lilies.

79

Kabanata 79

Rai's POV

"Why didn't you reach out over the past 6 years?" Lily asked, making it sound casual.

I was forgetting you.

"Why didn't you?" pagbabalik ko ng tanong sa kanya, "I didn't change my number."

"They said you're never friends with your flings...but you recently told me that you're my friend. So, if you consider me as one, I'm wondering why you didn't talk to me?"

Hindi ako nakasagot.

"I always get so excited whenever I hear news about you. Ayoko lang ipahalata kay Gab. We lived in a completely different world that's why it's hard to hear anything about your life. When I met Ethan in Chicago, he told me he knows you. I got so interested.

Umayos siya ng tindig. Inalis niya ang pagkakasandal sa pader. At tinago ang cellphone sa bulsa.

"I realized even when we were together, I knew so little about you while you knew almost everything about my life. Maybe, our friendship was really one-sided. Maybe, I didn't show my care for you. Maybe I was so self-centered, I didn't even ask. Maybe—"

I interrupted her because I don't want her to think ill of herself anymore. "We don't have enough time to get to know each other. It's the only reason, Lily."

"We had 2 years."

I exhaled, "There are people who knew their friends for a lifetime but does it mean they fully know them? No. You can ask me what you want to know about me, Lily. I'm here in front of you now."

"I didn't know you have a business venture with your best friend."

"We were starting then. I don't want to tell you just yet. I wanted to tell you when we already succeeded."

She nodded. "And I'm proud of you."

"As I am to you, Lily. I heard you're already managing your businesses."

"I used to manage it all but this past 2 years, Grandma asked me to focus on every project under MECA Homes. Now, I am basically unemployed because I can't marry."

We remained quiet. It's not the type of silence where we are awkward to talk or we run out of topics. We chose to not speak.

Lily steps sideways, a little closer. Our hands' only centimeters away from one another. I moved my point finger and put it away right after, hesitating. I have the urge to hold her hand. I badly want to. I am slowly tapping my left foot on the ground. I bowed down and watched it. I step a little closer too. I felt our shoulders touch. I inhaled.

"Are you dating Trina Peters?"

Namulat ang mata ko sa biglaan niyang tanong. Tangina. Tinatraydor na naman ako ng puso ko. Sa simpleng tanong na iyon ni Lily ay umaasa na naman ang puso ko. She noticed Trina. Possibly, is she jealous? Hindi ko naalala na nagselos siya noon. Tangina.

Masyado ko na namang pinangungunahan. Masyado akong na-excite. Pwedeng tinatanong niya lang dahil kakilala niya ito o iniisip niyang baka iyon ang pakakasalan ko. Maybe, she'll wish me happiness.

"Love."

An arm immediately snaked on Lily's waist. She didn't protest but she didn't show any emotion either. She only let Adriel do that. I only saw him twice in my life. Pangatlong kita ito sa kanya pero tandang tanda ko ang itsura niya. Maputi, matangkad, at mapayat.

"Hindi ko alam na nandito ka? You didn't text me," utas ni Adriel.

Bumagsak ang tingin sa akin ni Adriel. Saglit lang niya akong tiningnan ngunit sumama agad ang itsura niya.