Armaya Nicolai

Chapter 3

It's 8 pm already. I've been sitting infront of my piano while sipping a cup of coffee. The piano remained covered. Ilang araw na rin ang nagdaan nang imbitahan ako nila Aj sa isang kasal na magaganap sa Batangas. It's a simple beach wedding with few visitors around they said. They asked me to play a piece on that event.

Unfortunately for me, although I agreed, mahirap padin sa akin balikan ang mga naging hobbies ko noon. I am no longer that person. Still, here I am, trying to get my self back to atleast play even one piece.

When a cup of coffee isn't enough, I have decided to go somewhere else. I noticed there has been a black car parked infront of my neighbor. Usually ay walang tao doon. I have never seen anyone there but when I left to go to work nasa labas na iyang black Audi R8. I am really not fond of cars but I know from the looks of it, how luxurious that car could be. It's catching a lot of attention from bystanders and I should say, isa ako doon.

Saglit akong napadaan sa mga halaman ko bago lumabas ng gate. Napasilip ako ulit sa sasakyan ng kapitbahay. The house has no lights at all. Mukhang walang tao? Then? Baka nakikiparada lang ang sasakyan na ito. The car has no sign of any human being inside, it is well-tinted. What's with men and tinted cars anyway? Why did I even think that the car is owned by a man? With its design I guess. To my amaze, lumapit ako sa sasakyan para magsalamin at ayusin ang maikli kong buhok. Nice window. Even at night ay kita ang reflection ko. I don't really mind if there's a person inside, I'm confident that I look good anyway.

I was supposed to go to 7/11 to grab some snacks. I just don't know why the heck am I infront of this hospital again. I have to admit, the thought that Mr. Rivera is confined in that hospital made me sleepless. It stresses me out not knowing his condition. I was his daughter anyway. Was.

Nanatili lang ako sa labas ng hospital. Looking at the windows of the building. Thinking which one is his room. I hope.. he's just fine. I really hope it's nothing serious that I have to see him again to tell him get well.

I went to 7/11 to grab snacks. This is my plan, really. Napadako ang tingin ko sa mga magazines na nakadisplay. It's all about AI again. I scanned one of the magazines and my heart skipped seeing Radicus. Seeing his changed features, mas lalo akong naconvince na siya nga iyong nakita ko sa hospital. The world is indeed small.

Binitawan ko na iyong magazine, I didn't scan it further. What for? May napansin akong dalawang babae na may hawak ng parehong magazine, they were giggling. They were commenting about Radicus's good looks and stuffs. Nasa counter na ako, I awkwardly smiled at the cashier guy.

" Ang alam ko kasal na siya?" I heard the other girl said. Napahigpit ang hawak ko sa huling item na ilalapag ko na sana sa counter.

"Iyon ang chika! Pero parang wala naman nalilink sa kanya lately? Sayang naman." Sagot ng kasama nito.

Come on, Maya, it's not your damn business anymore! Pagsaway ko sa sarili.

"Ah ate ganda? Yung item niyo po pwede ko na iscan?" Nagulat ako nang magtanong si kuya cashier. I smiled at him na ginantihan naman nito ng ngiti din. Inabot ko na rin ang bayad ko base sa nakita kong total.

Palabas na ako ng 7/11 nang mapadako na naman ang tignin ko sa dalawang babaeng nagchichismisan hawak ang magazine, hindi ganoon kalayo ang distansya namin kaya nakikita ko padin ng malinaw iyong magazine. Napakunot ang noo ko nang may makita akong isang litrato ng pamilyar na itim na kotse.

"Sorry po" I said to the lady na papasok at nasagi ko sa entrance dahil di ako nakafocus sa dinadaanan ko. Where did I last see that car?

Nasa tapat na ako ng gate ng apartment ko when I realized where and when did I last see that car na nasa magazine. Napalingon ako sa kapitbahay, to my dismay, wala na doon iyong kotse. I am pretty sure it's the same black Audi R8. I sighed. Why do I feel disappointed all of a sudden?