For Years, I Love You

Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Talk

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Jericho was quiet the whole time. I couldn't talk to him. I didn't want to talk to him.

I was afraid of what he would do— of what he would say. I can't stand Jericho being like this, but I don't know what to do. Jericho seemed so empty that no one even dared to congratulate him for winning. They all know he's not happy for his place.

We all know that he's disappointed.

I tried comforting him, but Kian stopped me. He told me that we should let Jericho be alone. Jericho wanted to be alone. He needed to be alone.

So I let him. However, even after the competiton, I couldn't talk properly to Jericho. He always reply to my messages, but it felt so wrong. Halatang may mali. Halatang may kulang.

Taliyah Valeska:
What should I do? Jericho's obviously not well
Hindi ko siya makausap ng maayos

Francis Kian:
Hayaan mo muna, Tali
No one can handle a disappointed Jericho
Maski ako o ang Mama niya
No one can handle him right now
Hayaan mo muna

Francis Kian:
But don't leave him
Chat him once a day, at least
Nagre-reply naman siya, 'di ba?

Taliyah Valeska:
Yes, he's replying
But there's a problem with him
And I don't know what to do because I know the reason why

Francis Kian:
Just let him be, Tali
Sarili lang niya ang makakaayos sa kaniya
We can't a person who doesn't seek for help

Taliyah Valeska:
Okay, I'll let him be like this
Pero hanggang kailan?
I'm worried

Francis Kian:
Hindi 'yan
Hayaan mo
Akong bahala

I took Kian's words. I trusted him. However, matagal pa yata bago mangyari 'yon dahil kahit araw na ang lumipas— linggo— gano'n pa rin. Jericho is talking to me, but something is still not right.

I tried hinting him that he can talk to me about it, but he just brushed it off. I don't know if he didn't get it or he just ignored it. Either way, nothing happened. Nothing changed. Gano'n pa rin.

Taliyah Valeska:
Intrams na namin
P'wede kayo pumunta
Nood kayo?

Jericho Kaine:
May quiz kami
But I'll try telling Kian
Baka humabol na lang kami

Taliyah Valeska:
Okayyyyy
Just let me know!

Jericho Kaine:
Okay
No dress code?

Taliyah Valeska:
Yes, no dress code
Sunduin ko na lang kayo or ni Gino sa gate

Jericho Kaine:
Sige, sabihan ko si Kian.

I sighed as I read our messages. His replies seemed fine since Jericho's always like that— not a type of a person to continue a conversation. It only seemed normal because he's Jericho, but I know better. Alam kong dinadamdam niya pa rin ang hindi pagkapasok sa NSPC.

"Tali! Let me fix your hair!" Rika stood beside me and started brushing my hair while I was fixing my eye makeup. "You should drink a chocolate drink para energetic ka! Kinakabahan ka ba? If yes, don't be! Lahat sila ay sa 'kin titingin, hindi naman sa 'yo! I am the main character!"