“Answer me, Jane. Do you still love me?” Kent asked.
I was in total awe when he asked me if I still love him. God!
“I still-”
I was cut off because his phone suddenly rang.
“You still what?” he asked, anticipation was drawn all over him. The phone just kept on ringing.
“Uhm, a-answer the phone call.”
“That can wait.”
“Baka emergency.”
“Damn it!” mahinang mura niya at padaskol na tumayo, kinuha ang cellphone niyang nasa counter island at sinagot iyon.
“Arden, you fucking make sure that this is something important!” he said. Then he remained silent. His eyes were all on me so I looked down at my plate and resumed eating. Kahit na halos bumaliktad ang sikmura ko sa kaba ngayo’y pinipilit kong kumain. Nakalimutan ko ang gutom ko dahil sa tanong niya sa’kin.
“Okay,” then he ended the call. He returned to the table but he didn’t sit. He leaned on the table while he’s looking at me seriously. My heart drummed erratically. Heck! I feel so cornered!
“So, what are you saying?” He looks amused and excited.
“Uh, a-ano…”
“What?”
“A-ano…” I sighed heavily. “All these years, I still-” Naputol ulit ang sasabihin ko nang may sunod-sunod na nagdoor bell. Napapikit si Kent at halatang naiinis na.
“Why our timing is always perfect?” he asked sarcastically. I smiled a little. He looked stunned while he’s looking at my lips. I cleared my throat to get his attention.
“B-buksan ko lang yung pinto,” wika ko at tumayo na. Palabas ng dining area ay sapo ko ang aking dibdib. Shit! Mas lalong bumibilis ang pintig ng puso ko.
Binuksan ko ang pinto at ang mga kaibigan kong ilang taon kong hindi nakita ang bumungad sa akin.
“Jane!!!” parehong tili nina Ayla at Ria. Sinalubong nila ako ng yakap. Muntik pa akong mabuwal sa kinatatayuan ko.
“Ria… Ayla,” sambit ko at niyakap din sila pabalik.
“God! We missed you! Where have you been? Why didn’t you show up? Nor told us anything you were going through?” sunod-sunod na tanong ni Ria. Humiwalay ako sa pagkakayakap sa kanila at inaya na muna silang pumasok sa loob.
“Kumusta kayo? Namiss ko kayo ng sobra,” sabi ko. Naupo sila sa mahabang sofa. Hinila nila ako pauro roon, pinagitnaan nila akong dalawa at pareho silang nakayakap sa akin sa magkabilang tagiliran ko.
BINABASA MO ANG
If There's a Lifetime (Completed)
RomansaFor Jane Faith Aquino, it wasn't the red lights, nor the timing that was bad, but it is the countless times she hesitated. She was afraid to tell her best friend about her feelings because she was anxious of losing what they have. Now, she suffers...
