Karmic Hearts

Chapter 3

Cupid didn't show up again after I signed the contract. I went back inside the reception hall to join the festivities kahit talagang na-down ako pagkatapos ng speech ni Kyle. Buti na nga lamang at masarap ang handang pagkain.

Also, may napansin din ako nang bumalik ako roon. Hindi ko sya pinansin kanina dahil hindi ko alam kung ano iyon, pero nang makilala ko si Cupid at maipaliwanag niya sa akin ang tungkol sa task ko, saka ko naintindihan kung ano ang purpose ng mga tali na nakikita ko.

Among the five pairs of people that I have to help get through the five stages of connection, one pair stuck out like a sore thumb. Sic and Je.

At nang matabihan ko sila at makitang magkadugtong ang mga tali nila, that's when I was able to put things into perspective. But...I still need Cupid to confirm my assumptions.

My mom and I went home after the bride and groom left. Naiwan sina Je at Sic, makikipag-inom pa raw sila sa mga kaibigan at kamag-anak namin. Si papa naman, kausap pa ng mga matatanda.

Nang makauwi kami ng bahay ni Mama, umakyat na kaagad ako sa kwarto para magbihis.

Pagkatapos kong magbihis, pupunta sana ako sa kusina para uminom ng tubig, pero pagkabukas ko ng pinto, napatalon ako sa gulat nang makitang nakatayo sa labas si Cupid. Nakataas ang isa nitong kamay, akmang kakatok.

"What are you doing here?" I hissed. "How did you get in?!"

Cupid sighed as if he was tired of hearing that question. He pointed to himself and said, "Angel of love, remember?"

"So? Wala ka nang respeto sa privacy, gano'n?"

"I didn't mean that. Pero tingin mo, kung kumatok ako, may makakarinig ba? May magbubukas ba ng pinto?"

"So they can't hear you too?"

"No." He motioned me to step aside. I didn't budge. "Let me in, please. Kapag may nakakita sa 'yong nakikipag-usap ka sa hangin, mapapagkamalan kang baliw."

Good point. Tumabi ako. "Don't do anything stupid."

He chuckled. "Don't worry. I don't wish to die."

I didn't know what he meant by that. Lito ko siyang sinundan. He was looking at the sticky notes on the wall, just above my writing space. Nandoon 'yong mga linya o scenes na gagamitin ko sa kwento. Napakarami nila dahil maya't mayang may dumarating na idea sa 'kin.

"It's a bit messy in here," he told me.

"Wow. Sorry, ha. Nakakahiya naman sa 'yo," I said sarcastically. "I didn't ask you to come here," I reminded him.

Cupid simply shrugged. He waved his hand and the scattered clothes on my bed flew to the floor. Naupo siya sa gilid ng kama at tinapik ang espasyo sa tapat niya.

"Gusto mo talagang napipilitan, ano?" tanong niya nang hindi ako kumibo. "Don't worry, Mina. I can't touch you. I literally can't. It will be painful for me."

Lalong nagsalubong ang mga kilay ko. "Bakit naman?"

"Because that's the rule. No physical contact."

Feeling a little skeptical, lumapit ako sa kanya para subukan ang sinasabi nya. He quickly got up and scrambled away from me.

"I'm serious!" he declared, annoyed.

I raised my hands. "Okay. Naninigurado lang ako."

Naupo ako sa kama. He cautiously approached. Now, it's his turn to tell me not to try anything stupid. Nang magkasundo kaming magsiseryoso na kaming pareho, naupo na rin siya sa tapat ko.