Aligning the Stars (GXG)

III - Miss Stranger

Astrea

"Karis," Panimula ko matapos ang mahabang katahimikan, nandito kami ngayon sa kwarto ko. Bigla nalang din kasi siyang pumasok na akala mo'y nakatira din siya dito.

"Hm?" She replied.

I was contemplating whether I should ask this question or not. Pero ilang linggo ko na din kasi 'tong tinatanong sa sarili ko, ngunit 'di ko pa rin alam yung sagot o kung may sagot nga ba.

Simula nung nangyari sa party ni Tita Maricar, I couldn't shake off feeling nervous everytime I see Professor Del Mundo. It seems like she doesn't recognize me when it happens, so it's perfectly clear that she's not bothered by it or even thinking about it.

Of course..

Maybe she'd think of it as a friendly encounter with a stranger.

"Hey, what's on your mind?" Karis looks up at me from reading a book. "Kanina ka pa tahimik."

I stared at her for a few seconds before releasing a sigh, "H-how do you know when you like someone?"

"Oh my gosh?!" Sigaw niya sabay sarado sa libro niya, "Do you like someone right now—"

"Shut up! It's not like that, okay? Nagtatanong lang ako."

Eto yung rason kung bakit ayaw ko talaga tanungin ang tanong na 'yon, Karis would definitely overreact. Agad itong sumampa sa kama ko and hugged me like a giddy teenager. "This is the first time you've asked questions like that, Astrea."

I could feel my cheeks heating up as I pushed her aside, "Nevermind, don't answer it."

"No way! Tinanong mo na kaya."

"I don't wanna hear it."

"You wouldn't ask if you don't want to hear it. Jokes on you."

I think mali yung desisyon ko na sa kanya magtanong. Maybe Aries would be a better choice instead. For sure he'd be straightforward and wouldn't ask questions unlike his sister.

"Then quit asking questions and answer it." Inis na saad ko sa kanya sabay irap, habang tinawanan niya lang ako.

"Fine, ayoko namang pilitin ka.. unless you really wanna tell me about it."

"Karis.."

"Okay, okay!" She raised both of her hands as a sign that she surrenders. Bumwelo pa nga siya at may pa-ubo pa bago sumeryeso ang mukha. Is it really that serious? Pwede namang sabihin nalang kaagad. But I waited patiently kahit wala naman sa bokabularyo ko ang salitang 'yan.

"Well, you just know, you know?" she said, a playful glint in her eyes. "It's like this weird mix of excitement and nervousness. You find yourself thinking about them when you least expect it, and suddenly, their opinion matters a bit too much. It's like your heart decides to do its own thing, and you're left figuring out why you can't stop smiling when they're around."

Her words echoed in my mind, making me realize that what she described resembled my feelings. A subtle understanding crept in, but I resisted, unwilling to admit that that's how I really feel.

"Talaga? Kahit hindi mo sila nakakausap? Oh maging close man lang?" I grappled with denial, trying to keep these emotions from taking root and growing stronger.

Karis considered the question, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "Sometimes, it's not about how much you've talked to them or the interactions you've had. It's more about this subtle shift in your feelings. You catch yourself stealing glances, feeling a little more alive when they're nearby. It's like an unspoken connection, and even in silence, you sense something special. It's the small things that start to matter, creating a sense of warmth or excitement, even with limited interaction."