at don macchiato
4:45 p.m
Sancia
sorry na late! sina cleo at ares kasi, panay picture
— sancia hurriedly went and sat accross ahren —
Ahren
no, it’s fine. how was it?
Sancia
ayos lang, ang saya nga. graduate na ako, graduate na tayo!
— both of them laugh in contentment, sancia’s right graduate na sila, another chapter of their life is yet to come —
Sancia
so, ano pala yung gusto mo pag-usapan?
— ahren suddenly shifted uncomfortably from his seat —
Ahren
uhh, can we talk about that later?
Sancia
huh? oh . . . okay!
Ahren
i have a question. it might be insensitive to ask this, but you can also ignore if you’re not comfortable
Sancia
fire away
Ahren
uhh, your parents didn’t attend your graduation?
— sancia was a bit startled upon hearing ahren’s question —
Ahren
ah, what am i doing. just ignore my question—
Sancia
you see, my father and i doesn’t have a good relationship. my mother, well, she left me when i was still a child. daddy remarried after my mom left, that’s tita isabella, they had a daughter, my half-sister, inessa. i purposely didn’t tell them about my graduation, what change would it make anyway? tita isabella, is civil with me while it’s the opposite with my sister. i am used to keeping everything to myself, you know? so when i met cleo and ares, i was the happiest, because finally . . . i have someone i can count on. that’s why i didn’t let them know about my situation, being with them is enough. they take my pains and worries away, though sometimes, i wish there would be someone who’s nice enough to take care of me, to melt down the walls i built, i always hope for something that’s impossible to happen
— sancia sobbed silently while wiping the tears that’s dripping off her face, ahren was beyond shocked to see sancia being this vulnerable in front of him, which also made him feel real guilty —
Ahren
i–im sorry, sancia. i should’ve known better, i’m really sorry you had to go through that
Sancia
no, actually, i should thank you. thank you for getting this off my chest, it really felt so heavy, it has been years of carrying these burdens. and also, sorry you had to witness me on my weakest state
Ahren
what do you mean weakest, sancia? you’re the most bravest girl i know, you didn’t deserve any of those. and do not worry about it, i’m even glad to see this side of you, you are not bothering me, okay? hush now
— ahren took out his hanky then silently wipe off sancia’s face full of tears, the latter just shamelessly look straight into ahren’s eyes —
Sancia
ahren
Ahren
hmm?
Sancia
why are you like this?
