When it Rains, it Hurts

15

"You've been running for 30 minutes now. Aren't you tired? It's your first time here-"

"Shh, I'm relaxing, EJ!" My boyfriend rolled his eyes. He was casually standing beside the treadmill with his hands inside his pockets. He was wearing a black dry-fit shirt and a pair of grey sweat shorts. "Why are you so grumpy?"

"My girlfriend who's a first-timer in a gym is running for 30 minutes now. God, you'd be the reason for my death."

"So OA, EJ! Ugh! Fine, titigil na!" I stopped the treadmill and rolled my eyes at him. He smiled like a happy kid and went closer to wipe my sweat off with my face towel. "Is that David? Teka nga, I'll greet him."

I left EJ there to greet David. He was busy doing some lifting. When he saw me walking around, he stopped what he was doing. He smiled and gave me a head pat.

"Mag-isa ka?" tanong nj David. Umiling ako at ngumiti. I pointed at EJ who's now walking towards us. "Ed!" pagbati niya kay EJ.

"Ikaw yata ang mag-isa-" I stopped when I saw Solana entering the gym. She was wearing a big hoodie and a pair of short shorts. Mukhang kay David pa iyong hoodie. "Oh, there's your girl."

"Huh?" David looked clueless. He looked around and got shocked when he saw Solana. He immediately left us to welcome her.

"Something's really fishy..." I whispered. EJ glanced at me and shook his head. He was also looking at the two. "I think-"

Natigil ako sa pagsasalita nang lumabas si Sol. David looked hopeless. What the hell is happening? David came back with an annoyed expression. What the hell just happened? Bakit nagkakaganito ang kaibigan ko? Bakit umalis si Solana?

"I'll be heading out first. Solana needs me." Napatango nalang ako kay David. Whatever is going on between them, I'm pretty sure David's under control! "I know you're curious, Clara. But I can't tell you... I won't."

"It's fine, David-"

"What's taking you long?" Napabaling kami sa nagsalita. It was Solana. She was fuming mad. "Mav, let's go-"

"Solana, sorry pero ano bang problema mo? Why are you treating my friend like that?" Edward immediately held my wrist to calm me down. "Hindi ko kasi maintindihan. Una sa lahat hindi ka na girlfriend ni David-"

"Clara, that's enough," may diing saway ni David. Umiling ako sa kaniya. "This isn't your business to begin with. Ed, I want your girlfriend away from us."

"David, kaibigan kita kaya ako nagkakaganito. Bakit... Bakit ginaganiyan ka niya? I've been supporting you two for years but if Solana will keep on acting like your damn mother-"

"We're having a baby, Clara." Solana teared up when she said that. "Buntis ako... That's why I'm acting like this. David's the father of my child."

"Buntis ka?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko. Napalingon ako sa entrance nang pumasok si Pia. She waved her hand but immediately put it down when she saw our faces. I faced Solana once again and gave her a confused look.

"Guys, what's happening? Why are you all like this?" Solana started crying when Pia asked.

"Do you know what David went through all these years? Halos ibigay na ng kaibigan ko lahat ng oras at atensyon niya sa 'yo. Halos mawala 'yan sa sarili dahil sa putanginang relasyon ninyo! Halos ikaw nalang ang atupagin niyan!"

"Clara, your words!" I glanced at Pia in disbelief. "Nakakahiya kayo... Pinagtitinginan na tayo ng mga tao-" Solana and David walked out of the scene. Hinila naman ako ni Pia patungo sa lockers area.

"Clara, Solana has nothing to do with David's behaviors! She might be the reason behind those but it's definitely not her fault! David chose to be like that! Sol's pregnant, don't stress her-"

"Pia, you knew?"

"Of course! I found out about it because I was attentive. I noticed the changes in David's behavior and that's when I found out that Sol's pregnant. Hindi rin kasalanan ni Sol na nabuntis siya. Hindi nga nagrereklamo 'yung kaibigan natin, dapat tayo rin."

EJ and I were silent the whole ride on our way home. I didn't have the energy to speak. I wanted to cry but I was afraid to try. I have always put a strong aura...

My thoughts vanished when Edward rested his hand on my thigh. I glanced at him. His eyes were focused on the road. Wala man siyang sabihin, ramdam ko na nandiyan lang siya para sa akin. I was about to ask when someone called. Edward pressed the answer button on his car screen. It was Enzo...

"Enzo?" EJ had his brows furrowed.

"Ed, are you coming later? If yes, bring your friend. I'll be there later. I'm bringing my friend too, she likes you!" Napalingon sa 'kin saglit si Edward.

"Are you referring to Clara?"

"Yeah, I wanna talk to her. Be there, man! I'll hang up now." I heard EJ's deep sigh when Enzo ended the call.

"What exactly is your relationship with Enzo? He seems so fond of you."

"He's an ex... fuck buddy. I met him when I was in high school. We started hanging out. First year college ako noong naging fubus kami. We were so young back then. We had some rules. Enzo broke them because according to him, he fell in love with me. But I wasn't ready for commitment. I was scared to fall in love... And it was the time when I felt like I needed to sexualize myself for men to love me. I didn't trust him enough for love..." Nagulat ako nang iginilid ni EJ ang kotse.

"Baby, I don't know what to feel. You were in some sort of relationship with my cousin. It just doesn't feel right..." He held my hand and played with it. "But I love you, I really do. I'll ignore that past and I will... make you feel that you are enough."

"Was I wrong earlier?" I asked, referring to what happened in the gym. EJ looked into my eyes and slowly nodded.

"I understand that you're just defending a friend but it doesn't mean that you should be pointing out things like that. Remember, your friend has never complained about it. We may not know if he's just good at enduring things or if he's really not that affected but we have to let him act upon it on his own. Doesn't mean that we have the right to speak, we have to speak all the time. We don't always know the narrative." EJ smiled and wiped the tears off my cheek with his handkerchief.

"I'm sorry..." I hugged his neck and cried. I don't cry that easily and if I do, it's always with EJ. "I'm s-sorry..."

"Baby, don't apologize to me, you've done nothing wrong to me." When he hugged me, it felt like the most comforting hug I've ever had. "We're not always right. We must make mistakes to make lessons."

"What do I do now?"

"Relax your mind first. It all starts with ourselves. If you won't forgive yourself and let yourself learn, you won't be able to have their forgiveness too. The best apology is to act accordingly. To change your behavior is the best way to act upon it." I cried harder as he tightened the hug. He started caressing my back. "Although it's a small mistake for us, it might be big for them. Let's strive to make a change, hmm? Baby steps, my love."

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