Garden of Words (Compilation) | Completed

05 - Forgotten Lullaby

Dedicated to: mnemosynth

In my fast-paced rhythm of life.

Here I am, enjoying my time visiting this mysterious book shop, longing for something that I don’t really know.

May pakiramdam lang ako sa lugar na ‘to.

Parang pamilyar...parang galing na ako rito rati.

Tatlong oras na akong nagmukmok dito at ng makaramdam ng gutom ay nagdesisyon na akong umalis.

I was about to leave the book shop when a sudden melody echoed in my ears.

It’s a lullaby.

A familiar lullaby.

I’m getting a deja vu feeling for this. Parang nangyari na lahat ng ito rati.

What the freak is going on?

Out of curiosity. Sinundan ko ang tunog. And then I realize it’s from the guy’s voice also playing with the piano.

I secretly watched him as he continued to singed that familiar lullaby.

Nakakaantok.

“And who are you?”

Nagising lang ang diwa ko nang magsalita siya. He saw me and he stopped playing. Napaayos ako ng tayo at unti-unting lumapit sa kanya.

“I’m Tasha, and I’m sorry for interrupting you. Napadaan lang ako sa kwarto na ‘to,” pakilala ko, extending my right hand for him.

He didn’t respond to my precious gesture, and that’s too bad of him.

Tsk, walang manners.

“I see. So, you’re finally here.”

Ha?

“Magkakakilala ba tayo?”

Pagkatapos kong itanong ‘yon ay nilibot ko ang mga mata ko sa kwarto niya. It’s almost plain kung wala lang ang nag-iisang cabinet at painting sa dingding.

A painting of a girl.

And wait...

...she’s very familiar.

Do I know this girl? Ba’t parang...magkamukha kami?

My heart suddenly beating so fast with that realization.

Shit this place is really confusing. Parang pamilyar nalang lahat.

“It was actually more than that.”

My senses are getting back when he talked again.

I gulped and started to fixed myself. “Luh hindi nga kita kilala. Is this shop yours?” I asked him back.

He looked away. Starting to play the piano.

“Wala ka bang naalala sa lullaby na ‘to?” tanging tanong niya habang pinipindot ang piano. He’s playing that familiar lullaby again.

I listen to it but got curious about the girl in the painting.

“Who is she?” I asked.

That question made him looked at me again.

“Who?”

“That girl.” I answered pointing out the painting.

And with that question, his mood changed.

“My first love.” He mouthed.

I’m taken a back when he suddenly hummed and singed the lullaby again.

“And this...” He continued, talking about the lullaby. “...was her favorite lullaby I used to singed but been forgotten.”

A lumped grow in my throat when he seriously looked at me directly. I blinked when he stood up and slowly approaching his way towards me.

And the more annoying is I can’t even move myself. I feel threatened and I don’t even know the reason why. I’m just froze with his stare.

“I’m glad that you’re finally here, Tasha.”

Wait what?

Why? Is he waiting for me?

“I was waiting for you,” He said as if he’s reading my mind.

“Ano bang pinagsasabi mo?”

He smiled. A somewhat painful smile.

“But it hurts that you didn’t recognized me.”

“I don’t know what you are talking about.” I complaint. I almost think he’s crazy.

“That girl in the painting is... you.”

And I think my face turned pale with that impossible information. Mukha nga siyang baliw.

Cause how come? Hindi ko naman siya kilala. Bago lang kami lumipat sa village na ‘to tapos malalaman ko may first love ako rito?

Eh?

“Baliw ka yata. NBSB ako!” natatawang saad ko.

He laughed sarcastically. “In this generation, yes. NBSB ka bago mo ‘ko nakilala.”

And my loud laughed covered the whole place.

Ano raw? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAYP!

“Alam mo, ang feeling mo. Gutom ka lang, kain kaya tayo?” concerned kong aya sa kanya.

Kulang lang ata siya sa kain.

He smirked as if he’s not embarrassed with his words.

“Is that your way of asking me for a date? Then okay, let’s date.”

Then he left afterwards. And I also left hanging, can’t even believe the words he said.

Kapal ng mukha niya.

Agad ko siyang sinundan para humindi at putulin ang pag-i-ilusyon niya nang may marinig akong kalabog ng isang bagay na nahulog mula sa kabinet.

Sa kuryosidad ay wala sa oras ko itong pinulot.

It’s a bottle.

A bottle with a letter on it.

Hey Genie,

I’m Noah. I’m here to ask you for a wish. If you’re really true. I wish to come back to the past, where Tasha is still alive. I want to be with her more. I’m not yet ready for this. Please I’m begging you to grant this.

“I guess you finally remember now the forgotten lullaby...Tasha ko.”

My hand froze by finally registering every detail of this familiarity.

I am now in the past?