Paper Memories

Chapter 20-II

Chapter 20-II

          The wind is colder night now we're halfway the Ber months. At tanging init lang ng jacket ko at improvised bonfire lang ako umaasa. Maliit lang ang pwede namin sinindihan naming apoy sa rooftop at buti na lang may nakatabi akong camping sets. Hindi gaano kalakas ang hangin kaya napagpipilian ako ng maayos ang sketches ko." Percival, do you remember if I already throw some of these before? Parang kulang na kasi."

"Yes, nung nag-ayos tayo sa attic."

"Oh. Yung mga bago ko na pala 'to."

Percival brows knitted, he seems to be holding back his words. Kaya kinuha na lang niya ang camping kettle at isinalin ang inumin namin sa mug." Hot Cocoa, Hon? With extra marshmallows?"

"Thanks, I love how you make hot cocoa."I complimented him as I accept the mug with my two hands." Nasasayangan ako sa ginawa ko. Mas maraming bagong sketches ko ang inamag, hindi lang yung luma."

My boyfriend listens."Your sketches---Sila Ellie, Ronald at Ral---"

I cut him off right after I took a sip from my cocoa." And your sketch is there as well, Percival."

Percival scoot beside me to inspect the drawings. The paper was crumbling as if it become older overnight. Which actually indeed happened, aside from the mold. Nagkaroon din ng patsi-patsi sa may mismong gitna." You don't need to draw me again. If you want something new from me you could just say it. Magiging ganun ako."

I can't draw or paint him again? Napakunot ang noo ko. I want to. I must do that because he doesn't even want to be in front of a camera. Moreover, since that incident with his reflection, he had covered all the mirrors in my house." Just act as yourself---you're not a puppet."

" Is that what you really want from people?" Mas lalong nandilim ang expressions niya. He realize I notice that so he evade his gaze from me." For them to be just themselves?"

"Why do you I think I could trust Ronald and Gregory more than you?"

"Because you said they are real people, b-but how can you know if they don't have more lies on their sleeves? Ngayon lang mo din sila nakilala. Nagkaroon din sila ng kasalanan sayo."

"Then answer this----why won't you tell me who you are, Percival?"

"I already did---you just won't believe me."

I mentally rolled my eyes and turn my back on him. Like Kiera said I could just hire a private investigator to get at the bottom of this. And just how Acierto is a nosy bastard I could find way to get the truth out of people. I breathe it." Don't bring up this kind of conversation when I'm with Ronald, okay? I don't want the people around me being creep out by you---- lalo na siya. At sa sitwasyon niya."

He just smiled." Ronald... would appreciate that I guess..."

I bursh off his comment. Nilapag ko ang mug ng cocoa at kinuha ulit ang dala kong bulto ng papel. Isa-isa ko 'tong pinunit at ihinagis sa apoy." By the way, if Ralph rejected my invitation again to attend the party you could just come with me, okay? I can't make Ellie go, she needs to look after her brothe--- Hey. Are you listening to me? Anong titingnan mo jan?"

Percival is holding an already half burnt paper. Huh? Bakit nandyan yan?" Sheena, why are still keeping this? Sino ba talaga ang taong 'to?"