Wicker treats Annara to have some coffee with him, it's few blocks away from their school.

Sabado noong araw na iyon. May inasikaso kasi itong follow up papers sa registrar at saktong nakita niya si Annara palabas naman ng library. He knows she had her saturday library duties.

Wicker didn't expect her to come with him. Masyadong naging busy ito sa mga bagay-bagay. Isa pa, hindi niya pa rin nalilimutan iyong nangyari sa parking lot. It's been a week since she had a panic attack. Her body was trembling and releasing cold sweats. He's too worried when she felt like gasping for air and almost losing consciousness. Mabuti na lang at naidala niya agad ito sa clinic.

The smell and aroma in the coffee shop they were staying is somehow make them feel a lovely morning. It's almost past ten, hindi pa naman siguro huli na mag-kape sila para sa umagang iyon.

Annara is wearing a faded brown knitted sweater and tight jeans with pair of sneakers. Nakalugay rin ang kanyang maalon na itim na buhok. Habang nakasabit sa balikat niya ang sling bag.

Pinagmamasdan niya si Wicker na suot ang pamilyar na bonet mula sa ulo nito at hanggang tuhod na haba ng coat. He's also wearing a thick wool inside cloth, dark slacks and lace up black shoes. He looks mature and sophisticated man. Hindi rin nito nakalimutan ang manipis na scarf na nakapaikot sa kanyang leeg. Tamang-tama ang mainit na kape para sa malamig na panahon.

They are sitting next to the window. Tahimik lang si Annara habang kanina pa pinagmamasdan ni Wicker ang maliliit niyang pagkilos.

He ordered a cup of coffee latte while Annara requested a sweet tea for her drink. Hindi rin kasi pala-inom ito ng matatapang na kape.

"How's your day?" Wicker asked as he sat on the chair in front of her. The table is the only space between them.

She wavered a smile. "I'm okay. Wala namang masyadong ginawa kanina sa library since it's a saturday duty. I just segregated and sorted some books. Maaga rin nila akong pinauwi para makapagpahinga," tugon niya at sumimsim ng tsaa. "Ikaw, ano'ng ginagawa mo sa school?"

He looked at her. "Me? I just followed up the papers for the completion of my transferring requirements. Nag-request pa ako sa dati kong school and it happens to wait for a week before the request granted. Kaya hindi agad nakumpleto ang requirements ko. But now, it was all settled." Maliit siyang ngumiti.

"Mabuti naman at naayos mo na," she said with a nod. "Do you usually go here? Ang ganda naman kasi ng lugar na 'to para hindi palagiang puntahan." Palinga-linga si Annara habang hindi mapigilang mapangiti sa whole interior design ng coffee shop. The wooden interior blended well with the green hanging plants. Some seats around them were also occupied.

"I went here twice. This place is so relaxing and add it up that I am a coffee person. Hindi nabubuhay kapag walang kape—"

"At sigarilyo," dugtong ni Annara.

She got Wicker in surprise. "Yeah, you're right." Ngumisi ito. "Noong una ko kasing nadiskubre ang lugar na ito ay kakatapos ko lang mag-jogging noon. I really like this place kaya sinubukan kong magkape rito."

"Nakikita ko na rin ang coffee shop na ito dati kaso wala naman akong panahon na mamalagi rito. I have so many things to do. Mabuti na lang at wala akong gaanong gagawin ngayon that is why I came here with you. Saka nahihiya na ako sa 'yo, ilang beses na kitang tinatanggihan."

"It's totally fine. Wala namang kaso sa akin kung tumanggi ka nang tumanggi, I just wanted to be friend with you. Saka una pa lang tayong nagkita alam kong magiging magkaibigan tayo." A sweet smile curved in his lips.

Annara's blushing deep inside. He's too natural talking like that. Pero hindi alam nito na naaapektuhan na siya sa mga ganoong bagay.

"You think so?" nagmamaang-maangang tanong niya.

"Yeah, of course. You seemed a nice friend. Hindi ko nga rin aakalain na tutulungan mo ako noong araw na 'yon. I'm pretty sure kung sa iba ako humingi ng pabor tulad no'n, baka tinakbuhan lang ako. People nowadays don't talk and give their help or attention to the person they just met. But I guess you're an exemption." Tumitig ito sa kanya. Those eyes were pretty captivating that is why Annara had to avoid an eye contact with him.

"Because you looked like Adrian," she murmured, almost in faded undertone.

"What?"

Umiling ito. "Nothing. Ang ibig kong sabihin, mukha ka namang mabait na tao at harmless noong nagkita tayo kaya hindi ako nagdalawang isip na tulungan ka," pag-iiba niya. She looked outside the street to not meet his gazes.

"Ang sabihin mo, mabait ka talagang tao and I am thankful for that," he said with a beholden beam. Habang nag-uusap sila ay napansin ni Wicker ang pamumula ng tainga ni Annara. "Namumula 'yong tainga mo."

Nagtaka si Annara at bahagyang napahawak rito. Napangiti ito nang nahihiya. "Malamig lang talaga siguro kaya ganyan."

Wicker pulled his scarf and lend to her. "Use this. Baka giniginaw ka na."

Umiling si Annara. "No need. I'm okay," sagot nito at tumanggi sa alok nito.

