Palagi (The Art of Loving You) x JHOLET AU

Chapter 5: Brakes

Colet's POV

As I lay in my bed, resting and processing the events of the day, my phone rang, startling me out of my thoughts. It was Mikha, my cousin. Bumangon muna ako bago sagutin ang tawag nito.

"Hello?" I answered, curious about what could be so urgent.

"Hey Ate Colet! Nandyan ka ba ngayon sa house nyo?" 

"Yes Miks, bakit may problema ka ba?" I replied, already feeling a slight apprehension.

"OTW na kami papunta dyan. Kasama ko si Gwen at Sheena. May hihingiin sana kaming favor. Pero mamaya na namin sasabihin, okay? Byeee!" Mikha's voice sounded rushed, tinged with urgency.

Pero wait lang, pinagpatayan ako ng call? Aba loko talaga... Argh... Mikhaela Lim! Napailing nalang ako.

Humiga muna ulit ako saglit sa kama at tumingin sa ceiling.

I couldn’t help but think about the unexpected note from Jhoanna. Kinuha ko ulit ito na nakalagay lang din dito sa kama ko. I read it again.

"Colet,

Thank you again for helping me this morning and for picking me up. I know it was really difficult for you, but your kindness means a lot to me.

I truly hope we can find a way to get along, even if being friends isn't possible. It would mean so much, not just for us, but for your parents as well.

—J. Robles"

"Am I too harsh on her?" I asked myself, trying to make sense of it all. But I know the answer, because I always snapped at her every time I had the chance.

Her note had left me feeling conflicted and curious. "Bakit pa ba siya nag-abala na magsulat at ilagay ito sa tapat ng pinto ko?" I muttered, sighing as I set her note aside, feeling a pang of guilt. "Nahirapan na nga siyang gumalaw, tsk. Tigas talaga ng ulo nya," I murmured, sighing as I reflected on her efforts.

She even addressed me by her surname instead of her name.

"Why do you want to get along with me, J. Robles?" Hindi ba siya nagagalit sa rudeness ko sa kanya?

I closed my eyes to think, but suddenly remembered the scene earlier this morning when I helped her stand up. Our faces were close, and I couldn't help but notice her face. Her eyes were captivating, and her lips looked incredibly soft.

"Damn it, what am I thinking?!" I exclaimed as I sat down abruptly. Thoughts of her were consuming me, stirring up emotions I wasn't prepared to confront.

I grabbed my phone, and soon after, a message from Gwen popped up, informing me that they were already here. I stood up and went downstairs, where I found my three cousins and Jhoanna gathered in the living room, talking abot something serious.

I wondered to myself, 'Do they know her?' but deep down, I knew the answer. It had been a year; they probably saw her here whenever they visited Mama and Papa.

"Hey Ate Colet!!!" Mikha exclaimed, rushing over to give me a quick hug. Gwen and Sheena quickly followed, hugging me tightly.

"Baka gusto niyo pa akong buhayin," I joked, though my serious expression betrayed my amusement.

"Grabe ka naman, si Sheena kasi eh," Gwen said, pointing at Sheena, who was playfully pinching my arm now.

"Anong ako? Si Mikha ang grabe magyakap, 'di ba?" Sheena shot back, pointing at Mikha this time.

"Hoy, kayo itong halos panggigilan si Ate Colet, may papisil-pisil ka pa nga dyan, Shee" Mikha teased, giving Sheena a sidelong glance.

I laughed at their banter in my mind. 'Heto na naman itong mga makukulit,' I thought.