CHAPTER 1 The Ghost
Seraphine’s POV:
Ring ring ring.
Napamulat ako nang marinig ang alarm ko. Pagkatingin ko, 9:04 AM na.
“Sht. Sht. Sht. Late na ako.” Bigla akong nahilo sa biglaang pagtayo, muntik pa akong matumba habang nagsikalat naman ang blanket at mga unan sa floor.
“Uy, Love! Gising ka na ba?” Sigaw ni Lara mula sa pinto. Pagbukas ko, nakaharang siya at nakangiting nakakaloko.
“Lara, huwag ka na please,” Sabi ko habang pinupulot ang mga unan sa floor si gaga, binigyan lang ako ng ngisi.
“Seriously? You’ve been late like a hundred times already. Ngayon ka pa talaga kakabahan,” She teased.
Binigyan ko lang siya ng middle finger.
“Hindi mo gets. This is important. Isa pa, sabi ko sa’yo gisingin mo ako, diba?” Naiinis kong sabi. Kabilin-bilinan ko kagabi na gisingin niya ako pero di niya ginawa.
Pero sa totoo lang, kasalanan ko rin naman dahil nagpuyat ako sa online games kagabi.
“Uy, kanina pa kaya kita ginigising pero sobrang tulog-mantika mo,” Sabi niya sabay tawa.
Tumakbo ako papuntang banyo at nagsimulang maghubad buti na lang naligo na ako bago humiga kagabi kaya quick bath na lang ang kailangan ko.
“Lalala, may isang tulog mantika ang guma-” Kanta niya sa labas.
“Manahimik ka nga, leche!” Sigaw ko habang nagbabanlaw. Pagkatapos, nag-toothbrush na ako.
Habang nagbubrush at sinusuklay ng buhok ko, biglang sumigaw si Lara sa labas.
“Love, shoes mo. Pants mo. Bag mo. Ano na?” I rolled my eyes hindi ko alam kung tumutulong o nangti-trip siya kasi parang she’s enjoying every second ng struggle ko.
“Shhh, just help me find my keys,” Sabi ko si gaga pumunta sa pinto.
“Kanina ko pa hawak. Alam kong makakalimutin ka at naka-ready na rin lahat ng dadalhin mo sa interview,” Sabi niya sabay ngiti. Tinignan ko siya at nagbuntong-hininga.
“Sure ka?” Tanong ko habang nagbibihis.
“Oo naman. I got you, Love,” Sabi niya, pero duda pa rin ako.
“Folder?” Liningon ko siya.
“Check.”
“Pen?”
“Check.”
“Resume?” Magtatanong pa sana ako pero inunahan na niya.
“Check, check, check. No need to ask,” Sabi niya sabay roll ng eyes.
Pagkaayos ng lahat, lumabas na kami ng kwarto. Naglalakad kami nang mabilis, halos tumalon na ako sa pagmamadali. Si gaga, nagce-cellphone pa.
“Tara na. Tara na,” Sabi ko.
“Slow down ka lang, Love. Hindi pagiging CEO ang aaplayan mo,” Sabi niya sabay tawa ng mas lalong nakakaasar.
“Isara mo na lahat papaandarin ko na yung sasakyan,” Sabi ko sabay takbo sa kotse.
“Okay, Self. Kaya mo ’to. Kahit late na,” Kausap ko sa sarili habang pinaandar ang sasakyan.
“Okay, I think we’re good,” Chill niyang sabi habang sumasakay.
Pagkalabas namin ng subdivision, sakit ng ulo agad ang sumalubong sa amin.
“Ugh, traffic na naman.” I pressed my forehead against the steering wheel. Ang daming kotse sa harap, brake lights glowing like evil little red eyes.
“Relax ka lang, Love. Kung magpapaka-stress ka, baka sumabog blood pressure mo,” Sabi ni Lara, nakasandal sa upuan at nakashades pa, parang nag-eenjoy sa chaos.
“Lara, tumigil ka nga diyan. Kung ginising mo lang ako nang maaga, hindi sana ako late,” Sabi ko pero alam kong mang-aasar lang siya lalo kaya ngumiti na lang ako nang sarcastic.
“This is your life, Always late ang saya.” She said, laughing.
“Sumisipsip ka lang sa boss mo kaya ka maaga,” Sabi ko.
But secretly, thankful ako na kasama ko siya. Kung nag-iisa ako, baka tumigil na ako sa pag-drive sa sobrang stress at natulog na lang sa bahay.
