Shadows of Serendipity - Hambebe AU

Chapter 31

Gaille and Serena are currently at their school's garden. The former wanted a little escape after she opened up about her family problems to the latter. Serena agreed and suggested that they should spend their time together where they currently are right now.

"How are you doing so far, Gaille? Nakausap mo na ba mommy mo?" Serena questioned, taking a bite of the cookies that Gaille brought for them.

Gaille sighed. "Not really. She did baked those cookies for me as a sign of apology pero I don't know how would I even approach her after what happened."

Serena choked on the pastry kaya naman inabot sa kaniya ni Gaille ang tumbler niya.

After a fit of coughing, Serena wiped the edge of her lips with a tissue before speaking. "Walang'ya ka! Kaya pala binigay mo sa'kin lahat ng cookies kasi ayaw mo tanggapin sorry ng nanay mo."

"It's not that..." Panimula ni Gaille. "Alam ko mahilig ka sa sweets, so..."

"Joke lang, Gaille. Pero, 'di nga? Neither of you initiated?"

"No... I'm deeply hurt to even do such thing, Serena. I don't think mom would try as well."

Serena sighed and placed a comforting hand on Gaille's shoulder. "Alam mo, Gaille, it's okay to feel that way. Mahirap nga naman magpatawad kung nasasaktan ka pa rin."

Gaille nodded, her eyes downcast. "I just wish things were different. I wish my dad never cheated, and that my mom could see how much it's affecting me."

Serena squeezed Gaille's shoulder gently. "Maybe you can start small. You don’t have to forgive right away, pero maybe try to talk to your mom about how you feel, you know? She might not fully understand unless you tell her."

Gaille sighed. "I've been telling her every time dad wants to go back into our life. Pero wala eh, she's still persistent."

"One day, she'll understand. And so does your dad. Anak ka nila. If they really treasure you as their child, they wouldn't want you to be so conflicted like this."

"I know," Gaille replied softly. "I just need time to gather my thoughts."

"Take all the time you need," Serena said reassuringly. "And remember, I’m here for you. Always."

Gaille managed a small smile. "Thanks, Serena. You've been a real friend through all of this."

"Of course!" Serena grinned. "You have no idea how happy I am that you trust me enough for you to open up your problems to me. Nakaka-proud na you're not bottling up your problems to yourself anymore, Gaille."

This made Gaille smile wider, her bright teeth actually showing from Serena's words.

"Serena?" She called.

"Hm?"

"When you said you were proud of me, do you me— fuck!"

"Gaille!"

Serena immediately rushed to Gaille's rescue as soon as a basketball, that came from nowhere, hit the latter's lip.

"Huy! Are you okay?" Serena quickly checked Gaille's injured area.

"Ouch-! No, I think my lip got busted."

"Hmm, I think that was my best shot so far. Saktong-sakto sa target."

The two looked at where that familiar voice came from. There was Serena's former suitor, Justine Mayores, approaching them with a smug smirk on his face.

"Justine." Gaille firmly muttered.

"Oh! Does it hurt, Apuli? Sorry, naglalaro kasi kami ng mga friends ko. I didn't mean to ruin your pretty face."