Holding On With Maybe (Holding On Series #2)

20

"Someday. In time. For sure."

Christmas came but we couldn't celebrate it properly. The band and Callixto canceled their plans to celebrate in distant places, afraid of the things that might happen.

After that holiday, Bobbie finally woke up. Of course, I immediately told Callixto about her, and in a few moments, he is here.

Days after that turns into weeks. Weeks turn into months.

When my birthday came, Bobbie asks me for a favor which lasted until now. She's now accepting visitors, letting people know half of her truth. There's also this person who I asked to come here because Bobbie wanted to talk to her. It did turn out well for Bobbie, but not for Callixto.

"Grace," Callixto called as he entered Bobbie's room. Akala ko siya lang mag-isa pero kasunod niya pala si Timothy... na may kasamang babae. Kailan pa sila naging close?

She's that girl I thought Callixto has something with too. Madalas silang magkasama before, tipong hatid-sundo sa building ng architecture. She has this short, slightly curled black hair, she's a bit tan, and she looks sophisticated in her high-waisted jeans, puffed sleeves top, and converse shoes.

I smiled at her, she did too.

She looks like she didn't know what to do kaya nilapitan ko siya.

"Kumusta siya?" Tanong niya habang nakatingin kay Bobbie.

"You should probably ask her yourself," I told her as I lead her towards Bobbie.

I stayed with them for short minutes at nang mukhang komportable na silang mag-usap, umalis na ako at lumapit kela Callixto na nakatingin lang sa amin.

"You okay with her?" Callixto asked me.

"Oo naman, why wouldn't I be?"

"I just asked," he smiled. "She's not supposed to be with us though, pero nakita siya ni Timothy sa labas ng condo building niya. Coincidentally, malapit lang pala yung apartment na tinutuluyan ni Art, tapos dito rin daw punta niya kaya nagsabay na sila."

Condo?

Napatingin ako kay Timothy. He was averting my gaze at doon napakunot ang noo ko. Bakit parang wala naman siyang binabanggit sa'kin tungkol doon?

I was distracted for days.

I was trying to study Callixto's notes outside Bobbie's room nang biglang tumunog yung phone ko. It was a text and I know already who sent that, that's why I didn't bother to look at it. I was sitting on the floor nang biglang may lumitaw na juice box sa harap ko. Napatingala ako kung sinong nag-aabot at nakita ko si Timothy.

Sukbit niya yung shoulder bag niya habang nakasuot pa rin ng uniform. Mukhang galing pa siya sa klase.

"So you really are ignoring my texts."

Agad akong tumayo sa kinauupuan ko at naglakad palayo sa kanya pero alam kong nakasunod siya sa akin. Nakarating na kami sa likod ng hospital nang hawakan niya ako sa pulso ko at paharapin sa kanya.

"Ano bang problema?" Kalmado niyang tanong. "Yung sa condo ba 'to?"

Hindi ako sumagot at tinignan lang siya. Gusto kong malaman kung bakit hindi niya sa'kin sinabi yung tungkol doon pero ayokong itanong, kasi kung gusto niyang ipaalam yun sa'kin, sasabihin niya yun sa'kin.

"Oo, wala na ako sa bahay ng mga magulang ko kasi hindi ko na kaya. Sorry kung hindi ko na nasabi sa'yo, ayoko lang makisabay sa iniisip mo ngayon," pag-amin niya.

"Pero di'ba sabi ko sa'yo pwede kang magsabi sa'kin kapag pagod ka na?" Tanong ko.

"Pagod ka rin ngayon Aly."