My AI Romance

Truth   I used to witness this kind of set up inside the four walls of this room. You can always feel the tension between our not so terror professor and this guy who's always been the top of the class. The four corners were filled with silence while attentively listening and staring at his lips. This is just a usual scene but no one can control the amazement in their eyes. Everyone's mouth was wide open as we continued shifting our gaze to the two people who were in front. Even me, I can't hide that I'm totally amazed because of what I've seen. It feels like I am watching a thriller movie.     "In Albert Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, he determined that the laws of physics are the same for all non accelerating observers and he showed that the speed of light within the vacuum is the same no matter the speed at which an observer travels. It usually encompasses two interrelated theories which are special relativity and general relativity. Special relativity applies to all physical phenomena in the absence of gravity while general relativity explains the law of gravitation and its relation to other forces of nature." Nikkolas confidently explained. I can see that he had no hesitations voicing out his answers unlike me who’s always been diffident. He fixed his eyeglasses as he darted his gaze on me afterwards. My heart skipped a bit when our eyes met. Did he just look at me or was it just a side effect of me fantasizing about him every night? Uh, I can't deny that fact. Who wouldn’t like him? Nikkolas is actually not just smart but also appealing. The word perfect is the best description suited for him, I must say. Right after the exact day he transferred here in University of Central Nepumbra, he's always been the number one topic all over the different departments. I never thought that I would be luckier because we're in the same corners of the room. At first, I had no interest in him. I have always been focused on studying. Everything changed when our paths crossed. He changed me to an entirely new version of myself. 2030, August 25th Levithan, Hershey B. Everything seemed special when I saw Nikkolas. This just started when I saw how smart and competent he is. Today, he accidentally left his blue handkerchief on his desk. I'm looking forward to setting up a date and giving it personally to him soon. I closed my journal right after I wrote those. Ever since I was a little, my mother told me that I have a rare habit of forgetting things easily most especially when I woke up. That's why as much as possible, every important thing that happened during the whole day was documented in my journal. In that way, I won't forget those important events that happened the whole day. After our classes, I didn't have any important matters to do so I decided to go home. I immediately hop in my bed while holding my laptop. I decided to search for this guy who's always been in my mind these past few days. His name is Nikkolas Leinnon Parker. I was shocked to see that his father was a great inventor and innovator. You can see different appliances with an upgraded version all over different places that are made by him. No doubt that his son was born perfect and brilliant. It runs through their genes.   The next day, everybody was busy with the upcoming acquaintance. It feels like classes were suspended because students are just roaming around the campus. Instead of doing the same thing, I just decided to go to the library to finish my unwritten reports so I have nothing to worry about during those days before the deadline. I just stopped walking for a moment after reading my mother's new email saying she won't be here at the end of August. She's busy working in Canada now and just coming back home thrice a year. This is not new to me. I used to live alone since 8th grade while taking care of everything all by myself. "Hershey, have you made up your mind? Sasama ka ba mamaya?" asked by Chami with her friends. They keep on asking me the same question since two days ago. I shook my head as an answer and force a smile before turning my back. I don’t want to live while trying to fit in even if it’s too obvious that I don’t belong in their circle of friends. I already know their intentions why they want me in their group. I don't want to boast but as far as I know, I am next to Nikkolas. If he didn't transfer to this institute, I would still be the top of the class. Chami wants me in their group because they needed someone to make their projects and reports. I don't want them to use me in that way or treat me as a slave. No one deserves that kind of treatment. Now I realized that it is still okay to be alone so people won't have the chance to take advantage or overpower me. I only have myself. Wala akong ibang po-problemahin. While I'm walking along the hallway, I saw Nikkolas. I was about to get near him to return his handkerchief only if I didn't see Eleonora. She was the rumored girlfriend of him. I sighed after that thought came into my mind. What am I compared to her? If you look at them, you can't deny the fact that they are actually good together. Eleonora Madrigal is one of the most well known personalities here in this university. Maybe Nikkolas likes a high class and elegant girl like her compared to the average type like me. I tried to erase those thoughts on my mind. Mas lalo lang akong masasaktan kung pakakaisipin ko pa ‘yon. I just decided to walk in the long cut directions so I won't be able to see them. When I'm already in the library, I made myself busy with loads of work to do. I didn't notice that I spent two hours writing and reading. Hindi ko rin namalayan na nakatulog na pala ako. I looked at our wall clock. It's already 1 pm in the afternoon when I woke up. I went home and it surprised me to see Primo comfortably sitting on my couch.   "Bakit ka nandito?" Pambungad na tanong ko. His arms are crossed while welcoming me with his never ending smile. I followed his gaze until it went to the black gown he brought here. "I guess you have no time picking what you will wear so I bought you one. See you on Friday." He exclaimed before walking out the door. He has always been like this. I already told him that I'd rather be alone but he didn't let me. He always watched me from afar to make sure that I had the things I needed. Hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi siya nagsasawang gawin iyon. Nagluto muna ako ng pagkain at kumain pagkaalis ni Primo bago ako naglinis ng kwarto ko at ng buong bahay. The last time I did this was a week  ago I think? My room was full of journals that I had used ever since before. May malaki akong cabinet dito na pinaglalagyan ko ng mga ito. Every important details of my life were written here so I will always remember them. Medyo maalikabok na nga lang dahil hindi ko nalilinis. After doing the things that I need to do, I felt lethargic. Hindi ko namalayan na nakatulog na pala ako.   I just woke up because my phone rang and Chami's name registered on my phone again. When did I give my number to anyone? Kusa itong namatay ng hindi ko sinasagot. I just decided to send a message saying my apology that I don't really want to come in Ginger's pool party. Sa halip na pahabain pa ang usapan namin sa text, binitawan ko na lang yung cellphone ko. I went to the kitchen to check if I have remaining food to eat but I found nothing. Nagmamadali tuloy akong nagpalit ng damit bago ako nag grocery. Bukod sa pagkain, bumili na rin ako ng mga bagay na kailangan kong gamitin. It was exactly 8 pm when I'm done buying things. I texted Primo so he could help me carry these things. I realized that I need to give him an early treat because of all the things he did for me too. Sana nga ay makabawi man lang ako sa kanya. Almost twenty minutes ko s'yang hinintay bago makarating. "I like it when you need my help, dearest cousin." Pagbibiro n'ya.  Kaagad kong binigay sa kanya yung mga pinamili ko dahil sa sobrang bigat. This is the first time I asked help from him when I went to the grocery. Hindi ko naman kasi inaakalang mapapadami yung mga pinamili ko. "What do you want? My treat." I offered but based on his expression, it seems like he's going to ask for something else. "Just set a date with me this Saturday and we're all good. Write it on your journal so you won't forget it. Alright?" I nodded because of what he said. Knowing him, alam kong hindi niya ako tatantanan hangga’t hindi ako pumapayag. Useless na rin namang makipagtalo. He offered me a ride dahil dala n'ya na din naman yung kotse n'ya. Another thing, it was already late in the evening kaya't pumayag na rin ako. I was about to get inside the car when I saw Nikkolas. "What are you waiting? Get inside," aniya pero hindi ko sinunod. "Mauna ka na. May nakalimutan pa pala akong bilhin. " Pagdadahilan ko. "I'll wait for you then." He casually replied. Ilang beses pa kaming nagtalo bago ko s'ya napasunod sa gusto ko. "Mauna ka na, Primo. I'll just text you when I'm already home."  Nakita kong nagkamot pa s'ya ng batok bago sumunod. Tinanaw ko muna na makaalis yung kotse n'ya bago ko hinanap si Nikkolas. I just want to return the handkerchief that he left the last time. I don't know if I really saw him or I was just tired. Hinanap ko pa rin s'ya ng hinanap hanggang sa makalabas ako ng store. I can't see him kasi ang bilis n'yang nawala. Baka naman nagha-hallucinate lang ako? After a few moments, hindi ko namalayan na napalayo na pala ang paglalakad ko. I am now here in a dark and unfamiliar place with broken street lamps. Kaagad na humataw ang kaba sa dibdib ko. I was about to run when I felt a broad shoulders and someone wrapping his arms around my neck. My legs are trembling as if I was in this scenario a long time ago. "Holdap 'to." My knees suddenly turned weaker upon hearing that voice. "Ibigay mo sa akin lahat ng meron ka kung ayaw mong masaktan." Dugtong n'ya pa habang pilit akong kumakawala. I can't move even a little bit because he was too strong. Tears started to form from my eyes. I was about to give him my bag only if someone didn't arrive. Bigla ko na lang narinig ang malakas na pagdaing ng lalaki at pagbagsak nito sa sahig dahil sa ginawang paghampas sa kanya ni Nikkolas gamit ang hawak nitong baseball bat. Nangangatal pa rin ako sa sobrang takot pero unti unti lang ‘yong nawala nang magsimula niya akong lapitan. He picked up my bag and our eyes met. I was very scared and at the same time shocked. He came closer to me as he handed me back my things. Why did he save me? I was stuck staring at him. I thought everything would be alright but I was wrong. Halos mabingi ako sa lakas ng putok ng b***l. The man who pulled the trigger ran quickly away from us. My gaze went again to Nikkolas. Unti unting bumagsak ang katawan n'ya sa akin. It took a minute for me to finally process what actually happened. Nangangatal ang buong katawan ko dahil hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko. “H-Help!” I used my remaining strength to shout while crying pero kaagad akong napatigil sa pagsigaw nang may napagtanto ako. Nikkolas was not bleeding. Umakyat ang matinding kaba sa dibdib ko lalo na nang makita ko kung ano ‘yong nasa likod niya. His back is broken and there is a battery inside it. It’s hard for me to process everything I saw but it was actually the truth. Nikkolas Leinnon Parker was not ordinary. Behind his perfection and ideal features are metals. He was Mr. Parker's latest invention. He is not a human but a perfectly and well built humanoid robot.