“Hindi ko kailangan sumipsip. Isa pa, hindi siya dahilan ng pagpasok ko nang maaga,” Sabi niya sabay baba ng salamin.
“Talaga ba, Lara. F you,” Sabi ko. Tumawa lang siya.
“Pero Love, seriously, slow down ka lang,” Sabi niya.
“Slow down? Eh late na ako. Alam mo ba ang meaning ng late?” Pagtataray ko.
“Oo naman. Kaya nga chill lang ako kasi late na. Here’s the thing, what’s the point of rushing kung mapapagalitan pa rin naman, diba?” She said, crossing her arms.
I sighed. She’s impossible sometimes. Bumusina ako sa motor sa harap pero hindi pa rin gumalaw. Samantalang nakita ko naman ang paglingon at pag-roll ng eyes ni kuya sa harap.
“Luh, attitude si kuya kala mo naman kinapogi niya,” Sabi ni Lara.
“Exactly, di nga nakasuot helmet nya.” Sabi ko habang pilit kinakalma ang sarili. Another red light. I groaned.
“Parang lahat ng stoplight may personal grudge sa’yo today,” She said, laughing.
“Baka sa’yo may grudge si tadhana,” Sagot ko.
“Okay lang. I’m not rushing,” Sabi niya.
“Shut up. Stop enjoying my pain.” Tumingin ako sakanya
“Nope. I thrive on it,” She smirked.
Nag-focus nalang ako sa daan.
“Love, remember that time na natapunan ka ng kape bago ang meeting mo?” Dagdag nya before laughing.
“Lara, huwag mo na ipaalala. Traumatized ako.” Sabi ko
“Girl, tumawa ka after five minutes.” She said I rolled my eyes.
“Fine, maybe I laughed. But still,” Sabi ko, lumingon saglit.
Yun kasi ang naging reason ng pagkatanggal ko sa work. Pero kung iisipin mo, laughtrip naman talaga lahat ng nangyari bago ko pa man nabuhos yung kape ko.
“Dramatic ka talaga,” She teased. Di ko sya pinansin.
“Brace yourself,” Sabi ko.We swerved slightly to the left.
“Love, don’t. Oh my God,” Sabi niya sabay kapit sa handle.
“See? Skill.” Sabi ko.
“Skill o gusto mo tayong mamatay?” Chill niyang tanong. Tinignan ko siya at ngumisi. Paano siya laging chill? Ako halos atakihin na ng stress.
“teka, ba’t ang chillax mo? Eh late ka na rin oh,” Sabi ko si gaga humagikgik lang.
“Because I’m smart and experienced. And you need me,” She smirked.
“Smart? Anong connect nun? Last week late ka rin,” Sabi ko.
“Two times lang,” She shrugged. Tumawa ako. Sa isip-isip ko, fair enough.
“Love, bakit lagi kang nagmamadali? Parang may hinahabol ka palagi,” Tanong niya.
“Ganito lang talaga ako. Late queen,” Sabi ko sabay tapik sa ulo niya.
“Queen of spilling coffee and almost killing us?” She said dramatically.
“Stop it,” Sabi ko, pero tumatawa na rin.
Sa wakas, nakausad din kami. After thirty minutes, nakarating na kami sa work niya. Ibababa ko lang siya at aalis na ako. Tanggap ko nang baka hindi ako makuha, pero susubukan ko pa rin.
Kumakatok siya sa bintana na parang may binebenta.
“What?” Naiirita kong tanong. Pinakita niya ang phone niya pero hindi ko agad na-gets.
“Anong meron diyan?” Naiiritang tanong ko
“Tingnan mo mabuti,” Sabi niya.
“Lockscreen lang ’yan. Late na ako.”
“Tingnan mo oras.”Agad kong tinignan. I still have time bago ang interview ko.
Napatingin ako sa kanya.
“Pinalitan ko ang oras sa alarm mo para hindi ka late. I know how important this is to you dream mo ’yan. Okay good luck. Love you pal,” Sabi niya sabay flying kiss bago tumalikod at naglakad.
I breathed in relief, knowing may oras pa ako para maayos ang sarili ko. Naiinis ako sa gaga, pero at the same time, thankful ako. Without her, hindi ko kakayanin ang struggles ko.
Ilang minuto lang, nakarating na ako sa papasukan kong trabaho. Mabigat pa rin ang pakiramdam ko, parang may nag-aabang na kamatayan sa itaas ng building.
“Kaya mo ’to,” Bulong ko sa sarili bago bumaba ng sasakyan.
