Almost Feels Like Always (COMPLETED)

HUDSON (TWO)

IT'S HER.

I saw her emerged from the stairs. My brows creased. What is she doing in a frat party? What is she doing here? May kakilala ba siya dito? Nakikita ko siya sa common places na pinupuntahan ko pero hindi ko naisip na pwedeng may common friends din kami.

She took a cup from the table. So, she drinks too, huh? My eyes followed her everywhere inside the house. It seemed like she's looking for someone. I wonder who it might be? I hope it's me. I sighed. She turned her head from side to side then she heaved a long, deep sigh.

She finally settled in the corner. Sadness was written all over her beautiful face. It's weird because before, I can't read the expressions of people's eyes. But with her, it's like I've known every emotion. Sa ilang beses na nakita ko siya, hindi naitago ng mga ngiti niya ang lungkot sa kanyang mga mata.

Why, sweetie? Who made you feel that way?

She's now busy on her phone. Siguro, sa ibang pagkakataon at kung ibang babae lang...lalapitan ko siya. Makikipag-flirt. Aayain uminom. Makikipag-palitan ng phone numbers. Tapos aakitin kong dalhin sa hotel. But like I always say, she's different.

She's not like any other women I used to date. Hindi siya 'yung tipong kinakama lang. Siya 'yung tipong ire-respeto mo, sasambahin mo, na kung pwede lang halikan ang lupang dinadaanan niya, hahalikan mo without missing a single inch. Para ngang isang malaking kasalanan na pag-isipan mo siya ng bastos.

Nadine, an engineering junior came up to her. I want to go near them so I can hear what they're talking about. I'm not being tsismoso. I just want to hear her voice.

I wonder what does her voice sounds like.

I was imagining the sounds in my head that can fit her perfectly angelic face when a realization struck me.

Oh, shit. Is she from Aloysius too? If she is, then, fuck! Why didn't I know? What am I doing in life that I never saw her in school?

Nilingon ko si Macey para tanungin kung taga-Aloysius ang babae pero nang tingnan ko ulit ang direksiyon niya ay wala na siya. Crap!

I'm pretty sure she's from our school! That's why I always see her in familiar places. My conclusion was confirmed when I saw her entered the school cafeteria the next day. Halos mahulog ako sa upuan ko. Gusto kong sapakin ang sarili kung bakit ngayon ko lang nalaman!

"Macey..."

Nag-angat ng tingin sa 'kin sa Macey. "Hmm?"

"Who's that?"

Nilingon niya ang direksyong tinitingnan ko tapos ay bumaling ulit sa 'kin na nakakunot ang noo. "Who?"

"That girl in the counter. 'Yung may red na bag."

Muli siyang lumingon. "Oh, Autumn..."

"What?"

"Her name's Autumn. Autumn Cherisse Cabral."

Autumn... What a beautiful name.

Biglang parang gusto kong magtampo na ewan. Why do they know her and I don't? I feel left out. As if reading my mind, Macey talked again.

"Autumn's quite popular. She's one of the campus sweethearts. Bakit? Crush mo?" Nagaakusang tanong niya wala pa man akong ibang sinasabi.

I shrugged my shoulders and tried to sound casual. "Ngayon ko lang kasi siya nakita."

"Well, bihira naman kasi 'yan kumain dito sa canteen. Himala nga nandito 'yan ngayon. Madalas 'yan sa botanical garden. Tapos tatambay sa library or sa gym or sa Art Hall."