Buhos na Ulan, Aking Mundo'y Lunuring Tuluyan

CHAPTER 10 - Maloi to the Rescue

—MIKHA—

I stood frozen, watching Aiah disappear into the darkness. It felt like a dagger to my heart, stirring up an old pain that made me want to run away.

The rain poured down, soaking me completely. It felt like the sky was crying with me. The city's lights shimmered on the wet pavement, casting a soft, glowing mist around me.

"Ma'am, tara na po, basang basa na kayo," Kuya Robert called out, worry etched in his voice. "You're getting drenched."

"No, kuya, I still want to walk," I replied softly, starting to move away. My feet splashed in the puddles, each step heavy with sorrow.

"You can follow me if you want, but I still want to walk in the rain," I added.

Kuya Robert didn't argue. He went back to the car and it began to slowly follow me, its headlights piercing through the rain.

After a few minutes, as I walked along Ayala Avenue, a car pulled up beside me and stopped. Maloi stepped out, worry written all over her face, and ran towards me.

"Mikha, what are you doing?" she asked, her voice full of concern.

"Maloi, please, leave me alone," I begged, my voice trembling.

"No, Mikha, I'm not going anywhere. I can't leave you like this," she said, pulling me into a tight embrace.

I tried to pull away, but I was too weak. I sank into her arms, the rain and my tears blending together.

"Shh, it's okay. I'm here. I'm here now," Maloi whispered, gently rubbing my back.

I couldn't hold it in any longer. Tears streamed down my face as I cried like a lost child, my sobs muffled against her shoulder.

"Whatever it is, I'm here, Mikha," Maloi said, hugging me tighter. Her warmth and comfort began to heal the cracks inside me.

Maloi had been my best friend before she became my girlfriend, and in that moment, I felt that bond rekindle. It was like finding a piece of myself again in her embrace.

...

Maloi insisted I get inside her car. She told Kuya Robert that she was taking me home and he could leave. I felt like a puppet, letting the events unfold without resistance.

She drove me to her condo.

"Why are you taking me here, Maloi?" I asked, hesitating at the entrance.

"Pwede ba namang pabayaan kita?" she replied, her voice soft but firm.

"I can go home, thank you." I tried to walk away, but she gently grabbed my arm.

"Ano na lang sasabihin ni tito if makita niyang umuwi ka ng ganyan? You can stay with me for the night, and when you're ready, you can go home," she reasoned.

"This doesn't mean anything, Maloi," I warned her, my voice cold. She nodded and led me inside.

Her condo was small but inviting, with a warm ambiance. She gestured for me to sit on the couch. "Wait here. I'll get you some clean clothes."

"You live alone?" I asked as she disappeared into another room.

"Oo, for two years na," she called back.

After a few minutes, she returned with clean clothes and handed them to me. "You can shower and change in the bathroom," she said.

When I came out, I saw Maloi in the kitchen, brewing tea. The scent of the tea mixed with the rain-soaked air, creating a comforting atmosphere.

"Oh, tapos ka na? Halika dito. Uminom ka nito para maging maayos pakiramdam mo," she offered, her smile gentle.

I walked over and sat on a counter chair. She placed a steaming cup of tea in front of me. While she busied herself in the kitchen, I watched her. It had been a while since I last saw her. She looked more beautiful and mature, yet still the same Maloi I had known for years.

"Oh, ik-ikwento mo ba o huhulaan ko na lang?" she asked, breaking the silence with a playful tone.

"Gusto mo ba talagang malaman? Baka hindi mo magustuhan," I replied, hesitant.

"Mikha, before we were in a relationship, we were best friends for years. Whatever it is, I can listen," she insisted, her eyes sincere.

"Well, I have this girl that I like, but she saw us kissing and now she wants nothing to do with me," I said quietly, almost in a whisper. I didn't want to make things awkward, but Maloi deserved to know. I didn't want her to hope we could get back together.

Maloi paused, her face reflecting a brief flicker of pain. "Aray," she said softly.

"So you like somebody else?" she continued, looking at me with a mix of curiosity and sadness.

"I told you, wag mo nang tanungin," I replied, feeling guilty.

She took a deep breath, absorbing everything. "I'm sorry," I said, my voice barely audible.

She adjusted her glasses and forced a smile. "No worries. I'm your friend tonight, not your ex asking to take you back."

We sat in silence for a moment. Then she joined me at the counter with her own cup of tea. She took a sip and asked, "So, who is she?"

"She works for me, actually," I began, sipping my tea.

Maloi's eyes widened with curiosity. "Employee mo? Diba, hindi pwede yun sa company niyo?"

"You got me," I said with a sigh.

"Just let her resign. What's the problem?" she suggested.

"I can't do that. She works part-time and is a student. It's her only source of income," I explained, feeling the weight of the situation.

"So, anong balak mo niyan?" Maloi asked.

"I don't know. I want to pursue her. Alam ko yon sa sarili ko pero hindi ko na alam pag nalaman ni Dad," I replied, the uncertainty weighing heavily on me.

"Just cross the bridge when you get there," she advised.

We sat in silence, staring at each other for what felt like a long time, the unspoken words hanging in the air.

"Thank you, Maloi, for letting me in," I said, breaking the silence.

"Wala yun, Mikha. Alam ko malaki ang kasalanan ko sa'yo, kaya kung ang maging kaibigan mo ang kailangan mo ngayon, willing kong ibibigay sa'yo," she said, her voice sincere.

"But," she continued, her tone firm, "it doesn't mean I won't still pursue you, Mikha. The things I said at the bar, I meant all of them. So at least, kahit hindi ako ang gusto mo ngayon, please don't take away my chance to make it up to you."

"Maloi," I called her name softly.

"Mikha, please?" she begged, her eyes pleading.

"Okay, but I'm telling you now, I cannot promise you anything," I warned her, wanting to be honest.

"Thank you," she said, a small smile forming on her lips.

The silence that followed was different, a quiet understanding between us. Despite the complicated emotions, there was a sense of closure, and perhaps, a new beginning.