How I Married My Bias

CHAPTER 6

The beach. The warm moist sand in my feet. The bright sun up ahead. The fair cloudless sky. The wide blue sea and the waves gently kissing the shore. The sound of seagulls. The smell of salt in the air.

Our hands locked together. His eyes, looking straight at me like it's the last time. My eyes locked on his face like I'm seeing him for the first time. My heart racing, beating faster and faster as he leans closer to my face. Then I woke up.

I never stalled in bed. But now I do. I sat completely awake but I stare into open space like I'm slowly losing my sanity.

The dream was so real that my heart was still pounding hard like waves crashing on a rocky cliff. I could still feel it, his warm breath, the way his fingers felt on my hands. I never spaced out this long. I'm finally losing it.

There was a knock on my door and I'll be forever thankful to it. I was regained to senses. I fixed myself to make sure I look decent and opened the door. It was the land lady. She said there was a letter for me.

Although I'm a bit confused, I didn't ask if the letter was really for me because as always the land lady had a temper. I closed the door.

Who could this letter be from? Divina wouldn't write to me. My family wouldn't write to me. Who could it be? There was no stamp so the letter wasn't through Postal system.

I opened the envelope. I already finished reading it and it only took me 3 seconds.

"MEET ME AT SEVENTEEN'S PERFORMANCE"

- POWER

I read the letter twice. Then trice. But it doesn't make sense. I called Divina. The phone ringed and ringed but she didn't answer. I put the letter in my bag and grab my coat.

It was a cloudy day and it the air smelled like it was going to rain any time soon. I wanted to go back up to get an umbrella but I spotted a taxi.

I don't know why I over reacted this much. It's just a letter. I could choose to ignore it. But I just can't help myself. I can't help but wonder - wonder who sent it, why he did such a thing.

I can't help but wonder and wonder until I am completely certain. I tried to calm myself. I opened my bag for my headset and realized that I left it.

The taxi driver was an old man and no wonder he doesn't have any music on. I rest my head on the glass window. I focused my eyes on the water droplets on the glass pane.

I reached Divina's apartment. I was so eager to ask her if she was the one who sent the letter that I didn't care to wait for an elevator ride.

I run past people on the stairs. I was literally taking two steps of the stairs at a time. I knocked on her door. Then a sleepy headed Divina opened the door. I barged in. She rubbed her sleepy eyes and yawned. I opened my bag and get the letter.

"Did you send this?" I asked her quiet eager. She looked at the letter, stared at it even. I expected an answer but her response was way out of the topic.

"Who's Power?" she asked. I sat down.

"I don't know. So you didn't send this?" I asked. She gestured no then sat down too.

"Then who sent this to me? You're the only one who invited me to that event." I asked both to Divina and to myself.

"It wasn't a secret admirer, Div. How many times do I have to tell you I don't have one." I said, voice a bit raised up. This girl is getting to my nerves.

"Why would he invite you to the performance then?" she asked as she prepares food. I didn't care to answer anymore. There's a thousand questions spinning in my head.

"What if you come meet him up. In his house maybe?" Divina said as she puts down a pitcher of iced tea and sandwiches.

"Meet up? In HIS house? I'm not that kind of girl, Div. Besides, how do I even know that he's a boy?" I responded with arms crossed.

I went home, questions still lay unanswered. I spend the whole afternoon, thinking, putting theories, guessing.

I looked at the letter again, examined it closely for anything - any clues that may lead to who the sender was.

NOTHING. Then I think of Divina's idea. I looked at the address and it took me by surprise. I quickly get washed then grabbed my bag and coat.

The address was near the bookstore I used to visit. I went to the bookstore first and Mrs. Heo was surprised to see me. Normally, I went here on Sundays.

I asked for the block number 6 and the old lady raised her eyebrow in question. She said that the blocks on that street are only up till block 5 and the bookstore is at block 5.

"That address you're looking for leads to that vacant lot over there." She said as she points the vacant lot. I was in mixed emotions. Who would send me on a wild goose chase like this?

"Oh wait, I almost forgot," Mrs. Heo said as she grabbed something from the counter.

"A young man came here yesterday. He told me to take off that notice about the book you found last Sunday." Mrs. Heo pointed to a notice near the shop window.

"I asked him if the book was his and he said no. He said that the book belonged to you." She said as she handed me the book.

Although I was shocked and confused, I accepted the book.

"But . . . this isn't mine. I bought a copy of this last Sunday." I started. My voice sounds weird and I can barely speak properly.

Mrs. Heo opened the book and there on the first page, written in blue ink was my name.

"And also, he gave me this." Mrs. Heo gave me an envelope.

My eyes widened in shock. I know this envelope. It was the same as the one I received this morning. I was going to open it when Mrs. Heo stopped me.

"He also told me to let you open the letter once you get home." She said then smiled.

"Did you know him? Did you recognize his face?" I asked. The old lady smiled.

"I didn't know him, at least not personal but he was a nice man." She said and continued stacking books in the shelves.

I put the book and the letter inside my bag. I thanked Mrs. Heo and went out. It was sundown and there was only little light left. The streets are already lighted up. I glanced on the vacant lot across the street.

I went to the vacant lot. There was a ruin of a house but it was covered with vines and plants. There are wild flowers growing on the cracks between the rocks.

It was getting late and I walked to the bus stop. I kept fighting the urge to open the letter right now. I clutched my bag closer to me as I sat on the bus, like I'm so scared to lose it.

I rested my head on the window. It was a hard day. I had so much in mind, so much questions. I looked at the city lights that reflected on the window.

This is one of the stuff I liked best. Travelling at night and feeling the quietness, seeing the bright city lights.
Somehow, seeing this wonderful scenery from a speeding bus window, I feel a little at peace.