Unforgotten Tale

CHAPTER 19

HALLUCINATION 

I look groggy. Joaquin and I just got back here in Chimera. I still have a class to attend to so even if I really feel sleepy I'm forcing myself.

Melissa is not here when I came back. Saan na naman kaya nagpunta?

Honestly I'm not that nervous like I was the first time that she didn't sleep in our dorm.

Lagi niya na kasing ginagawa, nasasanay na rin ako. She'll tell me about what she's doing naman daw when she's ready. I respect her so I'm not pushing her to tell me what she's up to or what's happening about her these past few days. I respect her privacy.

I just remind her that whenever she's ready and whenever she needs me I'm just here.

That's what friends do right? You don't push your friends to open up. Let them tell you when they are ready. They are not obliged to tell you everything. Just be sure to get their backs.

Hindi sa lahat ng pagkakataon magsasabi sila sa atin. No need to make tampo if they're keeping something from you, after all it's still their life. Kumbaga na ka suporta ka lang.

I shake my head. Enough with my queries. It's my lunch break already and I'm here eating alone. Strangely Joaquin, Archer and Melissa are not here.

Kung alam ko lang hindi na rin sana ako pumasok. One more thing that's strange is that I feel like someone's been watching me. Am I just sleepy that's why I'm imagining things or what?

I decided not to enter my afternoon classes. Sobrang inaantok na talaga ako. I'm so tired.

I woke up and it's already dark outside. As I glanced at the wall clock it's fifteen minutes before our dinner time which is at 8. I decided to fix myself before going to the hall.

I was already outside our dorm when I felt that feeling again. That someone is looking at me. I have high senses that is why I can really feel it. I just shrugged it off a while ago because I'm so tired. I thought I'm just imagining things. But because I'm well rested I know someone is observing me.

I observe my surroundings too. Hindi ko pinahalata na nararamdaman kong may nakatingin sa akin. It feels like that person is observing my every move. I feel a bit of nervousness on my system.

I'm already at the hall. I feel so alone. Hindi ako sanay na walang maingay sa paligid ko. Saan ba sila nagpunta?

Kumakain ako ng may umupo sa harapan ko. I looked up and it's Harriet.

"I'm surprised you're alone." Nagbuntong hininga nalang ako. What is it this time?

Hindi ako nagsalita at pinagmasdan lang siya. She's eating with class. Her every move is very graceful, contrary with her attitude.

"What?" She asked me. Hindi ko parin siya sinasagot. I was wondering if why she's talking to me?

"You're not a mute are you?" I rolled my eyes. She looks at me intently.

"What do you need Hariet?" She acted like she's shocked even though she really is not.

"I'm surprised you can talk." Humawak pa siya sa dibdib niya na para bang gulat na gulat. Kumain nalang ako at hindi na siya pinansin.

"Well you look lonely so I joined you. Dapat nga magpasalamat ka pa." Okay? I don't need your companion. I want to tell her. Hindi ko nalang isinatinig.

She's annoying at the same time she's not. Ang gulo.

We ate in silence. Wala nang nagsalita sa amin. As we finished our food she started talking.