Beloved Stranger

Prologue

~»Prologue

"Ace?"

"Yes sir?"

"Is there any appointments or schedules left for today?"

Tiningnan ko ang aking sekretarya na waring nag iisip.

"Sir,you have a meeting with Mr.Aguilar at 1:00 in the afternoon ,also you need to meet with Ms.Marquise for a business proposal,you will have an inteview for a magazi- - -"

"Enough,cancel all my appointments for today."
utos ko.

"Ok Sir."

Tumango ako dito at lumabas na sa office.

I need to hurry up,it's my grandma's birthday at dadaan pa ako sa mall to buy her a gift.

Shit! Im late!

I am so busy this past few weeks that's why I forgot about her birthday.

Pumasok na ako sa sasakyan at mabilis na nagdrive ng biglang may tumawag.

"Hey bro!Lola's really mad at you. You have a plan to go here,do you?" my cousin asked.

"Of course...I'm on my way, I'll just buy a gift for her first."

"Bluemonts come here ,dont talk to your cousin,he doesn't care about me,he doesn't love Lola, unlike you."

I heard Lola's voice at the background.She's really mad.

"Goodluck couz! I'll go to Lola now,you know I don't want her to get mad at me specially now that it's her day, because I love her and I care for her, unlike you." he said trying to imitate Lola's voice then he laugh.

"Fuck you Blue"!

"Oh,couz I didn't know your gay."

"Shit!You assho- - -"bago ko pa matapos ang sasabihin ko'y pinutol na niya ang tawag.

Fucker!Tss!

Agad kong ipinarada ang sasakyan when I reach the parking lot.

Dali-dali akong lumabas at nagdiretso na sa mall.

I'll buy her a jewelry .Maybe a necklace or a ring.

I'm heading my way to a fancy jewelry shop when someone bump into my back.

Agad naginit ang ulo ko.

"What the- - -"hindi ko na naituloy ang sasabihin ko ng makita na isa palang bata ang nabangga sa akin.

Nawala bigla ang init ng ulo ko.

"S-sorry p-po"nauutal na sabi nito habang nakayuko.

Nabigla ako ng makitang gumagalaw ang balikat nito.

He's crying!
Natakot ko ang bata!

Shit!

Lumuhod ako para magkapantay ang paningin namin.

I can't see his face.

"I'm sorry.I didn't mean to scare you.Stop crying please." pakiusap ko.

"Tulungan mo ako Manong."

MANONG?!REALLY?!Do I look like an old man.?!

Pero nabigla ako ng niyapos niya ako.Naramdaman ko din na suminga siya sa suit ko.

Oh God!

"Hey,look at me please.Let's wipe your tears.I promise I'll help you."

Sorry La.
I think I won't make it.
Im too late.

The boy slowly turn his head on me.

At mabilis na nanlaki ang mata ko ng makita ang itsura nito.

My doppel ganger.

It's like meeting the 5 years old Abelardo.

He looks exactly like me!
Is it even possible?!

"Abel!"
I heard a woman's voice before the boy run away from my arms.

Did just someone utter my nickname when I was a kid?Lumingon ako sa pinanggalingan ng boses.I saw the little boy hugging the woman who called my name.

Don't tell me his name is Abel too.

Same looks,same name,
What a coincidence huh?