The Last Shot

Chapter 32: From the start

No one's here to take care of her. No one's here to keep her safe. No one's here to accompany her.

It feels like the powers of the universe conspire for us to have a lone time together. Ako lang ang nandito ngayon para sa kanya. But she says she doesn't need me.

Sinundan ko siya ng tingin as she makes her way to her room. I sighed as I shifted my gaze to the sink.

I picked up the pieces of the broken plate and threw it in the trash bin. Napansin ko yung pancakes sa loob. I sighed again. Tinapon lang niya yung pinadeliver ko kanina.

I looked back at the sink. I sighed again. Hindi pala ako marunong maghugas ng pinggan. Pero di bale, kakayanin ko to.

I rolled up my sleeves and started to wash the dishes. After a few moments, natapos na rin ako sa paghuhugas. I just can't imagine Kim doing this. Nagulat nga ako kanina when she told me siya yung nagluto nung carbonara na kinain namin. Hindi naman yun sanay sa gawaing bahay. She has Manang Rose to do it all for her. But I'm really surprised na kaya na niyang gawin ang mga yun. I guess she learned that nung nandoon siya sa States.

I immediately searched for the first aid kit. Since I've been in this house for so many times dati, I know where things are kept. Buti nalang dun pa rin sa cabinet nakalagay. I searched for a band aid. Baka dumudugo pa yung sugat ni Kim eh.

Umakyat na ako sa second floor. Her room is on the left side, just across her dad's office. I stopped in my tracks as soon as I'm already in front of the door of her room. I was about to knock, pero binaba ko nalang ang kamay ko. I bent down and slipped the band aid under the small space of the door.

Tumayo na ako. "Baka dumudugo pa yung sugat mo. Use that."

She did not respond. I just sighed.

"Good night." I said as I made my way to the guest room.

Humiga agad ako sa bed. I feel so tired. Sobrang busy din naman kasi kanina. Left and right yung interview. Bukas may guestings pa ulit kaming pupuntahan ni kuya. I guess this is what it feels like to be a celebrity. Hay. May training pa pala kami sa hapon.

I rested my right arm on my forehead as I closed my eyes.

I'm tired, but I don't feel sleepy yet. I just can't keep her out of my head.

It's been two years since we broke up. Two years din na wala kaming communication. And when she got back, I never even had the chance to talk to her like I used to. Inaway ko pa siya, instead of telling her I missed her. I guess this is the first time I would admit this to myself. And I just wish she could hear me saying this.

"I missed you so much, babe." I mumbled, still my eyes closed.

But the thought that she's just in the other room, makes me sad even more. She's so close, but so far away.

Three years ago, nakilala ko siya. She's that girl na nakaka-intimidate kahit wala naman siyang ginagawa. But still, it made me fall for her. She's that girl na kayang gumawa ng marketing proposals for her grandmother's company at the age of fifteen, pero hindi kayang mag-luto or even wash the dishes. But still, I fell in love with her. She's that girl who can't take being alone. And it was my chance to prove her that I'm always there for her.