shoulder and hands it back to me, the unspoken message louder than any words we could exchange. Even though he remains silent, the emotions flickering in his eyes speak volumes. It's as if he's conveying a clear message to me without uttering a single word.