The Book's Unfold

CHAPTER 25

"That would be a total of 2,658 pesos ma'am," sabi ng cashier as he punched what I bought.

Kumuha ako ng pera sa purse ko at inabot ito. 

Nasa mall na ako. Pagkauwi ko matapos ihatid si Jah, naligo na agad ako at nagbihis para pumunta dito. Bago ko lisanin ang bahay, sinigurado kong lock ang bahay at nakapatay ang mga appliances.

"Thank you ma'am. Come again." he said and smiled at me . I smiled, trying to say " eto lang pinakamalapit na mall kaya natural lang na babalik ako kuya!

Binitbit ko na ang mga pinamili at umakyat sa second floor. I want to buy something.

The smell of books escorted me through several shelves of the bookstore. Andito na 'ko, Ang paborito kong lugar noong college student pa lang ako. Ang lugar ng nakaraan ko. The place where I found my home in the past. I suddenly reminisce my life as a young and free Thalia.

Nilibot ko ang bawat sulok ng lugar at pilit na hinahanap ang librong gusto ko. Ang libro na matagal ko nang hinahanap pero hindi ko nahanap. Ang LA PSICOPATA na isinulat ni Ivwritten. Pilit kong hinahalughog ang mga shelves pero mukhang wala rito.

"Okay, maghahanap na lang ako ng kahit ano basta romance novel at aalis na talaga ako." I whispered.

"T-thalia? Is that you?" rinig kong sabi ng taong nasa likod ko. Boses babae ito at pamilyar ito sa akin. Lumingon ako.

"Venice? Uy, long time no see!" I said, surprised.

"Thalia, ikaw nga! Kamusta ka na? It's been a while." she gladly smiled and gave me a hug.

Venice was a high school friend. A good friend. Someone that's not a best friend but not just a friend. Maganda, matangkad and really famous during our "jejemon" days. She's a campus sweetheart na nakilala ko sa cafeteria ng school namin. Naging close friend kami noong last year na namin sa high school. Pero after we graduated, our paths never crossed again. Umalis ata siya papuntang Thailand para doon mag-aral for college. She's half Thai.

"Nagkita na talaga tayo after very long time. I really missed you. How's life?" she asked. Nakaupo na kami sa upuan at hawak-hawak ko pa ang mga pinamili ko. 

I sighed.

"Eto, marami nang nagbago pero ako pa rin 'to. We're growing older kaya ayon, everything's trying to change the way it's supposed to be. Currently, I'm on my leave from my work. Ikaw? I thought you're in Thailand?" I asked.

"Last month pa ako umuwi dito. I missed my home here kaya sabi ko uuwi muna ako. So, I finished everything that I have to do in Thailand so I'll be free to go wherever I want to ," she merrily said.

"Good to hear. Kamusta love life? Don't tell me wala ka pang asawa." I said.

"Wala pa, hoy! But I'm engaged with a Thai that I met in Buri Ram. Don't worry, you'll meet him soon." she replied and showed me a ring she's wearing.

"Congratulations! Parang kailan lang, pinapagalitan tayo ni Ms. Ramirez kasi ang ingay natin sa History class. But now, look at that." I said and gave a soft laugh.

"Eh ikaw? I never heard you for a while. Ikaw siguro married na. Am I right?" she asked me as if the table has turned.

I sighed.

"Hindi rin. But, I have my live-in partner for 4 years now. Guess who." I said.

"Guess who? So kilala ko 'to? Hmm, sino ba?" she replied, acting as if she's thinking.

"Clue. Ikaw din naging dahilan bakit kami nagkakilala. Third day of school, an event related to school clubs. Second clue, camera." I stated.

"Camera? Hmm, a guy from Photography Club? OMG!" she screamed and gasped.

"Alam mo na kung sino?" tanong ko.

"Yes. Is it Kirby Arellano? Yung matabang guy na nagkacrush sayo dati? Diba member 'yon ng Photography Club dati? Ano ba naman 'yan. Wala ka yatang taste sa lalaki eh. Seriously? that guy?" she said and tried not to laugh.

"Sinong Kirby? Hoy, hindi! Hindi kaya ako nagkagusto do'n. Grabe ka ha." sabi ko sabay hampas sa braso niya. We bursted out laughing.

"Edi sino? Wala akong maalalang guy na pinakilala ko sa 'yo. DON'T TELL ME IT'S-

"Yeah. Photography Club's president. Si Justin de Dios. Naaalala mo pa ba siya? Ikaw kaya unang nakakilala sa kaniya. Third day ng school no'n tas kailangan natin magpalista sa mga clubs na gusto natin. At ikaw, kinaladkad mo 'ko papuntang Photography Club kasi sabi mo may gwapo daw doon. Naalala mo na?" sabi ko sa kaniya.

"WAIT- OMG! You're with Justin de Dios? Really? HOY, INGGIT AKO!" she screamed and released a gasp.

Biglang nabaling ang buong atensiyon ng mga tao sa amin. I turn around and gave a peace sign.

"Huwag kang maingay. Oo nga. Kami ni Justin, magkasama kami sa iisang house. Inggit ka? Hmp, alam naman nating dalawa na sa akin pa rin ang huling halakhak. Charot!" I said.

"Hindi ka pa rin nagbabago after those years. You're still the Thalia I met in the cafeteria. Ikaw na ikaw.  Now,  there,something I have to say. I'm really glad na nagkita ako dahil tinatry ko talaga icontact si Justin pero hindi ko alam kung papaano. Mukhang deactivated ang mga accounts niya sa social media." she said.

"Ano ba 'yun?" I asked.

"May reunion ang officers ng Photography club ng batch natin. Sabihan mo si Justin to meet us in La Charlotte for a dinner. February 1 at 6 pm. Since first lady ka naman ng Presidente, you can come too." she stated.

"Makakarating." I replied.

"Anyways, I really have to go. Hinihintay na 'ko sa labas.See you at the reunion. It's so nice to see you again. Bye!" she said and gave me a wave. I waved back.

After she left, I hurriedly grabbed a random romance book in the nearest shelf. I also have to go. As I headed to the exit, the guard stopped me and then realized something.

"Sa counter. Right."I smiled and headed to the counter.