"I have this condition called schizophrenia".
"Schizophrenia?" I stare at him at the moment with curiosity, since it was my first time to encounter the word.
"It's a mental disorder..." He paused and glanced at me for a second.
"Nagpa-check-up ka na ba?" Hindi ko alam kung tama ba ang reaction ko. I really don't know what to do.
Honestly, I'm only familiar with depression and anxiety, and based on my observation from the way he moves, I can sense that he's hiding something.
"May imaginary friend ako".
For a minute or two, silence swallowed the atmosphere.
I looked down.
"Maniniwala ka ba sakin?" He gently grabbed my hand to get my attention.
I looked at him directly in the eyes.
Even though I really don't have thoughts of what to respond. My lips automatically said 'yes'.
He smiled and locked his fingers into mine.
"I'll show you the mask that I made, soon." He stands up, still holding my hand.
"Mask?" I asked.
He brushed off the dirt on his pants.
"Claudio". He smiled at me and waved goodbye.
Claudio, his 'so called' imaginary friend.