"Po?"
"Prepare for a report!" Galit na ani ng teacher ko. Nakaidlip lang naman ako, pero hindi ako ang dahilan ng galit niya.
Bumugtonghininga ako. Do I have a choice?
I went to the library so I could research and do the task. I don't want to go home yet and Mr. Stranger and I have agreed on plans!
I grabbed my phone because I can't focus. Wala akong naintindihan sa binabasa ko.
I sent a message to the guy to move the time since I can't make it at our planned time.
I don't know why I was picked to be the reporter when in fact I'm not the one who bad shot that teacher.
I was simply listening and taking down notes and got called to do what? Report!
I can't blame my classmates, though. That's bad. Maybe I'm already in line to report, or maybe I'm just good at reporting, or maybe I'm just unlucky.
I chuckled to myself and continued my duties.
I started by planning the context, then searched for the information I should include. I interpreted it before making the PowerPoint presentation.
It was hours of work before I could talk to myself, explaining the things in the context.
Fortunately, my current table position is a perk to avoid distraction and embarrassment from my schoolmates.
My phone then beeped, which made me rest.
"Just text me when you're done. I'm now free." It was from the guy.
It's 12:20pm but I don't want to be early.
"Is it okay for you to wait? I'm sorry for asking this, I'm not done. Pardon me," I sent it back with a sad emoji.
"HAHAHA. It's okay, do your task without pressure," his message.
"Thank you," I replied.
I put my phone in my bag to continue studying for tomorrow's report. I grind at it until I feel my neck aching.
"I'm done, I'm sorry. I'll go now," I messaged the guy.
I instantly walked to the plaza, para hindi na nakakahiya.
"Hi, kanina kapa?" I asked him. "I apologize, ito nga pala, maraming salamat," Inabot ko sa kaniya ang jacket niya.
Ginawa ko talaga lahat kagabi at kaninang madaling araw upang mapatuyo lang iyon ng tuluyan!
"It's okay, I came here when you texted. I was in museum and took some strange photographs," he informed me.
"So, thank you so much. I'll go ahead," paalam ko sa kaniya, naa-awkward.
"Oh, wait." I stopped. "Are you not free for some drinks or food?" I was addled.
"Ahm. Your pictures boosted my page; they made me known to some people, which is why I was in the museum earlier—someone asked me to take a picture of their friend group. So, I earned a profit. That's why I would like to treat you to some food," agap niya.
"R-really?" I'm still blank.
He nodded as a response.
"Okay lang?" tanong niya sa akin.
"Ayos lang naman," sagot ko naman. Biyaya na e.
I was expecting some street food or d'yan lang sa isang batchoy restaurant, but he brought me to a fancy restaurant.
I don't want someone to spoil or take me somewhere expensive. They earn it with their own sweat; they owe that to themselves, not to other people.
"Hey, sure ka bang dito? I'm fine and like street foods more than here. Mahal 'to. Hindi naman kailangan ganito ang pasasalamat mo," bulong ko sa kaniya pero natawa lang siya.
Inalayan niya pa akong umupo sa kabilang banda. "Don't worry about it, it's on me. May kakilala rin ako rito for a discount," bulong niya rin sa akin nang maupo na ako.
He raised his arm to call a waiter; a guy then approached us.
He told the waiter about his order before asking for mine. I chose a good dish, but it was not too costly.
May hiya kaya ako.
"You don't need to be shy; I have upcoming sidelines because of you," I raised my eyebrow at his statement.
"Why would it be me? When it's your effort, skill, and talent," I fired.
He chuckled amusingly. "Dahil pa rin 'yun sa'yo, sa pictures mo, it's like a lucky charm," tumawa ulit siya.
"Oy, it's you!" A guy appeared in our sight. Mga lalaking bumangga sa'kin.
"Huh?"
"Ano nga ulit pangalan mo? Sono?" Nag-iisip niyang sagot. "Sonomi," pagklaro ko.
"Yes, right! It was nice meeting you; we are really sorry about the incident," he smiled. "Ops, boyfriend mo?" tanong niya habang nakatingin sa lalaking kasama ko.
"Hindi," simpleng sagot ko. "Siya si-" natigilan ako, hindi alam ang pangalan niya.
Tumawa ang lalaking kasama ko. "Sylvan," pagpakilala niya.
"Lyall," they shake their hands. "Eiran" pagkilala rin nung isa.
Nung nagkita kami problemado yung isang lalaki pero ngayon parang ayos naman. I wonder kung okay naba yung beywang niya.
"Eiran," nilahad niya rin ang kamay niya sa akin, nagpapakilala. Walang pagdalawang isip na tinanggap ko rin iyon.
"Una na kami," paalam nila pagkatapos ng kunting daldalan.
"Are they your friends?" Sylvan asked me nang malapag na ang mga pagkain namin.
"No," I yapped to him every detail of how I met those guys; he was plainly listening while nodding his head, understanding the sequence of my short story.
We did that with another continuous chat until our food lasted.
Hinatid niya rin ako pauwi noong gabing iyon, kaya naman umuwi akong masaya!
"Fre#k me! I'm so happy!" I jumped on my bed.
I only stopped when I felt the heat burning on my cheeks.
"Am I falling?" Dahan-dahan kong tinumba ang sarili sa kama. "Maybe am I?" Parang baliw na bulong ko sa sarili.
YOU ARE READING
Cure in His Soul
FantasyA girl from a town grows up uniquely among the people in her small village. She hates being different from the children she grew up with. An unknown and explainable malady tangled in herself. It is her secret. Each day she prayed for a visible cure...
