Into The Reality (PUBLISHED UNDER LINES OF LOVE)

Chapter 1.3

Sa lalim ng iniisip ko, hindi ko na namalayan na bumuhos ang malakas na ulan at ang kotseng papalapit na sa'kin, nabingi ako sa lakas ng busina nito dahil malapit na akong mabangga nito.

"Alice!" hinila ako ni Martin.

Napa-tulala ako kay Martin. He was holding an umbrella, and his other hand was supporting my back from falling.

"Alice, okay ka lang ba? May masakit ba sa'yo?"

"Martin..." I called. Umayos ako ng tayo at tinanggal niya na rin ang kamay niya sa likuran ko. I was wet because of the rain. "Do you think I'll become successful?"

"Huh?" he was caught off guard because of my out of nowhere question.

"Ang sabi ko... sa tingin mo ba magiging successful ako pagka-graduate? Do you think I have a bright future?"

"Of course..." he answered, even if he still looked confused. "Everyone knows you can do it."

"I feel like I'm worthless if I can't be of service." I still doubted.

"I hope you realize that sometimes it's okay to relax, to share the weights to others so you don't end up carrying it all by yourself." Napatingin ako sa balikat niyang basang-basa na sa ulan. The umbrella was too small for the both of us, but he allowed me to share it with him. He was more drenched in rainwater than me.

It was nice... it was nice that other people believe in me even when I was in doubt. "Kaya nga Alice Avelista pangalan mo, eh." Napatingin ako kay Martin na inayos ang payong niya para maka-silong kaming dalawa ng maayos pareho. "A ang highest grade, 'di ba? Tapos dalawa pa ang A sa pangalan mo, stands for Apakagaling ni Alice."

Natahimik ako, at ilang segundo, imbis na pag-dududa sa sarili ko ang iniisip ko, hindi ko namalayang tumatawa na ako. It was cheesy, but I appreciate it that he's trying. To make me smile and all.

I was laughing with him in the middle of the rain, not minding anything and not worrying about being soaked in the rain.

Maybe... maybe he wasn't a burden after all.