liham

dearest zaila,

i went to the library today. my spot is usually at the second floor, in a table, a minuscule of an inch away from an all glass wall. that luxurious spot offers a good view of university drive. it's bright and lovely outside. the natural light that streaks through the glass pane aids my eyes in reading. they couldn't focus as good as the year that passed. mama needs a new pair of eyeglasses.

as i walked up the stairs, my feet suddenly stopped and demanded that i sit in an empty table in the kids section a couple of feet away.

as i sat amidst the stuff toys, children's literature, my heart ached for you. a week ago, you told me you just finished reading charlotte's web and you got bored reading the chronicles of narnia and that you missed prince caspian at the movies and get smart too. and i told you about the sequel to madagascar. i remembered we had a lot of fun watching the first installment in sm davao. it never came to me that dreamworks will create a follow up to it.

i browsed through all the leaves of the children's books my hands could get hold of. all i can think of was you. the joy of you. the life of you.

then, an image came, a vision flashed.

you, sitting right across me, devouring the hobbit or probably you'll ask me for a pen and a paper so that you can write another short story. i'm guessing the title would be badminton super girl.

now, i'm in barnes and noble. mama has to stopped reading about urban sprawl for a minute because her eyes are already complaining. the words in a page seemed to polarize into one big, black dot.

totally unlike our future. the future will be something definite, coherent and tangible.

i love you, zaila.

love and prayers,

mama