TRADING INNOCENCE ✔️

Chapter Twenty Eight

The event went on but I stayed in a quiet spot away from the ballroom hall. Si Camilla ay nagpaalam muna na pupunta ng restroom kaya naiwan ako sa balcony. I lean my elbows in the handrail and stare at the city shining with small, star-like lights.

"Mico..." Natigilan ako nang marinig ang boses na 'yon. Lumingon ako at yakap agad ni Riley ang sumalubong sakin, "I missed you, Mico..."

"Riley, what are you doing?" I whispered and pulled her away. Luhaan ang mukha nito na agad niyang pinunasan.

"I left not because I want to but because I need to." Aniya. Hindi naman ako umimik at hinayaan siyang mag-salita, "Rayleigh is sick. He needs me Mico. Kailangan niya ng alaga ng isang ina at hindi ko 'yon nabigay sa kanya mula nang iwan ko siya. I grew up without a family and I don't want him to feel the loneliness and suffering that I had."

"Why...why are you telling me these?" I asked and stepped back from her.

"I want to make up with all the years I'm gone Mico. I thought it would be much better if I didn't tell you about my reason but I was wrong. I hurt you Mico. Sinira ko ang pangako natin sa isa't isa na lalaban tayo. Alam kong wala na kong karapatan sayo pero pwede bang kahit saglit pagbigyan mo ko? Hayaan mong bumawi ako sayo?"

"It's too late Riley. I'm done waiting. I'm sick of getting hurt." I answered, "We're already done. What we had is just a part of a sweet memory. Mabuti at sinabi mo sakin to nang hindi ko na sinisisi ang sarili ko kung bakit mo ko iniwan. I need this closure and I'm thankful that you gave it to me. Naiintindihan ko na."

"Mico, I love you." She said and cried hard, "I love you so much. I really do. I'm so sorry I hurt you. I'm sorry!"

"I forgive you." I whispered, "Pero hanggang dun na lang siguro yun Riley. Hindi mo na kailangan bumawi sakin o ano. Let's just be happy for each other." I answered though I feel choking with my own words. Hindi naman ako madamot eh. Her child needed her more than I need her. That kid needs a mother and I'm not selfish to snatch away Riley from him.

"Mico please!"

"Mikael?" Napalingon ako nang lapitan kami ni Camilla, "Why is she here? Anong pinaguusapan niyo?"

"Nothing." I said and turn my gaze to Riley. Nakayuko lang to at mahinang humihikbi.

"Oh, okay. Your mom is looking for you. Let's go?" Aniya at sumulyap kay Riley. Tumalikod naman na ko at nag-simulang maglakad palayo.

"Mico mahal kita!" Sigaw ni Riley kaya napatigil ako sa paglalakad, "For the past five years were apart, not even a single day that I forget about you, about us! I regret everything every day Mico. Sising sisi ako na iniwan kita, na sinaktan kita. You don't deserve to be hurt but please Mico, please let me be part of your life again."

I didn't move and I couldn't look back to her. Dahil alam ko sa oras na lumingon ako muli sa kanya ay hindi ko na mapipigilan ang sarili ko na yakapin siya. I love her to the point that I'm already letting her go and if I will choose right now between being selfish and hurting myself? I choose the latter.

Hindi ko na muling pinakinggan pa ang mga sasabihin ni Riley at hinila si Camilla palayo sa kanya. I stayed in silence and I know Camilla feels that I don't want to talk about it right now.

I sighed and drank the wine I took from the waiter. Inisang lagok ko to at di pa ko nakuntento dahil pumunta pa ko sa bar counter at umorder ng mas matapang na alak. I sat in the bar stool and sat quietly while drinking my whiskey.

Nag-iisa lang sa dilim

Iniisip na kung anong dapat gawin

Binuhos na pero ba't kulang pa rin