State of Grace

Chapter 6: Drifting Apart, Falling out

SAGE

(Present)

I closed my eyes as I felt the cool summer breeze blowing my hair, even though it was a sunny day.

Jaycee and I were riding a Ferris Wheel in a theme park just located in the Metro. Sumakay na kami habang maaga pa at wala pa masyadong pila. Today happened to be our first date mula nung sinagot ko siya. Sakto rin naman na maluwag na ulit ang schedules namin sa school.

Tinapik ni Jaycee ang balikat ko. "Huy, baka tinulugan mo na ako diyan ha?"

I opened my eyes and looked at him. "Hindi ah. I just savored the air kahit alam natin kung gaano ka-polluted ang hangin dito sa Metro."

"Okay, good," He just chuckled and then pulled me closer to him. He rested his forehead on mine. "I'm so happy, you know?"

"Me too." I smiled at my boyfriend. "I'm happy that we're officially together. Wala na akong mahihiling pa."

The next thing I knew, his lips gently met mine. Even though this was already the second time we kissed, it still felt like it was the first. And I love him so...

❤️❤️

The alarm sounded off loudly, waking me up from that dream I had. I looked around my room and that's when reality sank in.

Not only Jaycee and I lost touch after he flew out, hindi na ako nakadalaw sa San Francisco dahil naging busy na talaga ako sa college. Kamusta na kaya siya?

I snapped out of my train of thought when I heard my sister murmur, "Good morning, Ate."

"Good morning, Dara." Sagot ko naman na may ngiti sa kanya.

Even though she seemed off for a long time now, Dara still takes care of me as far as medical stuff is concerned. Maasahan pa rin siya kapag masama ang pakiramdam ko or kung may masakit sa katawan ko, which is something I genuinely appreciate.

I could talk to her freely about anything, but for some reason, she hasn't shared much about what's happening to her lately. Nag-aalala tuloy ako kung okay lang ba siya or kung may pinagdadaanan ba siya. Ayaw ko naman siyang kulitin kung hindi siya comfortable na kausapin ako. Still, I'm just here for her, always ready to listen to her without any judgment. Ganun ko kamahal ang kapatid ko.

"Oo nga pala," I started. "I just... I just saw Jaycee in my dream a while ago."

I didn't miss her flinch the moment I said my ex's name. "What happened?"

"Nothing too crazy. It was just a memory of our date. Nag-replay sa panaginip ko ang mga ganap noong araw na yun."

"I see." Dara just nodded. "How do you feel about it now? Mahal mo pa rin ba si Jaycee?"

My brows furrowed a bit. She didn't address him as 'kuya' as she normally would to other guys who are at least my age. Ngayon ko lang na-realize ito. I saw her looking at me expectantly.

"Well, hindi ko alam." I said with all honesty. "It's been years since we lost touch, so I guess hindi na, pero hindi ko rin masabi. I will find out siguro kapag nagkita ulit kami, which I don't know when."

I looked at Dara again who fell silent again, and I could clearly tell her discomfort. "Okay ka lang, Dara? Bakit parang anxious ka?"

"Wala 'to, Ate. Ayos lang ako." She promptly shook her head in an attempt to dispel my assumption. "I just didn't expect you'd... bring him up this early in the morning. Plus you have Sky to deal with. Siya pa rin ba ang gusto mo?"