Love's Essential Lesson (The Four Campus Heartthrobs Series #2)

Chapter 37

Nathan's POV

"Are you really sure?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Mommy habang pinapanood na ipasok ni Daddy ang mga gamit ko sa sasakyan. "Son, we can always..."

"No. L-let's j-just....go." Nahihirapan na sabi ko at bumuntong-hininga. Napansin ko pa na nagkatinginan si Mommy at Daddy kaso hindi ko nalang din pinansin.

I've decided.

What I think is better.

Tinulungan ako ni Daddy na pumasok sa back seat dahil medyo nahihirapan pa akong kumilos. Mabuti nalang at may kaibigan sila Mommy na doctor dito kaya hinayaan kaming mag-discharge and well, I'm transferring to New York. They knew my condition better. I'm not saying that this hospital is not good, I just decided to go there for everyone.

"Nathan," nag-aalangan na sabi na naman ni Mommy kaya napunta na sa kaniya ang paningin ko. "At least, message your friends."

"What for?"

"You need to bid your goodbyes."

"Goodbyes? For what?"

"Nathan," Banta na ni Daddy kaya napaiwas na ako ng tingin. Ayoko ng ganito.

"Really? You are telling me to give my goodbyes when you can't even give that to your own son? Are you kidding me?" Madiin na sabi ko na ikinatahimik nilang dalawa. See? They can't even defend themselves. "So, please. If you want me to shut my mouth, just don't mind me. And don't talk to me. As if you even care, right?"

When I saw Leila earlier, akala ko nananaginip ako. I even spend an hour watching her face. She's so peaceful. She's so gorgeous. And I can't bear to see that beautiful face cry again. I can't hurt her. At sapat na siguro 'yung mga nangyari para malaman ko na I am just causing her pain. Every time na kasama niya ako, nasasaktan siya. She is questioning herself. She's questioning her worth. I wanted to fix it. But I know I can't because she needs time for it.

I made this decision nung nasa new york pa ako. That day when I had an accident. I asked my parents if I can come here just to try again. I can try again. Okay naman ako nung mga unang araw. Walang problema. But I need to hide my bruises. I wear hoodies to hide them. I don't want Leila to see it kasi alam kong sisisihin niya lang ang sarili niya. That accident is not her fault.

But then, our friends knows it. Even her brother. They know it. Naalala ko pa na nakiusap ako kay Ian na wag niya akong pagbigyan sa mga bagay na gusto ko dahil sa aksidenting nangyari. I know he's just guilty because of that accident. At dahil doon, napaisip talaga ako na kung kay Ian nga may impact 'yung nangyari sa akin, paano pa kay Leila? Malamang na malamang sa kaniya talaga ang pinaka-malaki ang impact. So I asked Ian to keep my secret and he did. I'm thankful he did.

Ang wala sa plano ko, umalis nang hindi nagpapaalam sa mga kaibigan ko. Siguro ay sasabihin ko nalang kapag nakarating na ako sa new york. They know it. Lalo na si Ate Danica. For sure, hahanapin ako nun. They are my family at alam kong maiintindihan nila ako.

And Leila, I know I can't let her go. But then I realize that my love for is just causing her pain. Kahit masakit, kahit alam kong ako lang din ang talo. Magpaparaya nalang ako. Jerome and Drake are both a good man. I know they can take care of her. Dahil kung hindi, uuwi talaga ako ng Pilipinas at kukunin ko si Leila.

Sounds weird, right? Gusto ko siya maging masaya. And if having a partner can make her happy, why not? Kung si Drake 'yan, okay lang. Kung si Jerome, okay lang din. Siguro sa simula, baka magmukmok ako. Pero when I saw her okay with it and if she's really into that guy na hindi siya sasaktan, I will definitely support her.....siguro?? I don't know. Medyo possessive ako but I think I can handle it.