Paper Memories

Chapter 30-II

Chapter 30-II

          "It's barely 3:15 in the morning. Lalabas ka na, Hon?"

Para akong naalimpungatan nang marinig ko ang boses ni Percival. I am sitting outside the house, tying my shoelace. I didn't hear him open the door at all. Naging mas matangkad siya sa paningin ko dahil naaupo lang ako sa hagdan ng porch." Yeah, I can barely sleep, so I thought I'd just go out for a run. Bumalik ka na sa loob, saglit lang ako."

"Sorry hindi na kita nasalubong kagabi, and you were with Gregory..."

"Yeah, its fine. You don't want to be seen, that's not new."

He leaned in closer, his face almost right next to mine. Parang binubusisi niya ako, concern siya sa isang bagay na hindi ko maintindihan." Did you drink some more when you arrived or just now? You smell like alcohol..."

I rolled my eyes, I gently pushed his face away."I'm already sober."

"Say...Are you mad at me Sheena? Because I called Ralph?"

"Why would I? You're just checking on me right?"

"I-I didn't know he didn't go with you to the party. Mangangamusta lang sana ko. Nung tumawag ako sakanya saka ko lang nalaman nagtalo pala kayo." Percival softly explained as he sat beside me, ngayon magkalevel na ang mga mata namin at kitang-kita ko ang kawalan niya ng buhay." Ralph didn't explained anything either, sorry hindi kita napuntahan."

"I'd only be mad if I learn...Na magkasabwat kayo ni Ralph."

"Huh? What do you mean? We never really got to talk..."

"Na baka sa buong oras na 'to, magkasabwat kayo para paglaruan ako."

"W-what? I-I'm not, I'd never do that to you, Sheena..."

"Yeah, maybe not. Nevermind me. I don't want to see you anyway, buti di ka nagpakita kagabi." I whispered as I glance his sorrowful eyes. Naghahalo ang init at lamig sa katawan ko. My face and hands are cold from the appraching December wind, but my heart is beating erratically." Sapat na nga yung pag-h-hallucinate o mapaniginipan kita. Kanina sa hotel halos paglaruan ako na nandun ka daw sa tabi ko. Give me mental space for once. You know why I feel this way don't you?"

"I'm Ralph's replica, I'm your creation..."

"Yes, and until now you won't drop that act?"

Percival smiled, but in the next second it's as if my vision is erasing his facial features. Inabot niya ang kamay ko at dahan-dahang yung hinagkan." I am born out of your love for him, but would you ever wish that I disappear as well once you learn to hate Ralph? Ayaw mo bang baguhin na lang ulit ako?"

"Why do you need others to tell you how to act?"

"Huh? W-Well, it's because... That's how I can be human for you, right?"

"There you go again, stop that. I might have describe you inhuman or weird before but how can I actually mean that? Alam mo naman sa sarili mo na totoong tao ka." Sarkastiko kong sagat sakanya sabay agaw sa kamay ko. I got up from sitting and stretch my arms. Lumayo ako ng ilang hakbang bago ko siya nilingon ulit." May oras na palagi kang nagtatanong ng parang robot, but then on the next second you'd go on disobeying and lecturing me."

He titled his head, salubong ang kilay niya." And that's human-like?"

I grinned, ibang ideya ang pumasok sa utak ko." Unfortunately, yes."

"Oh...I don't get it. I can't understand what you want...I don't know how you can like me." Mahinang salaysay ni Percival, bagsak na bagsak ang titig niya sa sahig. He's always like this, always holding on to his fairy tales. I'm the one who doesn't understand why he doesn't get me for disliking him. Habang eto naman ako kung ano-ano ang pumapasok sa isip na baka may mas simpleng dahilan kung bakit sila magkamukha ni Ralph." But its okay...I can still try...I can still do something for you...Can I go with you?"