When Heaven Smiled

35

Chapter 35
Buddy

I was too lazy to put my contact lenses on. I wore my eyeglasses since my eyes were still swollen from crying. I didn't bother to put any makeup on and I was so drained from everything. The people I love underestimated and embarrassed me.

So now, I'm taking all my power back. I'm going to end my tiring days. Maxon has a point though. When you think of it, it's a win-win situation. I get the money and he gets the leisure time that he wants. Hindi ko lang alam kung bakit ako ang gusto niyang kasama. Kahit ba hindi niya kaya mag-isa, nagtataka pa rin ako kung bakit hindi ang mga kaibigan niya ang niyaya niya.

But whatever, money is money. Besides, I can use this to my advantage too. Kung saan-saang lugar ako makakapunta. I can use this time to relax. Plus, sagot niya lahat. May sweldo pa 'ko. Ego ko lang talaga ang kalaban ko rito. Pero ano pa ba magagawa ko? Narito na 'ko e. There's no time to back out.

He wanted to meet me at his condo. Something came up and he needs to stay there. (Well, that's what he said.) Ayoko namang makialam sa buhay niya dahil wala naman akong pake kaya pumayag na lang ako.

The rain was pouring hard today. Good thing, I brought my umbrella. I was only wearing a pink hoodie and jeans. I would probably be soaking wet if I did not bring it. Baka lalo akong magmukhang kawawa.

Now that I'm standing in front of his door, flashbacks of my bittersweet days started. The familiar melancholy tugged my heart.

Naalala ko kung paano ako madalas pumunta rito noon. Na kapag tinatamad kaming lumabas para mag-date, dito lang kami at manonood ng Netflix. Mag-oorder lang kami ng Jollibee kapag tinatamad siya magluto. We would cuddle on the sofa after kissing. I realized, we shared so many moments together. He was my first in everything.

Pero naalala ko rin kung paano niya ako sinaktan. Kung paano ako kumatok sa pinto niya at dinama ang malamig niyang pakikitungo. I still clearly remember how I waited for his explanation but he didn't have the decency to give me one. I remember how I watched him slip away from me.

I shook my head and reminded myself why I'm here. Wow, that was dramatic. Blame the lack of sleep.

Eyes on the price, Alice. Eyes on the price.

Akma palang akong kakatok pero bumukas na ang pinto. Naiwan tuloy ang kamay ko sa ere. Yumuko ako at nagtaka sa kung sino ang nagbukas.

"Hi Tita Alice!" bigla siyang yumakap sa baywang ko.

"Gracey?" I uttered, confused. She looked excited upon seeing me. Binawi ko agad ang naging reaksyon ko dahil nakakaguilty. Sinuklian ko na lang ang ngiti niya.

"Gracey! Come back here, isusumbong talaga kita sa Mommy mo hindi ka pa nagsusuklay!"

Gusto ko matawa sa stressed na boses ni Maxon. Haha! Deserve. Buti nga sa 'yo. Ma-stress ka pa sana.

"We have a visitor, Tito Max!" excited na sabi ni Gracey, nagtatalon pa ang bata. Tinulungan niya akong itabi ang payong ko. Gusto pa nga niya tanggalin ang sapatos ko pero pinigilan ko siya. Tumakbo naman siya sa sofa kung nasaan ang Tito niya.

Sofa... my cheeks heated when it reminded me of what we used to do there. I lightly tapped my right cheek so it wouldn't be obvious.

Gosh, the thoughts. Cleanse me, oh Lord.

"Buti naman marunong ka na magdala ng payong ngayon." he said in a relieved tone.

Hindi ko na-gets 'yong sinabi niya. It weirded me out, so I just shrugged it off.

"So, uh—okay ka na ba? Kagabi kasi—"

"That wasn't me," gusto ko pa sana na idugtong na 'I'm not even the same person five minutes ago' kaso baka sabihin nababaliw na ako.