The Faces Of Love

Chapter 2: Irah Number Two

"I'M IRAH Arcilla, by the way," the girl in front of me extended her right hand as she introduced herself in a joyful manner. I froze. Then suddenly, I felt like my soul separated on my body. Para lang akong hanging sa kawalan. Palutang-lutang, walang tigil na nagtatanong, naghahanap ng kasagutan, ngunit walang nakaririnig man lang sa akin.

Panaginip lang ba lahat ng ito? Such dream that I wished I've never seen while I am asleep, is it? Sorry for asking this question again. Maybe, it was constant for people to ask like this when they were dumbfounded.

O baka naman isa itong masamang pangitain? The one I often watched in movies where the main character had a dream of a lifeless person he loves then horrible scenes will happen afterwards.

Wait, is this adventurous black creature with a hood and scythe in his hand known as "Kamatayan" is using this girl, for me to be informed that my death is drawing near. Na magkakatotoo ang sinabi ko kanina na mamamatay na ako?

Nalilito ako, litong-lito sa nangyayari. And in some point, kinakabahan na rin ako. Kung ganoon pala, why am I still standing in front of her? Why not walk out and avoid her?

Pero, parang mali. Parang mali na talikuran ang isang tao dahil lang sa rason na iyon. It's kind of disrespect. One more thing, everything... it feels like, all are true and happening.

"Irah?!" I shouted after putting all of my strength inside my throat.

I confirmed it. Totoo, totoo nga ang lahat ng ito at hindi isang panaginip lang. Nabanggit ko rin sa wakas ang pangalan niya. I said it loud and clear. And I am very surprised at that moment. I can't believe this is really happening!

Inobserbahan ko siya at ang mga kilos niya. She faced me with the same reactions—shocked and confused. After a couple of seconds, she sarcastically said this, "Wow, Raiden. Makasigaw ka naman ng pangalan ko."

Biglang nangilid ang luha sa mga mata ko. "Buhay ka?"

"Ano ka ba naman? Siyempre buhay ako. Buhay na buhay. Eto nga, nakakausap mo, nakikita at nahahawakan. Anong tingin mo sa akin, multo? Grabe ka, Raiden," aniya pagkatapos ay umirap at naghalukipkip.

"Ikaw nga, Irah! Buhay ka nga talaga. I am very sorry. Na-miss kita ng sobra!" Hindi ko na napigilan at dali-dali ko siyang hinila at niyakap ng mahigpit.

"Hey! Raiden, what's going on with you? What is this?!"

I gave her a confused look after I separated our hug. "Wala. Na-miss lang talaga kita. Na-miss ko lang naman ang bestfriend ko. Akala ko, totoo na iyong sinabi sa akin ni Ninong Ricardo na wala ka—"

"Huh?! Ano bang mga pinagsasabi mo, Raiden? Bestfriend? At sino naman si Ninong Ricardo?" nakakunot-noo niyang tanong.

Lumapad lalo ang ngiti sa mukha ko. I sensed it. She was playing the dumb game then afterwards, she will cry out the word 'joke' at the end. Just like what always happens when there is a long-time-no-see scenario similar to this.

"Nagpapatawa ka ba, Irah? Tatawa na ba ako? Ilan ba ang gusto mo?" I teased, creating a soft chuckle at the end. "Anong hindi mo kilala si Ninong Ricardo? Of all the people in this world, you didn't know your Dad? You gotta be kidding me, right?"

Iba talaga magpatawa si Irah.

"What?! Eh Teofilo Arcilla ang pangalan ng Daddy ko. Hay naku! Ano bang nangyayari sa iyo, Raiden? Simula noong banggitin ko ang pangalan ko, bigla na lang nag-iba ang timpla mo. Bakit?"

With her expression now, masasabi kong hindi nga siya nagbibiro. Nagkamali ako, nagkamali ako. Nanghina bigla ang mga tuhod ko kaya napahawak ako doon pagkatapos ay tumingin ako sa kanyang mga mata.