Crossing Through A Valiant Heart (ON-GOING)

Chapter 21

Trigger Warning: mentioning blood; shots; kidnap

"How was work?" Ivy looked interested. She placed her head on her hands while staring at me.

It's my day off and hers so we decided to hang out for a little bit. I missed her so much! But she was pestering me for a long time so I finally gave in.

"I'm doing pretty well. I have to work a little longer and I'll be promoted." I was holding onto that opportunity. I will be a doctor. Lahat ng pinaghirapan ko nung college, I don't want to disappoint my past self. She's my motivation and inspiration.

"Really? Ang galing naman!" she pinched my cheeks so I backed off. She pinches it like it's some marshmallows! "And Kobie?" I knew it. She'd ask me about us!

"Huh? Uhh, same things. We need a little more time. Don't you think?" I chuckled.

She was looking at me from head to toe, silently judging me. She'll get mad at me when I talk about Tino! I just have to deal with this every day. She's going to ask about my love life even though nothing's happening much. Well, a lot has happened but it's too complicated. I don't want other people to think that I'm playing! I'm not the type to play with someone's heart.

I'm just a confusing person. I'm still clueless about a lot of things in life. I don't rely on anyone when it comes to my life but having someone to ask about certain types of things is great.

"Wait, Luca is joining us. Will you invite Kobie ba? Para hindi lonely si Luca! He'll be the only guy here." she showed me a playful smile.

"But he's used to us." I laughed but took my phone out because I think that'll be too boring for Luca. I texted Kobie and he immediately responded. Is he ever busy? He always says yes whenever I invite him to do something.

"Luca's having a hard time," she said. I looked at her. When they have problems, I would listen to them all day even when I'm busy. But I don't know why Luca is still a little bit mysterious to me. He rarely opens up. I kind of feel jealous that he's sharing it with someone else but not me. But I don't want to take it the wrong way.

"What do you mean?"

"Tita is sick but Luca is not earning enough. I see how he works hard but we know it's tough, right? I tried giving him what I have but he wouldn't accept it. Could you talk to him about it? I want to help, really. Pero ayaw niya talaga. He needs us." she sighed and looked really down.

I thought Luca was doing fine. But I was wrong. Maybe we shouldn't judge a person just by looking at them physically. I can't believe that as his close friend, there's nothing much I can do. I'm not earning a lot either. I can't borrow from my parents, too. But I'll make it work.

Magkaibigan kami. We're almost like siblings and all of us would want to help, I'm sure.

"I'll talk to him." I nodded and smiled.

Just after we talked about him, he entered the cafe. He's wearing a smile on his face and waved at us when he first saw us. We couldn't give him a genuine smile after talking about his mom. But how could he?