My Perfect Stranger

-His Story-

"Until when are you planning to keep your identity from me?" I said and stopped in front of him. His face turned blank and I don't know why.

He turned his back on me and sat on the bench. I saw again the back of his shirt and what is written at the top. Yan nga yung suot niyang shirt nun. Siya nga yun. Naalala ko na ng konti yung figure niya. "I don't have any plans in telling you who I really am. Sinabi ko na sa kanila yan pero hindi sila nakinig sa akin. Ang labo nilang kausap." He said flatly.

I came near him and sat beside him. "Why?" That's the first question that popped in my mind. Bakit nya hinayaan na ganito? Hindi ko maintindihan. Sana ipa-intindi niya sa akin.

We both stared at the people passing by in front of us.

I heard him breathe a sigh. "You don't get the concept of my codename."

"Plus you know the real situation, Anna. Mahal ka ni k-kuya Aidan and, and you now know that h-he's my brother, I assumed he told you that too. Everything's so fucked up, can't you see?" He exhaled sharply and kept his gaze in front. I can feel his rage and frustration.

"I know. Our lives are so fucked up. Kaya once and for all let's get everything straight. Alam kong gusto mo na ring matapos ang lahat ng ito. Let's clear everything so we can live in peace. You know that I have so many questions in my mind. Gusto ko na ring matahimik. Ayoko na nang complications." I choose to stay calm despite of the confusions we're heading to.

"Didn't he already say to you who I am? What else do you want to know?"

"He just told me his side of the story. I wanted to know yours. You're the only one who can answer all my questions. Ayaw mo bang maayos na lahat ng ito?" I glanced at him and saw him heaved a sigh. He didn't answer. We stayed quiet and still for a moment. An awkward and meaningful silence is enveloping the ambiance.

He broke the silence between us. "Bakit ba hindi mo ako maalala? We were seatmates back then. Am I that trivial to you? Hindi mo ba talaga ako matandaan kahit konti?" I can hear frustration again in his tone.

I bow my head down. "I'm sorry. Hindi ko din alam bakit. Help me to remember. Nafru-frustrate na din ako sa sarili ko, Ethan. Hindi ko rin maintindihan." I am so fuck up inside too. Arrrrghh! Shit my memories!

"Ano bang meron sila at nagustuhan mo sila? Ako kailangan ko pang maging stranger sa buhay mo para mapansin mo lang ako o magkaron man lang puwang sa buhay mo. Bakit ganun Anna? Bakit?....." huminga siya ng malalim. ".....Pero alam kong kasalanan ko din naman. Fuck shit!"

Napatingin ako sa kanya at nakita kong sobrang frustrated na siya. His hands balled into fist and he closed his eyes. Nakikita kong mariin niya iyong isinara. I didn't speak yet. I just let him release his frustration and anger. I think he needs it.

"Bakit ba ang tanga ko?? Bakit ba ako ganito?" Medyo kumalma na siya ng konti. I heard him drew a breath. Tumulala siya ulit sa harap.

We stayed quiet for a short while. Maybe he's thinking on how to start. "Ikaw ang pinakamadaldal sa section natin nun. Lagi ka kayang napapatayo ni Ms. Sienes dahil sa sobrang kadaldalan mo. I'm you're exact opposite kaya itinabi ka niya sa akin. You never tried to talk to me hindi ko alam bakit. I tried to open-up a conversation with you pero magaling ka talaga sa pre-emptive supalpal. Talent mo yata talaga yun eh." He grinned. I think he's now okay.

Ms. Sienes was our adviser back then. Naalala ko siya. Lagi nga niya akong pinapagalitan. Itinabi nga niya ako sa isang kaklase ko nun. I started to remember. "Naiinis kasi ako sa'yo nun. Lagi kang nakatulala. Whenever I looked at you, you never did glance back. Kung ayaw mo akong katabi, it's okay coz the feeling is mutual." I let out a soft chuckle.