THIRTY-FIRST
XZ is anxiously waiting for Nereo when he suddenly tapped her shoulder from behind, surprising her.
“Oh, God!” Hawak ni XZ sa dibdib niya dahil sa gulat. Bahagya namang natawa si Nereo habang may hawak-hawak sa kanan niyang kamay na tinatago niya sa likod niya at hindi naman ito napansin ni XZ.
“Did I scare you?” tatawa-tawang tanong ni Nereo kaya natawa na lang din si XZ. Loko rin talaga itong kasintahan niya paminsan-minsan.
“I was expecting you from that direction,” Turo ni XZ sa main entrance ng parke kaya tumangu-tango si Nereo.
“I know, that’s why I chose this route.” Turo naman ni Nereo kung saan siya dumaan kaya pabiro siyang hinampas ni XZ sa braso.
Nereo caught XZ’ hand and put the flowers he’s been holding in his right hand in it. He closed XZ’s hand gently and slowly let it go.
“For you,” nakangiting wika ni Nereo nang tingnan ni XZ ang bulaklak na nilagay niya sa kamay nito. Napangiti na lang si XZ at saka muling inangat ang tingin kay Nereo. This guy never fails to make her day—even it’s already night.
“So, what do you want to talk about?” tanong ni Nereo at inayos ang pagkakasukbit ng bag niya sa braso niya. Inakbayan niya si XZ at ginawi ito sa swing sa loob ng parke.
Paupo na sana si Nereo sa swing nang matigilan siya dahil sa narinig mula kay XZ.
“Nereo, I’m leaving.”
Those few words were enough to stop Nereo’s heartbeat for a second. Those few words were enough to make his heart ache.
Nereo stood up straight and faced XZ, “Where are you going?”
“Back to the States.” Napayuko na lang si XZ. She doesn’t want to but her mother is right, she should go back to get better.
“I’m sorry, Nereo, I have to. My head... it’s getting worse. I keep forgetting and I don’t even know why. Ayaw ko namang umabot pa sa puntong hindi na kita maalala.” Hindi na napigilan ni XZ maluha. It was a difficult decision to make. She doesn’t want to leave Mel, Liv, Nereo, and her other friends but she has to do this to keep them in her memories. She doesn’t know what’s happening to her but her mother said her doctor recommended her to go back to the States to get cured.
“Hey, don’t worry about me.” Hawak ni Nereo sa mga kamay ni XZ at naramdaman na nanlalamig ang mga ito kaya hinalikan niya ito pareho.
“Worry about Mel, she’d freak out.” natatawang dagdag ni Nereo kaya bahagya ring natawa si XZ. It’s true, she should worry more about Mel’s reaction. Baka mag-iskandalo pa iyon para lang huwag siyang umalis. Malamang ay magda-drama pa ito at sasabihin na hindi na niya ito gustong maging kaibigan at kung anu-ano pang kadramahan.
“You’re... okay with this?” tanong ni XZ kaya napayuko si Nereo. Of course, he doesn’t want XZ to leave but he understands that she has to do this.
“No,” Nereo answered honestly, “I don’t want to be apart from you, XZ.”
“But I understand so... you don’t have to worry about me.” nakangiting sambit ni Nereo at saka hinawakan ang pisngi ni XZ upang punasan ang luha nito.
“Don’t cry, it’s okay.” Nereo said softly, “Everything’s going to be alright, XZ.”
Nereo hugged XZ. He put his head on the top of her head right after kissing it.
BINABASA MO ANG
Lost Stars
Teen Fiction[SMUG Series #1] XZ Martinez is a smart young woman. She was born to a rich and famous family but she doesn't seem to like it. Unlike her older brother, Valentine, XZ is and will never be used to the attention people are giving her but she guesses t...
