A Lover of Rain

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE:

"I don't understand." Sera started shaking her head as she covered her face. I've tried to keep it for a long time since it's not my place to unveil their secret to other people–but if they start lying to someone that in some way I know they also care about, then what choice do I even have? They had a lot of chances to tell Sera the truth, but they chose to lie and use her to their advantage. Both of them became friends with her–especially Charlie whom I trusted to be a good friend that Sera could depend on to tell her the truth. Also, there was a moment where I thought Clyde was starting to have feelings for Sera since there's a spark behind his eyes whenever I'd catch him stealing glances at her.

But then, they would do something like this behind her back–just using her kindness and trust to blindly help them in some twisted way that I don't really understand. I heaved out a sigh while staring at Sera with regret in my heart. I didn't want to say anything, but it already slipped out of my mouth. And now I have to watch my friend get confused and hurt because of my own action and realization from their lies.

"I didn't want to say anything to you because I know you'll get hurt but–" I tried to explain, but Sera interrupted by gesturing me to stop talking while there's tears forming in her eyes. "How did you know they were on a date?" She asked, her bottom lip was trembling.

I breathed loudly. "I saw them. Paalis kami ni Eric sa mall tapos papasok silang dalawa–"

"Baka naman gumagala lang sila, I mean that doesn't really prove anything... and you just thought–"

I interrupted Sera who was visibly panicking. "They were holding hands." After I told her what I saw earlier, it made Sera freeze on the spot. It took her a few seconds before the tears she was trying to hold back finally fell out of her eyes. My chest started to get heavy just by seeing her try to hold herself together even though she's in pain. "That's not... you're wrong. Two people can be that close, it's just holding hands that doesn't–it's... it's normal. They've been friends for a long time, of course they're close." She mumbled between her cries.

"Maya knows about it, too." I uttered before letting out a sigh. Her eyes dropped to the ground as she started sobbing. I moved closer to Sera to envelope her in a comforting hug. "I didn't know anything at all until she told me about a rumor she heard a long time ago–there was some news circulating that they were more than friends, but she didn't want Markie to know so she never told anyone... until I heard the two of them fighting after Clyde kissed you. I'm so sorry, Sera. I never wanted to hurt you, but I couldn't hold it any longer knowing that they're lying. I'm really sorry."

"But... why would they lie? Kung totoo man yung sinasabi mo, tatanggapin ko naman eh pero bakit kailangan nila akong gamitin?" Sera collapsed into my arms after she let her feelings out. As she started to explode, her cries got louder every second that passed by. "I'd accept everything if it's true because I'm their friend. Kaibigan yung turing ko sa kanila pero panakip butas lang pala ako. I don't deserve to get used... especially by someone I love and a friend I trusted with all my heart." Her voice cracked from all the pain and confusion hitting her all at once, and the only thing I can do is to hold Sera in my arms.

"I'm sorry..." I muttered, hugging my friend as tight as I could to make her feel she's not alone. There's some hint of regret inside me that I had to be the one to out Clyde and Charlie being in a relationship with Sera, but I knew this was the right thing to do. I had to remind myself that if they were a true friend to her, they wouldn't have toyed with her feelings–especially Clyde, whom she'd liked from the start. She could have been living a life where Clyde still sees her as his sister's friend, but he chose to get closer to her which I'm ashamed to admit I had a part of. If I didn't push them closer because of a lie, Sera wouldn't have been caught up in their own web of deceit to keep their secret unknown. In a way, I do feel responsible for pushing her into their lives which is why I feel regretful.