From Kuya to Prince Charming

Meeting the great Markiel!

Shannah

It has been 2 years and 8 months, dami na nangyari after I left Philippines. My sister ran away from home just a week after I flew for Australia, buti na lang by the end of summer she got back, musta na kaya sila ni Josh? Abby pushed me out of her life, pero buti na lang ok na kami ngayon, eh sila kaya ni Noel? hmmmmnnn makikichika ako mamaya. Kuya Gin left to work for Brazil, and naging mas madalang yung pag-uusap namin ni Kuya Kharl. Napapagod na nga si Pusheen magpabebe wave eh, seenzoned lang ang peg huhuhu.

Although almost the same yung time zone ng Australia at Philippines, our schedules seem to never meet. Busy na talaga kasi kaming dalawa, sabagay a future chemist and accountant needs to strive hard para pumasa with flying colors.

Last time na nag-usap kami, I found out he will be studying in Manila sa Ateneo, e di siya na ang bongga. Knowing him and his passion for numbers, for sure super nag eenjoy na yun dun.

I've been busy as a student and a part time book cafe attendant too. I know di ko na kailangan mag work my scholarship covers everything already plus monthly food and transpo allowance. Kaya lang I don't want to ask my parents na kasi if there is something I want to buy, so I did not tell them may part time ako. So many secrets, hahay ano ba ako the secret keeper?

It was just an ordinary day sa cafe while sipping Earl Grey Tea and reading Paulo Coelho's the Alchemist, naiinis ako dahil kahit offline message wala from him after I checked my trusty tablet... Sumusobra ka na Kharl Jupiter Savanah ha! Bahala ka, di na rin ako magmemesage sa iyo. I glared at the innocent tablet as if yun ang may kasalanan sa akin. Lumapit sa akin ang may-ari na si Barbara and distracted me kahit papaano from my irritated moments.

" Shannah, someone handsome would like to meet you and he is waiting for you at the magazine section. " she smiled habang inaayos ang mga bulaklak sa vase near her.

"Barbara, you know I'm not up to this kind of rubbish, I am not interested" I rolled my eyes as I replied. Ganito talaga kami ni Barbara, we are like friends instead of employer and employee. She is two years older than me and we both study at the same school. Business minded lang talaga kaya nagpatayo siya ng book cafe.

"Oh come on Shannah, get yourself a life or you will end up being an old maid. Well I guess you are still hoping for you and Kharl to end up together I bet" sabi niya with a knowing smile.

Namula ako sa tinuran niya, yet she is tama naman kasi, well I am indeed still holding on to that fact na there is a Kharl and me kahit na parang wala na ata, he is not that masugid in communicating with me na nga eh. Lalo tuloy ako naiinis.

"Why don't you give him a chance, anyways there is no harm in meeting a new friend right?" Sabi pa ni Barbara.

"Fine, whatever" padabog akong tumayo at pumunta sa magazine area para matigil na si Barbara, besides she is right, I need a friend o kaya distraction. Bahala na nga!

As I approached, I saw him there and his back was on me akala ko it was him...

"Kharl?" I called out and he faced me...

"Excuse me?" sagot niya sa akin habang nakakunot ang noo. He was not him,likod lang niya ang parang Kharl. He has a brutish beauty in him paired with deep seated eyes na parang nangungusap. He was an alpha male, ang tindig, kilos and oh lala at this distance naamoy ko ang subtle na pabango niya. Parang gusto ko tuloy lumapit pa just to indulge myself. Yet reality hit me again, he is not him.

"Oh I'm sorry I thought you were someone I know." Sagot ko sa kanya and parang naging obvious ata yung disappointment sa boses ko.

He stood up and smiled as he took my hand and placed a gentle kiss at the back of it. Inalis ko agad ang kamay sa pagkakahawak niya na parang napaso lang.