The Reflection of Time [ongoing]

Chapter 5: Marketplace and YOU

Khael's POV

I didn’t sleep.

Before I even knew it, it’s already morning, and they’re already prepared to go to the marketplace.

Why didn’t I sleep? Simple. I’m thinking of a way to not offend everyone and imagining a scenario where I’m in a crowded place without trembling.

Did I succeed? No. Maybe I should just accept my grandmother’s offer.

“El! Let’s go!” Nera shouted, and she seems excited about this trip. No, no. You can’t, Khael. See that face? She’ll be disappointed if you refuse, so man up and overcome this.

Ang lahat ay naghihintay na sa harap ng gate at nakahanda na rin pati ang sasakyan ni Tita Gina.

“Hijo, I can still say you can’t come with them” my lola said, and I thought maybe I should acc—

“Ha, I forgot that you’re as stubborn as your father. Oh, sya sige, kayo ay umalis na” I’m really amused that even my thoughts were cut short by my grandma.
With no choice left, I went with them.

We are accompanied by Tita Gina. There were three cousins in the car, including Nera. I couldn’t quite recall the names of the other two. One of them was Nera’s twin brother, and the other, I think, was Tita Gina’s daughter, the youngest among us. Some of my cousins couldn’t join us because they had summer classes or were working.

“Khael, sabihin mo lang sa aking pag gusto mo ng umuwi ha,” ani ni Tina Gina. Everyone is looking in my direction, and all I can do is give them a forced smile and nod.
I think I can do this.

This is just a small town, and I can say there are only a few people here, so I think I’m going to be okay.

-----

Or not.

We arrived at the town’s marketplace, and I can say I underestimated this town’s tourism. The crowd was larger than I expected, with many people buying food, life vests, and swimwear, probably preparing for a trip to the beach. The crowds were so noisy that I could barely hear what my Tita Gina was saying.

Bago ko pa napansin, wala na sina tita at kami na lamang ni Nera ang natitira na naiwan sa gitna ng palangke. At that moment, I knew I’d messed up.

I was trembling so badly that Nera noticed immediately. She tried to shield me by stepping in front of me.

“It’s okay. I’m here,” wika nya nang nakangiti.

I continued to hide behind her back, looking like a coward, my face angled downward. I couldn’t help but feel people staring at me, which only made me start sweating.

Nanlalamig na ang aking mga kamay at nararamdaman ko na ang paghina ng aking tuhod.

“Nera!” I heard a sweet voice calling my cousin’s name and couldn’t help but look toward the source of the sound.

Isang naka dilaw na bistidang babae ang tumatakbo papalapit sa amin. Hindi s’ya katangkaran ngunit ang kaputian nya ay nangingibaw. Ang kanyang mahaba at tuwid na buhok ay patuloy na hinahangin sa kaniyang pagtakbo at ang kaniyang mga ngiti ay tunay na nakakasilaw ngunit hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili kong tumitig.

Suddenly, our eyes met, at s’ya ay ngumiti sa akin. Bigla akong nakaramdam ng hiya kaya agad akong umiwas ng tingin.

Huh? Why is my heart beating so fast? Am I panicking right now?

Kumalma ka, Khael. Please, not in a crowded place.

“Bakit ka nandito?” the girl asked.

“Mag-suswimming sa aquarium ng tilapia, sama ka?” biro ni Nera na parehas nilang tinawanan, “Ano ba ginagawa sa palengke teh? Syempre mamimili!” batid sa dalawa na sila ay matagal ng magkakakila.

“Oh ako na mali, hindi na ba mahahanap sa puso mo ang pagpapatawad?” ani ng kaibigan ni Nera na ikinatawa ulit nila.

Hindi ko rin napigilan na tumawa nang bahagya at napansin ata ito ni Nera.

“At para rin sana igala ang pinsan namin” bigla sabi ni Nera.

“Ah ganun ba?” I smelled peppermint in her breath, and I could feel she was close.

“Tangina Anina, ang lapit mo!” Nera said, pulling her friend away.

“Ay pasensya na ha, pogi kasi!” Nera’s friend said, laughing na ikinainit mukha ko.

“Nera, p'wede ba mahiram pinsan mo?” I was shocked by what she said and looked at her like my soul had left my body.

“Huh? Anong pinagsasabi m—” Nera didn’t even finish her sentence before the girl grabbed my hand, and we started running.
At that moment, my mind went blank.

What is this? Am I being kidnapped by someone I barely know?

I couldn’t process what was happening, but I knew I had to ask her where we were going.

“Excuse me! But where are you taking me?!” The crowd was so noisy, I had to shout.

She looked at me as we kept running. “Somewhere quiet.”

That’s when I willingly let her take me. I may not know who she is, but I know that a quiet place is what I need. So, I decided to let her lead me.