"Nakita ko na yung katawan ko Tonio pwede na tayong umuwi!" She said in pure happiness.
Normy hugged my arms. I look at her.
"Are you really going to stay with me?" tanong ko sa kanya. I don't mean to offend her. In fact I am asking her with pure interest but base on her reaction she did not read it right.
"ah ok..." Para siyang nakuryenteng bumitiw. "Bawal na ba?" I felt guilty when she hid her hands behind.
"No, no that's not what I meant. Akala ko lang once you find your body you will not stay with me anymore but if you want to stay, you're more than welcome"
I watch how her frown slowly turn into a smile. "At least mababantayan ko na yung katawan ko. Mukang walang nagbabantay"
"Didn't you remember anything after seeing your body? Normally in movies it happens"
"Wala e, parang tinutulak nga ko palayo."
At this time I do not know how to comfort her so I simply pull her close for a hug. "It will be fine Normy. You will be okay." Now that I know her name, automatic pa ring lumalabas sa bibig ko yung Normy.
I might sound selfish pero I am glad, I won't lose her right away.
On our way to the car, I bravely took her hand. I hold it tight. I want to secure myself that the new found friend I have will never go anywhere but, moreover, her...that she will be ok.
Normy look at me and mouthed the words 'Thank you'
oOo
Nakahiga ako sa sahig. Normy is beside me. The lights are off except the night sky projector that mimics night skies. Dahil puting puti ang kwarto ko, it reflects the projection perfectly.
"Anthony? What will you be five years from now?" we are 10 centimetres apart as I lie on my back. I twist and face her lying on my side.
"Singer. I want to continue creating music" I watch how her eyes glimmer in the dark
"Do you...see yourself with the girl of your dreams?"
"Maybe. Ikaw, where do you see yourself five years from now?"
"Alive... Breathing and living my life to the fullest. Five years from now gusto ko kasal na ko. Gusto ko may sarili na kong business sa kung ano mang field ang pinag aralan ko tapos gusto ko ng baby boy."
"Why not a baby girl?"
"Para the kuya will protect his baby sister" I smiled.
"I'm sure it will happen"
"Wala namang imposible diba?"
I kept quiet. My stupid hand automatically reach to touch her face. I saw her eyes widen. Those gem-like eyes, then she smiled.
"Sinabi ko naman sa'yo maiinlove ka sa'kin" I snap out of my trance noong narinig ko yung sinabi niya.
"Spell asa" I grinned and turn to lie on my back.
"Sabi ko nga, walang imposible" pag uulit niya. I only chuckled.
"Alam mo minsan naiinis ako sa kayabangan mo kaso para kang magnet. Hinihila mo ko palapit sa'yo" Then I felt it. She closed the 10 centimetre distance between us. She pressed her cheeks on my chest. Her arms wrap around my waist.
"Good night kapal nguso. Pahinga ka na, may second reading at workshop kayo bukas"
"Good night Normy"
'Cause I thought of forever with you and me, and I thought that you never ever wanna leave. When I look at you, my heart skips a bit, and I'm speechless
oOo
"Good morning kuya Anthony. How are you po?" masiglang bati ni Anna sa'kin
"Good morning din. Mukang antaas ng energy mo a"
"Good morning sa lahat maliban sa babaeng mukang sixth grader sa set" sabat ni Normy. Napatingin ako. Nagpigil ako ng tawa lalo na noong nakita ko kung papaano siya bumusangot.
"Ahm, how's your weekend po?"
"It's good I guess. Ikaw kumusta?"
"I spent my weekend listening to your songs"
"Walang nagtatanong girl. Hindi niya tinatanong. Bumalik ka sa classroom niyo!" This time Normy has her arms cross. Mukang mainit yata talaga dugo niya kay Anna.
"Thank you Anna, sige mauna na ko sa loob. I will see you in a bit"
"Ay, sige kuya" halatang halata ang pagkadismayado sa tono ng boses ni Anna but I can't have Normy shooting daggers on the poor kid's way. Kung nakakapatay lang ang panlilisik ng mata, hindi madadala si Anna sa ospital, she will be dead on the spot.
"Hoy Kapal Nguso, crush mo ba yon? bakit ang bait mo?"
"What? no! she looks too young. Bakit ako papatol sa bata? saka isa pa career priority ko. Madami akong gustong maachieve this year kaya yun muna focus ko." Saka, paano ba naman ako magkakagusto sa iba kung may abnormal na babaeng nanggugulo sa isip ko?
Hindi ko na sinabi yung huli.
"Dadalawin natin yung katawan mo sa ospital next week. I want to make sure you are ok"
"Papano ka dadalaw e wala ka namang excuse?"
"wala namang nagkeclaim na kamag anak ka kaya sasabihin ko fiance mo ko. Matagal na kitang hinahanap."
"Nakalimutan mo yatang artista ka. Sisirain mo pangalan mo?"
"Fine. I will use Abby as an excuse para makita ka" I saw how she bit back her smile.
"Yang ngiti mo. Do something about that. Napaka creepy talaga, para kang laging may masamang balak"
"Masaya lang naman ako. Nakakatouch kase."
"Sinong naiinlove ngayon? 1 point for Anthony. Normy is bokya"
"Kutong lupa ka talaga , kapal nguso"
"Crush mo naman."
I watch how she grew tomato red.
"Normy can you do me a favour?"
"Ano?"
"Dugtungan mo nga tong lyrics na naisulat ko. Tutal bored ka naman, pretend that you are answering a love letter. Punta na kong board room. Laters!"
She stared at the piece of paper with the sentences I wrote.
"Napaka cheesy naman nito. Kung hindi ka lang singer iisipin ko in love ka talaga"
Nag umpisang magsulat si Normy ng sagot.
I wanna love you 'til the sun rises and the morning where I see the sun shining on your face and I won't leave 'til it's just you and me, but it's all a dream...
BINABASA MO ANG
Encountering The Normy
FanfictionA story where Anthony Pangilinan (Donny), a famous singer was battling inner problems, stumble upon a loud and quirky spirit in the form of Normy (Sharlene) as he struggles to express the real him. Normy's existence will become a key to overcoming h...
