Holding On With Maybe (Holding On Series #2)

epilogue 3:6

"I still have to go somewhere, I'm sorry," I lied to Mau when she asked me if I could give Aly a ride home.

This was the first time we became complete after six years but not the first time I saw Aly because, for the years that passed, I always see a glimpse of her. Sometimes when we're accidentally crossing paths. Sometimes at the columbarium, where Bobbie is. Sometimes at Haven. I have no idea if she ever noticed those encounters.

It's hard not to miss the sight of her when we're still in the same small city after all.

Or maybe I was just always trying to see her? Pero iba pala talaga kapag kaharap mo na mismo.

In a short minute, everything came back. Staring straight at her eyes, I can't believe why I felt like she's longing for me after what she did. Is she regretting that she shattered my heart six years ago? She seems decided to cut ties back then. What happened?

I refuse to share the same space and another long minute with Aly that's why I left in an instant. I just couldn't stand the sight of her. I just wanted to go and leave. Just this once, I needed to be far.

"Anong ginagawa mo rito?" Tanong niya bago sumandal sa pintuan ng sasakyan niya.

"May inaaral lang," tipid kong sagot, hindi inaasahan na kakausapin niya ako. Ibinalik ko na sa bulsa ko 'yong phone ko dahil wala na rin naman akong maintindihan sa binabasa ko.

"Mukhang nakaistorbo yata ako, balik na ako roon," paalam niya bigla.

Saglit na napakunot ang noo ko bago ako nagsalita. "You don't have to."

"Okay... Ah... Nakapili ka na ba ng design?"

I tried not to look surprised because... why is it so easy for her to talk with me now? Na para bang ang dali-dali lang kalimutan noong nangyari noon? Was I really that easy to let go?

"I like the two-story design," I still answered despite the notions I have in mind. "We need a spacious one if it's also a place for all of us."

"The interior design will create wonders when it comes to making a place spacious," she stated. "All of Vaughn's sketches will work for all of us."

"I clearly did not mean that it won't work," I tried to sound calm because I feel like she's proving a point that I'm not asking for.

"And I clearly just stated a fact," she glanced at me.

"You definitely sound like you're persuading me Ms. Segvillon." I turn to her, facing her fully.

"Maybe you got enticed with the fact I just said because your assumption is wrong, I'm not persuading you, Mr. San Jose."

I started addressing her professionally because calling her Grace Alyson or Alyson or Aly sounds improper. It seems like I'm not entitled to call her that anymore. Every time we talked, we're conversing as if we didn't know each other before. It looks like that's what she wants.

"Mr. San Jose," she called. Napalingon ako sa gawi niya. Wala na 'yong kausap niya kanina, tapos na yata silang mag-usap. Sino ba 'yong chinito na 'yon?

"Ms. Segvillon," tawag ko pabalik nang tumigil ako sa paglalakad at humarap sa gawi niya.

"Anong ginagawa mo rito?"

"I'm here for Atty. Sevilla," sagot ko, napansin ko na parang nagtatanong pa rin 'yong itsura niya. "He told me that we can meet here regarding my application as his assistant," I continued.

"So... you're going to work here too?"

"Kung matatanggap ako. Probably, yes...?" Patanong kong sagot. "Will it be a problem, Ms. Segvillon?"