Chapter 9

Two days passed again. I haven't heard anything from Writan nor Bok. I'm comfortable that we're not wasting our time besides, our world's time is stopped on the other side.

I tried writing on my own. Every room has a typewriter, paper, pencils, and pens. That's why this world is for writers. Totally. I don't know if it's my thing, but I don't mind. I don't have anything to do, anyway. What intrigues me is that I'm not bored here unlike on the other side. Maybe because I don't have to think about Mom, nagging about everything.

Huminga ako nang malalim. Tiningnan ko ang bintana at nakita ang dalawang tao na nakaupo sa isang bench. They were exchanging books every three minutes, I've counted it. I'm curious about them and so, I feed my curiosity.

Paglabas ko ng kwarto ko ay nakita ko si Sofia na naglalaro kasama ang maid niya. I'm thankful for the maid 'cause she's making my job easier. I don't have to take care of my sister; I have the time on my own.

"Lalabas lang po ako saglit," paalam ko.

I looked at Sofia not minding me. I shrugged and got off the room. I stopped walking when I saw Writan, he was about to knock on the door. My forehead creased.

"Anong ginagawa mo rito?" simula ko.

"I'm going to ask you out," he answered in two-point zero x speed.

I laughed at his face. It was like he's battling himself. I shook my head in disbelief. I kinda like how awkward he was in front of me. My mouth curved into a smile.

"Come on. May nakita ako kanina at gusto kong malaman kung anong nangyayari ro'n."

Sumunod naman siya sa akin. We went to the elevator and pressed the first floor.

"You're getting comfortable here," Writan chatted.

Natigil ako sa sinabi niya. I realized that now, I'm getting comfortable with this place.

"I kind of like it here. Would you mind seeing me here every day?"

He raised a brow and chuckled.

"Do you love writing now?"

Umiling ako. "But I love this place. It's relaxing. No mother, no worries."

"Your grandmother's not here."

'Yon ang nagpa-isip sa akin. I have to worry about the book.

"Have you heard anything from Bok? 'Cause I haven't heard anything from him."

We stepped out. He saluted the woman again and opened the door for us.

"Same. I don't know what he's up to now. Always. He has papers to read."

Tumigil ako sandali sa tapat ng bahay. "What's a publisher?"

He smirked. "You don't know about publishing?"

I shook my head innocently.

"If companies publish books in your world, dito Bok's the only publisher who reads, edits, and publishes our books."

"Wow. That's a very boring job."

He shrugged. "It's what he loves."

"Do you see yourself as a publisher too someday?" I asked him.

"Probably. I love writing more. I can't deal with thousands of stories. It's a nice job. Bok has a good job doing that."

Naglakad ako sa dalawang taong pinapanood ko kanina. Parehas silang busy sa pagbabasa. Nang makalapit kami ay nag-exchange sila ng book.

"What are they doing?" I raised a question to Writan.

He crossed his arms. "Reading each other's books. Three minutes every chapter and they will switch. It's a thing."

I clasped my hands behind my back. "Is it tiring reading? And they have only three minutes to spare in a chapter. I can't even read a paragraph."

Tinawanan niya ako. Napatingin sandali ang babae sa amin pero bumalik din sa binabasa niya.

"They're writers. Reading is not tiring for them like writing. It's what they love to do. You are not supposed to get tired or worn out if you love something or someone."

"May hugot," I teased.

We laughed together. We left the two girls on the bench and walked again. I saw girls laughing and entering a house. They were holding books.

"What will they do?" I asked again while pointing to the girls.

"Classes."

I made a face. "What? There are classes here? Don't tell me you are a student as well or something like that."

Umiling siya habang nakangisi. "I'm a professor."

I felt like vomiting. "You are? Oh, my gosh. May nakukuha naman sa 'yo ang mga estudyante mo?"

He roared in laughter. "Hanep, ang dali mong mauto."

I hit his arm again. He continued laughing. I stared at him seriously. Tumigil din siya sa wakas.

"I'm a student. Bok's the professor."

Napailing na lang ako sa kalokohan niya. I blew out on my cheeks.

"He does everything, huh? Being a leader is a responsibility."

