My Name's Allen (One shot)

The clock read 7:06 AM

Tulad nang mga nakalipas na araw, I always wake up in the right side of the bed. Hence, it explains the positivity I have in every part of my body. Wala akong pakielam kung nagkaka-riot sa labas, bumabagyo o simpleng nakakabadtrip lang yung atmosphere, ngingiti at ngingiti pa rin ako kasi sa ugali kong ito, marami akong napapasaya. Ayoko lang silang madamay sa kabadtripan ko kapag nakita nila kung gaano kakaiba ang aura ko.

Like the usual days, it took me 30 minutes to pamper myself with warm showers, pretty clothes and acccessories. Kapag tapos na ako, lalabas na ako ng kwarto at sasalubungin si mama sa hapag-kainan.

"Good morning, Julia" bati sa akin ni mama. Lumapit ako sa kanya tapos hinalikan sya sa may pisngi. "How are you, anak?" tanong ni mama.

I slightly nodded my head tapos kumagat ako saglit ng pandesal, "I'm feeling great, ma. Bakit?"

Napailing lang si mama sa akin tapos iniba na nya yung usapan. My mom talked to me for a good 15 minutes asking about my day, which was filled deja vus. It was weird, but nonetheless, I think I had a good time yesterday. I enjoy talking to my mom, after all, she's all that I got now.

After eating a heavy breakfast, umalis na ako para habulin at makapila na sa 8:30 AM bus sa may kanto namin and since medyo maaga-aga pa ako, pumuwesto na ako dun sa may bench sa may waiting shed.

"Hi" a familiar voice caught me off guard, nasa kalagitnaan na ako ng pag-iisip nang may tumawag sa atensyon ko. Tumingala ako para tingnan kung sino. And the moment I laid eyes on him, ramdam ko kaagad yung lakas ng pagkabog ng dibdib ko.

Medyo kakaiba but that peculiar feeling never made me worry. Feeling ko kasi I have felt this feeling before. Di ko lang mapin-point kung kailan.

Nakangiti yung lalaki sa akin. Tumabi sya sa akin tapos binati ako ulit, "Hi."

Sa ngiting nyang yun, hindi ko maiwasan na hindi mamula sa kahihiyan, "H-hello," reply ko naman sa bati nya. The longer I stare into his face, mas lalo akong naguguluhan. I mean, feeling ko nakita ko na sya somewhere. Nakakainis lang kasi hindi ko talaga mabaggit kung saan at kailan ko sya nakita pero I swear, familiar yung mukha nya sa akin. "I'm s-sorry... May I ask for your name?" tanong ko na dito para mawala na sa loob ko yung urge na magtanong pa.

He smiled at me, "My name's Allen," sagot niya. His four letter name reminds of someone pero as usual, hindi ko na naman maalala.

I examined his physical feature and I can't help myself but to bit my lower lip. And I really can't believe that I'm actually checking this guy out! He got this familiar brown eyes which really made me melt everytime he looks at me. Meron na naman sa mata nya na hindi ko na naman masabi. Nafu-frustrate ako kasi wala akong maalala.

"H-Have we met before?" I asked.

He shrugged his shoulders, "It really depends on you. It's either you were a snob that you don't really notice me at all or... You did met me but you can't remember where, when and how," sabi nya. His answer confuses me. But he flashed his smile once again and I am really melting. Lumalakas ang kabog ng dibdib ko nang nakita ko lalo yung dimples nya sa magkabilang pisngi. There is something with this boy that makes me feel crazy.  I can't help but to stare to this demigod in front of me.

"Saan ka pupunta?" pilit kong iniiba ang topic. Nang-iinit na yata kasi katawan ko sa sobrang kahihiyan.

"The usual... Work," sagot niya, "Ikaw?"

"Sa bahay-ampunan. I volunteered to take care of the children there," ngumiti ako. Hindi kaya parang nakakahiya naman sa kanya na volunteer ako? But this is where I am happy... By helping others kaya naman nag-volunteer nga ako dun sa bahay-ampunan na medyo malayo na sa kahagisnan. Natutuwa ako kapag natutulungan sila. At nagiging positive lalo ang araw ko kapag nakikita ko sila. This is the reason why I can't frown, maaapektuhan yung mga bata.

"I think you're doing great," he muttered and I felt butterflies in my stomach. Hindi ko mapigilan kundi mamula na. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako ganito but this stranger in front of me do get me under his skin.

Tumingin si Allen sa relo nya, "It's almost time. Before you leave, please don't forget about me..." Something in his voice made me my knees gone jelly. Nalito ako sa sinabi nya. Tinaasan ko sya ng kilay.

"Why will I forget you?" tanong ko naman sya kanya.

He just laughed, "I'll see you tomorrow, Julia"

Napatingin naman ako sa orasan, malapit na ngang mag-8:30. Saktong-sakto, dumating na yung dalawang bus na papunta sa dalawang places. Magkahiwalay kami ng bus na sasakyan ni Allen. Nang nakapwesto na ako, something bothered me.

Paano nya rin nalaman ang pangalan ko? I haven't introduced myself to him.

NEXT DAY

Nasa bus stop na ako ngayon at nag-aantay na naman ng bus. At dahil maaga pa naman, umupo na muna ako sa may bench nang may nakita akong paa sa semento. Tinanggal ko yung earphones ko tapos tumingala ako para tingnan kung sino.

Kumabog na naman ang dibdib ko. Nanlalambot ang bawat buto ko.

Yung mukha nya eh... Hindi ko maexplain eh. Yung mata nya... Hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan yang mata na yan.

"I'm s-sorry... What's your name?"

"My name's Allen,"

"Hello," bati ko sa kanya.

 Allen smiled sweetly at me.