Fit the Puzzle (Azcona Cousins #3)

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Chapter 30

Couldn't believe I've reached this far. I graduated on time. Marami kasing nagsasabi 'pag nag-aaral sa anumang UP campus, 'di maiiwasan ang maging delayed. Actually, someone in my block attempted to convince me to shift. I considered being in a different field, however, I did not want to stall any of my time. Gusto ko at maganda naman ang mga natutunan ko.

My relationship with Kuya Atlas and Yuliya have been scarred, too. Matagal nilang nalaman ang nangyari sa'min ni Iverson pagkatapos ko siyang sundan palabas ng multipurpose room.

I will not forget how I moved out to the apartment. Iyon talaga ang dahilan bakit nalaman ni Kuya Alex ang biglaang pagbitaw namin ni Iverson sa isa't isa.

He didn't want to believe me at first. He was so certain that we could work everything out.

Since he had a big faith in us, he wanted to play cupid for us. He planned a reconciliation.

I quickly turned the idea down. Malinaw sa'kin na hindi na magiging maganda ang epekto ko sa kanya. It was loud and clear, my presence was suffocating him.

We have to fix ourselves first. Katulad ng sinabi ko sa kanya, naging unfair ako. I built my own interpretation of what he was doing. 'Di ko siya binigyan ng pagkakataon para iklaro 'yon sa'kin一 kahit nanghingi ako ng explanation. Malaking kamalian ko 'yon; I was childish. I became distant and a bit heartless of his situation.

It was difficult for me to let go of the memories we've made together in the apartment. Sa sobrang rami ay 'di ko makalimutan. Some memories would play in my mind when I am preparing for bed. Lumipat ako sa murang dorm na mayroon ang university para sa katulad kong malayo ang inuuwian. Adriel helped me find responsible roommates.

I became friends with some of his blockmates. Si Kyla ang halos nakakausap ko sa loob ng masikip at medyo mainit na unit namin, dalawang bunk beds at maliit lang na lavatory ang laman noong tinutulugan ko. Naransan ko pang magpaypay dahil masayadong mainit, walang air con, 'di tulad sa apartment.

During my remaining college years, I've had small encounters with Brent Iverson. Wala talagang takas dahil kaibigan pa rin naman niya ang kapatid ko.

Madalas ay siya ang unang umiiwas o pipiliin na lang na umuwi. At may isang beses na tumawag siya sa'kin. Hindi ko talaga 'yon inaasahan. Iverson asked for a little favor that time, maikli lang ang pag-uusap namin dahil pareho kaming nagmamadali.

I've heard that he continued his studies at UST, same with my brother. Bukod pa roon? Wala na akong alam.

Kung itutulad sa mga naobserbahan ko kay Kuya Alex, ang sabi niya sa'kin ay may postgraduate internship sila. They have the MD in their last names but they weren't licensed yet that time. My brother reviewed and took the board exam... may sunod-sunod pang proseso at sa pagkakaalala ko... may tatlo hanggang limang taon pa silang residency.

We did not completely lose our connection... but our feelings? Maybe.

I limit my social media use. Nakatulong 'yon sa'kin para 'di siya isipin o ma-distract sa mga bagay na naalala ko dahil sa kanya. Iverson spoiled me so much to the extent that I couldn't bring myself going on a date.

May trabaho nang naghihintay sa'kin bago pa ako nakatuntong ng entablado para tanggapin ang diploma ko. It appeased me when I was entitled to wear and hold the iconic sablay. I worked right after my graduation, may mga employee benefits na binigay sa'kin kaya 'di ako masyadong umalma kahit medyo mababa ang sweldo. I had a few unstable jobs in Manila... and was dissatisfied with how my life runs in a day. I worked for the government also but it didn't feel freeing. It felt too tiring for me to interact with a vast crowd.