Drop in the Ocean (Upper East Side Three)

Chapter Thirty-Three

33 - Almost

Hinawakan ko nang mahigpit ang maleta ko. I tried hard to stifle my sobs and but my lip for me not to make a sound.

I can almost hear my heart breaking every step I take. Ang sakit. Sobrang nakakadurog.

Ramdam ko pa rin ang presensya niya sa likod ko. Ramdam ko pa rin ang mga titig niya habang nakatingin sa akin papalayo.

Sa paghakbang ko palayo sa kanya, naalala ko ang mga salitang binitawan ko lalo na kagabi.

Masyadong masakit. Masyadong naninisi.

I changed, and I hoped it was for the better. That's why I wanted, with my whole heart, for Reizo not to instill in his mind the last words I said last night and earlier.

Natuto na ako sa mga bagay. And one thing I learned from everything was not to blame someone for what happened to you. You must need to know that everything happened for a reason.

We may not know the reason now, but soon we will find it.

Sa paghakbang ulit para lumayo ay natigilan ako. Bago pa lumabas ang hikbi mula sa akin, I didn't think and just turned my heel and run to him.

When I felt his body, I wrapped my arms and cried. Mas lalong umiyak nang maramdaman ko ang pag-ikot at paghigpit ng yakap niya sa akin.

Ang sakit sakit. Bakit ba kami nahantong sa ganito? Bakit kami pa ang nakaranas ng ganito?

Hindi ko naisip na sa unang pagkakakilala ko sa kanya ay mangyayari sa amin ito. I didn't expect that I will have to let him go for us to grow.

I know that it's too late for me to do this dahil noon ko pa dapat piniling lumayo nang matanto kong sira na. I know it's the best choice to do this. Pero... ang hirap. Napakahirap iwanan ang taong inalayan mo nang buong buhay mo... ang hirap iwanan ng taong sinama mo sa mga pangarap mo hanggang sa pagtanda. Ang hirap hirap pakawalan...

"Reizo..." My voice croaked as I called his name.

"Baby..." Rinig ang panghihina ng boses niya.

"Reizo... I tried to fight. Believe me, I tried. Hindi lang tayo nagkasalubong. Hindi lang tama ang oras natin. I tried, Reizo... But then I failed and got tired. Napagod at sumuko ako..."

Humigpit ang yakap niya sa akin. I felt him nod. "I'm sorry, baby... You waited, and I didn't come back. And now, I'll do the same. I'll wait for you. No matter how long it takes. I will wait for you."

"You will always have my heart, Reizo. We knew each other better than anyone else. I just wish it never came to this... we, growing apart."

I felt him kiss the top of my head and his lips lingered there for a while.

"This is my promise for you. A promise that I will uphold till the end of time. A promise that I will never break. A promise of my commitment to you. Don't let this be a burden for yourself. Just come back if you want to... Come back if that's the right thing to do. Come back if it's not hurting you anymore. And I'm still here waiting for you. Live freely, baby. Free from all the things that keep you hurting. Live happily, baby. That will be enough for me. I love you... I love you, Kaela Aveline. I always have... I will always wish to have the chance to love you better and stronger when you come back."

So, I left... carrying the baggage full of unfulfilled plans and dreams for the future that I was very unsure of. But still in hopes that things will fall into place like they used to be.

I spent a year studying for my chosen degree. I focused on my studies and did everything with my best to finish it. And when I reached that finish line, it was very fulfilling.