Flickers

Chapter 116

Eric is here.

I was alarmed when I learned that he was here, waiting for me, and wanted to talk to me but I didn't open the door.

I have already closed off our relationship— cut it off leaving him with nothing.

Brows furrowed I looked at my friend, her eyes dodged and I already knew how he came to know of my destination. He was like this too, getting help from our friends to have the two of us reconciled. I can't remember now the last time we broke up— it's been too long.

"Really? You're acting like a spy now for him?" annoyed at my friend I pretend to not hear her pleading.

"It's because he was too pitiful and you two should really talk to each other" with my glare she held her hands up and continued. "Okay I won't say anything anymore, let's just prepare for today's march"

The entire hour I packed my bag with share clothes, two large bottles of water, and two towels as well as a picnic blanket. I also gathered some foods and fruits to quench my hunger and some basic medicines and ointment in case of emergency.

I busied myself to forget about his existence — one that is still painfully clamoring loudly in my heart and successfully did it for an hour.

Soon I and the rest of my friends trekked to the mountain top. We started hiking at 4 and when the sun was pm it's the beautiful scenic view we took pictures and settled down first.

We get to see the big cross of Jesus Christ and his statue himself. There were a lot of people- mostly youngsters like us and they were all taking pictures and some listening to the pabasa (reading of the Bible).

Then I grab myself some sandwich after long hours of walking, my legs would already give up by the end of the day.

"Should we leave now?"

"Why are you so skittish, sit down!" I scolded my friend and listened to the pabasa. I'm the corner of my eyes she looked at her phone countless times that I resorted to pinching her.

It went on for an hour and the sun has already reached that deep beautiful orange color. The entire place was filled with a harmonious atmosphere calming my unsettled self.

"Hey I think the sun is about to go down, we should leave now or we won't see the path well"

"What do you mean? There's the light post so we don't have to worry about y not seeing the path clearly" I squinted at her squirming self just like a worm being sprinkled with salt. "Why are you so troublesome?"

Her face looks constipated, it's as if she wanted to fly off the ground and take off right now. The pabasa has ended and all of us stood up, my legs have turned numb while I hammered it down to get some feeling on it.

I look at my phone, it was 6 in the afternoon now and we soon left. We reached the ground at 7 in the evening, sweat came off my forehead and back and as I was about to go to my friend's house since I was staying there for the night- she called for me.

"What?"

"Eric's still waiting for you" her voice was low and nervous and I was so surprised that I couldn't quite comprehend what she said.

"He's what?!"

"He's at the plaza and he's waiting for you there. That's why I repeatedly asked you to leave with me and go down!"

I didn't give her any response and just went straight to the plaza with my bag in tow. I was rushing there and the moment I saw his figure I had the urge to beat him.

"Why did you wait for too long?! You should have left first!" Even with the folding, I felt myself being so ridden with guilt.

He came here at four and waited till 7 in the evening - it's been four hours and he still hasn't left! Besides summer is particularly harsh especially with open space like this- mosquitoes would come to bite you.

"I just wanted to talk to you" his eyes never left mine and I looked at him in helplessness.

He was like a boy who was abandoned by his friends, looking far away in hopes that they would come and join him again.

"Really, you should have told me earlier"

"But you won't talk to me," I think I'm hallucinating- for me to see him like a dog with his ears down and with a gaze that says pity me, I can't help but sit down.

He soon lit up and even moved a bit closer to me but still have that space enough for two people. He was hesitant and I can only sigh before facing him.

"I'm scared"

It's better to say it plain and clear, I don't want to dilly dally any more.

"Why? I'm not gonna leave you-"

"You would. I know you would"

The fear and timidity in my eyes were bare for him to see and I see him realizing it. He scoots closer to me, motioned to me if he could touch my hand and I nodded.

"I love you and I would never leave you. Besides what do we know about the future?  If we always back down and get scared of the oncoming future we would never move on to the past and never enjoy the present. Ange, I really, truly and genuinely love you so please trust me"

I told myself I won't cry anymore but it was traitorous and betrayed me. He wiped the tears away with his hands and softly added.

"Don't be afraid, I won't leave nor have someone else. Only you, so please trust me"

And at this time, I trusted him, even if there's a 50 percent chance that he would not be able to achieve what he said I trusted him.

***
Fun fact: Her friend was indeed a spy from Eric and he did wait at the plaza for a long time before they reconcile

Chapter 116 is up!

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