The Opposite of Hate (Upper Crust #1)

Chapter 33

Chapter 33
"Shares"

This will be the last time you will get hurt, Aris. I promise you that. It doesn't matter if it costs my own heart.

Sinulyapan ko ang cellphone na nasa kamay ko. Kanina pa ito tumutunog mula pagpasok ko ng airport. I took a deep breath and finally shut it down. I slide it to the pocket of my coat. Now I am only holding my passport and ticket.

The two flight stewardess on the entrance keeps on greeting everyone who enters the plane. I boarded the jet. I looked around to find my seat. Nang mahanap ay tahimik na pumanhik doon. Hanggang sa magsalita ang piloto, hudyat nang paglipad, the seat on my side remained empty. Hindi ko alam kung sadyang walang kumuha ng upuan na iyon o hindi umabot o tumuloy ang uukupa.

I decided to book a straight flight. I just want to go home immediately.

I looked outside the window. It's dark and looks cold. It's like the image of what I feel right now. Nakatulog ako pero maya't mayang nagigising. It's been like this since the other night. Hindi ako makakuha ng matinong tulog, which also pushed me to go home. Kahit saglit lang.

Pagod pa sa mahabang byahe at walang matinong tulog, dumiretso na ako sa bahay. They were all surprised seeing me showing up during dinner.

Agad akong niyakap ni Mama. "Bakit hindi ka nagpasabing uuwi ka? Sana nasundo ka sa airport."

"Is there something wrong? How about your classes?" Papa kissed my head. Bahagyang kumunot ang noo niya.

I smiled and shook my head. "I just missed our house and maraming kasamang kumain."

"Sit down now, Laviña. Let's eat," sabi ni Mama.

Lavigne pulled a chair for me.

"Nag-layover ka?"

"Hindi na po."

I don't know why having a meal with them made me emotional. Seeing them and being with them heal a bit of my pain. Pagod man but I felt relieved.

Seeing my room, my bed, it's like a call for sleep. Binagsak ko ang pagod na katawan pagkatapos makapaglinis ng katawan at magbihis. I covered my self with the sheet and closed my eyes.

Tatlong araw lang ang ibinigay ko sa sarili ko. I need to go back kahit gusto kong mas magtagal pa rito. I am not quiting Oxford. Tatapusin ko ang sinimulan ko. Gusto ko lang umuwi at huwag isipin ang mga naiwan doon. Out of site, out of my mind—but it doesn't always work. Some things lingers. Some things just don't leave your head.

"Ma, why did you leave Papa noon kung mahal mo naman siya?" Nasabi ko na lang habang nagpapahinga sa garden nang sumunod na araw, sa hapon. We are having light snacks. "Why did you break up with him?"

She turned to me with a smile. Hindi ko na maalala when was the last time we talked about something deep and personal, at lalo na mula sa nakaraan. Hindi kasi kami ganoon.

"The most common act of love is staying," she said as if thinking deeply. "And leaving and letting go is rare... because it's not easy... Pero nakadepende pa rin iyon sa sitwasyon at pagkakataon."

I stared at her. She smiled, like recalling a precious memory.

"Those who leave and let go are risk takers. They're usually the ones who surrender everything to fate. Umaasang pagdating ng panahon, may babalikan pa sila."

Umiling siya. I sighed and made myself more comfortable in my seat.

"I broke up and left your father because I wasn't a believer in long-distance relationships. You know I have to be with your grandmother dahil sa malubha niyang sakit. At sa panahon ding 'yon your father's company is facing crises... It was a risk, but in my deepest thoughts, kumpyansa akong maghihintay siya."