I'm just standing here at the bus stop. Of course, nag aabang ako ng bus. Kaka-out ko lang from work. And while waiting here, this girl caught my attention. Kanina pa kasi s'ya palakad lakad na parang baliw. Akala n'ya siguro walang nakakapansin sa kan'ya. I got a little bit pissed off kaya nilapitan ko na s'ya.
"Miss, are you lost or something? Kanina ka pa kasi pari't parito."
She just raise her eyebrows and wave her hands like she's checking if I can really see her.
"You can see me?" She ask.
"Of course. Kakausapin ba kita kung hindi?"
She suddenly kneel down, in front of me. And looked up the sky.
"Thank you Lord. Promise I won't waste this chance You gave me." She said while still kneeling.
Everyone's already staring at us so I distance myself from her. Tumayo din s'ya after that. But people keeps their gaze to the two of us.
Hinablot ko ang kamay n'ya para tingnan kung may name tag sa braso n'ya. Malay mo takas mental pala 'to.
"What are you doing? Anyways, yeah. Naliligaw nga ako." Sambit nito.
"You know what, nevermind. Hindi na kita tutulungan. After you did something stupid na ikinapahiya ko."
Lumakad na ako palayo pero sinundan n'ya ako. At kinukulit na tulungan ko s'ya.
"Miss please, kahit ngayong gabi lang. Patuluyin mo muna ako sa bahay mo." Paulit ulit n'yang sinasabi yon habang sumusunod sa'kin. I eventually got tired of it. Kaya pumayag nalang ako. Nag book ako ng grab para sasakyan namin pauwi sa bahay ko. Kakalakad ko kasi, napalayo kami sa bus stop.
"Ngayong gabi lang ah." Sambit ko pagdating sa condo unit ko.
"Ahm...can you also please help me find a job? Babayaran kita when I finally got my first salary." Her another request. Hindi ko alam saan humuhugot 'to ng kapal ng muka.
"Pasalamat ka maawain ako. Anong klaseng trabaho ba? And you know, it's better na tulungan nalang kitang bumalik sa pamilya mo."
"No. Hindi ako pwedeng bumalik." Saad n'ya.
"Anong hindi pwedeng bumalik?"
"Mahabang kwento. Saka ko nalang sasabihin sa'yo."
The next day I help her to find a job. She said she wants a job that doesn't need any document and only experience. Kaya dinala ko s'ya sa fastfood restaurant na madalas kong pinupuntahan. They need a waiter so I recommend her to them. Sinabi ko nalang na kaibigan ko s'ya para hindi na sila mag tanong pa.
She also ask kung pwedeng mag stay muna stay muna s'ya sa unit ko. Magbabayad nalang daw s'ya. Nanghingi nalang ako ng share for electric and water bill tutal tuwing gabi lang naman s'ya nasa unit ko.
Since she's staying with me, we developed friendship, siguro romantic feelings na rin. We're treating each other like a couple.
"Love, what do you want for dinner?"
I sat on her lap. "You, what do you want? Chicken adobo or me?"
"Chicken adobo nalang. Cos I want you to be my dessert." She responded.
That night after our dinner, I gave my first and hopefully my last to her. And after that intimate moment of ours, we both fall asleep. But before my eyes finally closed, she said these words, "I love you. But this is not the right time for us. We will continue our story, in another life."
The next day, I woke up and sees no one at my side. I'm still naked kaya nag damit muna ako bago s'ya hanapin. I already searched all around my unit, but I couldn't find her. Instead, I found a note next to the breakfast she prepared.
"A soul was given a chance to be alive again and fix her mistakes and continue her plan when she was still alive. And that soul was me,. I'm a just a spirit, that's why I got shocked that night you first talked to me.
He only gave me 6 months to fix everything. I'm spending all the money I earned for the family I left. For my parents and siblings. I anonymously send them money. And He said that He would erase the memories of those people I've encountered. But I beg Him not to erase yours. Because you're not just anyone else.
About my feelings for you, Yzabel I like you. No. I love you. But this is not the right time for us. The night is finally over, it's dawn already. Goodbye my moon, till the next dusk
-Cole"
