Shadows of Serendipity - Hambebe AU

Chapter 59

After they left, Madi pulled Serena close yet again, giving her a knowing look.

"Pwede na ba acting skills ko sa workshop?"

Serena chuckled. "Oo, pang-Hollywood na nga."

Madi laughed before asking a serious question. "So, ano? Na-realize mo na ba?"

Serena sighed, still a bit unsure. "Sure ka ba na 'yun nga talaga reason? Pa'no if na-attach lang talaga ko?"

Madi shook her head. "Tingin mo attachment lang 'yan kung lugmok mukha mo ever since nagkaro'n ng distance between you and Gab?"

"Eh kasi sabi ni Kio..."

"Ah, kaya..." Madi let out a chuckle. "Magaling mag-advice 'yan pero minsan 'wag kang makikinig. Overthinker kasi 'yan na may pagka-desisyon minsan."

"Huh?"

"Sige, gan'to para mas malinaw." Madi started. "Ang alam kasi ni Kio sa'yo, straight ka, diba? Kaya sa isip-isip niyan, attached ka lang kay Gab kaya nalulungkot ka sa situation niyo ngayon. Desisyon, diba? Iniisip niya rin kasi na baka 'pag sinabi niya na baka mutual na nga kayo ng feelings, magbigay siya ng false hope kay Gab. Overthinker din, kita mo?"

"Then... how can I be sure na tama ka na I do feel something for Gaille na rin?" Serena curiously asked, still a little confused about her feelings.

"I'll ask you a question. Out of all your suitors, kay Gab ka lang naging interested, kahit 'di naman talaga siya legit na suitor. Sa buong 'relationship' niyo, ano ba talagang nagustuhan mo? What she does for you, like 'yung efforts niya, or siya mismo?"

Serena paused, letting Madi's question sink in. She looked down at her hands, trying to piece together her feelings.

"Hmm, I'm not really sure... Kasi I love it when she makes effort din eh."

"Okay, sige, ito na lang. Do you still want to be around Gab kahit hindi siya mag-make ng any kind of stuff na you've always wanted for a partner?"

Serena stayed quiet for a moment, thinking about Madi's question. The thought of Gaille without all the grand gestures and sweet messages made her heart flutter.

"Siguro... oo. Kahit 'di siya mag-effort, gusto ko pa rin siyang makasama," Serena admitted, sincerely. "Parang may something about her na 'di ko ma-explain. She's just... different."

Madi smiled knowingly. "Well, that says a lot na, 'di ba? If you like her just for who she is, not just for what she does for you, then maybe... it's not just an attachment towards Gab, 'no?"

Serena nodded slowly, taking a deep breath as she try to comprehend Madi's words. "Why does it seem like you know so much about my situation, Madi?"

"Kasi I've been in the same situation as you before, Sere. Ganyan na ganyan naramdaman ko kay Kio before nung nagiging close na kami."

Madi started telling Serena what happened the day when Kio went over to their house while the younger listened amusedly.

"...nalungkot ako nang sobra no'n, to the point na I even blamed my brother na baka he made Kio uncomfy with his presence or what. Akala ko dahil lang na-attach na ko kay Kio, pero hindi eh. Bakit ko siya iiyakan? Ba't sa kaniya lang ako nakaramdam nang gano'n eh madalas naman ako magpa-iwan sa friends ko?"

"Na-realize mo ba ka'gad na Kio was someone special?" Serena asked, leaning in slightly, genuinely interested in Madi's story.

Madi shook her head with a soft smile. "No, hindi ka'gad. It took me a while din to figure it out. Pero as days passed, mas lalo kong naisip na 'yung nararamdaman ko kay Kio wasn't just attachment. Parang gusto ko siya lagi kasama, makita 'yung smile niya and even her loser side, and, most importantly, I was scared na baka mawala siya. That's when I knew it wasn't just friendship or attachment. Ang hirap din kaya ng process lalo kung straight ka?"

"Ha?! Straight ka dati?!" Serena bursted out of shock.

Madi burst into laughter at Serena’s reaction, nodding her head. "Oo, Sere! Hindi mo ba nahalata?"

"Hindi!" Serena was still in shock, her eyes wide as she looked at Madi. "Hindi ko rin naman kasi alam masyado kung pa'no kayo nag-progress ni Kio. Akala ko, all this time, bading ka rin."

"I wasn't until Kio came into my life. Ang hirap din kaya at first. Akala ko talaga all my life na guys lang ang gusto ko. Pero nung dumating si Kio, everything changed. She made me question everything I thought I knew about myself. Parang naging malaking identity crisis talaga siya for me. But it's okay since everything's worth it naman in the end. I found someone who treats me as the only exception."

Serena leaned in closer, clearly invested in what Madi was saying. "So, ano ginawa mo?"

Madi shrugged, a small smile playing on her lips. "Inamin ko rin sa sarili ko na gusto ko na si Kio. I confessed, and then here we are na."

Serena fell silent, processing everything Madi had just said. She realized that what Madi went through was similar to what she was feeling now for Gaille. The confusion, the jealousy, the fear of losing someone who had become so important to her—it all made sense now.

Madi placed a gentle hand on Serena’s shoulder. "Sere, you don’t have to rush things. Take your time to figure out your feelings. Pero tandaan mo, it’s okay to feel this way. We’re all just trying to figure out this complicated thing."

Serena nodded, her eyes reflecting the turmoil she felt inside. "Thank you, Mads. Mas maliwanag na siya sa'kin ngayon. I guess… I just need some time to think about everything."

Madi smiled warmly, giving Serena's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Tama 'yan, Sere. Take your time. Walang pressure. Ang importante, honest ka sa sarili mo."

Serena offered a small smile in return, feeling a bit lighter after their conversation. "Alam mo, buti na lang nandiyan ka. I feel a bit more relieved knowing na you're someone who really understood my situation, lalo kasi na-experience mo rin."

"Seryoso, Sere. Don't be too hard on yourself. It’s okay to feel confused, lalo na kung bago 'to sa'yo. Ang importante, you're open to exploring those feelings."

Serena nodded, her mind still processing everything. "Tama ka, Mads."

"Next time rin, consult ka muna sa'kin bago kay Kio, ah? Nako, lagot talaga 'yan sa'kin, kung ano-ano nilalagay sa isip mo. Sana nga lang mas maayos maging usapan nila ni Gab."

Serena chuckled at Madi's last comment, feeling a sense of comfort from the latter. "Okay, noted, I'll make sure to consult you first next time."

Madi smiled before leaning closer against Serena's ear. "And while you're at it, try mo muna i-clarify talaga ang feelings mo for Gab. Maganda na may good news siyang aabangan pagbalik, diba?"

***