100 STEPS TO HIS HEART

CHAPTER 29

Hindi ko alam paano pero noong gabing 'yon, pumayag akong pumunta sa birthday ni Venice. Pagbalik ko sa bahay, tinanong ni Ate kung anong nangyari sa amin ni Enzo. Kinuwento ko sa kanya lahat at sinabi ko ring pupunta na ako sa birthday ni Venice.

"Okay ka lang ba? Minsan adik ka rin, ano?" sabi ni Ate.

"Ate bago ka magsimula, na-realize ko kasi na... baka kapag hindi ako sumama, mamamatay lang ako sa kakaisip-kakaisip kung anong ginagawa nina Enzo at Eula. Sweet ba sila? Bagay ba sila? Masaya ba sila kapag magkasama? Alam kong papasok lang 'yon sa isip ko kaya pakiramdam ko, mas okay kung pupunta ako. Kasi minsan mas nakakamatay ang mga naiisip mo kasi mas malala 'yon sa kung anong pwedeng mangyari sa 'yo," paliwanag ko.

Tumahimik lang si Ate at umupo sa tabi ko.

"Wala akong pakialam kung gusto mong sumama sa birthday ni Venice o hindi. Ang akin lang, alam ko ang nararamdaman mo. Ikaw pa rin ang umaasa. Kung kailangan mo ng iiyakan, nandito lang ako. At 'wag kang mahihiyang magmukhang tanga o desperada kasi ate mo ako, pamilya tayo. Sa lahat ng pwedeng mawala sa 'yo, ako ang nasa dulo. Kapag nasaktan ka, nandito lang ako. Pag-isipan mo lang nang mabuti ang desisyon mo," sabi ni Ate. Hinaplos niya ang buhok ko, tumingin sa akin, ngumiti, at lumabas na siya ng kwarto ko.

Tulad ng inaasahan, may natanggap akong text galing kay Venice.

Venice Buenaventura

Hi Hope! Sorry for being makulit and all, I know you've made it clear that you can't attend my party tomorrow and I understand why. I really do. But I'm just taking this shot to ask you for the last time if you would like to come tomorrow.

I'll be celebrating my birthday out of town. I've reserved several rooms in this resort in Batangas that my tita owns, and we'll be meeting at school tomorrow at around 9:00AM. I know thsi might sound selfish, but I want you to come because I want to talk to you. I know you're still hurting, I totally understand.

Enzo was a freaking mean bitch, but you also have to understand that I love him and I love Tres Gwapitos and right now... they're torn apart. Even though they spent Christmas together, they're all mad at each other. When Enzo said he was just using you, we were also hurt. Mico took it the hardest that day.

You're not talki to Mico, and he's not talking to Enzo. Enzo doesn't care and Bryle doesn't want to take any sides, and I know he's having a hard time, too.

So, if I could just talk to you, and maybe if you're understanding and open, maybe we can fix this together tomorrow. I love you, but also love them, and I don't want this awkwardness around.😕 So, please, come tomorrow. I love you.

Xoxo, Venice.

Kinabukasan, sinalubong ako ni Venice ng yakap nang makita niya ako sa party niya. Sa isang resort sa Batangas ang party. Nakita ko ang lahat ng mga iniiwasan kong makita pero okay lang. Buti kasama rin si Miks at Chelsea.
Pero para kay Venice naman kaya ako nandoon kaya okay lang. Sa biyahe, si Bryle ang naging katabi ko. He gently checked on me at sinubukang alisin ang awkwardness na nararamdaman ko.

Noong makarating na kami sa resort, napangiti ako. Ang refreshing ng hangin. Pakiramdam ko nakahinga ako kahit papaano.

During lunch, may announcement na ginawa si Eula.

"I'm going back to the States two weeks from now. I'm just an exchange student, 'di ba? And I'm just here to tell all of you how thankful I am that you've accepted me in your group. Akala ko talaga, I won't enjoy my stay, but you've proven me wrong. I also want to thank Enzo for making me so happy. You don't know how much I love you. I'm sorry if I'm going to leave you, Enzo."