Wasn't Meant To Be

Chapter 23

Errors Ahead

Fireworks

After that incident hindi na muli ako nagbalak tumikim ng alak. Buti nalang din hindi nabalitaan nila mama at papa kundi I'll be scolded and grounded. Cassius and I didn't talk about my feelings again. We see each other and talked normally. Then after months he invited me for this new year's event sa sports center. I was so excited for new year especially that papa allowed me to go with Cassius, madami din kaming mga classmate na pupunta so I'm really excited. But something is bothering me. Cassius told me na he has to tell me something important and something I would really be happy about, which gives me a bad feeling na isang kalokohan nanaman ito. Siguraduhin niya lang sumipot siya last time I checked he ditched me when I told him I'd treat him to the cinema, I ate five kebab wraps watched three movies and literally bought all kinds of snacks sa cine nang araw nay un dahil sa inis.

Medyo nakakakaba, kahit na naging malapit ulit kami naalala ko padin ang mga nanyari bago ako nahimatay sa harap niya sa sobrang pag inom ng alak. That was months ago but still embarrassing plus the part where I told him na may "reservation" siya sa puso ko, iwww that was so cringe but it was real too at the same time.

Padami na ng padami ang mga tao sa sports center at nakita ko narin ang iba naming schoolmates, but there was no Cassius in sight. I didn't mind nalamang, disappointed but not surprised. He always does this whenever I feel like our relationship is getting better he'd do something that'll make me think again, it's a never ending cycle. Malamig ang gabi good think I wore a cardigan and jeans. Ten more minutes and new year is approaching, ang host naman sa intablado ay panay dada at pinaglilista kami ng new year's resolution. Typical ngunit kinakailangan, I took out my pen and decided to write my new year's resolution on the palm of my hand.

Get over that C"ASS"ius

That was the only resolution I wrote, highlighting the word "ass" in his name.

Five minutes left. I told myself, there's no chance na hahabol pa ang tukmol nayun.

"Isla." Now I'm imaging his voice calling me bruh.

"Isla." Ulit nung boses na narinig ko na mas malakas na ngayon, sabay kong naramdaman ang kamay na humawak sa magkabilang braso ko at iniharap ako nito sa kaniyang sarili. I tried to look not surprised but I'm very sure my eyes are screaming in happiness and surprise, Get over that C"ASS"ius I reminded myself to what I wrote down on my palm.

"Sorry, na traffic kasi akala ko madali lang ako makakarating." He explained.

Tiningnan ko siya mula ulo hangang paa, medyo magulo ang kaniyang buhok at pawisan ang mukha.

"It's alright." I smiled and hand him a bottle of water.

Pinatalikod ko siya sa akin at tama nga ang instinct ko, sweat. I took the morning towel na binaon ko at walang pagaalinlangang inilagay iyon sa kaniyang may likuran, I have motherly instincts since school.

"Thanks." Nahihiya niyang sagot.

"10 seconds!" Hiyaw ng host dahilan para mapalingon nako sa dereksyon nito.

"10!"

This year seemed painful and messy.

"9!"

But I love it.

"8!"

It's messy and crazy.

"7!"

But I love it.

"6!"

I feel like I could get used to this.

"5!"

Seems like this pain became pleasurable for me.

"4!"

It feels addicting, you're addicting.

"3!"

So I hope you know.

"2!"

I don't need anything in exchange.

"1!"

I can like you like this without limit.

"Happy new year!!!"

We all shouted together and there the fireworks went wild and loud, it was beautiful bawat sabog nito matches along with my heart's. I closed my eyes and breathed deeply, I wish for a beautiful year. Nilingon ko ang kasama kong si Cassius na tuon ang pansin sa fireworks, I was happy yet hurting. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa kamay kung asaan nakasulat ang new year's resolution, Get over that C"ASS"ius, all smudged.

Author's note: break muna tayo sa meserableng lab life ni Isla, sa sobrang daming kalokohang ginawa ni Cassius kay Isla di ko alam paano ipapakita sa inyo na he is a total jerk, inis lang nasa utak ko eh hahaha. Anyways fun fact in real life niyaya talaga ako manood ng fireworks nung Cassius ko kaso di natuloy tas umamin siya sa akin na ang plano niya non aamin siya na may gusto siya sa akin, pero di natuloy because? Hindi naman totoo na may gusto siya sa akin, it's still his Yasmen that he likes, pero di ko na nilagay dito sa chap yung ganern. Pinag relax ko muna si Isla naawa nako sa kaniya eh tanga tanga kasi.