Captured (Stars' Band Series #1) [COMPLETED]

Chapter 24

Chapter 24
Manong

Trigger Warning: Words about suicide.

Napangiwi ako nang marinig ang kanilang mga singhot but there's something inside me that I can't explain.

Halos maubos na nila ang tissue na nakalagay sa harapan namin dahil sa pag-iyak. I almost laugh at them but I stopped it for I don't want to break the mood.

"Ano ba kayo... It's all in the past now. I accepted all of it and I'm finally free from the grudges. Hindi ba kayo masaya ro'n?"

Agad silang umiling. "No... We're happy that you finally overcome it but what's hurting us the most is we're not by your side that time. I'm sorry, Sainet. Please forgive us..."

Athena is now patting Stephanie's back and I'm doing the same to Heaven.

Something tugged in my heart by knowing that they cared for me too even I pushed them away too many times indirectly.

Halos lahat ng tao na nakapaligid saakin ay mahal ako. God, I used to ask why do you have to hurt me like that but now I know why.

For you want me to know that I'm not all alone. That I have all of them right by my side, supporting and loving me.

Mama, can you see what's happening right now? If you are, are you happy for me now that I'm finally trying to clean the mess I made between the people I love before?

"Wala naman kayong kasalanan do'n. It's enough for me to know that all of you are sending me your support and love. Na kahit ilang beses ko na kayong itinulak palayo, hindi pa rin kayo tumigil. How lucky I am to have all of you, right?"

Tumango si Athena. "We're all lucky to have this kind of circle. I-I'm also sorry because of what I have done. If I knew much sooner ay baka napigilan ko pa. I'm sorr– ouch!"

Napahawak ito sa kaniyang balikat kung saan ay pinalo ni Heaven. I chuckled but I immediately stopped it when I saw Heaven's and Athena's glare.

"Kami dapat ang nag e-emote hindi ikaw, Athena, ha! Huwag kang aagaw!" Stephanie said.

Nagsamaan sila ng tingin ngunit sa huli ay nauwi sa tawanan dahil sa mga namumugtong mga mata at mapupulang pisngi.

We look crazy pero kami-kami lang naman ang nakakaalam. Maliban sa mga crew, s'yempre.

"Are we okay na, 'di ba? Wala ng tulukan at sinungalingang manyayari, right?" Heaven asked. Kita sa kaniyang mga mata ang pangamba at pag-aalala.

"I'm sorry and I promise, I will never do it again. But I just want to let you all know that I never regretted it."

Agad silang napaangat ng tingin saakin nang sabihin ko iyon. Kita ang pagtataka at sakit sa kanilang mga mata.

I smiled meaningfully at them. "If I haven't done that, I will never learn from my past and mistakes. Hindi ako magiging ako ngayon kung hindi ko ginawa 'yon. I stand on my own feet when pain is slowly pulling me to sink. Pain will always be a lesson to me, my dear friends. Pain will slowly eat you, degrade you, belittle and will make you ask yourself if it is worth it. But pain will also taught you on how to defend, accept and love yourself. 'Yan ang isa sa mga natutunan ko. And I will always thank Him for letting me know that."

I almost fell on my chair nang sinugod na naman nila ako ng kanilang mga mahigpit na yakap.

"Gosh, parang ibang Sainet ang kilala ko!" Stephanie dramatically said.

Nang kumalas sila ay nakita ko sa aking mga mata ang saya... and I don't know if what I'm seeing is true but I see a proud look from them.

"You never failed to amaze me, Sainet. Noong una pa, you look so mature to me. Pero hindi ko inaakalang mas magiging mature ka pa sa mga darating na panahon. I know that tita Saina is so proud of you. She raised you so well that even us can say, 'We are proud to have you as our friend'."