Hardest to Lose (Villaraza Series #4)

45 | Denials

45 | Denials

______________

"I'm sorry if I didn't give notice," she shyly said and carefully tucked her hair behind her ear.

Ilang segundo akong napatitig sa kanya bago nakapagsalita, "I-it's okay. K-kailan ka dumating?"

"Kanina lang. Dumiretso ako rito kasi," she smiled before she came closer to me, "na-miss kita."

She enveloped me in a hug and I felt all the years that we were apart. She was warm just like before.

Kinagat ko ang ibabang labi at niyakap siya pabalik.

I missed you, too, my first love.

"How have you been?" Tiningnan niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa. "Your pictures didn't do you justice. Grabe, mas gumanda ka! You look like the male version of your Kuya Iñigo."

"Thank you. Ikaw din." Malapad akong ngumiti. "Lalo ka ring gumanda."

Humagikhik siya at cute na umiling-iling.

Just like what she said to me, her pictures didn't do her justice. She was still the short girl I knew. Maturer features, and she was still the first person I had romantic feelings for.

Dumating ang parents ko na agad siyang napansin. They always liked her so I didn't have trouble reminding them who she was. Inaya namin siyang maghapunan sa amin. But she respectfully declined. Tumakas lang daw siya sa kanila para makita ako. And because of that, she had to leave early.

"We'll catch up for real one of these days," masiglang sabi niya nang ihatid ko siya sa labas kung saan naghihintay ang taxi. "Busy na ba kayo sa school?"

"Medyo. But you can ask to meet me whenever you want. I'll always make time for you."

She smiled me like her heart just fluttered. "It's really good seeing you again, Iñara."

"Yeah. It's really good seeing you again, too."

Impit siyang tumili at muli akong niyakap. Kung hindi pa bumusina ang taxi driver, hindi niya pa yata sana ako bibitiwan.

Kahit ako rin.

"Umamin ka na sa kanya."

Napahawak ako sa dibdib. "Kuya! Ano ba! Aatakihin pa 'ko sa puso, e!"

Based on how Kuya Iñovyz positioned himself near the gate, mukhang kanina pa niya kami pinagmamasdan. Napakapakialamero talaga!

He sneered and put the fodder in his mouth - a failed attempt to be a cool guy. "You waited for this moment, sis."

Heto na naman siya. "Ano bang sinasabi mo diyan? I have moved on a long time ago."

"Mas bagay kayo."

Tinitigan ko siya nang matiim. "Kuya, I understand that you don't like Markus for me. But don't cross that line. If you do, don't expect me to be idle."

He must have sensed how I was dead serious that he just rolled his eyes and left. Napabuntong-hininga ako at ch-in-eck ang cell phone ko. May ilang text na roon si Markus. Excited na naman yata akong makausap.