The One I See

Chapter 26

ALISHA

I didn't see him again. I am searching for him, yes. I don't know what the heck is happening to me. I am too distracted.

And those dreams, yes. They're hunting me. Always.

"My mama and papa fights..." His eyes starts to water. "Sooner or later, maghihiwalay na sila. I don't know kung saan ako sasama. I want us together but papa was really rude to us. Mama told me, may iba si papa." His tears starts to pour but he immediately wiped it. "I-Ikaw? Anong problema mo? With your...mom," mahina niyang tanong. Napanguso siya at pumwesto sa tabi ko.

"I'm worthless...product of mistake? Ewan!" I smile and look at the ground. A tear fell in there."I can't understand it, we born on the same day. But she treated us in a very different way."

He stared at me. "Sino?"

"My twin. Mom treat us differently. Ewan! Baka imagination ko lang. Sana nga imagination ko lang," natatawang saad ko habang pinupunasan ang luha. Bago pa man ako umiyak nang todo, naramdaman ko na ang yakap niya sa akin.

It's been three weeks since that happened and there's no trace of Nakihiro again. Now I decided to find him. I don't know, but every time I try to forget him, my heart aches. May parte sa akin na ayaw.

And my dreams are always like that. For three weeks already. I want to light up myself. I need to see him.

"Saan ka pupunta?" Shauna asked. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin.

"S-Sa building nila...Alyzza."

Pilyong ngiti ang iginawad niya sa akin. "Okay, sabi mo,eh."

Ngumiti ako at kinuha ang bag ko. Sinubukan kong madaliin ang pagpunta sa kabilang building. If he's not my classmate anymore, then maybe he transferred to another class or worst, he transferred to another school. Wait – that's okay right? Wait- no. Wait, what?

I almost slipped after I heard a giggle. A familiar voice of a guy passed in my ears. My brows furrowed.

"You're good at this," that girl giggles again. My brow rise a bit. I bite my inner cheek.

He's...flirting! He's a flirt! A scumbag! A cad!

My hands grip my skirt after he turn his way to me. His eyes widened and all I can do is to jolt away.

"Alisha-"

I turn and run away. I don't know why my tears starts to mark down my face. I feel betrayed. I feel like he's two-timing.

"Hey, wait-" He grab my hand. I stare at him angrily. His eyes are confused then soft. "Bakit ka nandito?"

Hindi ko alam. Hindi ko na alam!

I jerked away. Mabilis niya ulit kinuha ang kamay ko.

"Ano ba! Don't touch me!"

"Then answer me!" giit niya.

Napairap ako.

"Bakit ka nandito? Sinusundan mo ba ako?"

I laugh sarcastically. "Are you joking?"

"What?"

"You're jesting me!"

Napasinghap siya at tinitigan ako nang masama. He stared at me the way I don't want to.

"Then why are you here?"

"It's none of your business."

Napangisi siya at lumapit sa'kin. I step back. "Then why are you crying young lady? Hmm?"