Promise of Beating Hours (Sunset Avenues #2)

Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Answer

 "You really need to stay for a little bit more days, Prami! Take my advice. Sa lagay mong 'yan na apektadong-apektado ka pa rin sa kan'ya, you think matatahimik ka kapag bumalik ka ng Manila?"

I shouldn't bother the newly engaged couple pero itong si Chloe ang nag-aalala para sa akin.

"Don't worry about me, Chlo."

"Friend. Please. Sa tingin ko kasi, hindi pa talaga tapos 'yong sa inyo ni Christiano eh. Give yourself time for this. Kung palagi mong tatakbuhan at ayaw mo iyong pag-usapan, mas lalong hindi ka makakausad. Mas lalong guguluhin ka ng pag-iisip na what if ganito. What if ganiyan.."

"Chloe." I stopped her.

They were at the verge of leaving. Naging masaya at matagumpay ang wedding proposal ni Gelo because of their love to each other. Kinagabihan, we had a celebration bago sila magkasamang aalis kinaumagahan.

"Stay here for a while. Compensate the two more nights and three more days for closure. I can assure you. Maghihilom 'yong sugat sa puso mo."

I smiled bitterly before I finally nodded. Ibinaba ko na ang hawak kong suitcase.

Chloe has a point. I have to really face it. Despite the years of being apart, naroon pa rin 'yong sakit. Naroon pa rin 'yong katanungan kung bakit niya nagawa ang bagay na iyon. Why did he have to feed his longing with someone else? What went wrong?

"Sana nga, Chlo."

Finally, I looked at the two of them with a smile.

"Thank you sa inyong dalawa ha? Enjoy your travel as an engaged couple. Gelo, 'wag niyo nang patagalin pa ang kasal, hm?"

Tumango silang dalawa at niyakap ako. They waved me goodbye hanggang sa usok na lang ng papalayong sasakyan ang aking natatanaw. And I was left in the North, in his beach resort..because I am going to risk it again.

Hindi na baleng masaktan ulit sa sasabihin niya. Hindi na baleng magkapira-piraso ulit kapag inamin niya. I have been hurting for all those years. What's the difference?

I composed myself before I went back to the cabin I used to occupy. Parang wala akong kabuhay-buhay. I suddenly missed Chloe's nonstop nagging and her annoying teasing voice.

My eyes nearly popped out from its socket when I noticed a man standing at my cabin's door. My lips parted. Nakapamulsa siya at may hawak na cellphone na nakadikit sa kan'yang tainga. Hindi ako kumibo at pinanood ko lang siyang nandoon.

Akala rin ba niya umalis na ako? Ang phone ko na nasa loob ng aking bag ay patuloy sa pag-vibrate habang pinapanood ko naman si Christiano na paulit-ulit ding may tinatawagan.

Posible kayang siya ang tumatawag?

Dinukot ko ang phone ko sa aking bag at napasulyap sa kan'ya. He was walking in circles. Nag-dadalawang isip siguro kung kakatok sa aking pinto o hindi.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. Nakapag-check-out na ako sa receptionist kanina pa. The cabin was already vacant. Nakita ko ang pagsinghap niya nang sagutin ko ang tawag at dinala sa aking tainga. Nanginginig ang aking kamay at tuhod habang humahakbang palapit.

My heart is being hopeful and hurting at the same time. The kind of emotion that I have never felt to anyone but him.

"Hi," he greeted over the phone.

"Hi," I answered.

Pinipigilan kong huwag pumiyok. Nakaharap pa rin siya sa aking pinto habang humahakbang ako palapit sa kan'ya. How can we still feel care and longing for the person who gave us pain? Paanong hindi pa rin namamatay ang damdamin na iyon makalipas ang maraming taon?