A Dribble

A Topic

Hannah and Jackie

H: Kanina pa pala tayo naguusap

J: Oo nga, ang daldal natin

H: Nauubusan na ako ng topic

J: Ako rin, wala na ako maisip

H: Then how about...

J: Mm?

H: How about we talk about us?

J: Why? Okay lang naman tayo ah

H: I know we're in an open relationship, but lately I've been thinking...

J: Hannah. We already talked about this

H: I think I'm ready, Jackie

J: But I'm not.

H: Oh.

J: Hannah, we got into this relationship three years ago dahil hindi natin kaya mag commit sa isa't isa. Kasama rin sa agreement natin na ititigil natin 'to once we feel something for each other. I'm not ready to commit, Hannah. And I don't think I'll ever be

H: You're just saying that. I know you feel something for me too.

J: I don't.

H: You're just not allowing yourself to fall in love! You're just scared!

J: And what if I am, Hannah? What if I'm scared that I'm not going to be a good partner for you? What if I'm scared of what other people will say to us?

H: You don't have to face it alone, Jackie. That's why I'm here. You don't have to worry about what other people say—

J: But I do, Hannah. I do care! Every fucking word gets absorbed in my brain and it eats me alive! I'm scared to commit because I don't want to hurt you! Why can't we just... stay the way we are?

H: You know I can't, Jackie. Once you fall, you go back.

J: So you're leaving?

H: Part of the agreement, remember? Once we feel something, we stop whatever this is.

J: Fine, then.

H: Thanks for everything, Jackie. I'm ending our relationship now, but know that I'll always wait for you to be ready.

J: And if I never do?

H: I'll die waiting.