Sta. Barbara

Kabanata 8: Tiwala

They are now lined up para makabili ng tickets. He looked at Yvette. Nothing is weird about her at kahit ngayon lang sila nag ka kilala he trusted her. He just don't know why pero she has a big impact on him. Kahit clueless man sya sa pag katao ni Yvette he is comfortable with her.

"Ikaw nalang luminya at saka paki bayad nadin ng ticket ko. Masakit kasi yung paa ko"

"What the hell woman? You cannot just do that" Inis na sabi ni Ezikiel

"Watch me" Sabay kindat kay Ezikiel

At umalis ng linya si Yvette. He just can't believe this woman. Matapos ang byaheng to sasakalin na talaga nya ang babaeng to. For 30 minutes nakatayo sya sa linya habang tinititigan si Yvette sa likod na comfortable na umuupo. It feels like forever pero at last he got two tickets which he paid for it. He approached Yvette na ngumingiti, showing her dimples.

"Ok woman you better pay for this"

"Not gonna do that. I'm your tour guide parang bayad mo na rin sakin to"

"Tour guide? Are you kidding...."

Yvette put a finger on Ezikiel's lips. Ng sure ng tatahimik ang lalaki ay kinuha nya ang kanyang daliri sa bibig nito at nilapit ang kanyang mukha. Now Ezikiel could see her up close. Those eyes, that nose, and down to her lips. Kaya ang gaan ng pakiramdam nya kay Yvette. She reminded him with someone. Even though they are complete opposite, there is something about her that resembles her with Athelstane.

Athelstane.

"You just said awhile ago that you trust me right? Then let me prove it to you"

After saying those words Ezikiel pushed Yvette.

"Napaka suplado mo talaga"

Ezikiel ignored her and readied himself na sumakay sa barko. She's always doing annoying things to him. But one thing that's good about it is that when he was about to drift away, she was there to bring him back to reality. She was there to wake him back. She's helping him to be sane kahit di sya aware. She's another puzzle to his journey but he knows he got a big part to those missing pieces.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Naisipan ni Athelstane na pumunta sa Blue Fields, bibili ng mga materials para sa kanyang project. Madalas syang mag-isa because she find peace if she's alone. Sometimes kasama nya si Olive ang kanyang pinsan pero palaging may practice sa pag sasayaw o di kaya busy din sa gawain sa school. But she doesn't mind na mapag-isa. Free syang makakapag-isip, imagine things and freely explore on her imagination. She is considered as the weird one in the class. Gusto nya lang naman na maging invincible and existing is enough for her.

Blue Field is a variety store na matagal tagal nadin na ka tirik sa Sta. Barbara. Patok ito sa mamimili and as the town progress it also improves and gives good quality service sa kanilang mga costumer. It consists of two floors. Sa upperfloor nandoon ang mga damit, shoes, school supplies and other stuff na pambahay. On the ground floor naman matatagpuan ang foods and beverages. Pumasok si Athel sa Blue Fields and is greeted by the guard habang chine-check ang kanyang bag. Pag pasok ay binigay nya ang kanyang bag sa isang staff na nag babantay sa baggage counter. Dahil estudyante di nya na kailangan kumuha ng number para ma i-claim ang kanyang bag. Umakyat sya ng second floor at humanap ng bibilhin sa kanyang school project. She was busy looking when someone stands beside her. She looked at the person and her heart skip a beat. It's him. He was the one who gave her the paper clip. He was the one at the football field. The guy who keep reaching her, Ezikiel.

"Hi" he coolly greeted

Athelstane ignored him. For almost 30 minutes na pag lilibot ay nandyan parin sya watching over her hanggang sa pag bayad at hanggang sa pag labas ng store. He is following her and it's getting on her nerves. Malapit na sila sa plaza ng huminto si Athel at hinarap si Ezikiel.

"What do you want?" Inis na sabi ni Athelstane.

The guy just stared at her. And smiled. That damn smile.

"I mean no harm. Gusto lang kita maka-usap"

"About what?"

"About you"

"Not interested"

Tumalikod sya kay Ezikiel at lumakad papalayo but he just reached for her arm and stopped her. That damn touch. Di nya na gugustuhan ang nangyayari. The thumping, the beating, and the drumming of her heart. It's like colors were spreading aroung them. Her peace is disturbed by his presence.

"Please, not this time. I will pursue you no matter what. Allow me to know you better"

She looked at him.

"Trust me"

What is this feeling? For this guy he barely knew? Would she take it? She was afraid that she'll get attached. But maybe this is a trap and if this was his game, then she'll just have to play along.

"Wag kang mag-alala you don't need to trust me agad-agad. Let me gain your trust kahit gaano payan katagal"

Men and their words. Athelstane thought.

Silence.

"Ok"

Ngumiti sya ulit and this time it was a full smile. Kahit ilang ulit man nyang murahin ang lalaking to di nya magawang magalit. Mistulang mag babago ang takbo ng kabanata ng kanyang buhay. What is your purpose Ezikiel? She thought.

Are you my remedy? Or just another addition to my misery?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~