Pagpasok ko sa building, napansin ko kung gaano ka-high class ang company. Yung tipong mahihiya kang ipasok ang sapatos mo.
Papasara na ang elevator nang may batang tumakbo at pumasok. Hinawakan ko ang pindutan para hindi magsara.
“What are you doing?” She asked, frowning.
Napatingin ako sa kanyang maliit na mukhang napaka-cute, parang ako lang nung bata pero parang may balak mang-asar.
“I’m waiting for the person that’s with you?” Sagot ko, parang ako pa ang bata.
Lumabas siya ng elevator. Tumingin sa kaliwa’t kanan, tapos nagtaas ng dalawang kamay.
“Has anyone seen my driver? He’s tall, dark, and probably lost without me,” Sabi niya. Driver pero parang ang bata pa niya, may driver na.
“Ah… hindi?” Sagot ko she sighed dramatically.
“Adults are so unobservant. I disappear for two minutes and suddenly I’m independent.” Sabi niya, Excuse me? sabi ko sa isip ko.
“Sorry ha,” Sabi ko, natatawa na.
“Are you lost?” Tanong niya, nakakunot noo.
“Ako? Ikaw kaya ang mukhang naliligaw,” Sagot ko she gasped softly.
“Me? I don’t get lost. I just explore confidently.” Napatawa ako sa sinabi niya.
“Okay, Miss Confident.” Pumasok siya ulit sa elevator like she owned it.
“25th floor please,” Utos niya.
“Ah yes, ma’am,” Sabi ko.
“Not ma’am. That makes me feel like I pay taxes,” Sagot niya.
“Miss CEO?” biro ko she tapped her chin.
“Hmm… that’s better. I accept,” She said, crossing her arms.
“Buti di ka naliligaw,” Sabi ko tumingin lang siya sa akin.
“I have the building’s blueprint in my room,” Sabi niya casually. Napatawa ako. Ano siya, engineer dito?
“Okay, ano ka, anak ng CEO o si Dora the Explorer?” Natatawa kong tanong.
She blinked.
Stared at me.
No reaction.
Dead face.
“Uh.. joke yon” Dagdag ko agad, biglang kinabahan.
Tahimik.
One second.
Five seconds.
Ten seconds.
I cleared my throat.
“Medyo funny yon ah.” But still nothing. Tahimik pa rin siya. I was mentally planning my funeral. Then, after what felt like thirty full dramatic seconds, she suddenly giggled then laughed.
“Dora? That was actually funny,” Sabi niya habang natatawa. Napatingin ako sa kanya.
“Ha?! Ngayon ka lang tumawa?!”
Nagkibit balikat sya.
“I process humor deeply.”
Natawa ako awkwardly.
“Akala ko na-offend ka.” Sabi ko.
“I don’t get offended. I evaluate,” Sabi niya proudly.
“Ah ganon pala. May review process muna.” Mamamangha kong sabi
“Yes. I rate jokes internally.” She said
“Ano rating ko?” Tanong ko she tapped her chin.
“Seven out of ten. Delivery was nervous.”
Natawa ulit ako, medyo awkward pa rin.
“Grabe ka, may grading system.” Bata ba talaga to
“Of course. Improvement is important.” She said. Napangiti ako bigla niyang hinawakan ang kamay ko.
“Why are your hands sweaty?” Tanong niya.
“Excuse me?”
“You’re nervous, right? Are you going for an interview?” She guessed, parang detective.
“Oo,” Sagot ko.
“For what position?”
“Secretary lang.” She blinked.
“Lang? Secretary is important. Without secretaries, bosses stress out.” Napatawa ako.
“Wow, supportive.”
“Of course. I support people who look like they need it.” Grabe siya.
Tahimik sandali. Tapos tumingin siya sa reflection namin.
“Your hair is uneven.”
“Ha?!” napalingon ako agad. She covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
“I’m kidding! You should see your face!”
“Grabe ka, bata!”
Pagdating ng 24th floor, huminga ako nang malalim.
“Hanggang dito na lang ako. Malalate na ako sa interview. Kaya mo na ba mag-isa?” I asked. She crossed her arms pero may ngiti.
“I told you. I’m a big girl. I know elevators better than adults.” She said.
“Sure ka?”
“Yes. But if I disappear, I’ll haunt you,” She said, acting like she was trying to scare me.
“Ay wow, may pa-ghost.” She giggled.
“Relax. Joke lang po ’yon.” Napailing ako.
“Nagtatagalog ka pala.” Sabi ko nag buntong hininga sya
“Of course. I understand you nga po eh.”
