We Said Never (City Series #3)

Chapter 24

"Yeah, and one glass of water na rin po." Alon smiled at the waiter. "Thanks!"

I placed my phone down on the table and looked at Alon. Her wavy hair and light morena skin made her look like an obvious star. What's even better is that she doesn't just look good, she's a nice person, too. Mabuti naman at mabait rin yung nakatuluyan niya!

Naikwento niya kasi sa akin ang ex niya noon, at yung nangghost pa sa kaniya. All these Baguio guys just broke her heart. Sana naman ay hindi 'yon ang gawin ni Chino.

"Paano mo pala na-meet si Chino?" tanong ko sa kaniya. "Close ka rin ba sa mga kaibigan niya?"

"We met in Baguio, actually. When I was looking for cafes, nandoon siya sa isang cafe taking random pictures," she answered. "Hmm, sakto lang naman with some of his friends. I'm friends with Kai, if you know him. And Ezra. I used to be friends with Apollo, but he went to New York na kaya ayon, I'm not really in touch with him anymore."

Tumango ako. "Kilala mo pala si Ezra."

"Yeah! Ang weird nga kasi he has the same first name with a guy from back home.." Tumawa si Alon. "Yikes mga Ezekiel."

"Grabe ka!" Tumawa ako. "Tingin mo lahat ng Ezekiel ghoster? Char!"

"Ay 'di mo sure." Tumawa rin si Alon. "Gusto mo ireto kita? I'm pretty sure Ezra's single. He's pogi, 'no? Did you meet him sa lunch niyo?"

Tumango ako. Hindi ko nakwento kay Alon yung parte ng buhay ko na.. kakilala ko si Ezra. At mukhang hindi rin naman naikwento ni Chino kay Alon 'yon, kaya siya nagtatanong ngayon.

"Invite ko sana 'yun sa Church." I forced a smile. "May number ka no'n?"

"Ay, yeah! That's a good idea." Tumango si Alon. "Meron ata akong number ni Ezra.. wait..."

She started scrolling through her phone, and my heart felt like it was going to beat out of my chest. Nagsisinungaling ba ako?

"Here, wait, forward ko sa'yo." Ngumisi si Alon. "Single ata 'yon. Alam mo na!"

"Baliw!" Umiling ako at tumawa. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit ko ba hinihingi ang number ni Ezra. I know he changed his number after he left me. I know he cut me off. I know he wants nothing to do with me.

Pero bawal bang kamustahin siya? Bawal ba kaming mag-usap?

He has been avoiding me for six years. Six years! Sa liit ng Baguio, palagi kaming nagkikita noon nung hindi pa siya gumagraduate. It was as if the only thing that we shared was that small city. He completely cut everything off.

Bawal ba? Bawal bang humingi ng closure? Bawal bang humingi ng rason? Bawal bang.. mag-sorry dahil sa ginawa ko?

For the rest of the day, even after my lunch with Alon and work, his number lingered in my mind.. and on my phone. Hindi ko alam kung itetext ko ba. Hindi ko alam kung gagamitin ko ba.

Maybe I'm just acting out of my emotions?

Maybe I'm letting my feelings lead me?

Nasaan ba si Lord dito?

I bit my lip as I thought of Vale's words towards me. He was practically begging me not to go back.. because he saw how crushed I was. He saw how Ezra leaving ruined me.

Lord, kakausapin ko ba?

"Pa!" Hinalikan ko ang pisngi ni Papa pagkarating ko sa dining room. "Musta blood pressure?"

"Okay nga ako, palagi ka nagtatanong."

Tumaas ang kilay ko sa kaniya habang nakangiti. Napangiti rin tuloy si Zach. Looks like Papa's not too tired today. Kadalasan kasi, kapag pagod na siya, maayos siya sumagot. Ngayon may energy pa siyang i-attitude ako, eh!