The Tranquility in You

Chapter: 35

Birthday ko na at dumalo lahat ng friends ko, except for Laina. I was hoping for her to come here kahit ilang beses na ngang sinabi ni Ella na nasa manila na raw siya. I just stopped hoping nang mag alas-10 na ng gabi. Nag-iinuman na ang mga bisita ko but I just took my beer then went to the pool. Hindi ko na inaasahan na pumunta siya but I just hoped na sana bumalik na ang faith niya sa panginoon. Kahit hindi na sa akin.

"Is this taken?" Napalingon ako sa umimik at natitigan ko siya. "Maagang natapos ang appointment ko, I decided to drop by."

"Gabi na, you should've just went home."

"I'm not missing your birthday just because it's late at night." She said and giggled. "I know Primo told you things that happened in the earlier week. I just want to assure you na I was just tired and upset but I asked forgiveness already and I am doing my best to restore my faith."

"I'm glad, and I wanted to say sorry about the things you've witnessed. It was very upsetting for me to see you hurt." I confessed. "Malapit na palang matapos ang birthday ko."

She looked at the time and it was exactly 11:59 na.

"Happy Birthday, Jance..." She said so I looked at her with a smile. "I hope you had a good time today."

She was my last birthday greeting...

"I also came here to tell you something, it would be unfair for you if you found out from someone else." She started. "May mga kakilala ako sa Manchester na nilakad ang mga documents ko para maging math teacher sa isang university doon."

She got accepted at Manchester? This seems all so familiar.

"You accepted the offer?" I asked.

"Yes." She answered quickly. "I will be leaving by the end of the month. Ayaw ko sanang sabihin sa'yo when I already left."

She took my hand and squeezed it.

"I'm trying, Jance.." Saad nito. "Sinusubukan kong hindi tanggapin ang alok ng mga tita ko kasi nangako ako sa'yo. I promised na magbabalikan tayo but I also want this to happen. I want to get out and make the most of it. I graduated for that very reason."

She was trying to explain everything because she knew that I had trauma from this exact same thing.

"Go, Laina." Saad ko at ngumiti sa kaniya. "Live your life, ipakalat mo ang mga alam mo sa mga bata. Let them love the things you know, walang natitirang bagay dito para manatili ka."

"You're here, Jance..." She said. "You are my only reason to stay here."

"And it would kill me if I didn't let you go." I answered and pulled her for a tight hug. "Umalis ka, saka ka na bumalik kapag maayos na ang lahat. Hindi kita pipigilan."

She cried on my chest as I stopped my tears. I didn't want her to go, I want her to stay here.

Pero hindi na ako ganung klaseng tao. Gusto kong makamit niya lahat ng pangarap niya, I will let her go.

Lord, if this is your plan for us then I will accept it whole heartedly. I will let her pursue her dreams.

"I'll miss you." She said as she wiped off her tears.

"Mamimiss din kita, Laina." More than you'll ever know.

Tahimik naming tinanaw ang mga bituin sa gabi. Wala kaming sinabi after our conversation, it was quiet until Hyacinth and Gary showed up and started a scene. Napalabas ang apat naming kaibigan and Ella was so mad.

"Invited ba sila?" Ella asked so I shook my head. "Umalis ka nga Gary!"

"Not until pumayag si Lala sa inaalok kong kasal." Lahat kami ay tumingin kay Laina and she hid behind me.

"At hindi rin ako aalis until Jance comes back to me. Ano bang ginawa ng babae na iyan para mapaikot si Jance!?"

"Enough!" I yelled and held Laina close. "Walang tatanggap sa alok niyong dalawa kasi hindi namin kayo mahal! We love each other and if you both won't stop then I have no choice but to sue you."

"Jance nahihibang ka na ba!?" Hya yelled.

"Umalis na kayo at huwag niyo na kaming guluhin. I want my birthday to be special."

Nang makaalis sila ay umimik si Ella.

"Eme ka tapos na birthday mo."

"Gets mo na yon." I answered while laughing.

"Kayong dalawa talaga!" Ani Primo while he went back.