She, Who Came Back (GirlxGirl)

II: Hidden Memories

No, it wasn't Kila's memories but mine - Memories that had been long hidden and forgotten, buried in time.

Ilang taon na rin ang nakakalipas. Devine Rodriguez was the first and last woman I've ever fell in love with. It was a high school romance - puppy love, they said.

Last year of highschool was when it all came crushing down. Her parents found out about our hidden relationship at pinilit nilang maghiwalay kami and we did. Devine was her family's breedwinner at ayaw nilang guluhin ko ang buhay ng kanilang anak. Add to that, I'm a women.

Devine respected her parent's stand on our relationship, and I respected hers. We broke up in good terms but it doesn't mean it hurt less. Tinanggap ko nalang.

Ilang taon na ba since huli naming pagkikita? Was it nine years ago?

She changed. Eve, as I like to call her, had her hair down just a few inches pass her shoulders. Dati, she would always keep her hair into a bun. Nakababa lang ito kung bagong ligo. She now wears heels when she used to hate it. She also grown a few inches taller or maybe its just because I'm in Kila's body. Eve now also wears bright red lipstick in contrast to her usual light make up fixed.

Devine Rodriguez. Beautiful as always.

Napaiwas ako ng tingin ng nakalapit na pala siya sa akin.

"Miss Santiago, are you okay? Kanina pa kita tinatawag," her voice was laced with concern.

"I'm fine," I replied. My voice was louder than I intended to. "My mind was elsewhere, sorry ma'am."

And I'm looking up at her. I'm not used to this. Ako ngayon ang nakatinggala sa kanya. My eyes scanned her heart shape face, her long eyelashes, pointed nose and red shiny lips - Hermosa. Immediately, I snapped myself out of trance.

I glanced to my feet before redirecting my attention back to her again.

Eve opened her mouth as if she got more to say but she's shaking her head instead. "Thank you. You may take your seat, Miss Santiago."

Thank you? For what? I didn't get to ask dahil tumalikod na siya agad at tinungo ko na lang ang upuan ko.

Hindi agad nagsimula ang klase. There's still a few minutes left at kaunti pa lang kami dito sa loob. Professor Rodriguez stayed seated on her desk at may kung anong ginawa sa harap ng kanyang loptop. She lightly massaged her temple bago napasandig sa kanyang upuan. Umaga palang pero parang pagod na siya.

Then an idea crossed my mind.

The next day, I went to school a little bit earlier and fortunately the room was unlocked. I placed a medium size jar full of gummy bears on top of Eve's desk and immediately went out, baka makita niya pa ako. I also left a little note that says 'have a great day!' and went my merry way sa rooftop.

Gummy bears always cheers Eve up.

Jason and Ella's annoyed look was the first thing I noticed when I arrived at the rooftop. Sinundan ko ang tinitingnan nila at napaatras. Standing in front of us, in the next building was a wounded, pale man with blood dripping on his face.

The heck?

"Huwag mo na kaming pahirapan!" Jason yelled. "Hindi ka rin namin titigilan kaya kusa ka nang sumuko!"

I hurriedly stood behind Ella and asked, "Anong nangyayari?"

The wounded guy smirked. Bigla itong nawala at sa isang iglap ay nakatayo na sa railing ng rooftop malapit sa kinatatayuan ko. Ella pulled me away from him.

"Kapag sinignalan kita, ihagis mo 'to sa katawan niya."

"Huh?"

Inilagay ni Ella ang isang itim na bola sa kamay ko.