Against The Fate

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

I drifted my thoughts to sleep and let him drive anywhere. I just wanted to be free for a while. To be someone other than the perfect and emotionless Laticia Ysabelle Alfaro. Pero alam kong hindi ko pa kaya gawin ito. I can't do anything about it.

Nakatigil ang kotse paggising ko. I felt a cold breeze from the window, dahan-dahan kong binuksan ang mata at tiningnan ang paligid ko. It's an over looking view of the... Taal Volcano.

Agad akong napaayos ng upo at tumingin sa kanya. He's asleep. He looks so peaceful while crossing his arms in his sleep. I remember when I left him that day while he was still sleeping.

Lia.

They must really know each other, then? Hindi na rin nagkakalayo. Lia and Emma are best friends while Prince and Gray are best friends, even better than Kale. Kaya hindi nga malabong ang Lia na hinihintay niya ay ang Lia na papakasalan ng best friend ko.

It felt hard to admit that I am actually jealous of her. She has a genuine and supportive best friend like Emma, a boyfriend like Kale who loves her with all his heart. And perhaps... a man who is still in love with her for years.

Growing up, people were always envious of the life I have lived. Having everything was an understatement. That was just material things. But to have someone genuine love you unconditionally was something that I always wanted to have.

I sighed. I just have a feeling I would grow old alone without anybody. I once swore that if it's not Kale, then I won't marry anymore. Wala na akong ibang gusto kundi siya lang.

"Hmm..."

Gumalaw siya ng konti bago dahan-dahan nagbukas ng mata. I shook my head at him. Umayos siya ng upo at ngumiti sa akin.

"Gutom ka na ba? Binilhan kita shawarma..." He gave me a paper bag  and gave me water too. Halata sa mga mata niyang inaantok pa ito.

"No thanks," I said. "Uuwi-"

Biglang tumunog ang tiyan ko. Hindi pa nga pala ako nakain. I was supposed to eat with Kale but then he told me about his proposal.

He chuckled a bit. "I'm sure you're hungry. Kumain ka na... naisip kong hindi ka pa nakain dahil busy ka sa hospital."

Tiningnan ko ang pagkaing inooffer niya. I took a deep breath and accepted it. Agad akong kumagat sa pagkaing binigay niya at nasarapan dito. It made me smile. Bihira nalang kasi ako makaenjoy ng pagkain. I don't usually eat.

"How much is it?" As I sip on the water.

He waved his hand while eating his. "Wag na."

"No. Tell me your account. I don't like to owe anybody. Just tell me where can I send it and I will..." Hindi ako matatahimik sa gabi na iniisip ang utang ko sa kanya.

Umiling siya. "Sagot ko na iyan, naisip lang kita kaya bumili akong pagkain. Hindi ko naman pinapapabayaran sayo."

I sighed. Mukhang hindi ko siya mapipilit na bayaran ito.

"Fine, your loss... ikaw na nga ang babayaran ayaw mo pa." I enjoyed eating til my last bite of the shawarma.

He smiled. "Kasama lang, ayos na ako. Bayad na 'yon sa akin..."

Tumingin ako sa kanya. His eyes look lonely even in the dark. I saw him sigh heavily before finishing his food. Bumalik naman ang tingin niya sa akin. He grabbed a tissue and wiped off a stain on my face.

"Dungis kasi," he muttered.

Inirapan ko lang siya. Nang mabalik ko naman ang tingin sa mata niya'y nakangiti pa rin ito sa akin. But even though he's smiling at me, I can see that it's the opposite of his outer appearance. Magaling ako makaramdam sa mga ganyang bagay. Perhaps, because I've always been that kind of friend to everybody.