The Language of Love Between Us

kabanata 01

Alam niyo ba ang pakiramdam ng naghahanap? You're looking for something–something that has no assurance. Naghahanap ka ng isang bagay kahit walang kasiguraduhan, kahit walang bakas na makapagtuturo sa tao o bagay na 'yon.

Sa labing-anim taon na nabubuhay ako, I spent all the days looking and longing for someone. And the only key I'm holding is our heart and the red string that'll keep us in touch.

I'm looking for his eyes, I'm looking for the spark.

"Hoy te, ikaw na." sabi sa 'kin ni Phoebe habang sinisiko ako.

Natauhan akong bigla, ako na pala.

"Isang tapsilog ate." sabi ko sa tindera.

Agad niya namang inayos ang order ko, binigay ko ang bayad at umalis na.

Bumalik ako sa table namin, nakita ko silang tatlo na naroon na at nagsisimulang kumain. Umupo na ako roon at inilapag ang dala kong pagkain.

"May tanong ako sa inyo." sabi ko sa kanila habang tinitingnan sila isa-isa.

Itinaas ni Wendy ang isang kilay niya at humalukipkip.

"Do you believe in reincarnation?" I asked them.

They shook their heads and I made a why face.

"Simple, we're catholic." sabi ni Ping pagtapos sipsipin ang cucumber juice na binili niya.

"Yep."

"Pero na-feel niyo na bang ibang tao kayo dati?" tanong kong muli sa kanila.

"Uhm, no. Base sa nababasa at napapanood ko, if you're reincarnated, pwede mong mapaginipan yung nangyari sa past life mo. Never pa naman ako naka-encounter." tumatangong sabi ni Phoebe.

"Wait, tungkol na naman ba ito sa mga bizarre nightmares and dreams mo?" tanong ni Wendy.

"Yeah yeah, nevermind." I said–giving up.

"But Lilah, the more you look for something, mas lalong hindi mo makikita. Let the fate do his job." Ping said and she smirked.

I continued eating but the topic is still running in my mind. Walang araw na dumaan na hindi ko ito inisip.

The bell rang, tapos na ang break namin. We stood up and proceeded to our classroom.

I sat at the last row, the row beside the window. I looked at the outside scenery. I can't help but to remember the scenes that I dreamed last night.

I closed my eyes and felt the gentle whispers of the wind that keeps on touching my pale skin.

"Good Morning." our homeroom teacher greeted us. There's a boy following her.

I whispered good morning to pay respect to her.

"He's Raziel, he's your new classmate. He's from abroad. Please be nice to him. Raziel, please introduce yourself." our teacher instructed him.

He's tall, pale skinned, his lips are thin and pinkish. His eyebrows are thick and messy. He got a pointed nose. His disheveled brown hair suits perfectly for him.

"Good morning. My name is Raziel Melamed." he said and looked at us.

When I'm looking at his eyes, there's something inside me that I can't explain.

Tila bumabagal ang pag-ihip na hangin, bumagal rin ang pagkilos ng mga tao sa paligid ko. Pero bumilis.

Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko.

He walked towards our row and sat beside me.

He quietly sat and took his things off.

I panicked so my things fell on the floor. He just looked at me, hindi niya ako tinulungan.