Unforgettable Mistake ✓

CHAPTER 33

#UnforgettableMistake

CHAPTER 33
Forgiveness

The silver tall gate and the modern mansion inside it still look so freaking familiar as I stared longer at it. I'm standing behind the bushes to hide from the guard, and most especially, from the CCTV. I planned everything out before going here but look at me, like a scared cat, hiding.

"You're a freak, Oli," I mumbled. "You're the one who came here, but you're hiding?" iritadong sambit ko sa sarili.

Isang malaking himala na pinapasok ako rito sa subdivision. Akala ko nga'y hanggang doon lang ako sa labas, pero hindi pala totoo iyong sinabi ni Daddy na hindi na 'ko p'wedeng bumalik. He's getting my hopes up, but I'm afraid he only wants what's best for the business. Kapag nalaman ng ibang sinabihan niya iyong guard doon na huwag akong papasukin, malaking gulo.

I kept stamping my feet as I bit my fingertips. Gracious God, should I do this? Can you give me a sign? Ayaw kong sumabog na naman si Dad dahil sa galit, at ayaw kong maging kritikal ulit si Mom. Kung mauulit iyon, hindi ko na kakayanin.

I only want their forgiveness, but if seeing me would cause them pain again, then I'd choose to live my life in misery forever.

My grip on the strap of my shoulder bag tightened as a car stopped by in front of where I am hiding. Just by the look of his car, I already know who's here. Umamo ang kinakabahan kong mukha nang bumaba at lumakad palapit sa akin si Phoenix.

It's already a week since we left Surigao. Kaagad ko siyang niyakap nang makalapit siya sa akin. I rested my cheek on his chest as I inhaled his perfume. I closed my eyes for seconds to calm myself. 

Nakagat ko ang labi ko nang maramdamang hindi siya gumalaw, ngunit kaagad akong napangiti nang hagurin niya ang likod ko. In an instant, the waves in me calmed down. I felt at ease knowing that he's with me—that I'm not alone anymore.

I questioned the statement 'no one is an island' before because I can do anything with just myself, but today, after everything that happened to me, I can finally agree with that. No matter how strong you are, there will always be a time where you'd need someone to stay by your side. When you think that you can do everything alone, an event or person will come for you to know that you can do it alone, but it's happier and easier if you have someone with you.

"You're here," I said with utmost happiness as I let him go.

His lips parted as he stared down at me. It took him seconds to function—to smile at me.

"Sabi ko susunod ako. Nakalimutan mo ba?"

I shook my head. Paano ko makalilimutan iyon? Pinanghawakan ko ang sinabi mo. Pinaghawakan ko na hindi pamamaalam iyon at muli pa tayong magkikita, kahit bilang magkaibigan na lang talaga.

"Hindi ako nakalilimot kung tungkol sa iyo," pag-amin ko.

He looked taken aback by it. I couldn't hide my smile. I genuinely smiled at him before holding his right hand. He's here. Wala na 'kong dapat ikatakot. Anoman ang mangyari, hindi ako mag-isa kasi nandito si Phoenix. Alam kong hindi niya 'ko iiwang mag-isa.

 "Samahan mo 'ko," aya ko.

Ilang segundo pa ang lumipas na nakatitig lang siya sa akin at sa magkahawak naming mga kamay. Ngumuso ako. Gusto ko mang i-postpone ang muli naming pagkikita ng mga magulang ko, ngunit hindi p'wede. Nandito na 'ko. Nandito na si Phoenix. Nandoon na rin sila sa loob. Kumpleto na kami. Lakas ng loob ko na lang ang kailangan, ngunit nandito na rin iyon dahil hawak ko na ang kamay niya.

"That's the reason why I'm here. I'll go with you. I'll hold your hand." Hinigpitan niya ang hawak sa kamay ko. "If you need me."

Hindi ko inakalang may ilalawak pa pala ang ngiti ko. Saglit pa kaming nagtitigan bago ako huminga nang malalim.