Forgotten (NNS #1) (EDITING)

Kabanata 34

Kabanata 34

Sudden

"We're down to the last questions, both from online and live audiences. Unahin natin ang online world!" magiliw na pahayag ng host at nag-scroll sa hawak na iPad.

Sinundan siya ng tingin ng ibang tao, habang ang iba naman ay patuloy akong pinanood. Nervousness and anxiety rushed through my veins, but all I can do is to ignore it and never bother to entertain. I swear, this would be my first and last book signing.

"Ah! This one. From @flymetothemoon, 'hello po, Miss Ryell! I'm an avid reader. I would like to ask, what would made you move on from someone you've been stucked onto for a long time? #AskRyell.' Alright! Thank you for that question," anito at humingang malalim, "Hmm, this is a very deep, but nice and useful question. Miss Ryell, I repeat, what would made you move on from someone you've been stucked onto for a long period of time?" ulit ng host at inilahad sa akin ang kamay na may hawak na card, 'yong parang ibinibigay sa host sa tuwing ia-announce na ang panalo, wala na rin ang iPad.

Muling lumipad sa akin ang paningin ng mga tao na para bang tahimik nilang hinihintay ang sagot ko. Huminga ako nang malalim at itinapat sa bibig ko ang mikropono.

"For me, it is changing your principle after some realizations. It's hard to be stuck onto on someone for a long period of time. It's like wasting your time on something that you're not sure if worth it or useless. After the realization, there comes the change. Going back on track, on the original plan of not falling too hard, and pushing your feelings to be just shallow," sagot ko at sandaling tumigil para huminga, "Add a manic pixie promise that you won't go back to your old self."

Samu'tsaring reaksyon ang ipinakita ng crowd. Naroon ang 'ano daw?', 'hala fren ang deep!', maging ang 'bakit kasi english?!' na kumento. I even saw some of them almost smashing the keyboard to type the exact words that I have said.

"Wow! What a great answer we got here, Miss Ryell! @flymetothemoon, sana nasagot niya ang tanong mo, and we also hope na makapag-move on ka na sa kung sino man 'yan," ngisi ng host at magiliw na nagsimulang bumaba sa stage, dahilan para sumigaw ang mga readers na nasa venue.

"Now, for the final question! Mula sa ating readers na nadito. Raise your hands para mapili kayo, lalo at last question na natin!"

Nakangiti ako habang pinapanood ang mga taong nakataas ang kamay, pursigidong mapili para sa huling katanungan.

I was smiling, until it faded with the sight of someone I used to know. Too damn well.

I was almost quietly praying that the host won't notice that guy who's stretching his arms up, but my hopes died down when he smile through him and made his way to that guy.

"Ah! We have a male and handsome reader here! Madalang akong makakita ng lalaking reader sa isang event, so you can have the last question," ngisi ng host at lumingon sa crowd bago inanyayahang tumayo si Gian.

I can't explain his emotion. Ang mga mata niyang gustong-gusto kong titigan at unawain ay tila dayuhan na sa akin. He's making me forget the emotions I once saw in his eyes. He wants me to forget my favorite part of his face, which reflected pain the moment he saw me walking out his door, that night after I decided to let go of everything and focus on myself. The evident pain, which I still doubt until now, knowing how he broke me years ago.

He stood there, staring straight. Nakangiti ang host sa kanya bago magsalita, "For our last question, let's have," the host told the crowd before asking him, "What's your name, Mister?" anito at itinapat kay Gian ang mic.