Xeah Rondall

Chapter 19

Play or listen to the song Heart Like Yours while reading the part where they went to the island. :)

Taegan

Nakatambay ako dito sa veranda ng apartment habang tumutugtog ng gitara.

I'm just nonchalantly strumming my guitar with no thought in mind.

"Oh uminom ka muna." Napalingon ako sa umabot sa'kin ng Kopiko 78°.

"Thanks Dev." I smiled, naupo siya sa kabilang upuan.

"Tapatin mo nga ako Taegan."

Naguluhan akong tumingin sa kanya while binubuksan ang Kopiko.

"Ano?" Uminom muna ako habang hinihintay ang kung anong sasabihin niya.

"I may seem like I don't give a flying fuck about everything, but I'm not clueless. At alam kong hindi ka rin stupid." Panimula niya.

I don't know what she's pointing at.

"Okay?"

She looked at me with all seriousness.

"Leah. You're not in good terms right?"

I wasn't really surprised that she opened this up. Ever since dumating kami dito sa Davao noong Friday, I was constantly checking my phone but there's no message from my girlfriend.

Napabuntong hininga ako. Devon leaned back and combed her hair in frustration.

"Sabi ko na nga ba eh. Anong problema?"

"Hindi ko alam." Sagot ko.

"You're not stupid Taegan. What's stopping you from leaving her? Just because matagal mo na siyang hinintay?"

Napatingin ako sa kanya.

"I really liked Leah a lot Dev."

"Then why is she doing this to you? Ever since we got here, you're always with your phone and when you knew she's not contacting you, your smile immediately drops."

I sighed again.

"Pag-usapan niyo 'yan. Or in fact, wag nalang. You're fucking Taegan Parchival, you're not like this."

"I know." Malungkot na saad ko.

Ano nga ba ang pinanghuhugotan ko dito? I liked Leah. Sapat na ba 'yun? I waited for her for so long and like her for a long time at ngayon na girlfriend ko na siya, it doesn't feel like it.

"Think about your status Taegan. If she's not making you happy, then let go. If she's hurting you, God knows what kung ano ang gagawin ko sa kanya. And even you can't stop me." Sabi niya pa.

I know she's serious about that. Kasi alam kong sobrang protective niya din sa'kin.

"I like her, Devon. At gusto ko munang ayusin kung ano man ang nangyayari sa amin. Every relationship is not perfect, we're probably facing a set back right now. But I'll fix this."

"You'll fix it? Hindi ba't sa relasyon ay dalawa kayo? Siguraduhin mong kaya ka niyang sabayan at ipaglaban, hindi 'yung ikaw lang ang gumagawa. Kasi kapag ganon, tangina ka ang tanga mo." She rolled her eyes at me and I just chuckled.

I really love her, no holds barred kapag nagpapayo.

"Thanks Dev."

"Siguraduhin mo lang Parchival, patay talaga sa'kin si Leah. Wala akong pakialam kung gusto mo siya o ano sasapakin ko talaga siya."

Tumango ako. Heeding her advice kasi alam ko talaga na gagawin at gagawin niya kung ano ang makakabuti sa'kin.

"Oo nga pala..." I looked at her when she leaned in close to me, as if she's going to whisper something.