The Book Lover

Chapter 1

Imagination

He touch my lower lip with the end of his fingertip. He slowly crouch so that his face leveled on my face and slowly move clos-

"Booh!"

Mabilis kong sinirado ang aking binabasang libro at umangat ang mga galit na mata upang suyurin ang taong dahilan ng biglaang gulat at inis na aking nararamdaman.
Pagkaangat ay nakita ko ang aking matalik na kaibigan na si Happy na may ngisi nang nakapaskil sa labi.

"Happy! Istorbo ka alam mo yon!"

I rolled my eyes on her but she just chuckled.

"Duh. It's weekend Azi and here you are stuck with your books and imaginations."

"I better stay here at my room reading books than go out Hap."

"Come on Az. That's why I'm here to not bored you out. Let's go out and go to the mall and buy some clothes" excited niyang sabi say akin.

I look at her and silently smiled. I wonder why we get along and became best friends. She's jolly and I'm just the silent. She's too expressive and I like keeping secrets. She likes to watch movies and I enjoyed reading books. She's the best adviser and knows how to cheer up people and here I am digesting every words she says since I'm just a good listener. But despite of all our own differences we found comfort on each other and enjoy each other's company for many years.

Opposite do really attracts huh?

"Azi! Please, please please!" She look at me with her cutest eyes and who I am to ignore that?

I put a bookmark before I close my book and stand at the my comfortable place which is my sofa lazily. Giving up now since this puppy right in front of me will just start to distract me with her actions if I'm not going to stand up na.

"Okay, okay. Just wait downstairs so I can take a shower.

"Yes!" And happily walk out of my room with big smile on her face. I just shooked my head. Wala talaga akong kawala don.

I showered and put my clothes on. Since she told me we were going to the mall, I just wear my most comfortable clothes which is a short and a hoodie jacket. I really love hoodies. I slowly walk downstairs and saw Happy watching TV at the living room.

I live alone at this huge house. My parents are already dead when I was a kid. My dad's sister, Tita Alex who is an old maid raise me but she died also because of breast cancer.

It took me a year to recover since she was like my mom. She was the most kindest aunt I've ever had and to live without her is so difficult for me. I'm just glad that she left me when I was 19 so I could take care of myself. I grew up now independently and since I'm just alone at my house I distract myself reading different kinds of books. Fantasy, Horror, Science Fiction and even Fanfiction. But my most favorite is Romance.  There is just something in Romance that every reader falls for it. Maybe because of the fact that we can have a happy ever after love story even the reality slaps us really hard. I don't know.

"Let's go" sabi ko at tumayo na rin si Happy.

"Wag mo nang dalhin ang kotse mo. Dito ka nalang sakin"

Di na ko nagsalita at pumasok na sa kanyang kotse. Mabilis kaming nakarating sa Mall but we decided to eat first. I tell you. I really love food.

"Ano bang gagawin natin dito? Gagasta kana naman ng  pera di ka ba naaawa sa mga batang wala ng makain tap-"

"Hep! Azi ngayon Lang naman to eh. Pasukan na next week at di na tayo makakahanap ng time pa kasi for sure busy tayo since graduating na tayo. I know about poverty okay? But reserve your words o wisdom next time okay? You're not the president of our country!"

Mahaba niyang pagputol sa sinabi ko. When I speak hundred of word she will counter it with thousands. Typical Happy.

"We're going to buy clothes for school."

"In case you don't know we have our uniforms Hap."

"Of course I know! What I mean is that for Friday's.
Diba we are allowed to wear civilian's clothes?"

"And?"

"We are going to buy for that. Please Azi. Promise, pagkatapos nito punta tayo sa bookstore to buy books. I know you like it!"

Agad nagningning ang mga mata ko. Happy really knows me. Basta libro I never say no for that.

Tinapos na namin ang pamimili ng mga damit at pumunta na kaming bookstore. My eyes scan many books but nothing caught my attention. I open one book and close it and find another one untill I settled for just one horror book. Maybe I just come here next time for new stocks. I find Happy looking also at some books and call her immediately.

"That's it?"

"Yeah. I just come here next time"

She just nodded and we go out to the mall and find our car. Mabilis Rin kaming nakauwi sa bahay at nagpaapam na si Happy sa akin. Pumunta ako sa kwarto and put my new book. I'm planning on reading this one when I'm already finish with my what I'm reading before Happy barged in.
I pick it up and continue reading the book. A few seconds later I am already on my own world of imagination.