“Okay, sorry.”
“What’s your name?” Tanong niya.
“I’m Seraphine. Ikaw?” She smiled proudly.
“I’m Collie .”
“Nice meeting you, Collie.” She looked at me seriously this time.
“You’ll get the job.”
“Ha?”
“You look like someone who overthinks but still tries. That’s powerful.” Napatigil ako. Bata ba talaga ’to?
“Grabe ka ha.”
“Also, fix your collar. It’s folded.” Agad akong napatingin sa damit ko. Inayos ko. Paglabas ko ng elevator, ngumiti ako sa kanya.
“Hope to see you again.” Sabi ko she waved her hand.
“Maybe. If you survive adulthood!”
Bago magsara ang pinto, humagikgik siya kaya napa-double check tuloy ako sa sarili ko sa phone screen.
“Uneven hair daw,” Bulong ko.
Grabe. Bata pa lang pero parang tiny motivational speaker na may sense of humor. Huminga ako nang malalim bago tuluyang umalis ang elevator.
“Kaya mo to, Amor. Hindi ka papatayin. Interview lang ’to,” Bulong ko sa sarili ko habang naglalakad papunta sa reception.
Tahimik. Malinis. Amoy mamahalin.
Yung tipong kahit paglakad mo parang may echo ng kahirapan mo. Lumapit ako sa front desk.
“Good morning po. I’m here for the 10 AM interview,” Sabi ko, pilit kalmado.
The receptionist smiled professionally.
“Name?” Tanong nya
“ Seraphine Amor Reyes.” She typed something on her computer.
“Please wait. You’ll be called shortly.”
Umupo ako. Tahimik. Masyadong tahimik.
Naririnig ko ang tibok ng puso ko. Parang may background music na pang suspense.
“Ms. Reyes?” Napalingon ako. Isang babae nakatayo sa may hallway.
Straight hair. Dark red lipstick. Blazer na mukhang kayang mag-demote ng tao sa isang tingin lang. Aura? 45 years old na wala pang anak at asawa.
“Follow me,” She said flatly. Okay. Hindi ito good morning type of person. Naglakad ako sa likod niya. Ang heels niya tunog judgment kada hakbang.
Tok. Tok. Tok.
Parang sinasabing: “You’re not ready.”
Pagpasok sa office, mas lalo akong kinabahan. Glass walls. Minimalist design. Malinis masyado. Parang bawal huminga nang malakas.
“Sit,” Sabi niya. Yes ma’am. Yes your highness. Umupo ako nang maayos.
She opened my folder. Tahimik
Masyado parang may horror movie jump scare na biglang lalabas.
“So, Ms. Reyes,” She began without looking at me,
“why should we hire you?” Ah. Classic question.
“Because I am responsible, hardworking, and very organized po,” Sagot ko.
Inside my head:
Organized? Girl, muntik mo nga makalimutan folder mo kanina.
Shut up brain. Not now.
She finally looked at me. Her eyes scanned me like she was checking if fake ako.
“You arrived at the building entrance right on time - so why did it take you so long to get here? ” Excuse me??? May CCTV ba sya and calculated nya yung time ahh basta ayaw kona mag isip ng kung ano-ano.
“I arrived early po. I just stayed in the elevator for a few minutes ma'am” maayos kong sagot.
“Why?” Should I say I was having a mini conversation with miss CEO.
“I was reviewing my notes,” Sabi ko instead. She raised one eyebrow.
One eyebrow. Grabe. Sana all kaya mag-express ng disappointment gamit isang kilay lang.
“I don’t tolerate excuses,” She said.
Excuse me, I didn’t even give one
“I understand, ma’am.” She flipped another page.
“You have good academic records. But academics don’t guarantee competence.”
She said
Okay. Breathe, Amor.
“Yes po. I believe skills improve with experience, and I’m very willing to learn.” I said without blinking.
Inside my head:
Very willing po. Kahit utusan niyo ako mag-print ng 500 copies. Wag mo lang ako bigyan ng emotional damage.
She stared at me. Long. Very long.
Bakit ganon? May mali ba sa mukha ko? May kulang ba sa kilay ko?
“Are you mocking me, Ms. Reyes?” Bigla niyang tanong. Ha???
“Po?”
“You keep smiling.” Ay. Hindi ko namalayan. I was smiling. Kasi sa utak ko, may sarili akong commentary.
“N-no po. I’m just trying to stay positive,” Sabi ko agad. She leaned back.
