She Who Stole the Magic Lamp (Villain Series #2)

Epilogue (Part 4 of 5)

Epilogue (Part 4 of 5)

"Grant naman. Ikaw 'tong tumutulak sa amin para ituloy itong pangarap natin. Ano, wala na lang 'yon?"

I didn't answer Trav. Para saan pa ba? Jeorge made me believe that I can reach that dream. It's her who ignited the flame in me to enter law school and fight for that title. Kapag pumasok ako do'n, paulit-ulit ko lang din siyang maaalala.

"Grant," tawag ni Raf pero hindi pa rin ako kumibo.

Napadilat na lang ako nang nasa harap ko siya at marahas akong niyugyog. Hawak niya ang kwelyo ko. I couldn't give any emotions.

"Get your shits together! Wala na si Jeorge dito! I know you're hurting but the world does not stop just because of that! It's you're dream Grant, for fuck's sake!"

"Tama na 'yan Raf," pigil ni Trav. Padabog akong binitawan ni Raf kaya pumagitna na si Trav. Hindi na naghintay si Raf at lumabas na.

"Pag-isipan mo muna Grant. Sama-sama tayo dito 'di ba?" ani Trav.

I looked at him with no expression. I don't want to explain my reason.

"I won't go anymore." I said with finality.

He looked at me.

"There is still time. Think about it." He tapped my shoulder. And walk towards the door. "Pasensya na rin kay Raf. Magpalamig muna kayo 'tol."

Tumango lang ako bago siya tuluyang umalis. Napahawak na lang ako sa ulo ko habang pumapasok sa kwarto para maligo.

Kinuha ko ang susi ng Wrangler at lumabas. Sa labas na lang ako kakakain. I can't afford another talk with anyone randomly going in my unit again. I understand Raf. But he has to understand me too. I couldn't even see any light ahead of me. Ni wala na akong ideya sa mga planong gagawin ko. All I want to do is to deal with this fucking pain right now.

I was wrong when I weighed and compared my struggles with Jeorge's. Inisip ko no'n na mas mabigat ang pinagdadaanan niya at mas nasasaktan siya kaya mas dapat na ako iyong umintindi at samahan siya. But it was totally wrong. It is not okay to invalidate what you feel. Even the slightest pain is still valid. Kailangan ko rin ng suporta at yakap. Kasi kung ako lang iyong nagbibigay, mauubos ako.

After eating lunch, I quickly drove my way to the airport. I don't think this is some sort of progress. I just want to go away from people's eyes. Nakakasawa rin na parang silang naglalakad sa yelo kapag nasa paligid ako. I'm not some sort of a vulnerable egg shell as they think.

Iniwan ko ang sasakyan ko sa isang property ni Lolo na nadaanan ko at nag-taxi na lang. Nakaayos na ang passport at ticket ko. Nakapagpa-reserve na rin ako sa hotel. I only informed Lolo because I'll definitely get an earful from him. And he can't handle too much worry so I told him.

Sinagot ko ang tawag ni Dos habang naghihintay para sa flight ko. Nasabi na ni Lolo sa isang 'to.

"Gagong 'to. Parang 'di kaibigan," bungad niya. "Gaano ka katagal sa Cebu?"

"A week or two, I guess?"

I heard him sigh.

"Ingat ka. Tawagan mo ako kapag may problema."

"Yeah. Gotta go," sagot ko.

"Hoy, bumalik ka ha."

"Your drama is disgusting. Kadiri ka." Tumawa siya.

I was about to end the call when he spoke.

"You know you can love someone even from a distance, right?"

Bahagyang nabigla ako. Unang beses lang niyang nagsalita tungkol sa nangyari. I mean, he only asks where I am or if I want to drink. He never mentioned something related to what happened.