Fields of Lavenders

33

"Bading."

I immediately woke myself up due to that call, I showered and got changed into a simple work attire which is just a simple white button down and wide leg pants. My brown hair is just in a bun with a couple strands falling out. I'm now working as a librarian in a near by library here, after disappearing for a few years I've decided to work narin para hindi naman ako maging burden to my friends.

Jia and leone helped me settle down here, Leone gave me a whole new identity para hindi ako makilala ng kahit kanino pa. Jia on the other hand helped me find a place kung saan ako makikitira, I didn't want to isolate myself. I want to still be me, just in another country. Kaya eto, I'm currently living with my highschool friends Jasmine, Jeninah and Viele. They're living under one roof here sa USA, dito na pala sila nag settle dahil lahat ng trabaho nila ay nandito. Jasmine's a psychiatrist, si Viele naman ay isang artist, Jeninah on the other hand is a veterinarian.

Hindi na'ko nagtagal sa kanina dahil kailangan ko nang pumasok, once I got there Ace, my co-worker was already placing the new books we got yesterday onto the shelf.

"Ace." Bati ko. "You're early," I pointed out.

"There's no time with books Sol." He throwed me his iconic lines, Solanna Lessane or Sol for short is my current name. I decided to go by a different name na para hindi na'ko matukoy pa ng kahit sino. Even Mr. Ramirez.

It's been three years ever since I fled from the Philippines, I slowly picked up my broken pieces here, I slowly healed from what happend. Still my guard isn't down, pinababantayan ko parin sila tita and Gab including sila Zheena, Iyanah, Tricia, at Jia. Even si Miss. Though wala na'kong balita sa kanya, I haven't heard from her ever since umalis ako. At wala na'kong planong makibalita sa ganap nya ngayon. She probably found someone new already. And I'm happy for her If that's the case.

I shook my head to dismiss my thoughts, I Immediately did inventory and kept track of the books that have been purchased this month. Then later once the book store opened ako naman ang nasa cashier ngayon, Gab on the other hand is maintaining the cleanliness of the bookstore from time to time.

"What are you reading?" He asked.

"Nothing," I just smiled at him and put the book down.

"I haven't seen you read yet," he pointed out.

"For your information Ace I do read, just at night and when I'm all alone so that no one can bother me." I defended myself.

He chuckled. "Really?"

My brows Immediately furrowed at his question, ano tingin nya saakin hindi nagbabasa? Baka pag tinampal ko sa kanya library ko sa pilipinas matahimik 'to. Dejoke.

I didn't bother defending myself nalang, bahala sya dyan. Akala nya sya lang bookworm dito sa mundo, well I can't blame him naman. It's hard to find someone who's really interested in books here, ung iba kase book worm nung bata tas ngayon hindi na. Kaya mahirap sabihing book worm ka eh, tatanungin at tatanungin ka talaga nila inorder for them to verify if you're really a bookworm. If hindi mo nasagot, clout chaser ka.

Our shift continued hanggang sa dumating ang lunch time, nagpaalam na'ko kay Ace dahil maaga akong kumakain ng lunch ko palagi. I went to a nearby restaurant na malapit sa book store and decided to eat there nalang.

"How's tita?" I asked Leone.

"Good, may mga body guards parin sya. She's still working, ayaw parin nya mag retire." Leone updated me. He's currently here kase halos buwan-buwan ay bumibisita sya saakin para kamustahin ako at ang kalagayan ko, he's been doing this for the last three years. Halos maging tahanan na nya ang USA.

"My friends?" I asked.

"Gabriel's still working at the firm, Jia on the other hand retired na. They're currently living together, your college friends are all good. The rest of your highschool friends in the Philippines are also doing good." He detailed.

"Miss?" I asked.

"Miss ka na." He flashed a teasing smile.

I rolled my eyes, "miss mo mukha mo leone."

"No but for real, she really misses you Sayonara." He genuinely said.

"How can you say so? I thought you were going to tell me that she has someone new already." I joked.

"You know me Ara, I don't make conclusions unless there's thorough observation and analysis." He said.

"Then tell me your analysis." I demanded.

"She goes to school usually around 4am, she doesn't go out until 9pm. She eats her dinner at the 7/11 store near your school with a saddened look on her face. During Saturday's she'd go to the church and pray, she spends around an hour there. Sunday naman ganon din." He detailed. "Pag holidays naman instead of working she goes to bars and drink."

"Bar?" I asked to clarify, it's something unusual to me. Miss isn't the type to drink, though pumunta sya sa mga bar. Laging sya ang naghahatid ng mga kaibigan nya pauwi, hindi sya ang hinahatid.

"Yup, umiinom sya Sayonara. Ever since nawala ka, she found therapy in drinking. Himala nga minsan pumapasok sya may hangover pa, I can tell it has certainly affected her performance in teaching. I also asked a few students, they said she became cold unlike before. Strict na din daw sya." He added.

I don't why but for some reason my heart sank due to that information, ngayon na lang ulit ako nag tanong tungkol sa kanya. I specifically told him to not tell me any details unless she's in danger, but little do I know para syang lantang gulay ever since I left.

I sighed heavily and dismissed my thoughts, tinapos ko lang ang pagkain ko dahil malapit nang matapos ang lunch break namin at kinakailangan ko nang bumalik sa library.

"Ara." Leone called.

I gave a last glance at him, a sign to continue what he's about to say.

"She needs you, Sayonara. If you're not planning on coming home anytime soon baka sya na mismo ang pumunta sa'yo."

:)