First Heartbreak

38

"So? How are you two?" Tanong ni Caramel mula sa kabilang linya. We're video-calling and I'm just lounging on the couch as we're speaking. Siya naman, kumakain ng prutas.

It's been a month since she left the States. And now that I'm thinking about this, she never really mentioned where she is.

"Where are you? I don't think nasabi mo sa amin kung nasaan ka?"

Pinanliitan ko siya ng mga mata pero nginisihan niya lang ako. She continued munching the fruits and once her bowl emptied, she started peeling and slicing new ones.

"Bakit? Bibisita ka rito?" Aniya sa nagbibirong tono. "This is what I like about my work. I get to travel while volunteering and practicing my profession."

She told me about her volunteer work and all the donation drives she's been handling. If I'm not mistaken, this is also a project of the hospital we're working at but she's just going the extra mile for it.

"Enough about me!" She said while waiving her hand dismissively. "How's your relationship with Xaviell."

I smiled and shook my head. "Sigurado akong nag-uusap kayo."

She raised a brow and shrugged. "Yeah, but it's mostly about work."

I shrugged too, then thought for a moment. "We're good but still adjusting," I answered honestly. "I mean... what happened in the past months really affected us so..." I trailed off, hoping she'd still understand.

Tumango-tango ang kaibigan. Akala ko ay tutuksuhin niya ako sa pagiging marupok o ano kaya nagulat ako sa kaniyang sagot.

"Don't you think it's amazing? That even after what you two went through, you're still here?" Aniya sa masuyong boses at natigil pa sa pagkain. "I think it's nice... na nagpatuloy kayo. It's rare these days."

I nodded with a small smile. I think it's both nice and surprising too.

After that "talk" with Xaviell, I don't know what came into my mind but I just gave in. Wala akong kontrol sa kung ano ang mangyayari pero magtitiwala na lang ako. Na kahit nakakatakot at may pangamba pa rin, ipagpapatuloy ko 'to dahil... si Xaviell naman 'to. It's worth it.

Patuloy kaming nag-usap ni Caramel hanggang sa napansin ko ang paulit-ulit niyang paghikab. Ayaw niya pang matulog pero napilit ko rin kalaunan.

I stretched my arms and back when I got up from the couch. Pumunta ako sa kusina at naghanap ng makakain.

I saw some fresh avocados on the counter and I decided to make a smoothie. Hanggang ngayon, ito pa rin talaga ang paborito kong inumin kahit minsan ay sobrang busy ko na para gumawa nito.

I was in the middle of cleaning the kitchen mess when I felt a set of arms around my waist. Napakagat-labi ako at sumandal na lang sa kaniya. Sandali ko munang dinama ang nararamdaman bago hinarap si Xaviell.

"I miss you," he whispered, just before I faced him fully. And yes, those three words made my heart flutter and my stomach go wild.

Nakakabaliw na hindi ko maintindihan. Feeling ko tuloy, teenager na naman ako na nahihibang.

Inulit niya ang kaniyang binulong bago ako mahigpit na niyakap. He placed light kisses on my cheeks while still whispering.

Ever since we started dating again, he kept saying that he missed me. Hindi ko alam kung sadyang nami-miss niya lang ako o para iyon sa mga buwan na hindi kami magkasama.

Weekend ngayon at may inasikaso lang siya sa opisina habang ako naman ay half-day lang kaya nakapagkuwentuhan pa kami ni Caramel.

Binigyan ko siya ng smoothie dahil balak niya pa atang ubusin 'yong akin. Nagkayayaan din kami na mag-bake kaya iyon ang pinagkaabalahan namin sa mga sumunog na oras.