Chances of Time

Chapter 13

Sometimes, time is really giving. What kind of coincidence do we have here? Seeing Wesley while my world is currently in chaos. Meeting him when I needed someone to be with. He’s here. I’m not hallucinating. I’m not imagining things. Wes is here.

“Bumalik ka na?” he asked me after a long silence between us.

I looked at him. “It’s been months since nakakabalik na ulit ako here,” I answered, then I smiled.

“Umalis ka….” It was not a question, but I nodded. “Did something happen?” His eyes were full of questions. Wes’ eyes were really expressive. He can’t hide it from me, even now. “Kung okay lang sa’yo sabihin, I’m all ears.”

I pouted. I looked away as I remembered why I left this place. I breathed hard before letting my voice be heard. “Last quarter of that year, when you left, my father suddenly appeared in our lives. That was one of the chaotic moments that happened in my life.” I smiled as I remembered those times. “Nakita ko ang other side ni Mom, same with the bad side of my Lolo. Things happened, and we chose to be with my father, so I begged Lolo for that, which is why we left his house.” I pouted. “Ayaw niya kay Dad eh.”

“Na-meet mo na rin siya?” he asked. I smiled because he sounded like he was demanding an immediate answer since he was anticipating my meeting with my father. I nodded. “Tanggap na siya ng lolo mo? Kaya ba nakakabalik ka na rito?”

“Yep.” I nodded. “Just recently, Lolo went to our house. I don’t know what really happened there, since nasa Manila ako when that happened, and narinig ko na lang na okay na sila. Dad forgave my lolo, and that was my cue to talk to him again.”

He nodded. I even saw him smile, so I smiled too. “Saan kayo tumira?”

I pouted after his questions. “Baguio. Dad lived there, and we want to be with him.”

He chuckled. “Layo ah.”

I nodded. “Yeah. Ang layo nga.”

“Naging madali ba ang buhay mo ron?”

I shrugged. “Yes?” I laughed. “I was happy there. I found new friends, new comfort places, nice people—” I looked at him. “—and I… met my love.” I was looking directly into his eyes, so I witnessed how he gulped. I gazed away and smiled before I looked at him again. “Mas pinadali nila ang buhay ko ron.”

He nodded and looked away. I sat down, bending my knee but not sitting on the ground. I looked at the soil, then at the dark sky. We stayed silent. I let him alone. I am not expecting that he could wait for me, like Michelle always said. I am not expecting to see him again after I finally let go of my feelings for him. Yes, I want to meet him again, but I do not intend to hurt him. I want to meet him, and I was wishing that he was with someone new and not waiting for me anymore.

I’m not guilty for not waiting for him. I’m ready to face his rage, his disappointment. I could take it. But not because I am guilty of not staying the same. I could face it because I chose Sam, and I’m happy with him. I chose my love.