Red Strings (Strings Series #1)

Chapter 6

Chapter 6.

I don't know what happened that night on 27th but suddenly our party got cut off. Hindi na nakapag exchange gift. Hindi rin natuloy ang dinner ko kasama ang mga Francisco, Gab's family. It was pure chaos. It's like the destiny hates us to be happy that day or life is just simply like that. Even youth can always be just sunshines and butterflies. Struggles are still and always there.

Janine needs to go home because may family matters na kailangang asikasuhin. His Dad got mad at her sister but I don't know the whole story.

Vince too. Biglang umuwi ang grandparents galing abroad that's why he rushed to Naia.

Felix's sister got into an accident. Yes, yung kasama namin sa Batangas. It was a car accident and critical ang kalagayan niya.

Alfred's house is a mess and he suddenly cried for the reason that we don't know.

Gab, on the other hand just went home. His parents are not home but he chose to have time on his own.

Me. Nasira lang ang gabi ko dahil cancelled na yung dinner with Gab's family, naputol pa itong celebration namin.

Hindi na kami nakapag exchange gift and we decided to just focus on our own matters. Grabe nagkasabay-sabay ang aberya. Talagang sa mismong araw pa na yun. Andami namang pwedeng araw na mangyari to pero wala eh.

Gab is also making me confused. Minsan, sobrang sweet and caring niya and he'll ask stuff that will get my hopes up then the next day, he'll act like we are strangers.

"Yca, kamusta grades mo?"

"Okay lang naman Ja. Bakit?"

"Eh yung puso mo kamusta?"

Magulo. Pakiramdam ko ako ang dehado. Pareho lang ba kaming naguguluhan? O wala lang talaga ako sa kaniya.

"Next question, please." Sabay kaming tumawa ni Janine. Napansin kong nagcommute siya kaninang umaga, eh may sarili naman siyang sasakyan. Di ko na maiwasang di magtanong, after all she's my bestfriend.

"Ahh, yun ba. Hmmm. Sinangla muna ni Dad eh. Mas convenient naman mag commute. Ang saya kanina."

Liar.

"Okay. If you say so. Just tell me if there's something wrong."

"Thanks bff! Btw nabigay mo ba regalo mo kay Gab? Naibigay ko na kay Alfred yung akin."

"Wag na. Nakakahiya. Di ko nalang ibibigay" and I awkwardly chuckle a little.

Right. That gift. Parang babagsak ata ang katawan ko habang iniisip yun and everything that happened last year during christmas and even new year.

Nung bagong taon, I just celebrated it at home kasama ang mga katulong namin. Dad has business overseas din. Parang mas mahalaga pa yun kesa sakin na anak niya. Glad that Nanay Nympha is there. She's the longest maid that is with us. Teenager palang si Dad siya na nag-aalaga sa kaniya. She cooked my favorite foods noong new year. That somehow lighten up my new year's eve.

I haven't received any text from Gab too, not a single greetings. Our gc has become cold and gloomy. No one have the courage to greet the others.

Is this the end of our youth?

When reality strikes in that we cannot always be that teenagers who go on spontaneous trips and spent time with each other. We're still friends tho but after all that happened, everyone got busy. Wala na ulit nagyayaya and ang tahimik ng gc. I miss my friends, to be honest.

Natigil ang pag o-overthink ko nang makita namin ni Janine si Vince na dumaan sa classroom namin.

"Yca, si Vince yun diba? I'm sure it's him."

After we look at him, nakita niya rin kami and eventually, kumaripas siya ng takbo papalayo.

"Is there a beef between everyone or someone among us?"

"Uhm... I have a hunch but it's not my story to tell. Let's just wait Yca. For sure magkakausap-usap din ang mga yon."

"AHHHHH Few more days and 2nd sem will formally start."

"Ayoko pa pls. I want to go on a vacation pa."

"Ako ayoko lang talaga mag-aral. That's it."

"Tsk. Edi sana di ka nag enroll."

Rinig na rinig ko ang usapan ng isang grupo ng mga kaklase ko sa gilid. Everyone was stressed out because here comes academic responsibilities again.

"I think there would be newcommers. Yung mga athletes na di nakakapasok nung first will eventually attend class already."

"Oh talaga? Omg sana may pogi." Kinikilig na sabi rin ng isa ko pang kaklase habang ako ito, tulala. I have so many thoughts and its bothering me too much.

Pumupunta lang kami sa school para sa attendance. Ok lang, para free aircon. Binayaran din naman namin 'to.

To sum up the first semester, it didn't stress me. Not to brag though. It just happened so fast siguro dahil din sa bonding and happy moments ko with the gang while doing my academic tasks. I just really missed them.

Pauwi na sana ako kaso nakita ko si Gab.

"Gab!!" tawag ko.

Nilingon lang ako at hindi sumagot. Nagtuloy-tuloy sa paglabas ng gate ng campus.

I don't want to look so desperate so I naglakad na rin ako sana palabas kaso biglang umulan.

Wala akong payong.

"Sayo na tong payong ko.", a guy handed me one. Just when I don't need it.

Binitawan ko ang payong at nagpabasa sa ulan. Didn't mind my things that are getting wet so are my clothes. My knees weakened while crying causing me to sit down on the road sa labas ng campus. Buti nalang at walang tao sa daan. I hope no one saw me.

Okay na siguro yung ganito. I wished for this. For him to ignore me so I can move on easily too. Kaso... our friendship even our friends might be at stake too.

"Why are you so wet, Caroline?"

"Dad... You're home."

"I missed you, Dad!." Niyakap ko si Daddy. Sobrang miss na miss ko siya. I just needed someone today. I feel so empty.

"You are so wet and dirty mygosh. Mababasa ang damit ko.", he joked.

"Something happened?", dad asked again.

"Wala naman po. I just... nabasa lang ulan."

"I told you to bring your umbrella always. Yca...", he suddenly became serious.

"Yes Dad?"

"If something happens in the future, I hope you'll forgive me. I just want the best for you."

"Of course, I know that Dad. You are there for me kaya as my both mom and dad 2-in-1. Please don't leave me like mom did."

Silence filled the air habang basa parin ako and medyo mugto ang mata, which Dad didn't noticed. I want to rest.