Chess Pieces Aftermath: Lucius D'Angelo

Chapter 6

I frowned as I stared at the woman. I tried to rack my brain off to remember who she was. I squinted my eyes. I wasn't sure if it was because it was dark or if her face wasn't just familiar to me.

But I had my training to adjust my eyes in the darkness so I could see well—even my mind. Hindi ako madaling makalimot. But I couldn't really recognize the woman in front of me.

Or were my eyes failing me already? Do I need to use eyeglasses now?

Tinitigan ko pa ulit ang babae. Inalala kung saan ko ba s'ya nakita kung sakaling kilala ko nga talaga s'ya. Because the look in the woman's eyes told me that she seemed to know me. At kung hindi ako nagkakamali, she even looked as if she wasn't expecting to see me today.

"Who are you?" tanong ko na. Hindi ko talaga maalala kung kilala ko ba ang babaeng 'to.

She didn't move even after I asked her. Nakatakip pa ang isang kamay n'ya sa bibig at ang isa ay nakaturo sa 'kin. Her eyes widening more the longer she stared at me. She looked really surprised.

This woman is so fucking weird.

Then I saw her blink. Ibinaba ang mga kamay sa gilid at umayos ng pagkakatayo.

She smiled at me.

"Hindi mo 'ko naaalala? Sa bus? Naiwan ko 'yung wallet ko kaya wala akong pamasahe."

She looked expectant after she said that. As if she was expecting something from me. Maybe to finally recognize her.

But I just stared at her. Maliban kasi sa hindi ko talaga s'ya nakikilala kahit gaano ko pa s'ya katagal tinititigan, may ibang alaala rin ang pumapasok sa isip ko dahil sa sinabi n'ya.

"Katabi kita no'n," she continued when she probably realized I still couldn't remember her. "Ikaw ang nagbayad sa pamasahe ko. Isang libo pa nga binigay mo pero hindi mo na hinintay 'yung sukli. Bumaba ka na kasi agad."

That rang a bell. I finally remembered what she was talking about. I clenched my jaw as some memories started flooding my mind as well. And it made my chest tighten. Bigla ay nahirapan akong huminga dahil sa tindi ng sakit na bigla na lang lumukob sa dibdib ko.

I balled my fist hoping that the pain would stop. Nawalan ng silbi ang walang direksyong pagmamaneho ko para makatakas sa nangyari sa sakit kanina.

I took a deep breath. I looked at the woman who was just looking at me. As if she was giving me time to remember what she just said.

"It was you?" I asked. Nakalimutan ko talaga ang itsura ng babaeng 'yon. I just did the first thing that came into my mind that time. To help her and pay for her fare.

Just like what Angela did. I remembered she told me I didn't have to pay her back and just help others in need as well in return for what she did.

I did well, Angela... right?

The woman smiled. Tumango s'ya habang malaki pa rin ang ngiti sa mga labi.

"Oo, ako 'yon!" she said with a laugh. "Grabe, ang tagal kitang hinanap!"

I frowned. I stared back at her.

"You looked for me?"

"Oo 'no! Kapag sumasakay ako ng bus, tinitingnan ko bawat pasahero. Hinahanap nga kasi kita."

Ilang sandali akong hindi nagsalita. I was trying to analyze her tone. Mukha kasing sinisisi n'ya ako base sa mga sinabi n'ya. But the wide smile on her lips told me otherwise.

"I've never ridden a bus again after that."

Napalabi ang babae sa sinabi ko. Nawala na ang ngiti.

"Kaya pala hindi na kita nakita."