"It is."

I cocked my head. "I admire him now."

Napangisi sa akin si Writan. He's teasing me with his chocolate eyes. I would stare at it whenever possible. I love chocolate, is that mean I love his eyes too?

"Lolo na 'yon. Ako na lang," bigla niyang sabi.

Napanganga ako. Pinanood ko na lamang siyang tumakbo sa harap ko.

"Hey! Wait for me!" I ran too.

Tumigil siya at hinintay ako. Nakita ko ulit 'yong bench na inupuan namin noong isang araw. We made it there and sat. The cherry blossoms look-alike was still there, beautifully standing out.

"It feels nice to just walk. So relaxing. Walang traffic, walang kotse, walang krimen, and all," I realized.

Napatingin ako kay Writan nang ilagay niya sa likod ko ang braso niya. Hindi naman 'yon nakalagay sa balikat ko pero nararamdaman ko ang paghaplos niya ro'n. I find his touch relaxing as well.

I licked my lips and then let him do what he wants. We stayed quiet.

"What do you love about writing?" I asked, whispering.

I'm enjoying his touch. His finger was tracing my back. Gosh, why am I feeling this?

"Writing can express my thoughts more than talking. I love writing, it makes my characters have a chance to live and be free. You said happiness is an important thing. Writing is my happiness."

I looked at him in awe. "You're good with talking too," I complimented him.

"Am I?"

I nodded and grinned at him. We looked in front of us. I closed my eyes and feel his touch, the breeze in my face, and hear the noise of the tree being swayed by it.

I opened my eyes and saw him staring at me intently and meaningfully. I genuinely smiled at him. He did the same thing. We only stared at each other for a few minutes before he stood up.

I hid my disappointed face. I wanted to stay like this for hours with him. He offered his hand in front of me. I gladly took it. I didn't take it off. We hold each other's hands while walking back to the house. Before we entered the door, he took his hand off from mine.

"Claudia!"

Napabaling ako sa boses ni Bok sa likod namin. Tiningnan ko muna sandali si Writan na tahimik na nakatingin sa akin. Mabilis akong lumapit kay Bok.

"Hi!"

Inilagay ni Bok sa balikat ko ang braso niya at yumuko malapit sa mukha ko.

"Let's stay like this for five, four, three-"

"Bok," Writan exclaimed.

Napabaling ako kay Writan. He looked serious now and mad. Why is he mad? May nangyari ba?

Pinanood ko ang paglapit niya samantalang umalis na si Bok sa tabi ko. Napasinghap ako nang siya naman ang naglagay ng bisig niya sa balikat ko. Dahil sa gulat ay inalis ko 'yon sa akin at napaurong.

Gulat ang mukha ni Writan. Hindi siya nagsalita at bigla na lang umalis sa harap namin ni Bok. Gusto ko siyang habulin pero pinigilan ako ni Bok. Napalunok ako nang hindi na ako sulyapan ni Writan hanggang sa pumasok siya sa bahay.

"Anong meron sa inyong dalawa ni Writan?" tanong ni Bok.

Umiling ako. Tipid akong ngumiti sa kanya.

"By the way, I haven't found out about your grandparents. But I'll continue to look for it. Your grandparents might have gone here a long time ago. What do you think?"

"Maybe. My grandfather's house has the door of this world and my grandmother's into writing. Possible."

Tumango-tango siya. Naglakad kami papasok ng bahay. Bumati ang babae sa desk. Naglakad kami pataas ng hagdan patungo sa opisina niya.

Nagulat pa ako nang makasalubong si Writan sa second floor. Hindi niya ako binigyan ng tingin, deretso ang lakad niya papunta sa kabilang pinto. Why is he giving me that cold shoulders? Is there something going on?

Nawala sandali sa isip ko ang dapat kong gawin sa mundong ito. All that I think was Writan and his cold treatment after Bok did that to me. Seriously, that guy.

"Claudia? Come here," sambit ni Bok.

Pumasok ako nang tuluyan sa opisina niya. May suot siyang salamin sa mata habang nakaupo sa upuan niya. Naupo ako sa tapat ng lamesa at naghintay nang sasabihin niya.

