Afterlife

Kabanata 5

Hatred

I double checked to see if Alistair was gone. He really was. How do ghosts do that? I'm a bit curious.

I turned the lampshade off and snuck under the covers. Pinikit ko ang aking mata para makatulog. No luck.

I got up from the bed and went to the balcony. The night breeze swept over me. I sat down the chair, drowned in thoughts. The moonlight glistened on my skin.

"Was I too harsh with him?" I asked myself. What am I thinking? He totally deserved every single word I said. Yes, I might be overreacting pero mali talaga ang ginawa niya. Bahala na kung tatawagin niya akong "Ms. Pure-And-Innocent". I will always stand for what is right.

Frustrated, ginulo-gulo ko ang buhok ko. I covered my face with my hands.

How am I supposed to face Harry tomorrow? Nangiba ata paningin ko sa kaniya. Pero syempre, I still like him. How can I not? He was like a character from a fairytale.

(Flashback)

Pumunta ako sa public library. I wanted to borrow books that I can use to study for the upcoming entrance exams for Montevista University, where my mother teaches.

"Maam, puwede po bang magtanong?" I asked the lady behind the counter.

"Good afternoon. How can I help you?" Bati niya habang nakangiti.

"Umm, puwede po bang magtanong kung saan yung mga books for accounting po." Umiling ako.

"Teka muna, kukunin ko lang ang floor plan saglit." She said as she reached for the drawer.

"Sige po. Hindi naman po ako nagmamadali."

"Okay, first pupunta ka sa second floor. Tapos nasa bandang likuran ang accounting aisle." Turo niya sa floor plan na inilabas niya.

"Salamat po." I turned arouned and headed towards the stairs. Ang bawat yapak ko ay dinig na dinig sa tahimik na library.

"Hmm, ah there!" Nakita ko ang accounting aisle.

I walked towards the shelves as I thoroughly searched for the accounting books I needed.

"Nasaan na ba yun? I swore nakita ko yun dito last time. Nakakainis naman." I said while scratching my head.

Aalis na sana ako when suddenly I spotted the book I was looking for at the top part of the shelf.

"Sa wakas nahanap rin kitang deputa ka!" I jumped up and down in joy. I reached for it but then-

"Aray puta! Ang sakit." I stumbled. Napahawak ako sa paa ko.

"Need help?" I heard from behind. Lumingon ako at nakita ko ang isang lalakeng mukhang may dugong Amerikano. Napatayo ako bigla at inayos ang damit ko. I looked at him again when I noticed he was trying to stop laughing.

"May nakakatawa ba sir?!" Painip kong sinabi.

"No, nothing naman. It's just that the way na natapilok ka." He giggled. "Ang cute kasi ng pagkabagsak mo."

"Putang- wait did you say cute?" I flustered.

"Oo, that's what I said. Cute. Now do you need help, Ms. Alvarez?"

"How do you know my name? Stalker ka noh? Irereport kita sa pulis." I reached for my pocket to grab my phone.

"Eh tingnan mo kasi yang I.D. mo, ang laki oh." He said while giggling. Aba 'tong lalakeng to minamaliit pa ako.