Always Mine [unedited]

CHAPTER 40 - THE TRUTH

"Shot puno!"

Natatawang tinaas ko 'yung can of beer kasabay silang tatlo.We decided to celebrate my victory here at Zoe's house, on the rooftop.

Zoe's parents gave her this land as her graduation gift but Zoe built a house there after she got a job. Kaya puro kayod siya sa pagt-trabaho para rito.

It is simple but elegant in its way. She has a telescope here on the rooftop so she can look at the stars anytime.

Pampawala stress niya raw kumbaga.

"Cheers sa mga pinaasa lang pero sa iba pala ikakasal!"Natatawang saad ko habang nakataas 'yung kamay.

Kaagad rin naman nilang tinaas 'yung kanilang kamay habang umiiling sa'kin.

I'm still sober tho.

"Mga gago rin kasi, 'no? Alam na nga nilang may gusto 'yung tao sa kanila, e tuloy pa rin sa paggawa ng mga bagay na ikakaasa naman ng tanga!" Tiffany said after taking a sipped from the beer.

Zoe let out a chuckled."You two are hopeless."

"Mag-bestfriend talaga kayo. Mga sawi." Rence said while shaking his head.

Agad namang sumimangot si Tiffany pagkatapos ay uminom nanaman. Mukha siyang problemado. Tuloy tuloy sa pag-inom e!

"Masaya lang mga lovelife niyo, e! Ginaganiyan niyo na kami!"Tiffany replied.

Gosh, is she drunk already?

"I'm no longer on topic."Iminuwestura pa ni Zoe 'yung kamay sa harapan.

We both chuckled because of that. Kaagad ko namang inakbayan si Zoe sa tabi ko. Naka pamilog kasi kami. Katabi ko si Zoe sa kanan at si Tiffany sa kaliwa, si Rence naman ang katabi ni Tiffany at Zoe.

"Zoe is my baby so, off limits siya diyan."I leaned my head on Zoe's shoulder.

Wala naman siyang sinabi dahil tumawa lang siya sa tabi ko.

"Mukha kayong magjowa."Tiffany said while having a disgusts look."Anyway, ano na ang score ninyo ni Attorney Fleur, Fabiana? Mukhang nagkabati na kayo, a."

Their eyes were immediately focused on me, waiting for my answer. I smiled bitterly when I remembered what happened at the party.

Even though she didn't tell me directly.. I know, she rejected me again for the....how many times na ba? I lost the count.

"She helped me with the case.. She even gave me the evidence that made me win."I laughed because their reaction was epic!"Despite my attitude towards her, she still helped me."

"So, you two are on good terms now? Have you forgiven her?"Tanong ni Zoe habang pinapaikot ikot 'yung can sa kamay.

I emptied the can first before answering her questions.

"We parted our ways.."I said in a low tone."..and even though she hasn't apologized yet, I forgave her a long time ago.. But the last time we met, she apologized many times. I can't even count because she said so many sorrys."

I chuckled to hide my bitterness. They were just watching me but I felt Zoe's hand on my hair to gently stroking it.

"At alam niyo 'yung pinaka nakakatawa sa lahat? 'Yung tipong puro sakit lang naman ang binibigay niya sa'kin pero 'yung puso ko...tanginang puso na 'to, siya pa rin tinitibok amputa."I bit my lower lip to stopped myself from crying."...akala ko okay na e..akala ko naka-move on na ako but in just a glance..everything is back."

I covered my face as my tears fell. The pain is still there.. I thought it was gone, I won't feel it anymore because I did everything to move forward but when I saw her again.. it felt like, I just wasted the four years na pagm-move one dahil siya pa rin pala sa huli.