"Tinatanggihan mo na naman ako."

"Sabi mo, okay lang kahit tumanggi ako nang tumanggi," wika niya at natatawa.

"Yeah, seems you're right." He grinned.

Ilang sandali lang ay kinuha niya ito. "I'm just kidding." Ngumisi ito at saka niya pinaikot ito sa leeg niya. "Thank you."

Kinilig siya nang kaunti rito. She knows exactly what to feel if a man lend her something with care. A true gentleman trait she only wishes and ever asked for every guy.

Those are the moments they hadn't realized the time. They just talk and converse about some things and random stuffs. They are completely lost in the world. Naroroon lang silang dalawang nakatuon sa kung ano ang pinag-uusapan nila. They sometimes laugh, amazed and share things they have experienced in life. The looked like they were childhood friends that got time together to catch up.

Not until Wicker asked her about what happened last week. About her panic attack. Simula kasi nang dalhin niya ito sa clinic ay hindi na muli niya itong nakausap. Tila lumalayo ito at tahimik lang kapag bubuwelo siyang tanungin ang tungkol sa bagay na iyon.

"Annara, maiba ako, I just wanted to know what happened to you last week . . . doon sa may parking lot? Okay na ba ang lagay mo?" Hindi na sana niya ito babanggitin but his curiosity about it killing him. He just wanted to know what really happened. Nag-aalala siya para sa kapakanan nito.

Annara paused about the question in surprise. She's lowering her eyes. She felt like uncomfortable talking about it. She didn't expect it coming. The atmosphere between them became awkward and uneasy. She felt something clogging in her throat.

Nakatitig lang si Wicker at naghihintay kung sasagutin ba niya ang tungkol sa bagay na ito. His brows furrowed while waiting.

Bigla itong tumayo at kinuha ang sling bag na ipinatong niya sa table.

"I have to go," she said. Iniiwasan nito ang tanong na iyon.

She's just not in the mood sharing it. Ayaw niyang malaman nito kung ano ang tunay na nangyari sa kanya. Ayaw niyang kung ano-ano ang iisipin nito kapag nalaman niyang nakaririnig siya ng mga ingay na hindi naman naririnig ng iba. Ayaw niyang tawagin at pag-isipan siyang ganoon, na parang isang baliw at wala sa katinuan. Ayaw niyang umiwas ito sa kanya o lumayo kapag nadiskubre ito.

Naglakad na si Annara at tangka nang lalabas ng coffee shop, subalit nang lampasan niya si Wicker ay napahinto siya nang hawakan nito ang kamay niya.

"Annara, wait up," pagpigil nito, saka tumayo ngunit nanatili pa rin siyang nakatalikod dito. "If you're not feeling okay talking about it, it's okay, it's totally fine. Kahit hindi na natin 'yon pag-usapan. Hindi na ulit ako magtatanong ng tungkol sa bagay na 'yon. I don't want you to avoid me because of those stupid and intriguing questions. I'm sorry." There's a guilt in Wicker's voice. Sana pala mas naging maingat na lang siya sa pagtatanong.

Lumuwag ang kamay nito sa kamay niya. "It's not what it was, Wicker. Ayoko lang pag-usapan ang tungkol sa nangyari sa akin noong nakaraan. I just can't now." She's shaking her head with sadness and tiredness in her voice. She's being sensitive. Wala sa lugar ang pagkamaramdamin niya sa tanong na iyon.

"I completely understand. Maraming salamat sa oras mo. Sige na, baka may pupuntahan ka pang iba." Wicker faced her back and waved a hand to her with a weak smile.

Lumabas na si Annara ng coffee shop at naiwan lang doon si Wicker na pinagsisisihang naitanong niya pa ang tungkol sa bagay na 'yon.

Annara stepped out. Nang sumarado ang pinto paglabas niya ay bigla siyang nakadarama ng kakaibang pakiramdam. A peculiar feeling began to intrude her heart. Ilang sandali pa ay nakarinig siya ng mga boses na halos gambalain na naman ang pananahimik niya.

She closed her ears with her palms. She winced and felt uneasy. Ang ingay ay nagmumula sa paligid. Nagsisigawan ang mga ito na pinaliligiran siya. She felt the horror in these voices. It thrills her down to her spine. It's like the screams circling in her head and gambling in her ears.

She looked back to Wicker. She pressed her palms to the glass wall. Baka sakaling manghina na naman siya at magkaroon ng panic attack. Ito lang ang taong matutulungan siya.

Nakatalikod si Wicker habang nakaupo. There's a guilt in her heart. Pinagmamasdan niya ito. She wanted to run to him but her feet were stoned. Hindi siya makagalaw. Parang nagyelo siya sa kinatatayuan niya.

A moment after, she heard different voices. It was so relaxing, like a sound of lullaby. She felt relieved and calm. Para itong mga himig na nagmumula sa itaas. Like angels humming through her ears. It was so satisfying and somehow make her feel so much comfort and tranquility.

So strange. Bakit ganoon na lang bigla ang himig na nanririnig niya?

She's staring at Wicker. She held on the scarf he lent her.

Lumingon ito sa kanya. Her cheeks flushed. There's an unknown pound in her chest.

What is happening?