Three Steps To You ✔︎

Chapter 30

ALIPIN MO

“I want to talk to you.” Liana said. I came out of my car while I was wiping all my tears.

“Hindi ba si Adrian ang gusto mong kausapin?” paniniguro ko. It was questionable. Sheʼs not even close to me. We donʼt have much connections, so why does she want to talk to me?

“No. I wanted to ask you something.” she insisted.

Napasulyap ako sa dalawang kapatid ko na ngayon ay nasa likod na ni Liana. Napatingin sila sa isaʼt-isa na tila ba nagtatanungan sila sa pamamagitan ng mata lamang. Their looks were screaming curiosity.

“Mauna na kayong umuwi.” I told them. Theyʼve both agreed.

Now itʼs just me and Liana whoʼs left here.

“So what is it that you want to ask me?” I asked, stood straight in front of her.

“Before asking, I just wanted to thank you...” she started. My forehead furrowed in an instant. She smiled at me and continued. “Crystal is happy again and thatʼs because you made her and Calvin happen again. As her friend, I dedicate my gratitude to you. You are her friend too. You became such a good friend to her. Thank you, Leonardo...”

“You donʼt need to thank me. It is my duty to make my brother and my friend happy. I should, so if I can, Iʼll make sure I would.” I replied to her, slightly forming a curve on the corner of my lips.

“About Adrian... How is he doing?” she asked.

“He has turned into a cold person.” I said. Minsan napapaisip na lang ako na baka nagpalit sila ni Calvin ng personalidad. “Your reason was still mystery to him.”

“I wouldnʼt say the exact reason but... I left him because I felt empty, and incomplete. Maybe itʼs because I gave too much love that thereʼs nothing left of me anymore. Thatʼs when Iʼve decided that I need to breathe and give my self some time.”

So that was the reason... But... It wasnʼt the best answer I could get from her. Pakiramdam ko may iba pang rason. Nahaluan ng pagdududa ang nararamdaman kong kuryosidad. Hindi kaya, nagsisinungaling lang siya? Baka naman may nagustuhan na siyang iba? O kaya naman ay gusto niya pa rin si Marcus? There are plenty of reasons to believe from but why did she gave me that reason. Itʼs not even fulfilling my curiosity.

“I wanna ask for your help.” she said, directly. Nanlaki ang mata ko sa kaniyang sinabi. “I want to make it up to him.” aniya. Napayuko na lamang siya at pumahina ang kaniyang boses. “I know I am asking too much. We barely know each other, but I need your help.”

“I want to help you, but I donʼt know how or in what way I can help you.” tanging nasabi ko.

“Gusto ko siyang kausapin ng personal pero wala akong lakas ng loob. Kahit i-text siya ay hindi ko magawa.” saad nito. Nanatiling nakayuko si Liana habang nakikipag-usap sa akin. Kahit ako mismo ay ganoon ang magiging postura ko kung sakaling maranasan ko ang sitwasyon niya.

Tahimik lang siya. Mukhang hinihintay niya ang sasabihin ko. Agad akong umisip at agad din namang may nag-pop sa isip ko.

“I will set a day for you to meet each other.” Iʼm so brilliant! Nakaisip agad ako ng paraan nang wala pang isang minuto.