Don't Let Me Forget You

Chapter 3

Celebrity

When I opened my eyes ang pamilyar kong kwarto ang bumungad sa akin. Nung sumakit ng sobra ang ulo ko, wala na akong natandaan sa mga sumunod na nangyari.

But I remembered that one specific day, the Immersion with St. Vincent's Academy.

My hate for River was so fresh I could feel it in my bones.

"How are you feeling?"said that deep voice.

It's him.

Paglingon ko sa kanan ay naroon si River at nakaupo sa couch. Nakatukod ang mga braso nito sa magkabilang tuhod.

He looked tired...that's why he looked older. I mean with all the eyebags and day-old stubbles on his chin. But nevertheless, he still possessed that extraordinary aura and his eyes were still intense.

"Bakit mo tinapon ang panyo mo?"

Hindi ko alam kung bakit iyon ang lumabas sa bibig.

Kumunot naman ang noo niya sa sinabi ko dahil imbes na sagutin ang tanong niya ay tila walang sense ang sinabi ko.

"What are you talking about?"

"Nung araw ng Immersion bakit mo tinapon yung panyong inabot ko sa yo?"

Tila nag-isip naman siya kung ano ang tinutukoy ko. As if he remembered, his eyes manifested it and he went to where I was.

"You remembered that year."

"Only bits and pieces. It's like I was dreaming but I know that it's real."

"Don't force yourself too hard. Baka muling sumakit ang ulo mo."

"You did not answer my question."

River sat beside me. He brushed aside the hair that covered my face. Halos hindi ako gumagalaw habang ginagawa niya iyon.

That memory was still fresh and in that memory my hate for him escalated.

"That hanky started everything." masuyo niyang sabi.

I can't help but looked at him. He's looking at the sheets but his eyes were so tender like he was reminiscing the past.

Hindi ako sanay. River was an avalanche. Cold and dangerous. But seeing his expression right now, this was not his old self.

God, I want to remember more.

"You even told me that you hate me for wearing braces."

He looked amused now. Tila natutuwa siya sa mga detalyeng ibinibigay ko.

"Really? That's what I said...hmmm, maybe because you're showing those boys your most charming smile without you realizing it and you had them at your mercy."

"A-ano?"

I didn't get his point.

"Never mind, Nix."

Bigla ko ulit naalala ang itinawag niya sa akin.

"Nope you called me Cassandra, my second name."

"I did?"

"Yes."

"Well, I call you whatever I prefer."

"But I go with Nix."

"I called you babe."

Babe. What the hell? Kinilabutan talaga ako sa pagkakasabi niya. This thing felt surreal. I crumpled the sheets beside me.

At the back of my mind, I heard someone calling me "Babe" with the softest voice. Was that River?

Napansin naman ni River ang uneasiness ko.