Past Life

Chapter 16-Stealing

"Oh really! That's my favorite too! May I see it?" Please say yes.. please say yes..

"No." Oh..

"Please Pocketbook. I just want to see it and take a selfie with it and make it my profile picture.." Pffttt.. what a lame excuse, Cyker.

"Then bigger NO! If you'll post it in the social media then malalaman ng lahat that I own a DVD of Amy's story. And they might steal it from me. That's the last thing I want to happen. Nag-iisa na lang na copy yan. Yung isang copy kasi nawala na decades ago. I may sound ridiculous but I love movies especially Amy's story. Their stories are my bestfriends. When I watch a movie, I feel like I'm being a part of the character's life, I feel like they are real people. So please, don't make a way for other people to get my DVDs away from me." That hits me hard, like a shout saying, 'Why did you even think of stealing the DVD Cyker! How dare you!'

"I'm sorry. I won't let others steal your DVDs from you." Cause I will. I feel my throat tightens. I'm really sorry Pocketbook.

"OK then. Wait lang hah. Pupuntahan ko lang si Grandpa." He walked out of the room. When I saw the door shuts before me, that's my starting call. I scan the bookshelves full of DVDs and look for Amy's story. I'm relieved na wala akong nakitang Bikinis in the beach and Sexy girls in the piles of movies. Those kinds of movies only Lee will prefer. Nagscan pa ko and I stop when I saw what I am looking for. Amy's Story. Hindi siya madaling makita dahil nakalagay siya sa baba ng bookshelf, right in front of my foot. Maybe Amy's story is really Rake's favorite, since nilagay niya talaga ito sa lokasyon na hindi madaling makita. Obviously to make it safe from other people's sight. He treasures my story that much and I feel my heart melting with guilt. I'm sorry Pocketbook. I kneel and extend my hand to reach the DVD. Am I really going to do this? I need to decide now. I'm running out of time. Anytime, Pocketbook will enter this room again. He'll be hurt if I get this, but more people might be hurt if I don't watch this movie. Then my decision is final. I'm going to get this. Hinawakan ko na yung DVD. I inhaled and then exhaled. I look at the DVD. Gagawin ko ba talaga to? Hurry, Cyker. Stop feeling guilty and all—

"Cyker?" agad kong binitawan yung Amy's story at ibinalik sa bookshelf nung narinig ko yung boses niya. You just miss the opportunity, Cyker!

"Pocketbook, agad agad ka namang sumusulpot! Ginulat mo ko! Hehe." I forced a laugh but deep inside me, I want to punch myself.

"Table is ready. Let's eat?" Maybe I can lie to him to make him vanish in this room. Kahit nagskip ako ng lunch kanina. At dinaig ko pa ang sumali sa Hunger games dahil gutom na gutom na ko.

"Kayo na lang ang kumain ni Grandpa. Hindi ako nagugutom eh." Pero biglang tumunog yung tiyan ko. Can't you cooperate stomach!? Tumawa si Pocketbook.

"Oh ano? Hindi ka talaga gutom. Sige kami na lang ang kakain ni Grandpa sa oh-so-delicious carbonara, na samahan mo pa ng barbeque na may oh-so-yummy sauce. But don't worry we didn't cook Angela and oh! Melon shake.. hmm.. yummy!" At kahit gusto kong umapela, hindi ako papayagan ng tiyan ko. Inunahan ko na lang siya na lumabas ng kwarto at iniwan siyang tawang tawa. Pero sinigurado kong iniwan ko yung bag ko sa kwarto para may rason ako na bumalik doon. My plans aren't changing. And I told you, it's really hard to make me change my mind.

We went down to the kitchen. At narinig ko yung tiyan kong tumunog ulit. Gutom na gutom na talaga ako.

Kaya naman hinarap ko agad ang table, handang handang sakmalin ang carbonara, barbeque at melon shake.

Pero nakakita lang ako ng isang pirasong tuyo.

Isang pirasong tuyo.

Nakakadismaya lang.