T.S. STORIES #4: Say Don't Go (Completed)

Chapter 30

At the airport, I clung to him for the last time. It'll be awhile until our next meeting. "Make sure you'll be coming this Christmas," he said, as he pulled himself away.

"I will," I replied. "Pumasok ka na, baka ma-late ka pa sa class mo."

Reluctant, but I had to let go of his hand. I watched him walking through the entrance with his bag. When he looked back, I waved at him, until he finally disappeared in the crowd.

Back to the apartment, I can't stop looking at the silver ring he just gave me. Pretty how it really fits on my finger. Now, I have something to remind me of our promises from time-to-time.

By ten a.m., I attended my class and submitted some homework I almost missed finishing after spending the whole day with Raiver yesterday. Lunch came, I hung out with my friends. Without Greg, it was becoming usual after he shifted. He might've found new buddies in his new class.

"Uy, may singsing si Icarus. Mukhang iba na 'yan ah," Mika noticed, the redhead in the group.

I quickly hid it, but everyone seemed to have noticed it before I could. "Kanina pa kami nakapansin nyan teh. May tinatago 'tong kaibigan natin," Yana added.

Amidst the curious look on their faces, I felt a sudden nudge on my side. Sam, who was sitting beside me, leaned in with a grin and whispered, "Kita ko wallpaper mo. Pogi ah."

A wave of panic washed over me as I reached for my phone, but my nimble-fingered friends were quicker. They snatched the device from my grasp, their eyes glued to the screen as they scrolled through my gallery. I sighed, face-palming, as I watched their surprised faces.

"Ang cute niyo together! Bagay na bagay kayo," Mika gushed.

"Tsaka ang yaman ni guy," Yana chimed in. "First boyfriend pa lang 'yan ni Icarus, total package na ha."

"Aw, in love na Icarus namin. Wala na kaming aasarin na single," Mika frowned.

"Meron pa," Sam interjected, raising his brows. "Si Greg."

"Hayaan mo na nga 'yon. Mukhang ayaw na nga niyang sumama sa atin eh."

Their words stung. After all, he was a good friend to me. I wondered where Greg could be at this hour. Usually, he initiates our gathering every lunch, but he's not hanging out with us anymore. I feel bad for letting this happen.

After lunch, I made my way to the Visual Arts department, but there were only a few people I came across in the hallway. The hallways were mostly empty, only a few students milling about. I peeked into the classrooms, all vacant. Even in the locker hall, I couldn't find him. My heart sank.

"Icarus?" a voice called from behind.

I turned around, realizing the one—who I was looking for—was already standing in front of me. "Greg," I breathed.

"Icarus. I want some space. I'll talk to you soon," he said coldly, brushing past me.

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. The coldness in his tone. The distance in his eyes. I just knew something had already been lost between us.

"Greg, bestfriend kita," I pleaded, as I reached for his hand. "Hindi ko kayang ganito na lang tayo parati. Para saan pa ba ang pinagsamahan natin kung tatratuhin mo na lang kami na parang hindi mo na kami kilala?"

My words seemed to hang in the air, unanswered. Greg's eyes remained fixed on the floor, his look unreadable.

Finally, he turned to face me. "Sa tingin mo ba madali lang bitawan 'tong pagtingin ko sa'yo na kinimkim ko ng tatlong taon? Simula noong nagkita tayo, Icarus, ikaw na nagustuhan ko. Naghintay lang ako ng tamang panahon para sabihin 'to sa'yo, dahil ayaw kong suklian mo 'tong nararamdaman ko habang attached ka pa rin kay Raiver," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "Pero ano nangyari? Naunahan pa ako."