Fate

Uneasy

I was halfway from Kiefer's house when I decided to go back. I just can't ignore his silence. I need to know what's going on.

"Oh, you're back. May naiwan ka?", Tita asked.

"Where's Kief Tita?"

"Bumalik na kanina, but he just took a shower then he left again. He didn't say where he was going. Tawagan mo na lang kaya."

I called him several times, but he's not picking up the phone. And so, I decided to leave.

"Thanks Tita. Uwi na lang po ako."

I was about to make my exit when Tita said something.

"Miks, lengthen your patience ha? You two will be fine. Alalay lang."

"Kaya pa Tita", I said and left.

To preoccupy myself, I hit the mall and decided to buy him something. It's our 10th month together tomorrow, and I want to surprise him with a gift. I mean, I know Kiefer has every material thing that he wants already, but I just want to spoil him this time. I bought a watch for him. It's kinda expensive for my wallet to handle, but it's for someone special aniway.

My excitement to give him the gift made me forget our present situation. I know that there's still a need for us to talk things out, but I'm positive that everything's going to be alright.

I was relieved when I received a call from him.

"Hi babe, where are you?", I said.

"I'm home already. I just bought something kanina. Mom said bumalik ka daw kanina."

"Yah. Kaso wala ka na. Just tell me, pwede akong bumalik diyan ngayon."

"It's fine. Kita na lang tayo some other time", he said.

Here we go again. I was speechless for a while. I wanted to spill it already. I wanted to tell him that we need to talk. And obviously, there's really something wrong.

"Tomorrow?", I asked.

"Tomorrow's a Monday. Don't you have class?"

"But tomorrow's...."

"I need to go na. Kevin and Gabo are waiting for me sa bahay nila. Maglalaro kami. Bye."

Ang labo. Sobrang labo. But I remembered what Tita told me. Patience Mika, patience. He might be going through something right now. I can sense that it's still about the pressure that he's imposing unto himself coz of basketball.

I waited whole day for his call, but I guess I just waited for nothing. Just an hour away from our 10th month, I drove all the way from Manila to Cainta. I wanted to surprise him. And to make sure, I texted him first. And he said that he's already home.

But sometimes, it's your surprise that surprises you. He's not yet home, contrary to what he said.

I woke up the next day feeling sick. Sobrang bigat ng pakiramdam ko. And as expected, I've got no text or call from him. "If Kiefer has a plan of breaking up with me, may he find the courage to do it the soonest, and if not, I'll do it for him", I told myself.

I decided not to attend my classes. But despite my fever, I drove all the way to Cainta.

"Manang, si Kiefer po?", I asked the househelp.

"Naku, hindi pa umuuwi."

"Since last night po?"

"Oo eh. Tinatawagan na nga nila Ma'am at Sir kagabi, pero ayaw sumagot."

"Okay po. Wag niyo na lang po sabihin na dumaan ako."

I left and just when I was about to enter my car, he arrived. He got off from his car and saw me.