“This is a professional environment. Not a comedy show.” Sorry po. Hindi ko control ang utak ko.
“I apologize po. I take this opportunity seriously.” She tapped her pen against the table.
Tok. Tok. Tok.
Bawat tap parang minus 10 points sa buhay ko.
“Tell me,” She said,
“How do you handle pressure?”
Oh, I handle pressure daily. Traffic, deadlines, Lara ayy mali stress pala si Lara hindi pressure.
“I focus on the solution rather than the panic,” Sagot ko.
Inside:
Lie. I panic first. Then solution.
She narrowed her eyes.
“You seem amused.” What??? Ano na naman
“Po?” Tanong ko
“You have that look.” Anong look??? May default face ba akong pang comedy?
“Hindi po. I’m just thinking carefully before answering.” She stared again.
Then suddenly
“Stand up.”
Ha???
“Po?”
“Stand up.” Tumayo ako agad. Please don’t tell me may mantsa ako sa likod.
She walked around me.
Okay. Ito na. Ito na yung part na pinapaikot ka para i-judge ang buong pagkatao mo.
“Fix your posture,” She said.
Agad akong tumuwid.
“Yes po.” She went back to her chair.
“Sit.” Umupo ako ulit.
“Confidence is not loud. It’s controlled,” She said. Okay… that was lowkey powerful.
“I’ll ask you one last question,” She continued.
“If a superior speaks to you harshly, how would you respond?”
My brain immediately:
Depends kung may sahod ba akong malaki?
Stop. Stop.
“I would remain respectful po and focus on understanding what needs to be done. Emotions should not interfere with work.” Wow. Who is she? CEO version ko ba to? She stared at me one final time.
Silence.
Three seconds.
Five seconds.
Ten seconds.
Please don’t say “We’ll call you.”
Finally
“You may go.” Teka …That’s it???
“Thank you for your time po,” Sabi ko, tumayo at maayos na lumabas. Pagkasara ng pinto, saka lang ako nakahinga nang malalim.
“Grabe. Akala ko lulunukin na ako ng kilay niya,” Bulong ko. Biglang bumukas ulit ang pinto.
“Ms. Reyes.” Napalingon ako.
“Yes po?” She looked at me seriously.
“Next time, control your facial expressions.” Patay.
“Yes po.” Pagkaalis ko sa hallway, napahawak ako sa dibdib ko.
“Amor… buhay ka pa.” Pero sa totoo lang? I kind of liked her terrifying but strong.
And for some reason…
Parang may feeling ako na hindi pa ito ang huli naming pagkikita.
Paglabas ko ng building, parang gusto ko na lang humiga sa hood ng kotse ko at mag-reflect sa lahat ng life decisions ko.
“Confidence is controlled,” ginaya ko sa isip ko. Eh yung kilay mo po, controlled din ba ’yon? Napailing nalang ako sa naisip ko.
Okay. Focus buhay pa ako. Hindi ako pinagalitan. Hindi rin ako pina-escort palabas. That’s progress.
Habang naglalakad ako papunta sa parking, tinanggal ko yung heels ko saglit.
“Grabeng paa to. Interview pa lang ’to, parang pinag-apply ako bilang soldier.”
Tahimik ang parking. Medyo malamig. May konting echo yung tunog ng hakbang ko.
Click.
Inunlock ko yung kotse.
Paglapit ko ng pinto, bigla-
“BOO.”
“AY PUT--!” Napatalon ako.
Literal na napatalon may narinig akong tawa isang maliit na tawang sobrang pamilyar.
“Hi.” Dahan-dahan akong lumingon.
Nasa kabilang side ng kotse ko, naka-lean sa pinto, arms crossed…
Si Collie.
“ANO KA BA?!” sabi ko, hawak ang dibdib ko.
“Muntik na akong ma-heart attack!” She tilted her head.
“You’re very jumpy.”
“Eh kasi bigla-bigla kang sumusulpot! Ano ka, ghost child?” She looked offended.
“I told you I’ll haunt you if I disappear.” She said rolling her eyes.
“Hindi kita minamock. Natatakot lang ako sa’yo.” She smiled proudly. Ang bilis naman magbago ng mood niya para syang si Lara.
“Good.” she said
“Bakit ka nandito? Nasaan driver mo?” tanong ko habang nagtataka.
She casually pointed somewhere behind me. Paglingon ko, may black SUV na naka-park sa medyo malayo. May lalaking naka-suit sa loob.
“Ah,” sabi ko.
“So hindi ka talaga nawawala.” I said
She rolled her eyes again.
