Hooked (ML, #2.5)

Prelude

Prelude

Nice To Meet You

I followed Leigh.

After the class, lagi siyang dumidiretso sa loft niya. Halos ilang minuto lang naman na lakad papuntang Academy o kaya'y pauwi sa Condo unit. Both are in Lower Manhattan , TriBeca. I noticed that she rarely go out. Maghapon siya sa unit niya. It is like Academy and her condo are her routines. Minsan ko nga lang siya makitang lumabas at bibili lang sa convenience store ng pagkain. Then nothing at all. That's all I could report to tito Fernando. A picture of Leigh in class. A picture of Leigh getting inside the building. A picture of Leigh, buying food, eating an ice cream. And she is all alone.

A-L-O-N-E.

She's beautiful and fierce. Hindi akalain sa mukha niya ang mga pinagdaanan niya. Her resting bitch face is freaking awesome, you know. I always like the vicious look she has. Her black-brown straight hair. Her gorgeous and ferocious face. Her unyielding and confident eyes are everything. Laging mataray at kahit sa maliit na bagay, nakataas ang isang kilay niya. She is being what she is. I admire her for that attitude. But behind those fierce act, there's something in her. Mayroon din namang oras na nakita ko siyang malalim ang iniisip at relax ang mukha. She's natural. She's beautiful. She's something. Part of me wants to know her more.

"Alegre!" I shouted.

Hinanap niya ang boses na tumawag sa kanya. She can't find me so she turned her back and started walking again. Sumalubong ang traffic sa Franklin St. Tuloy-tuloy pa rin si Leigh sa paglalakad papunta sa building kung saan siya nakatira. The security there's so strict! Hindi man lang ako makasilip!

I screamed her name, "Leigh Alegre!"

And she found me. I suppressed my smile when her brow arched, inquisitively. Tumakbo ako papunta sa kanyang pwesto.

Don't creep her out, Lana!

"Hi," I said and shit.

I can't stop smiling.

Napansin na 'ko ni Leigh! Oh, gods!

"Did I leave something in the room?" she asked, and looked her sling bag. Nilabas niya ang phone saka at ang lapis. "Did I?" ulit niya. Hindi pa rin siya sigurado sa mukhang binibigay niya sa akin. Parang mayroon pa rin sa loob niya na tapusin na ang usapan. Tinignan ko siya mula ulo hanggang paa. I chuckled internally, she's wearing a ripped jeans and simple black shirt. "Excuse me?" I blinked.

"Oh, no," I uttered.

Mas lalong tumaas ang kurba ng kanyang kilay sa sagot ko.

She breathed a sigh. "You called me for nothing," ismid niya.

Boom! I want to laugh! Ang taray niya!

"Yeah?"

And she rolled her eyes. Oh, gods!

Don't laugh, Lana!

"Parang ganoon na nga," sagot ko.

"Fine. I need to go. You're a Filipino," aniya, nilagay ang gamit sa bag. Well, my father is half-Italian and half-Filipino. Si Mommy nama'y Filipino. Akala niya siguro I am pure shit something because I am wearing a short blonde wig. Feel ko lang kasing mag-wig ngayon. You know, I am trying everything I can't do dati. Maybe, it is experimenting stage. Back then, I am just wearing a dress to make me look decent but now, I am in fucking New York City, I could wear what I want. Guess what? I am wearing metallic scuba halter top in shiny black and an white shorts. Plus, an army jacket. And plus, plus, plus Dr. Martens boots! That's freaking awesome!

Tatalikod na sana siya ngunit nagsalita ako.

"And you?" subok ko.

"What do you think?" mataray niyang sagot.