Cycle Of Love Series #5: Love and Crosses

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7:54 AM

You

Hey, can we meet for a moment?

I have something to say.

8:05 AM

Andrius Leo Chavez

Sure, where will be meeting?

Napatigil ako saglit sa pag-aayos ng damit ko nang makitang nag-reply na siya sa akin. As much as possible, I want to say this in personal because I don't wanna be that cruel.

You

Coffee Project.

It's near at your school, right?

Let's meet there at 9:00.

Andrius Leo Chavez

Okay.

See you there :)

I was already close to getting ready so I think that I'll be the first one to get there. Buti na lang talaga at wala sina Mommy at Daddy ngayon kaya hindi ko na kailangan pa maghanap ng bagong palusot. Sandali lang din naman ako roon.

As I expected, I was the first one to get there so I ordered already for the both of us. I just ordered an iced coffee for me and latte for him. Hindi ko alam kung ano'ng type niyang inumin na kape kaya namili na lang ako.

My iced coffee was already half when he sat in front of me, his hair is wet also, mukhang kaliligo lang.

"Did you waited for too long? Sorry, medyo na-traffic."

Ngumiti ako. "No. It's okay," sagot ko naman. "I already ordered for you, are you okay with that? I didn't know what you prefer when drinking coffee so I just guessed." I lightly scratched my nape.

"No, it's totally fine! Latte is my favorite, actually." Nginitian niya ako bago uminom sa in-order ko. "Hmm, taste good."

"By the way, ano'ng sasabihin mo sa akin?" tanong niya na ikinatigil ko saglit.

"Uhh . . ." How should I say it? This is my first time saying this! Kinakabahan ako! "About yesterday . . ." Tahimik lang siyang nakatingin sa akin, hinihintay ako matapos magsalita. "About your confession . . . I-I . . ."

"You don't need to answer quickly. I'll patiently wait for you-"

"We can't be together, Andre," putol ko sa salita niya. He blinked his eyes for a few times, shocked about my words.

"But, why?"

"You know my situation, Andre. I'm already engaged." Malungkot ko siyang tiningnan. "I . . . I don't want to hurt you."

He held both of my hands. "Where's the ring? I thought you're already engaged. Where's the ring?"

Sapilitan ko na kinuha ang kamay ko sa kaniya. "I'm already tied the moment I came back from home, Andre. I can't do something about it."

"No, we can do something about it!" Hinampas niya nang mahina ang lamesa, pinagpipilitan ang gusto niya. We all know we can't do anything. "We can do something about it. Don't give up easily, Zye."

"We can't," I told him as my tears started to flow onto my cheeks. "We can't do something. I know them, Andre. They're not leaving me alone even if I run away, escape from them! This is already my stupid cruel fate, Andre. I-I'm just a puppet, Andre!" Tuluyan na akong napaiyak. Crying isn't on my plan today but it just happened. Maybe I'm too fed up . . . But, I'm still taking more. Because I have no choice.

Panicking, Andre sat beside me to hug me. "Shh, it's alright. It's okay . . ."

"I can't do anything . . ." I whispered on his chest. "If they found out about you . . . You'll be going through a thorough background investigation by them. And after that, they will bribe you with money to stay away from me," I started telling him the possible consequences we may face. "I can't hurt you that much, Andre . . . It will be better if we part ways now."

"But, you're still my friend, right?"

"Friends don't hurt each other." Umalis na ako sa pagkakayakap niya at tumayo sa upuan ko. With my sad eyes, I stared at him for the last time. "We've had a great milestones together, Andre. Thank you . . . For being my comfort."

Tipid siyang tumango bago ako yakapin ulit. "Thank you for giving me strength, Zye."

And with that, we parted ways that day . . .