“Obviously.” She shrugged.
“Anong ginagawa mo dito?” tanong ko ulit.
“Waiting.”
“For?”
“For you.” Ha???
“Bakit ako?” She stepped closer.
“So? Did you survive?” Napatingin ako sa kanya.
“Barely.” She narrowed her eyes slightly.
“She criticized your posture.”
“HA?!” sabi ko.
“May spy ka ba sa loob?” She just smiled.
“Lucky guess.” I squinted at her.
“Collie… sino ka ba talaga?” Tanong ko
My brain immediately:
Baka siya, si Linda Walker na nakakuha ng 719 grades, lumaki sa hirap tapos ngayon biglang mayaman na at may secret billionaire parents?
She placed a finger on her chin dramatically.
“I’m just a concerned citizen.” Sagot nya
So hindi siya si Linda Walker. Isa lang talaga siyang makulit na bata na feeling main character sa sarili niyang Chinese drama.
“Concerned citizen na may driver at blueprint ng building sa kwarto?”
She ignored that.
Minsan talaga tinititigan ko siya. Baka mamaya may dramatic background music tapos bigla niyang ilabas ang gold credit card sabay sabing, “Hindi ako basta-basta.”
“So? Did she scare you?”
“Konti lang,” Sabi ko, pero medyo napangiwi.
“She has that effect.”
“Ah so kilala mo siya.” She blinked.
Pause.
“Maybe.”
“Maybe?”
“She’s strict. But fair.” Napakunot noo ako.
“Collie.”
“Yes?”
“Why do you talk like you’re part of the management?” I asked She gave me a slow smile.
“You think too much.” Bigla siyang naglakad papunta sa harap ng kotse ko at umupo sa hood.
“Hoy!” Sabi ko agad.
“ Ma gasgasan mo ’yan!” She froze.
“This is your car?”
“OO!” She quickly slid down.
“Oh. My apologies.” Natawa ako.
“Wow. Marunong mag-sorry.”
“Only when necessary.” Tahimik sandali.
Then she looked at me seriously.
“Are you disappointed?” Sa tanong niya, parang may konting bigat.
“Hindi ko pa alam,” Sagot ko honestly.
“Hindi niya sinabi kung pasado ako o hindi.” Dagdag ko Collie stared at me like she was analyzing my soul again.
“You didn’t back down,” Sabi niya.
“Huh?”
“You didn’t shrink.”
“Shrink??”
“You were nervous earlier. Sweaty hands. But you still answered.” Grabe, bakit parang performance review ulit ’to?
“Normal lang naman kabahan,” Sabi ko.
“Most adults panic and pretend they’re confident,” She said.
“You looked scared. But you stayed.” Dagdag niya napatahimik naman ako.
Bata ba talaga ’to o life coach in disguise?
“Grabe ka talaga magsalita,” Sabi ko. She smirked.
“I know.” Biglang may bumusina sa malayo. Yung SUV. She sighed.
“That’s my cue.”
“Ay wow, may pa-cue.” She started walking backwards papunta sa sasakyan nila.
"Sera.”
“Yes?”
“You’ll see me again.”
“Stalker vibes ’yan ah.” She grinned.
“Or maybe destiny.” She said shouting
“Wow. Big word.” She opened the SUV door. Then before going in, she looked at me one last time.
“Ano?” Sigaw yung di naman gaanong kalakasan.
“You should practice not smiling when you’re stressed.” Nanlaki mata ko.
“HOW DO YOU -” She winked.
Then sumakay. And just like that, umalis ang SUV.
Iniwan niya akong nakatayo sa parking, hawak ang car keys, confused sa existence ng batang ’yon.
“Hindi normal ’yon,” Bulong ko.
Pumasok ako sa kotse at sumandal sa upuan.
“Why do I feel like where connected?” Napatingin ako sa rearview mirror.
“Collie ano ka ba talaga?” And for some reason mas kinakabahan ako sa possibility mag makikita ko ulit siya.
Btw guys, I’m Seraphine Amor Reyes. I’m 28 years old, single, at honestly not ready to mingle.
Alam niyo naman, ang mahal ng bata nowadays.
Pero kidding aside, NBSB ako - oo, no boyfriend since birth.
Edi kayo na may love life, baka may kilala kayong Italiano para sa akin.
Siguro mas malaki chance kong manalo sa lotto kaysa makahanap ng ka-match sa buhay ko, pero okay lang.
Just wanna know:
Would you trust someone you just met at the most important moment?