THREE

Saturday, and I had just finished a book signing where plenty of readers came. I wasn't the only author there, so almost all the readers of various stories had reached out just to see their favourite writers.

Carrying the gifts given to me by my readers, I couldn't quite figure out how to hold them all. It was already misting, and I had forgotten to bring an umbrella earlier because I was rushing for time after waking up late. Fortunately, someone was kind enough to help me carry my belongings to the vehicle.

I only took a public vehicle because no taxi passed by the location where the event was being held. I didn't want to keep transferring rides since I had too many things with me. So when I got on the bus, I did not get off until my stop, praying the rain wouldn't catch up with me. The weather looked pretty bad, as if it were going to pour at any moment.

I got down at the alley where Mang Kanor's shop was located. It was a bit dark around because of the heavy downpour, even though it was only five o'clock in the afternoon. I remembered it was announced earlier that there was a low-pressure area in our region. Because I was in a hurry, I had also forgotten to tell my dad to pick me up.

Mang Kanor's store also closed early, probably because there weren't too many people around and there were no more bystanders who used to drink in his shop. I stepped aside to the side of the store to take shelter and organise my belongings. I would only have to walk a little farther because I was close to our home. While I was arranging my things, four men suddenly took refuge there, followed by two women. But I ignored them because I was too busy.

They weren't important, so I didn't care about them.

“It looks like the wind is getting stronger. Maybe later it will pour a lot more. Let's go before we get stuck here and the rain gets heavier,” one of them said, running ahead while leaving his comrades.

"Arsehole, he already left us,” another one complained.

"All right, you follow him too." 

I looked at the one who spoke because his voice was familiar to me. When I glanced at him, I realised I was not mistaken.

It was the man who had held my sister's hand—the reason why Dad was disappointed in me, making me look like a liar in his eyes, while even Janel lectured me. And now, I had to be stuck here with this animal?

‘What an unlucky day.’

"Bro, let's go before it pours out too much." The dumbass nodded, so his last companion ran away.

He was about to run when the rain suddenly poured hard along with a strong gust of wind. The two women next to me shouted and then pushed to the side so they wouldn't get wet. I, on the other hand, moved a little more so I wouldn't get wet myself, along with the things I was carrying. There was also some lightning and thunder, followed by an even stronger wind. I wasn't afraid of thunder and lightning, so I remained chill until the wind suddenly grew violent.

"Shit!" the dumbass said, covering his body tightly so that he would not get drenched by the rain, and then looked to the side. When he saw a tarpaulin of a tile company, he quickly grabbed it and used it to block the rain for all of us.

‘Pretending to be a gentleman because there are women here. Silly.’

I wanted to rebuke him for what he did, thinking he might break a tarpaulin that wasn't his. But I decided against it because, first, I didn't own this store, and second, I didn't care about him or this place. I didn't care if the tarp got shattered; I didn't own it. Even if he destroyed everything in sight, I wouldn't care.

The downpour intensified, accompanied by sharper lightning and stronger winds. The man continued to hold up the tarpaulin in front of him. I was right behind him, so I didn't get wet because he was catching all the rain, while the two girls were on the left side.

It was already past five o'clock, and soon Dad would be passing by here on his way home in case the rain didn't stop. I'd just wait for him so I could go home with him.

"Aren't you Mia Romero?" 

I was surprised when one of the women suddenly asked. I nodded in response, and both of them suddenly looked ecstatic. Then I noticed that the person who asked me was wearing a t-shirt with my logo on the left chest. Maybe they had come from book signing and, just like me, couldn't catch a taxi and didn't want to keep switching rides.

"Mia, can you sign our books if it's okay?" her companion shyly asked.

“Yeah, sure."

"We came from your event, but we couldn't reach the book signing because of the crowd. We were among those who weren't allowed to go on stage because it was too crowded,” the other pleaded.

“The truth is, we really followed you. I'm so sorry, Mia, if we suddenly seemed like desperate stalkers. We just want you to sign our books because we are heading back to Manila.”

"It's okay; hand me your books and I will sign them."

The two were delighted and immediately handed the books to me. They brought three books each. These were the books I had released last year and this year. Fortunately, it was clear enough because Mang Kanor hadn't turned off the light of his store, and even the street lamp pole was on.

When I got the books in my hands, I turned around to find a place to put them. Behind me was Mang Kanor's small table. When I touched it, it wasn't wet, so I placed it there to sign. I signed and wrote a dedication on each book. Let’s just say I felt sorry for them, so I agreed. Even if I was having a hard time in my current position, I was fine with it. I knew a reader’s effort just to see the author they admired. Even though I was a successful writer, there was no denying that I still admired the writer who had inspired me to this day. And like the readers in front of me today, I was also ready to endure anything just to get an autograph from my favourite writer.