She sat straight and eyed the peculiar young woman who’s probably on her early twenties. There’s nothing wrong with the woman actually, it’s the way Mary sees her that’s unusual. Funny and unbelievable as it may seem, she always sees something beyond most people do. She does not perceived it as an ability but a peril sometimes because of the nature of the gift – for it encourages her to pry into somebody else’s life. Which was way of her interest.
The young woman seemed to be following the guy in tux and bringing with him an ordinary attaché case. The man was standing near the door of the bus which they are all riding on while the young woman was three seats behind him. Mary was uncertain what the possible scenario will be but she smelled danger and wrack of blood and fire.
Mary shrugged and tried to dismiss such hilarious thoughts. Maybe she’s just hungry. Taking out a sandwich from her bag, she noticed the sleeping father and daughter beside her. Anybody who’d by chance saw the scene would no doubt see the love between the two inseparable beings. The father was also in his early twenties and the little girl was around three or four. She was seated on his lap, legs hugging his waist. Her arms were around his neck while sleeping on his broad shoulders.
The vehicle halted. The man on tux and attaché case stepped outside the bus. Mary’s gaze immediately went into the young woman whom she was staring at a couple of minutes ago. But instead of seeing the young woman following the man on tux, Mary caught her perplexed. Her orbs were fixed into the father and daughter beside Mary. Sadness and faded memories appears to cloud on her eyes.
But before the public vehicle rushed and moved further into its destination, the young woman stood, gave last glance to Mary’s seatmates then went down and followed the man on tux. Again, no matter how Mary hated prying, she was not able to contain it and by on its own, her eyes followed the young woman, who was by now standing in front of a café.
“Daddy?” a voice grabbed Mary’s attention. That was the little girl beside her.
“Yes, baby?” Bedroom voice.
“Nothing. I just want to know if you’re still here.”
“I’m here sweetie,” he confirmed to the little girl. She then rested back her head to her dad’s chest. But unlike her, the father seemed a little disturbed. His delicate ocean blue eyes looked like figuring something out of their own. Perplexed, he leaned on the edges of the bus windows and stared outside. Then he froze.
Mary tried her best not to be noticed by the guy beside her who froze upon seeing the young lady on the bus a while ago.
“Maxine,” he uttered softly.
“You know her?” Mary was not able to contain her curiosity.
As if on cue, he nodded. The bus sped up and left the poor guy looking at the back of the seat in front of him.
“She’s been looking at you, you know.” Mary tried to sound cool – afraid to be caught snooping.
“She rode here?” Now, she has his attention. “I mean, she was on this bus?” He tried to soften his voice, afraid of waking up his princess.
“Yes. While you are in your deep slumber.”
“God,” he mustered. He sounded helpless.
“I’m a stranger. It’d be cool if you’ll share whatever you’re feeling with me. I mean, it’d be better if you throw out what you are feeling. I’m willing to listen.” Too long for an introduction. Now, she seems like prying.
He shook his head. Mary rested back. Surrender. She’s caught.
“She’s my girlfriend for eight years. We’re getting married. Something wrong happened on the way.” He took a deep breath. It must be painful to reread the chapters of your life which you sealed longtime ago already. “My parents were against our relationship. Financial status related. Then, we planned on eloping. We almost succeeded, except that I fell on the wall we were climbing and was imprisoned on the hospital for eight months.”
“She did not visit you?” Mary inquired.
He shook his head again. “I have no idea. I was unconscious for months. When I woke up, my parents told me she married another guy who’s wealthier than us. I believed them.” He smirked. “I believed them.”
It took him a while before he continued. “Out of frustration, I entertained the woman my parents introduced to me. We hooked up and after sometime, I got married and have this beautiful little princess.” He planted a kiss on the little girl’s forehead. “I’m happy where I am right now. I love my family. But whenever I think of her, I couldn’t help but ponder on what could’ve happen if we ended up together.”
“Didn’t you search for her?”
“I did. I got more frustrated because after I got married, I found out she never got herself into a wedding.”
He rested his head on the headrest of the seat, closed his eyes and cried in silence. Mary concluded by then that that was the end of their conversation.
The journey ended. Mary and the father and daughter parted ways without giving goodbyes after their conversation.
“Uncle Marquis!” yelled the little girl upon seeing the man waiting for them on the bus stop.
“Hey, baby girl!” he sweetly replied before throwing his arms and lifting the little girl.
10:47 am
8/2/14
