Find me in your pages | THE WATTYS 2023

Chapter 24:

"Congratulations, miss Chavez. Looks like it's nothing but just asthma. You should start using inhalers or nebulizers if things get out of hand." Thank god. I felt relieved. "Do you happen to smoke? Or drink alcohol?"

"I drink, but I don't smoke." Agad kong sagot.

"You shouldn't drink too much for now, and avoid any people who smoke. It affects your condition din kasi. And if possible, don't move around too much or carry heavy objects muna so you can recover fast." Doc advised to me and gave me a smile. Buti na lang talaga. Hindi ako mapapagastos nang ganon kamahal. "I think that's all that I have to say and here are the results. You can keep it for future uses."

Nag pasalamat ako kay doc bago ako lumabas nang office nya para umuwi. I'm fine...Physically, that is. I lost track of what I loved to do. Lost track of everything. Ni hindi ko na nga alam paano maguumpisa ulit. Everything went downhill within a blink of an eye. And it's my fault. "Bullshit, Xerena...Nakakainis ka." Galit na bulong ko sa sarili ko.

I arrived home, may dala akong stock nang gamot, mostly for asthma. I felt tired. Naninikip parin ang dibdib ko. I saw Harvey's messages for me since nagkaroon na ako nang wifi.

[ Harvey: ayos ka lang ba?
Harvey: Magpahinga ka muna.
Harvey: Ayos lang si Cleo dito. Kasama ko sya kanina, pumunta muna sya sa cr.
Harvey: You can still see her if you want. And when you're ready. ]

Pano ko pa ba haharapin si Cleo nang ganito? Wala na akong mukha na maihaharap sa kanya.

Nasa Starbucks na naman ako, reviewing for the exams. Tapos ko na lahat nang performance task na pinapagawa. I heard a familiar voice behind me. "Hey, Xerena! Bakit magisa ka ata ngayon?" Bati ni Gwen sa akin, she was with a tall guy, his skin looked pale. Kala mo pang patay. "Oh I forgot to tell you. This is Seven! My...Suitor."

"Hello. Good afternoon." Bati ko sa kanilang dalawa bago ako bumalik sa pagbabasa.

"Hindi mo kasama si ate Cleo?"

"Wala na kami." Agad kong sagot. It's not like it still matters at this point. Yun naman talaga ang totoo. Wala na kami, at kaylangan kong tanggapin yon.

Natahimik si Gwen nang titigan nya ako. As if she already figured out the reason why I did that. She knows the situation of our relationship anyways. May binulong si Gwen sa kasama nya bago sila pumila. Maybe I really needed some time alone, with silence, and no one else but myself.

They came back to my table after a few minutes. "Ate! I got you something from here." Bati ni gwen, tahimik naman tong si Seven habang iniinom ang kanyang kape. Gwen gave me a macadamia cookie, my favorite. "You can talk to me about what happened ate, if ayos lang yon sayo." Paalala nya sa akin habang tinatapik ang likod ko. It doesn't matter.

"Yeah. Thank you, Gwen, I appreciate that."

"I'll be leaving you both for now. Neara, if you need me, I'll be in the mall. I'll on my location for you." Buti naman maayos na lalaki tong nabingwit ni Gwen! She deserves only the best person, masyadong inosente si gwen para gaguhin lang. 

Gwen scooted closer to talk at agad ko namang sinara ang libro ko. She needs to know what happened, that's for sure. "So...Bakit? Aside from the deal...Bakit?"

"She found out about it because I said it on accident. Stupid move I must say." Natatawa ko na sagot sa kanya. "Ang lupit nga eh...She...Just left without letting me say anything. I understand where she's coming from, galit sya dahil sa pagtatago ko nang sikreto sa kanya. I couldn't blame Cleo."

"But you wanted to spend the remaining days with her?"

"Of course, Gwen! That's not even a question at this point. But natapos kami nang maaga. Ayos lang...Harvey would take care of her for sure. That guy loves her since before anyways. I have his word." Matamlay ko na sagot kay Gwen. It was the painful truth. At ayoko nang takbuhan ang nararamdaman ko katulad noong kami pa ni Nikolai. "If only I knew before, hindi na ako papatol."