Why - a Macolet au

Chapter 8

Colet

Its been days since I last heard from Maloi. She hadn't been responding to my calls and messages aside from one cryptic reply from her.

"Hi. Sorry, I'm just really busy with work. I'm also going through something personal right now na I can't really talk about yet. I'll talk to you soon okay? Take care."

I felt like I was ghosted. I didn't think I deserve it when all I've shown her was love and support.

But then again, I already have a hunch what this was all about.

One day, I decided to wait for her after work. As soon as she caught sight of me, she went to the other direction and was lost in the crowd.

Afterwards, I never saw her again like she's actively avoiding me.

A few days later, I saw her article posted online. Its the first time that I've read it and I can't help but be proud of Maloi.

The article was beautifully written—I can't believe I'm the one who was interviewed for it.

I texted to check up on her and to congratulate her. To my surprise, she responded immediately, asking if we could meet up.

Is this the closure I've been waiting for? I asked myself.

It was late and I wondered if she has a curfew. She told me not to worry about it and so I rushed to the park where we agreed to meet.

I saw her sitting at the same bench. The 'Why' graffiti painted nearby.

She might've sensed me because just as I was walking towards her, she looked at me with a smile on her face.

She looks more peaceful compared to the last time I saw her. She had this glow on her.

Hi. How are you? Are you mad? Are you doing good? Are you taking care of yourself?

I heard her thoughts, all overlapping with one another, seemingly unsure which to ask first.

I gave her a soft smile in return, some things never change.

She settled with "Hi."

"Hi," I responded and sat down beside her. "Kumusta?" Just as I asked her, I saw snippets of what happened last week in their house in quick succession. "Woah."

"Sorry! I meant to tell you like a normal person but I can't help but be triggered by it. Everything had been so stressful lately," she told me as she squeezed her eyes shut, trying to calm her thoughts.

My heart ached for her. I held her hand and reassured her, "Its okay, you can tell me."

She took a deep breath and told me everything that had happened for the past few days.