Miho finally told Francis about what was happening between Pat and her. Nagkita kasi sila nang nasa labas siya at naninigarilyo, kaya inambon na siya nito ng mga katanungan. She summarized the story for him; mistulang hindi naman ito nagulat sa lahat ng narinig maliban na lang sa pagpapanggap ni Pat bilang si Goyong.
"He likes you. He won't do it otherwise," He commented.
Miho touched her knuckles, remembering his earlier kiss. "Pwede rin naman may ibang rason." She said before putting the cigarette between her lips.
"Do you like him? I mean, not because he looks like Greg. Gusto mo ba siya as Pat?" He glanced at her as she slowly exhaled the smoke towards the other side.
She shrugged in response. She likes him— Hindi nga lang niya sigurado kung dahil lang sa kamukha at kapangalan lang ito ni Goyong. Sa ngayon, sigurado lang siya na gusto niya pa itong makilala. She admitted that she somehow cares for Pat; kaibigan na rin ang turing niya rito.
"May mga narinig ako," Tinignan nito ang usok na galing sa sigarilyo na hawak niya."Bagong chismis sa kabilang department na dawit ka. Ayun, ingat lang. Alam mo naman yung ibang mga tao, walang magawa. Big deal ang mga maliit na bagay. Pati sex life ng ibang tao pinaguusapan."
"Ambilis ng balita ah," She forced a smile. Naalala niya ang nangyari kanina. Hindi naman siya nabahala kung ano ang mga narinig niya na patungkol sa kanya. She was more worried for Pat than herself; posible kasing makarating sa itaas ang mga sinabi niya sa dalawang guro.
"May mga narinig din ako tungkol kay Pat. Sana hindi lahat totoo. If those are true, maiisip kong sana hindi ko na lang sinuggest na dito ka na magtrabaho."
Natigil sila sa pag-uusap nang marinig ni Miho na tumunog ang cellphone niya. She took it from her pocket and checked the unread messages.
IV
Sitting in your cubicle.
IV
:)
To IV
Pabalik na ko
Sabay na silang bumalik ni Francis sa faculty room. Pagkarating, nakita niyang naruon nga at nakaupo si Pat sa upuan niya. He was holding her little Totoro toy that was originally sitting on her desk.
"Hi Pat!" Francis greeted cheerfully. Pat acknowledged him by greeting him the same.
"I'm going now. May klase pa. Ingat na lang kayo." He put an arm around her shoulder and kissed her on her cheek. Mahilig bumeso si Francis; kahit sa ibang mga kaibigan nila ay ginagawa niya rin ito kaya para sa kanya, wala na itong halong malisya at hindi na siya naiilang kahit mayroon silang nakaraan. But when he glanced at Pat, she felt conscious of his stare even if he had a blank expression on his face. Bigla siyang nakaramdam ng hiya.
Francis waved at him and he gave him a nod. Pagkaalis nito, kinuha niya sa mesa ang kanyang gamit at niyaya na si Pat na lumabas na rin.
"Do you like him?"
"H-Ha?"
"This," He showed the toy that he was holding before returning it on her desk.
BINABASA MO ANG
Yo te Cielo
Historical Fiction{ sequel of ikaw na ang huli } Will Pat and Miho's encounter lead to the fulfillment of a promise that was broken in the 19th century?-or shall their past lives still dictate their destiny to remain as star-crossed lovers until the present time? ...
