An Uprising Of Love

11

“I like you, Caleb.”

Hindi ko alam kung ano pang ginagawa ko rito. Bakit ko pa ba pinipiling saktan ang sarili ko? I thought it was just me being an overthinker, but no. My instincts are right. She likes Caleb.

From the very start ay iyon na ang napansin ko. Akala ko binibigyan ko lang ng meaning ang lahat pero tama ako. She really likes Caleb.

Ang sakit. Sabi ko happy crush lang, bakit ako nasasaktan? Para akong tanga na nakikinig sa kanila habang sa loob loob ko ay nadudurog ako.

I was about to leave and just run away from this when Caleb spoke. It should make me feel better, even a bit, but why? Why does it hurt so much?

“I only think of you as a friend, Yvxia.”

Imbes na maging masaya ako, mas nasaktan ako. Nasasaktan ako dahil nasasaktan din siya. I'm so fucking pathetic right now.

Wala akong narinig mula kay Yvxia. Hindi ko na sila makita dahil nakatalikod na ako sa kanila. Hindi ko nga alam kung ano ang reaksyon niya sa sinabi ni Caleb. Gusto kong malaman pero natatakot ako. Gusto ko siyang lapitan at bigyan ng comfort pero bakit ayaw gumalaw ng katawan ko?

“I'm sorry, but I can't reciprocate your feelings. I hope this won't affect our friendship, Yvxia.”

“But you said you loved me?” There's a long pause before Caleb answers again. Did he really say that? But he knows that I have feelings for Yvxia, right?

“Yes, I did. I'm sorry for not clearing it up with you. I love you as a friend and nothing more. I just valued our friendship; that's it.”

“Fuck that friendship, Caleb. Can we just try?” Why do you have to beg, Yvxia? I'm here naman. I won't let you do that.

“No.. I can't— I'm sorry. Let's just forget about this, Yvxia. I can't sacrifice our friendship.”

I heard footsteps, so I immediately hid behind the tree. Ayokong malaman nila na nandito ako. Hindi ko rin alam ang gagawin ko kapag nakita nila ako.

I was speechless. Masyadong mabilis lahat para sa akin at halos hindi ko na alam ang iisipin. I was hurt not just because she confessed to Caleb, but because of how Caleb rejected her.

I immediately got to my feet after hearing her sob. I spotted Yvxia on the ground, concealing her tears. Without even pausing, I simply walked over to comfort her.

She was stiff in her position when I hugged her. I'm caressing her hair gently to relax her well-being. I don't know if this is even helping. I just do what my instincts say.

A little while later, she pushes me to fix herself. I turn my head away to avoid making her feel awkward around me. I don't want her to think that she's a mess right now.

“What are you doing here?” Her voice is hoarse. I can feel my body stiffening because of that.

“N-napadaan lang ako. Why? Ikaw? W-what are you doing here?” I had to lie. Hindi niya pwedeng malaman na narinig ko ang usapan nila ni Caleb.

Imbes na sumagot ay tumayo lang ito at inayos ang sarili. Ganoon na rin ang ginawa ko. Hindi ko alam kung anong oras na pero sa palagay ko ay matatapos na ang event.

“Eve? Where are you?” It's Kamila’s voice. Paano niya nalaman na nandito kami?

“I’m here,” Tipid na sagot nito at sinalubong ang kaibigan. Nakatingin lang ako sa kanila.