She Forget, I Regret

5

"Dude? Duuuude?! Dude!!!!"

I snap out of my thoughts nang yugyugin ako ni Keo.

"Sorry, what was that?" I asked while wiping a tear that escaped my eye.

"I'm asking if you think that Avery's voice is angelic or hypnotizing?" Napakunot ako ng noo sa sinabi niya. "There's a poll that emerged from Meower whether her voice is angelic or hypnotizing."

"Smile when it hurts
Tonight with all of my girls
Party 'till I can't see straight
This is how a heart unbreaks"

Dapat pala pinakinggan ko muna siya bago ko pinaander yung kayabangan ko.

I was too drunk with fame that I failed to notice the person who stayed beside me when I am no one until I became someone.

I took her for granted. Thought that I was superior to her.

I can't believe that I had a phase like that. Sadly, Ave is the collateral damage.

But, I am happy.

That she reached her dream, even though I insulted her and put her down.

I am happy that she became stronger.

I am happy that she was able to cut off toxic people, like me, in her life.

But sometimes, a lot of what if's still pops up.

"Come on, dude! Sa waiting room tayo." Keo pulled me towards the waiting room after Ave's last performance.

"Hoy gago, wala 'to sa usapan natin!" I tried to get myself out but it was a fail.

Either Keo is stronger than me or because my knees are in gellatin mode.

When we entered the waiting room, the staffs are clapping and shouting.

I spotted Ave smiling while holding a flower.

Sumiksik ako sa ibang staffs nang bitawan ako ni Keo.

"Averyyyy, my babyyyy!!!" The staffs laughed while making a way for Keo.

"Keoooo, my booooo!!!" Sinalubong bi Ave ng yakap si Keo while laughing. It is safe to say that I want to punch Keo right now.

"Congrats! Pinapasabi nila Ian na pasensya na't di sila nakapunta."

"Thank you, atsaka okay lang yun! Basta lilibre nila ko pag nakita ko sila." Keo laughed again while ruffling Ave's hair.

"Syempre! Nga pala, papakilala ko sa'yo 'tong masungit at mailap kong kaibigan." He said saka lumingon kaya't lalo akong nakigitgit sa mga staff.

"Luh, nawala." Inikot niya ang paningin saka nagtama ang mata namin. I panicked nang magsimula siyang lumapit. "Pero siyempre wala kang kawala. You stood out like a sore thumb, bro. Lapit dito, di nangangagat 'tong si Avery, slight lang."

Ave giggled while taking a photo, ipopost siguro sa accounts and pages niya.

I missed her giggles.

Keo pulled me from where I am and introduced me to Ave.

"Avery, this is Zeus. Model. Zeus, this is Avery. Singer."

She turned her head fast and smiled when she saw me.

"Hey, long time no see, Zeus." I didn't know what to do when she hugged me.

I contemplated whether to hug her back or what, but before I could even decide, she lets go.

"You know each other?" Keo asked, confused.

He looked at me, asking for explanation. But Ave beats me to it.

"He's my ex, Keo. But we don't have any bad blood, 'di ba Zeus?" She turned to me and smiled.

I know that smile is a genuine smile.

and at that moment, I realized...

Ave already moved on.

While I'm still stuck with what if's and regrets.

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