Finding Me In You

03 Meeting You

Kiran Lin

Napilitan akong umorder ng dessert para marinig ang usapan nila. Mukhang nahimasmasan na ang babae dahil nakakapagsalita na siya.

"I won't let you choose. I know that your dream is more important than me, Mike. And I won't even want to compete with that. Ano ba naman ako kung ikukumpara sa pangarap mo na simula bata ay inaasam mo na? Isa lang naman akong babae na dumating sa buhay mo at ngayon ay nagiging sagabal sa buhay mo. " Aniya. Why am I listening to this conversation? As far as I am concerned, wala akong kinalaman sa away ng
mag-jowa na ito.

"I know, my dream was there even before you came but love, You and my dream are the most precious things to me. You know that." ani ng lalake.

"That is exactly why. Dahil alam ko na mahalaga ako para sayo, I am sparing you from the pain of choosing between me and your dream. Besides, mahihirapan ka lang at alam kong alam mo na ayaw kong nahihirapan ka. Just choose the path where you shine the most, love. You know that I'll support you always and you know, I always want you to get what you deserve. " Puta, napakabait mo naman yata? Bakit hindi mo siya sigawan, buhusan ng tubig, o di kaya ay iwan nalang dito? Simula't sapul alam mong pinili niya ang banda niya dahil kung hindi, bakit ka niya tinanong?

" Love. Please, I want to build my dreams with you and I want to achieve them with you. We can have a Long distance relationship. Just don't break up with me. Please?" Narinig ko ang hikbi ng babae. Takte, napakasakit siguro para sa kaniya ang nangyayari. Sino ba ang babaeng ito?

"I've said it already. And I don't want to, but you're making me repeat it, Mike. I am breaking up with you. Now please spare me too. Don't make me regret my decision. Okay?" I can feel that she's smiling with tears. Putcha, ang mga nakilala kong babae sinisigawan nga ang kanilang boyfriend sa maliit lang na away. But this girl, she's kind to him. Kahit siya ang lubos na nasasaktan.

She stood up and left the restaurant. I looked at my table at nakalimutan kong may dessert nga pala akong inorder. Nagmamadali kong tinawag ang waiter at pinabalot ito para itake-out.

Matapos kong kunin ang dessert ay nilibot ko ang buong lugar na malapit sa restaurant, nagbabakasakaling makita ang babae kanina.

Ano nanaman to, kiran? Bwiset. Why are you so curious about this girl?

And there I saw her at the same spot at the cafe, nakatakip ng libro ang mukha. Hindi halatang umiiyak siya dahil sa libro pero makikita mo sa paggalaw ng balikat niya na umiiyak nga siya.

I don't know pero pumasok ako at humingi ng papel at ballpen mula sa cashier. Umorder rin ako ng Latte. Sinulatan ko ang papel at ipinasok sa supot ng take-out saka ito maingat na inilapag sa table ng babae.

'You might have had a bad day, but it's not the end of the world. Cheer up. :)'

I am just intrigued with her. Besides, she might need a friend.