The tale of the lost poet

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 9: ORANGE

The cafe buzzed with the usual morning chatter, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the scent of baked goods. Xiamira sat across from me, her eyes wide with excitement as she scrolled through her phone, while I tried to make sense of the jumble of thoughts racing through my mind.

"Lovely," I muttered, the word lingering on my lips like a half-remembered dream. I stared at the image of Aurora's hand holding the pen I had given her, the sunset casting a warm, golden hue over everything. The simplicity of the post, and the single word caption, seemed to hold a world of meaning.

"Hoy, Mister Kupido," Xiamira's voice broke through my reverie. "Ano ba yan? Kanina pa kita kinakausap!"

"Sorry, ano ulit?" I replied, shaking myself out of my thoughts.

"Sinabi ko, may bago na namang event si Ms. Aurora next week. Sabi nila mas private daw 'to, limited lang ang seats. You should go, para naman makita ka niya ulit."

I frowned slightly. "Paano mo nalaman?"

"Nakita ko sa post ng venue. Tsaka, feeling ko, ini-invite ka na niya indirectly. Hindi ba obvious? 'Lovely' daw, o!"

I sighed, a mix of frustration and excitement bubbling within me. "Ewan ko, Xiamira. Baka naman nagkataon lang."

"Baka? Eh kung maniwala ka nalang kaya sa tadhana? Minsan kasi, masyado kang logical."
Napangiti nalang ako. "Ikaw talaga, hopeless romantic."

"At least ako, hindi hopeless case," she shot back, a playful glint in her eyes.

I rolled my eyes but couldn't suppress a grin. Despite her teasing, Xiamira had a way of seeing through the fog of my uncertainties, nudging me towards possibilities I might otherwise overlook.


****

The days leading up to Aurora's next event were a blur of anticipation and nerves. I found myself diving deeper into her poetry, each word and phrase revealing more layers of her soul. Her poems were like windows, offering glimpses into her innermost thoughts and emotions. I couldn't help but feel a growing connection, as if her words were weaving a tapestry that included both of our lives.

The evening of the event arrived, and I found myself standing outside a quaint, dimly lit venue. The intimate setting was a stark contrast to the bustling atmosphere of her previous performance. The small crowd added to the sense of exclusivity and anticipation.

I took a deep breath and walked inside. The space was arranged with small tables, soft lighting casting a warm glow over everything. Aurora was already on stage, her presence magnetic as always. Shes wearing a business suit for women, except shes not wearing a blazer.

What a badass.

Sa harap ako nakaupo, harap mismo ng stage kaya kitang kita ko kahit pilik mata niya. Bago siya mag salita, nakikita kong pumapalibot yung mata niya na para bang meron siyang inaabangan o hinahanap. 

Maya maya ay nag tama ang tingin samin. Hindi naman nakaiwas sa tingin ko ang pag lunok niya sabay iwas ng tingin. 

Natawa naman ako ng bahagya. Ewan, eto ba yung consequence ng pagkaka kilala sakaniya? Matatawa ka ng walang dahilan? Road to mental hospital ba ito?

Maya maya pa ay sinimulan na niya ang pag sasalita.

"In the quiet of the night, when shadows dance,
I find my strength in a fleeting glance.
The moon whispers secrets in the sky,
 As I search for answers, and wonder why."

I watched her intently, every word resonating deeply. There was something about this performance, something more personal and raw than before. It was as if she was baring her soul to the select few gathered here.

"Through the haze of doubt and fear,
 I reach for dreams, I hold them near.
For in the darkness, I see the light,
A beacon of hope, burning bright."