Ikatatlumpu't tatlong Kabanata: Brisk
He was still the same bubbly guy as before.
Only that, his wrinkles were really evident now.
He was able to reach me through mail weeks before I went to Baguio.
I wasn't expecting his name to pop up in my account but it happened.
"Sana okay lang sa'yo, Gabo. I ordered for us," aniya nang makaupo ako.
He has the same height as mine. It seemed like it was only yesterday when he approached me and we became friends.
Now... I don't know if we can still bring back that relationship now.
"Gabo?"
"It's okay. Salamat."
We've sat next to each other before with little to no space. It feels different now because there's this gap that even I can't cross into.
I think he knows it too.
"How are you?"
"I'm fine, Makoy. But let's skip to that. Anong... gusto mong pag-usapan?"
It's been years since we last talked. It's kinda weird that he wants to see me now.
Tiningnan ko siya.
Payat ang kaniyang pangangatawan.
Halatang kinakabahan siya kaya't ngumiti ako ng kaunti upang mabawasan iyon.
"I see. Well, I just want to say sorry..." panimula niya. "...sa mga nagawa ko sa'yo noon. Akala ko kasi... may nararamdaman ka para sa akin. At akala ko, pwede tayong tumuntong into more than friends."
Napainom ako ng tubig at umiwas ng tingin.
"I want you to feel guilty. But it was just selfish of me. Ang sabi kasi sa akin ni Lyle, may... gusto ka raw sa akin."
Ano?
"Why would she say that?"
"I don't know. 'Yon lang ang gusto kong hingin, Gabo. Ilang taon na ring bumabagabag ito sa akin kaya pasensya na talaga."
"Matagal na 'yon, Makoy."
"Alam ko. Pero nakokonsensya talaga ako dahil wala ka namang ginawa sa aking masama. Matagal ko na ring napagtantong ni minsan ay hindi mo ako pinakitunguhan ng higit pa sa kaibigan."
"I don't know what made you think of that, Makoy. Wala naman akong ipinakita sa iyong gano'n."
"I know. I guess I was just influenced. Sising-sisi talaga ako lalo na noong malaman ko ang mga pinagdaanan mo. I am not even hoping that I can be a friend now."
"Hindi ko alam kung pwede pa tayong maging magkaibigan. I think we're better off as colleagues?"
His eyes surrendered, then he nodded.
I treated him as a friend.
I gave him the same treatment as Lyle and the others.
Pero iyon na siguro ang tinutukoy ni Tita Sherly tungkol sa totoong mundo.
Nanghihinayang lang ako dahil... buo ang ibinigay kong tiwala sa kanila noon. Hindi ko naman hinihiling na palagi silang nandiyan. Kahit emosyonal na suporta lang sana...
Pero ayos lang. Wala na 'yon sa akin.
My heart is genuinely happy now.
Bumaling ako kay Makoy.
BINABASA MO ANG
The Heart of a Wounded Soldier
Romance[La Esencia Series #1] - heart Despite the vast lands of her town, Gabriella Marie wanted to be something different. She came from a resilient family with overflowing affection and her sole inspiration is her father - a soldier. She is strong-willed...
