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

Episode 14

I am smiling from ear to ear since early this morning. I know, mukha na akong weird dahil parang hindi na ako 'yung Margot na laging may problema sa mundo. Iyong laging naka-poker face sa tuwing makikita mo.

Paano ba naman, I never thought that victor tastes like this. Hindi ko alam na ganito pala kasaya ang lasa ng tagumpay, lalong lalo na kung may buhay na nakasalalay sa tagumpay mo. Right now, I feel like a hero. A carefree hero who doesn't care at all but to save Marco.

When the break time came, I decided to spend an hour on the library. Hindi sumama si Magne, that girl seems to be allergic to books. Malapit na kasi ang exam. Palagi akong ahead sa lessons dati pero dahil sa mga nangyari nitong nakaraang araw, hindi ko maitatangging medyo naging pabaya nga ako. Kaya ngayong nagtagumpay ako, I have to atleast go back to my usual uptight self. Back to normal. Sa tingin ko naman, nabago na talaga ang future.

Marco will stay alive even after ten years from now.  That's for sure. Kasi ngayon, unti-unti nang nakakalimutan ng mga tao ang tungkol sa tatay ni Marco. Para ba itong isang trend na unti-unti na lang nawala sa uso.

Bumuntong hininga ako. Going back to my smiling trip today, I busied myself with the books. Economics books to be specific. I first searched for the table of contents. Doon ko hinanap kung saang page naroon ang Gross Domestic Product and as soon as I saw it, I was quick to flip the pages onto that.

Nang magsimula na akong magbasa ay naramdaman na lang akong biglang umupo harap ko. And I didn't mind it. Although ayoko ng may kasama sa isang table, I chose to just busy myself at the effin GDP rather than my uncomfortable feeling.

"Nerd." Told by the person sitting infront of me.

I blinked.

Marco?

I was the quickest to turn my face on him. And there he is, smiling at me with his god-like smile. With his perfect face glowing eveytime he curved his lips upward genuinely.

I smile back at him. "Jerk."

He rolled his eyes and silently chuckle, "I am proud of it."

"Whatever," I joined him. Then I tilted my head as I rest my chin on my hand, "Himala yatang nasa library ka ngayon? For what I know, ikakamatay mo ang makakita ng mga libro. Is that a good sign that you are not strangulating?" I tried hard not to laugh loudly, the last thing I want is to see the old librarian directing me to get out.

Nailing siya, patuloy sa pag-ngiti at pag-tawa nang mahina, "You and your choices of words. Kailan ba ako masasanay sa 'yo, Ms. Liit na Masungit?"

I pokerface at him.

And he laughed loudly. And that awarded him a warning and a scowl from the librarian. Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata at sinenyasan na tumahimik.

"Bakit ka ba kasi nandito?"

He faked his pain. Lifting a hand above his chest, he acted as if my words pained him. "Ay, hindi ba ako welcome dito?"

I rolled my eyes and just smile. "Wala kang practice?"

As far as I know kasi, palaging may practice ang lalaking ito sa basketball. Kaya bihira ko na lang talaga siyang makita talaga. Lahat kasi ng break time ay inilalaan niya sa pag-pa-practice. Siya kasi iyong tipo ng tao na sobrang magbigay ng effort sa passion. He loves basketball so much that he is willing to sacrifice all of his time just for it. Kaya noong nalaman kong maaari itong mawala sa kanya, sobra akong naalarma.

He shook his head, "Wala na." He turned his gaze on the books I am holding, "I just found myself following you here. Para kasing ang sarap mong pag-tripan."