I've Lost You Once

Chapter 17

"Papa Rod!" He exclaimed. He laughed. "Stephen, sorry  di ako nakatingin sa dinadaanan ko" he apologize.

Stephen clung his arms to his. "Wala yon, long time no see ahh. Did Lizzy saw you already?" He asked. He shake his head. "Not ye-" he was cut when Stephen dragged him. "Nandito siya kasama namin." He excitedly utter.

He was able to stopped Stephen. "Ahmm I think this is not the right time" he withdraw his hand. Stephen looked at him and smile. "O-okay, nice meeting you again papa Rod" he lean to do a cheek to cheek kiss.

He smiled. "Yeah, nice meeting you again" he replied. Stephen nodded and started to walk away waving his hands.

Roderick breath deeply, then head to the restroom.

He went back to their spot and continue to eat. "Bab, did you see Lizzy?" Chii asked him. Niko, Chesca, and Angelo heard it. "Nandito siya?" They asked. Roderick just nodded.

"Nagkita kayo?" Niko asked again. The three frowned. "No, nakita kolang si Stephen and he told me na nandito din si Lizzy" he said casually.

They nodded. "What do you feel? Narinig ko kay Gab noon na binigyan ng chance ni Lizzy yung nakabuntis sakanya" Chesca dropped. "Why do you need to say that?" Niko asked her in annoyance.

Roderick raised his hand. "Stop, let's just eat" he said irritably. Both Chesca and Niko went silent. "I don't have to feel anything nor do something, I'm happy that she's happy" he said. The four looked at him.

"Pero pano ka?" Chesca asked. He sighed.  "Okay namn ako, masaya ako, mapera ako, nabibili ko mga gusto ko" he said. "Pero hindi masaya yang puso mo" Gelo.

He looked at him, doesn't know how to speak after Gelo said that phrase. "Diba? Meron kanga ng lahat, wala naman yung totoong nagpapasaya sayo"

"Gelo stop" Chesca threatened him. "It's okay Chesca, totoo naman eh" he surrendered. Chii put her palm on his back and gave him a comfort. "What are you going to do then?" Niko.

He shake his head. "Nothing, ano ba dapat kong gawin? Eh may pamilya na siya" he said, then accidentally he saw Lizzy on the other side of the restaurant.

She's laughing and he can say that she's now happy. He didn't notice that he stared at her so long, so his friends looked to the direction where he was looking.

"You miss her?" Chii whispered. Roderick looked at her. "N-no" he lied shaking his head. She just nodded.

"Let's go" he stood up. "Wait... we're not done eating yet Rod" Chesca complained. "Let's just eat somewhere" he said. "Bu-" Niko stopped her.

They all stood up and Roderick is the one who pays their bill. They went out from the restaurant and get in to their cars.

On the other hand. Lizzy noticed the group of friends walking out from the restaurant, then she accidentally saw Roderick who's walking behind.

"Hey Lizzy? Imee? Are you here with us?" Stephen asked her when she's not responding to their questions. "Ah- yes... a-ano yun?"

Sam, "sino ba tinitignan mo sa entrance? May hinihintay kaba?" Asked. She shake her head. "W-wala, parang may nakita lang ako na familiar" she reasoned out.

They nodded. But Stephen didn't buy her excuses. "So lets move on" Stephen. "Itanong mona yung tinatanong mo kanina sakanya" Alice. So the three looked at her.

"What if you saw Roderick, what will you do?" Stephen asked straight to her eyes. She's not ready to the question, that leads her to think.

"Wala naman magiging reaksyon yan, I already told her na Roderick came back, and she said *THEN?*" Samantha said. Lizzy looked at her. "Wala naman talaga, ano ba dapat? May asawa at anak nako" she said. All of them act like they were about to vomit.