After My Death Tomorrow (Published Under PSICOM Publishing Inc.)

Episode 8

With my heart pounding against my ribs, I make sure na maaabutan ko si Spero Futurae. Kung ano ang bilis ng aking mga yabag ay ganoon din ang pagtibok ng puso ko.

Hindi ako pwedeng magkamali.

Siya iyong naka-black hoodie!

Nagpalinga-linga ako noong makalabas na ako sa 7 Eleven. Nasaan na siya?!

Habol hininga, I tried harder to search for him . . . or her? And there, I saw him. Walking to the pedestrian lane along side the crowded people.

I didn't waste any chance. I ran as fast as I can towards that stranger. Noong maabot na niya iyong dulo ng kalsada ay mas binilisan ko pa ang aking pagtakbo.

Hindi siya pwedeng mawala ngayon. Kailangang makilala ko na siya. Para madalian na ako. Para hindi na ako maguluhan. Para masagip ko na talaga si Marco laban sa nakakalungkot niyang tadhana.

Naglalakad siya patungo sa kalsada kung saan matatagpuan ang subdivision ng bahay namin. Mabagal. Sa sobrang bagal nga ay walang hirap ko siyang naabutan. Bago pa siya makalayo ay wala na akong hinintay pang sandali, hinigit ko siya mula sa kanyang braso.

But what I saw schocked the hell out of me.

It's . . . Diyes?!

"Oh, Margot?" He is staring at me as if I am a weird person.

I blinked. Hindi makapaniwalang tinuro siya. "Ikaw . . ."

He just stared at me with the same emotion on his eyes. Observing my face as if he's a scientist and I am a difficult specimen.

"Ikaw si Spero Futurae?" I almost squeal in disbelief.

He knitted his brows. "Uh? Spero-- what?"

I opened my mouth for a second. Then chose to close it for what I realized.

I winced unintentionally.

Okay, it can never be him. Diyes is too busy with his grades for this. It can never be him, jusko. Ano bang iniisip ko?!

Napakamot ako sa ulo. Natatawa, I began to lie. "Uh--" I tried hard not to look stupid at him. But I still ended up with the most stupid escapade of mine, "it's a prank!" Sabay talikod ko sa kanya. Pinapamulahan ng mukha dahil sa kahihiyan.

Ang tanga-tanga mo talaga, Margot!

Sa milyong dahilan na pwede mong piliin, bakit iyon pa?!

I am about to walk away when I was halted by his touch. Ipinatong niya ang kamay sa aking balikat. Dahil doon ay natigilan ako.

"Hey, are you okay?" Concern is evidently obvious on his tone.

Tumango ako. I tried hard to find for words-- convincing words that I could muster but I just ended up with, "Yes."

Then I chose to start walking away from him. On the back of my head, I can clearly imagine him to look at me awfully. Well, I can't blame him. I would do the same if ever I am on his shoes. Mukha nga naman talaga akong tanga kanina.

Naiinis akong bumalik sa 7 Eleven. Naupo uli ako sa exact spot that I am sitted earlier. I tried to compose myself.

God, that was really close!