Casper (Completed)

Chapter 12

"Oh my God, slow down... slow down..." sigaw ko kay Casper. Nauto nya ako na sya ang magmaneho. Alam nya daw kung nasaan ang mall. But he drives like a mad man...
"This is life... wooohhhh." Sabi nito. Binuksan niya ang mga bintana at dinama ang ihip ng hangin.
"I'm alive, Clarida." He said. He looks... happy.
"Yes... but slow down if you don't want to be back underground." I replied through gritted teeth.
He smiled, like a boyish, boy next door smile.
"I took for granted all the small things before." Sabi nito. Binagalan niya ang pagmamaneho. Nakahinga ako ng kaunti.
"I am so focused on achieving the bigger things that I forgot how to live... I... I forgot how good to drive without those due dates to beat and experiments to do or a book to write. I forgot how it feels so good doing this... like driving with a pretty girl at the passenger side." He said. He is so focused on expressing himself that he didn't see me blush.
"You give me a second chance, Clarida..."
I smile at him... I forgot to communicate after I saw him went out of that Lazarus. His eyes are so expensive that I am drowning every time I look at it. Is this what mom felt?

Pinagtitinginan si Casper sa mall. At least sa Pinas hindi ganito kagarapal ang mga babae... Bwisit, dito sa America, akala mo mga asong ulol sila...
"Clarida?"
"Ha? Sorry, what is it?" Bumalik ang isip ko kay Casper na may hawak na mga shirt.
"Which one?" Tanong niya.
He looked confused on the racks of shirt and t-shirt and jeans.
"What exactly do you need?" Tanong ko sa kanya.
"All?" Hindi siguradong sagot niya.
Natatawa akong kinuha ang mga shirt na hawak niya. Itinaas iyo at tinapat sa kanya.

"My God, you are so tall. Try this one." Binigay ko sa kanya ang isang blue shirt. Kumuha ako ng white shirt...t-shirts, shorts, jeans...boxers...
I glared those who linger their eyes with Casper when he is not looking. Casper declined the help that few sales ladies graciously give him.
"Sorry, I am with... her." Sabi niya sabay turo sa akin.

Inirapan ko ang mahaderang saleslady bago ako lumapit kay Casper.
"I don't want to try this all. Can we just pay it?" Tanong niya.
"Okay sure. Let's go. I am hungry."

The cashier took her time to neatly fold the clothes... Samantalang noong ako ang bumili dati, basta nilagay lang sa paper bag ang pinamili ko. Nagbayad ng cash si Casper at kinuha ang mga pinamili. Mabilis nya akong hinila palabas ng department store.

"Why they were looking at us?" Casper murmured.
"Actually, they were looking at you," I replied.
"Why? What's wrong with me? Do they know me?"
Umiling ako. "On the contrary, they might be curious about you. You look, new in here. They haven't probably met you. And..." Hindi ko na tinulong. I just shrugged my shoulder. Muntik ko ng sabihing, ang hot niya.
"..that's how the new generation now... They get what they want and to hell with the consequences."
"Does their parents know what they are doing?" Nakakunot ang noo ni Casper.
Natawa ako... Yung tawang naluluha talaga. Uncle na uncle si Casper, hesusmaryosep.
"Why the hell are you laughing?" Natatawa din niyang tanong. Nagpahid ako ng luha.
"You act like your age." I joked at him and he chuckled.
"Damn, can't help it." Sagot niya.

We end up sa isang pizza parlor sa labas ng mall. Nagkwentuhan kami ni Casper...He asked me about my job...about my mom... And I saw how he became sad that my mom died in cancer. He asked me about everything about me.
"I will just go to the toilet. Can you wait for me?"
"Sure..." Sagot ko kay Casper.
"Use the senior citizen toilet for easy access." Biro ko. Tumawa si Casper.
Habang hinihintay ko siya, I checked my social media account.
"Hi, Miss." Nag-angat ako ng tingin. Nakatayo sa harapan ko si Liam.
"We meet again." Sabi nito. umupo siya sa upuan ni Casper kanina.
Hindi ako nakakibo. Mabilis ang tibok ng puso ko.
"I haven't get your name. I'm Liam Jerkins." Sabi niya.
"Clary," I replied. He tilted his head and waiting for me to continue.
"Clary? What's your family name?" Tanong nito.
"Sorry, I don't really talk to strangers."
"Forgive me. I probably sound suspicious. You just look like someone that I know." Sabi niya.
Like...my mom... I said on my head.
"Clarida..." Casper called me. His face is unreadable. Lumapit si Casper sa akin at humarap kay Liam. Liam gasp...nanlaki ang mata niya ng makita si Casper.
"Do you know him?" Tanong ni Casper sa akin. Hinawakan niya ang balikat ko.
"I saw him yesterday at the gas station," I replied.
"Excuse us. We are going ahead." Sabi ni Casper.
"Wait...What is your name?" Tanong ni Liam kay Casper.
Walang kurap si Casper na nakatitig kay Liam na mukhang namutla.
"I was named after my father.  I'm Casper Montgomery." Sagot niya.
Napasandal si Liam sa upuan. "That...can't...be." He softly said bago ako tuluyang nakatayo. Hinawakan ni Casper ang kamay ko at lumapas kami sa pizza parlour. Iniwan namin si Liam na nanlalambot sa upuan.

Now that the cat is out of the bag...ano na ang gagawin namin ngayon?