You Are Dead But Alive

KABANATA 10:

Muling Pagtatagpo

***

I am standing at the Park, watching someone cuddling, changing love and hugs while, I’m still standing and not even moving, thinking about Mark. My curly hair cascaded as I’ve notice that it’s getting long. I cover my face with my palm when a car stopped right in my front. A girl went out and I just cannot see her clearly because of the reflection of the sun rays. She walked towards me and hug me tight.

“Hi, it’s me, Layla.” I cried and hugged her back. I didn’t expect that she will visiting at me. I looked into her eyes.

  “I am happy that we’ve meet again.” I sneered. She pouted and took something from her bag.

“I went to your Dad’s Company and asked him about you, then, yeah ...I found you here. Anyways, would you like to work with me? Let’s just talk about it in my house.” She offered and give me a small piece of paper. It was her cellphone number. “Call me later, I will ask someone to fetch you, okay?” I nodded and gave her a smile. She went back to her car and immediately leave.

Because of her offer, I tried to approach my Dad and asks for permission since Layla is my trusted friend. I guess, this kind of work will help me to improve my confidence and gather more experience. I call my Dad while my eyes wanders. I shooked my head and I feel something bad. Maya-maya, medyo, tumahan narin ’yong pakiramdam ko. I notice that my Dad’s phone is still ringing yet, no one would like to answer. Mom is also there, but she has no respond. Afterwards, I just gazing at my phone while waiting their reply but, I received a message from unknown person.

“Why are you here?” I read it and my brows crinkled. I shook my head and clicked my tongue. Sino na naman itong nagte-text na walang pangalan. Inilibot ko ang aking paningin ng mahagip ng aking mga mata ang isang lalaki na nakatayo sa likod ng malaking puno. He waves his hands at me.

I blinked my eyes and walked towards him,  “I should be the one to ask you, why are you here?” I looked around and sees nothing except him. I tried to avoid my eyes from him yet, I can’t. He sneered at me and then, showed his cute two dimples. I smirked and my eyes filled with tears.

Why is he often meeting with me if this will just makes me cry? I looked above and trying to hold on my tears.

“Hey, Miah. What happened?” He asked me and looked directly into my eyes. I just don’t know what I feel at this moment but... It seems my heart beat fasts everytime I meet him.

“It’s nothing. You have nothing to worry Mark Warren. I have to go now.” I am trying to escape from him. Agad akong tumalikod at lumayo sa lugar. Dumaan ako sa isang kalye habang hawak-hawak ko pa rin ang maliit na papel na binigay sa akin ni Layla. Tumingala ako at namasdang ang kaulapaa’y nangingitim at iyon ay hudyat na uulan na.  Binilisan ko ang aking paglakad ngunit naabutan parin ng ulan. Nagulat ako nang may biglang humawak sa akin at nag-alok ng payong. Sa bandang iyon, napatigil na naman ako nang mahagip ang kaniyang mga mukha.

  “I’ll be with you,” usal ni Mark Warren. My knees trembled due to coldness. Nabasa kasi ako bago siya umalok ng payong. Basang-basa narin ’yong suot kong damit. Mark touches it and take off his jacket. Agad niya itong isinuot sa akin. I shake my head and gave him a sign that I won’t wear it pero pinilit niyang ipasuot sa akin ’yon. Dinala niya ako sa kotse niya at binuksan ang pinto.

“I shouldn’t be here, ” I uttered. He pulled me inside and told me to sit beside him.

“Huwag ka nang magtanong ng marami. As of now, ako parin ’yong bodyguard whatever you complain. Wala akong pakialam sa’yo kung magalit ka o hindi.” He said. His smell makes me always remember him. The way he stares at me symbolizes something. Hindi ko alam kung ano na itong nararamdaman ko sa tuwing kasama ko siya.