"I've been reading this story your grandmother wrote. Pamilyar sa akin. Nabasa mo na ba ito?"

Umiling ako. "Hindi ako mahilig magbasa."

Tumango siya at nagpatuloy sa pagbabasa.

"Do you regret doing this job instead of having a family of your own? If you're in our world, you likely have grandchildren."

Tumigil sa pagbabasa si Bok. Tiningnan niya ako bago niya isinarado ang libro ni grandma.

"You are probably right. Mayroon na sana akong naggagandahan at nagguguwapuhang mga apo. But I won't trade that with my life I have now."

"Nagmahal ka na ba, Bok?"

Tumitig siya sa akin. Lumunok siya at ngumiti.

"Of course. I already forgot about her. Many decades have gone by. Besides, we had a deal to forget each other after she left. I did what I was told."

Nanlaki ang mata ko. "She left you? Why?"

"I still don't have answers to why she did that. One day, she just took off and left me with a poem."

My mouth hanged open. I came back from my trance.

"Maybe she has reasons."

"I hoped so. Let's not talk about Penna, she's long gone and I forgot about my love for her."

What a beautiful name, Penna.

"I have a question. What is love for you?"

Tumahimik siya. Pinanood ko ang pag-alis niya ng salamin niya sa mata at tumayo papunta sa bookshelf. Inayos niya 'yon bago siya sumagot.

"Love is an experience. You'll probably experience a bad one or a good one. You're lucky if you experience the latter one. You'll get your heart broken if you had the first one. Nonetheless, it will teach you lessons you don't know you'll need for the next years to come."

"Thanks. I might use that when I finally experience love."

He faced me, he has a smirk on his face. "You never know when love hits you hard. Be prepared. It's a good feeling but still has two different endings. Happiness or sorrow."

His advice kept on repeating on my mind as I walked out of the door. I gasped when I saw Writan outside, his hands were in his pockets again, and he's reclining in the staircase.

"Hey," bati ko sa kanya.

Tinitigan lang niya ako. Lumunok ako at pumunta sa elevator. Napakinggan ko ang footsteps niya hanggang sa tumigil siya sa tabi ko. Kinakabahan ako habang tahimik kaming nakatayo.

"Anong pinag-usapan n'yo ni Bok?" tanong niya.

Tumingin ako sa kanya. Seryoso pa rin ang mukha niya. I lowered my head.

"Wala naman," generalized ko. "Nonsense stuff," patuloy ko.

"Hmm..." tugon niya.

Pumasok kami sa loob. Pipindutin ko na sana ang fifth-floor nang siya ang mauna. Nagkasalubong ang kamay namin. Napaigtad ako at napalayo sa gulat. I felt a shock in my body. What is that?

"Uhm, saan ka pupunta?" tanong ko para mawala ang dead air sa amin.

"Ihahatid kita," simpleng sagot niya pero nagpatibok ng puso ko.

"Okay. Salamat."

Nagulat ulit ko nang harapin niya ako. Napalunok ako. Hindi ako makatingin sa kanya. Para kasing matutunaw ako sa titig niya.

"Bakit kay Bok hinayaan mong ilagay niya sa balikat mo ang bisig niya, pero sa akin hindi? Ba't lumayo ka?" nalilito niyang tanong.

I blinked a couple of times. Hindi ko rin alam ang sagot. I pouted and stayed silent.

"Bwisit," tahimik na sambit ni Writan.

I hissed. "Writan, have you been in love?"

Siya naman ang natahimik sa aming dalawa. Umiling siya. Parang nawala ang bigat sa loob ko.

"Bok said love could happen anytime. I thought maybe you have experienced it. I'm curious kung anong pakiramdam no'n."

"Love can make people feel different emotions. It's all different for everyone. I'm a romance writer but I guess, it'll be different in reality."

Tumango-tango ako. Marami akong nakukuha sa kanilang dalawa ni Bok. Siguro ay gano'n din kapag nakausap ko ang mga tao rito sa world of writers. I suddenly stopped thinking and asked myself, am I considering myself staying here?

"Claudia, do you want to find out what lies in that road? Do you want to come with me and find that out together?"