My AI Romance

Episode 2

Acquaintance Party

I was awakened by the smell of an unfamiliar scent. When my vision became clear, I am more than sure that I'm not in my place. I keep on asking myself why I am here. I can't even remember what happened yesterday.

Mabilis kong hinanap kung nasaan yung bag ko. I immediately search my journal inside it so I could remember everything. There's not enough information that could answer my question. The only detail written here is when I went to the grocery store.

After that, there's a big question mark on my mind regarding what happened next.

Nilibot ko ang tingin ko sa kabuuan ng kwarto kung nasaan ako. The design of this room was very classic. There were paintings and portraits displayed on the wall. The floor was an old fashioned parquet. I also noticed that almost all of the things here are high tech. There was an auto moving vacuum that amazed me. I've never seen that kind of robot for real.

Speaking of robot...Wait! Did I remember it right?

Sinubukan kong alalahanin lahat ng nangyari kagabi. My doctor already warned me every time I'm doing this. Forcing myself to remember will only trigger my memory.

But I am left with no choice. I need to know the reason why I am here.

I suddenly stopped thinking when an old man entered the door. If I'm not mistaken, it was Mr. Parker, one of the famous scientists here in our town. I think I already know why I am here.

"Kamusta ang pakiramdam mo?" tanong niya sa isang baritonong tono. I only saw his image in magazines and newspapers. This is the first time that I saw him in person.

Medyo natulala pa ako sa ginawa n'yang paglapit sa akin. Many people adored and honored him for his several contributions in the field of science. Hindi ko inakala na ganito ako kalapit sa kanya ngayon.

"Nagugutom ka ba iha?" tanong muli niya. Nakaramdam naman ako ng pagkailang kaya't mabilis kong niyakap ang bag ko. I don't know what his real intention was in inventing such a robot.

Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala. 

Everything seems surreal.

The moment other people discover the truth, it will be a huge mess. Maraming nakakakilala kay Nikkolas mula sa iba’t ibang departamento. Kung sila ang nasa posisyon ko, paniguradong mababaliw din sila habang pinapaniwalaan ‘yong totoo.

The person that we’ve been admiring is far way different from us. I don't know what is Mr. Parker's reason for enrolling  that robot in a real university. . Sa sobrang galing n'ya, wala man lang nakahalata na hindi tao kundi isang high tech na robot ang anak n'ya.

"Don't feel uncomfortable. I will call the driver right away to send you home." He calmly  exclaimed. Gusto ko pa sanang alamin lahat ng bagay tungkol kay Nikkolas pero mukhang maingat at mapagmasid siya sa mga ikinikilos ko.

I wasn't able to roam around the house but I know that something is different. Dapat pala hindi ko na lang tinanggihan ang alok niyang pagkain sa akin para nagkaroon kami ng pagkakataon para mapag usapan ang tungkol sa bagay na nalaman ko kagabi.

Even if I wasn't able to write it in my journal, there were traces and clues that I saw to help me remember everything that happened last night.

I followed Nikkolas when I saw him at the grocery store. Someone almost robbed everything I have. Nikkolas saved me. I discovered that he was a robot. I fainted, that's why I lost my consciousness. And after that, I just woke up in an unfamiliar room.

Hindi ko maiwasang makaramdam ng kaba. Mr. Parker is watching my every move and I felt a little bit scared by the way he look at me. May isang bagay lang akong napansin.

His features are quite similar to the robot he invented. Nababaliw na ba siya?

"I hope this thing will remained as a secret. I'll give you everything you want. Just bury everything you discovered last night." He added. Base sa paraan ng pagtingin n'ya sa akin, hindi ko alam kung bakit parang napasunod agad ako sa gusto n'yang mangyari. It feels like someone is telling me to protect his son's identity the way he did.

"I w-won't say anything." I replied. As  long as that robot he made doesn't harm anyone, I'll keep my promise. Susubukan kong hindi muna pakaisipin ang bagay na ‘yon.

I felt lethargic and dizzy right after I arrived home. Hindi pa rin mawala sa isipan ko si Nikkolas na patuloy na gumugulo sa akin kaya’t naiinis ako dahil hindi ko ‘yon magawang makalimutan. Even if I tried my best to forget it, things keep on coming back like a flash.

If I spread his secret to anyone, I know they won't believe me. I will definitely look like a crazy one who's desperate to get some attention. Besides, I will not get any benefits from it. I'll just keep my mouth shut and pretend that I didn't discover anything.

At this point, that's the right thing to do.

There was no image of Nikkolas when I attended my third subject. Even the next day, I wasn't able to see him. My journal gave me the answers why he's not here. His back is broken and I wonder how many days it will take to fix him.

A different feeling crept over my chest— a feeling that even me can’t clearly explain.

Biglang naging usap usapan sa buong university ang pagkawala n'ya ng dalawang araw. If only they knew the truth, will they still admire Nikkolas Parker like I do?

Up until now, I still think and care for him. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit naging ganito ang epekto niya sa akin. But then, I need to accept the truth that he was not a real person.

That scenario I've witnessed made me realize that there's no such thing as perfection. Everyone should learn to embrace their flaws and believe in their capabilities. Each of us commits mistakes and that makes us human.

