The Way It Was - Abridged (Complete)

4

I BLINDLY reached for my phone to see the time, but all my hand felt was books on the table. Inalis ko ang mga mata ko sa nakabukas na libro at hinanap ang phone sa mesa. Magpa-panic na sana ako nang hindi ko iyon makita. It was the newest iPhone, I could not lose it. Hinahalungkat ko ang mga libro nang bigla kong maalala na sadya kong iniwan sa apartment ang phone para hindi ako ma-distract.

I was at my favorite diner that was open twenty-four hours. I looked up and searched for the wall clock. It was almost three in the morning. I was there for almost two hours already.

Napapabuntong-hininga na ibinalik ko ang paningin sa mga libro na nakakalat sa mesa ko. May na-retain ba sa lahat ng binasa at pinag-aralan ko? Did I absorb everything or anything at all?

"Milkshake or coffee?"

Bahagya akong napapitlag at napatingin sa nagsalita. Nginitian ako ni Delia, ang waitress ko. She came to me every thirty minutes to ask what I needed. She had been bringing me coffee, milkshakes, burgers, fries and pie. My books and flashcards had grease stains.

"You're getting a milkshake, honey. You've had enough coffee. And this is the last one. You need to go home and sleep. This can't be good for you."

Nginitian ko si Delia. Hindi ko magawang mainis sa kanya dahil nakikita kong concerned lang talaga siya sa akin.

Pag-alis niya ay binalikan ko ang mga libro sa harap ko. My brain was so tired. I didn't really want to read and study more. But I had to. Hindi rin naman ako makakatulog. I needed to work more. I failed my last exam and I had to make up for it big time. I knew med school would be tough but I wasn't prepared for this level of toughness.

"This is not a library."

Kamuntikan na akong mapatalon nang marinig ko ang tinig ng isang lalaki. Nasapo ko ang dibdib ko. "Geez!" bulalas ko habang nag-aangat ng paningin. Labis akong nagulat nang makita si Roarke na nakatayo sa gilid ng mesa. Hindi ko naramdaman ang paglapit niya. Siguro ay dahil na rin sa suot kong ball cap. It was to help myself focus on the books and not on anything else. Why was I in a diner if I wanted to focus? I was weird that way.

"Sorry," Roarke muttered as he slid in the booth. "I didn't mean to startle you."

I just gaped at him. My God, he was cute. It had been a week since our double date with Richard and Tana. I gave him my number and he didn't call. I stopped waiting after the fourth day. I had accepted that he was not interested. It broke my heart a little, but I decided it was for the best. I didn't need the distraction. I needed to focus on my studies.

But I had thought of him a lot. I was so disappointed when he didn't call. I was in despair because he didn't like me the way I liked him.

What was he doing here now?

"Why are you studying here?" Kunot na kunot ang noo niya na parang hindi talaga niya naiintindihan ang ginagawa ko roon.

"Because I need to be a doctor," tugon ko sa tanong niya.

Mas nagsalubong ang mga kilay ni Roarke. Mas lalo niya akong hindi naintindihan. Was he interested? Then why didn't he call?

"What are you doing here?" tanong ko na lang imbes na ipaliwanag sa kanya ang dahilan ng pag-aaral ko sa isang diner at hindi sa isang library o kahit na sa apartment namin ni Tana.

"Breakfast," sagot niya.

Bumalik si Delia at inilapag ang milkshake ko sa mesa. Napatingin siya kay Roarke. Medyo may pagtataka pero ngumiti pa rin. "Hey, Roarke. What will it be? Chicken tenders with fries or grilled cheese sandwich?"

"Yes. And rootbeer float. Thank you, D."

"I'll be back."

"You know Delia?" tanong ko kahit na obvious naman.