Our Love On Spring

Chapter 25

25

I looked at the entrance of the university. Then, sa harap ko kung saan kitang-kita ang word na 'LPU' na may logo din.

I sighed while waiting for her.

I can feel my cheeks burning. The corner of my eyes are starting to form tears, feeling my breath as if it's under a bittersweet atmosphere.

Students from this university were passing by me. As if we're already connected, I already spot her.

I inhaled. She's looking down, the confidence she had before, I can't see it anymore. She's writing on a paper while walking, so disorganized than before. I can tell she can sense someone, by the way she walks side by side.

I smiled bitterly the moment she saw me.

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"Ang laki mo na," she proudly put her hand on my head. Kung dati ay magkaheight kami, ngayon naman ay ilalim na lang ng tainga ko ang height niya.

"Lumiit ka, a," I nonchalantly said. She stilled then stiffled a laugh. Napailing na lang siya at inubos na ang ice cream na kinakain niya. Napatitig na lang ako sa ice cream ko.

"You okay?" She looked at me.

I glanced at her. Then just for a minute, I bit my lips hard. "A-ate..." Hindi ko maramdaman ang simoy ng hangin nang maramdaman ko ang init ng tainga ko. "Just tell me, until when?" I looked at her while my tears startes to fall. "Why?" I've saw her eyes also forming its tear. "M-may nagawa ba ako?"

At that moment, all I need was a peace of mind. I don't want to bury a thing on my past... except her. My issue with ate is one that I want to fix, that time.

Ate leaned forward. She smiled bitterly and hold both my ears. "Stop lying, li'l bro. You're protecting something, aren't you?"

Nanginig na ang labi ko. Parang may bumara sa lalamunan ko habang nakatingin kay ate. Tears after tears, until it become a sob.

"Hush." Ate pulled me for a hug. "I am here."

"You're tired," I sobbed.

"I'm your ate." 

I buried my face in her shoulder. "I've met someone... and it does make my heart ache."

Naramdaman kong natigilan siya. "G-go ahead, tell me everything."

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"Then... hindi ko na siya makita, she didn't let me know. She just vanished like that."

Ate was sobbing and continuously wipe her tears. She looked at me. "W-what's next-wait why are you looking at me like that?"

Nakataas pa rin ang isang kilay ko at hindi makapaniwalang tumingin kay ate. "Story mo? Story mo? Kung makaiyak ka naman kala mo-ouch!"

Hindi na ako nakaiwas sa hampas niya. Inirapan ko na lang siya. Then, silence came. She was still sobbing. Lumingon na lang ako sa paligid. We were near in a hotel nearby their school. I don't know why ate preferred to be here, there's a lot more satisfying places near our friend's house. Or maybe, it has no places to stay in anymore, a lot had changed.

"I miss you." I looked at her. She was looking on her feet and her tears was still streaming down on her face. "I miss you."

Then... her sobs get louder. I put my arms around her shoulder and look up. Guess it is just not me, then?

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"Ba't ka andito?" humihikbing tanong ni ate.

I bit my lips, stopping a smirk. Agad kong pinigilan ang ulo niya na titingnan na sana ako. She didn't tell me a story, she just cried it all out.

"Sabihin mo muna para kanino 'yong isang 'I miss you'," nakangising saad ko.

Agad siyang lumingon sa akin na may masamang tingin. Natawa na lang ako. Tumayo siya at nagpagpag. "Sige na, uuwi na ako."

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. Wow, hindi man lang ako aayain? Pero sabagay, may pupuntahan din naman ako.

Lihim akong napangiti at tumayo na rin. "Sige, may pupuntahan pa ako sa baranggay."

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"Para ka namang 'di nag-grade 2 niyan!"

Natigilan ako. I tilt my head then looked downward the road where the low gate was located.

Pagkasilip ko, nakita ko si Jade, Cullen at Kiyo. "What the...?"

Sabay na sabay tumingin sa akin ang tatlo. Jade gasped as if she was seeing a ghost. Then Cullen looked so confused like I'm a stranger for him. While Kiyo was... munching. I stop a chuckle looking at Kiyo's chubby cheeks, 'as foddie as ever'.

"Hm-hm hm-hm!" Kiyo was humming. His mouth has food. I already know that it was meant to be 'Kuya Jiro' that made me laughed.

Bumaba ako sa may hagdan at lumapit sa kanila. They were just staring at me like I am a superstar. Even Kiyo stopped munching. Haha!

"Ha? Si Caster 'yan?"

My eyes widen, "what?"

Cullen's eyes also widen, "what-awat."

I looked at Jade who's quietly laughing. I smiled earnestly.

"So, how's everybody? Bakit ka nakapang-alis, Cullen?"

"'Yan na naman siya. English na naman," kunwaring bumubulong si Cullen pero malakas naman na halatang sinasadya.

I chuckled. Though, it vanished by the thought that... it is lucky being young, when you're not thinking anything but the food you like, your crush, and just how happy it is to play.

When there's still no pain from a serious damage.

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