Bukod sa dalawang araw na pagkawala ni Nikkolas, naging usap usapan din ang magaganap na acquaintance party bukas. To be honest, I don't feel any kind of excitement. For me, attending that kind of event was boring and a waste of time to pay attention.

Unfortunately, attending that party is mandatory and everyone was obliged to attend. I guess I have no choice but to spend hours sitting while watching others dancing and enjoying the party.

Kinabukasan, nagdecide ako na magset up ng movie para manood ng horror films. I spent the whole day watching and balak ko sanang hindi na lang umattend ng acquaintance kung wala lang umistorbo sa akin.

I wasn’t surprised when I saw Primo wearing his complete attire for the party. It was all black and very familiar. If I'm not mistaken, the designs and details were closely similar to the gown he bought me.

“Hindi ako sasama.” Kaagad na desisyon ko dahil bigla akong tinamad kumilos. Bahala na kung mandatory iyon. 

"I'll wait for you for 30 minutes. Make sure that you're done when I come back." Huli na ng ma-realize ko na hindi lang s'ya nag iisang pumunta dito.

He explained something to the woman he is with. Tanging sila lang 'yong nagkakaintindihan. I was about to ask him kung para saan 'yon pero umalis na s'ya sa harap ko.

I am left with this woman and the next thing I knew, she was now applying make ups to me.

Primo:

I am not available on Saturday. You want to treat me right? Then be my date for tonight.

Napabuntong hininga ako nang ma-realize kong wala na naman akong ibang choice.Hindi na ako nakapagreklamo pa ng mabasa ko yung message n'ya. He's the only person that I can lean on.

Mukhang tama nga s'ya, walang tao na mabubuhay mag isa. In my case, I really need him because I have no one else to trust.

After the quick make over, I look at myself in the full length mirror. Mukhang umayos naman kahit papaano ang itsura ko. My hair was put on my left side and I'm comfortable with this light makeup on my face. Nakasuot ako ngayon ng black long sleeve wrap evening dress.

Right after Primo saw me, he gave me a look from head to foot.

"You look like a human now, dearest cousin," he teased me. I just chose to ignore that dahil wala ako sa mood para makipagtalo.

While we're inside the car, binilang ko na yung mga oras ng pananatili ko doon. We left the house at 7:30 pm at gusto ko at exactly 9 pm ay pauwi na kami.

"This is just once a year. Why can't you extend it until 12? I promise to bring you home." He offered but I declined. Alam kong mabobored lang ako doon.

"No thanks, kuya Primo." I replied. He looked at me as if I said something wrong.

"What is it again?"

"Kuya Primo."

"What?"

"Kuya Primo. Kuya Primo. Kuya Primo."

I laughed when I already sensed that he's mad. He doesn't want to be called kuya eversince. He told me that we're just the same age, that's why he wants the first name basis.

"You know how much I hate that word kuya. Besides, we're not actually cousins."

He's right. Hindi naman talaga kami totoong magpinsan. His mother and I were just close friends to the point that they treated each other like sisters.

When we arrived at the venue, marami ng tao doon. I've been telling it to him for consecutive times that I really hate loud music and this ambiance. Habang ang iba ay tuwang tuwa, ako naman ay unti unting nakakaramdam ng pagkabagot.

Primo was busy talking with his friends. It was Meiko and Drio but I'm not in the mood to talk to them kasi palagi nila akong inaasar na binabakuran daw ako ni Primo which is not true. Someone offered me a drink pero hindi ko 'yon tinanggap. When I heard a familiar name, my eyes automatically darted to Eleonora.

She was wearing a silver floral appliques with plunging neck long dress that made her look more elegant and classy.

Everyone's eye was on her.

Who wouldn't?

She's really worth staring for.

I just spend the remaining hours observing how happy people are around me. Primo invited me for a dance pero hindi pa natatapos ang isang kanta ay tumigil na ako. I told him na medyo sumasakit na yung paa ko. His phone rang that's why he told me to wait. Lumabas s'ya saglit kasi masyadong maingay dito sa loob para sagutin yung tawag.

I decided to get a glass of wine until I saw a familiar stare darted on me.

Wait, bakit nandito ang robot na si Nikkolas? Is he fine?

Luminga linga pa ako para makasigurado kung sa akin nga ba s'ya nakatingin. I almost got panic when I saw him walking towards my direction.

Everyone's eyes were on us. My chest started to have its abnormal beating when he's already in front of me.

"May I have this dance?" Napaawang ang labi ko sa sinabi n'ya. I can't believe that this robot is asking me to dance with him!

Alam kong maraming mata ang nakatingin sa amin. Once I accepted his offer, I know they will curse me to death. Dapat tatanggi ako pero hindi ko alam kung bakit kusang gumalaw ang kamay ko. The next thing I knew, I was now holding his hand.

The slow beat of the music played. I can't take the intensity between the two of us. His stares were calm and I was catching my breath all throughout. The texture of his hand, the way I felt when we're inches afar from each other made me feel that he's like a real human.

My existence doesn't matter to him. Nakakapagtaka na ng inaya n'ya ako para sa isang sayaw pero hindi ko naman inakala na mas magugulat pa pala ako sa sunod n'yang sasabihin.

"System 1014. Nikkolas Leinnon version 2. I was programmed to serve you. Tell me my lady, I'll do everything you say starting from now on."