Shadows of Serendipity - Hambebe AU

Chapter 60

After having a one-on-one talk earlier with Madi, Serena found herself walking, alone, towards a destination that she know really well.

Serena's now at the footbridge, her supposedly quiet spot to earn peace and calmness.

But now that she's here, she never realized it but the footbridge had always been noisy from all the moving vehicles' horns that passes by under it.

So, why? Why does she consider this as her safe, peaceful place?

Ang alam niya nagpupunta lang naman siya rito 'pag gabi— to unwind, to let go of any stress left inside her system.

Maybe, something else had become a reason to make it seem more peaceful; or in this case, someone.

Serena puts her arms on the railways, leaning against it as she quietly looked up the sky, which was still a bright, blue one— opposite to what Gaille loves to look at.

"Siguro nga..." Serena muttered in a low voice even though she's the only one around to hear it. "Siguro nga, all this time, ikaw lang pala talaga ang kailangan ko while I stupidly try to search for someone like you from the guys who courted me back then."

Niyuko niya ang ulo niya sa kaniyang mga braso na naka-sandal sa mga rehas, closing her eyes as she try her best to comfort herself.

"Balik ka ka'gad, Gaille..."

---

Lingid sa kaalaman ni Serena, Gaille actually texted Kio as well to meet her after class, or, well, magpaiwan sa classroom as soon as classes are done.

Expected na rin ni Kio kung ano sasabihin sa kaniya ng kaibigan niya kaya hindi na rin siya nagdalawang-isip na pumayag.

And now, here they are, alone inside the classroom. The door was locked as soon as the rest of the students went outside. Kio had also informed her girlfriend, Madi, about this, in which the latter understood and said that she'll just wait outside the building with her other friends, Jordyn and Allianah.

"Kailangan talaga tayong dalawa lang makakarinig?" Kio questioned as she sat down on the teacher's desk, her whole attention focused onto Gaille.

The tall girl nodded. "Yeah. I don't want anyone to accidentally hear what I'm going to say."

"Tungkol ba saan? Sa inyo ni Sere?" Kio asked again, knowing well enough that it was the reason why Gaille wanted to talk to her.

"Mhm." Gaille hummed and nodded again. "And... something else."

Nagulantang naman si Kio sa narinig. "May iba pa? Teka, 'di ko na in-expect 'to."

"Ano?"

"I'll get onto that later, just listen to me." Huminga nang malalim si Gaille bago sinimulang magkwento. "Last Friday, I went ahead and talked to my father on the phone alongside Serena. Although everything was cleared out already, I'm still a bit puzzled by the situation. Same night, I confessed to Serena when her mom invited me over for dinner."

Hindi magawang mabigla ni Kio sa nalaman dahil nga alam na niya ang kwento mula kay Serena. She only gave a nod towards Gaille before saying her word about it.

"Can't say I'm surprised, Gab. Alam ko naman na hindi mo rin magagawang itago nang sobrang tagal 'yang feelings mo. So, anong nangyari pagtapos?"

Gaille let out a low, bitter chuckle. "Ayun... rejected, as expected."

Napabuntong-hininga si Kio. "Sabi ko na rin kasi sa kaniya 'yan, Gab, eh. 'Wag na ituloy kung ikaw lang din naman masasaktan in the end."

Gaille shook her head. "No, Kio, you shouldn't have said that. Serena's not to be blamed for my unexpected feelings. Ginusto ko 'to... ginusto ko siya."

Kio smiled and shrugged. "Ibang klase ka rin talaga, Gab. I apologize for saying that kay Sere. Just... Protect your heart, ah?

"I am. I'm fine, Kio. I'm happy to have this feeling for Serena out of all the girls I've liked before."

Kio nodded in understanding, her smile never leaving her lips. "Good. Ano nga pala 'yung isa mo pang sasabihin?"

"Ah, right." Gaille continued. "Just this morning, I received a text message from my dad. This sembreak, he... susunduin niya ko and mom from Bicol, where he's currently residing at right now. That's his last wish before he completely cut ties with me and mom— to at least gather our family together for one last time."

Kio's expression softened, seeing the heaviness in Gaille's eyes. "Nag-reply ka ba? Anong naramdaman mo after mo mabasa 'yun?"

"I... actually decided to agree. I do miss seeing our family together, but... I had to accept the reality na, you know? Hanggang dito na lang. After that, mom and I, and my dad with his new family, would be living our own lives for good.

Kio got up from the teacher’s desk and walked over to Gaille, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Ito na siguro ang pinakamahirap na desisyong ginawa mo, Gab. At proud ako sa'yo for being brave enough para ma-handle 'yon."

Gaille smiled down at her friend. "Thank you, Kio... I'm sorry if it took me this long to open up to you and, also, for not being the first one to know despite being my friend for so long now."

"Ano ka ba? Wala sa'kin 'yon! Eh ano naman kung ngayon lang? At least nao-open mo na sa'kin ang buong kwento. Nakaka-proud lang talaga, Gab. At least din nagawa mong i-open sa iba instead na i-keep mo lang sa sarili mo. Dapat ko talagang pasalamatan si Sere para do'n."

Gaille smiled faintly, appreciating the reassurance. "Thanks, Kio. I know you're right. Siguro nga I just needed to hear it from someone else."

"Anytime." Kio replied warmly. "Mabalik nga tayo kay Sere. Ano na plano mo niyan?"

"I was thinking that, maybe, if I finally settled down my family matters, I would approach her again. I just needed to take one step at a time by solving one problem first before the other. I don't want to distance myself din naman further kay Serena. I've really... grown to like her so much. No matter where she's at, by my side or somewhere from the distance." Gaillepaused for a moment, letting her thoughts settle before continuing.

"I know it sounds cliché, pero kahit rejected ako, I don't think I could forget about how I feel for her so soon. I want to be someone she can count on, even if we aren't together."

Kio let out a chuckle, patting Gaille's back gently. "Hay! Hulog na hulog ang bading! Lakas din ni Sere, 'no? Parang dati, lalaki lang nagkakandarapa sa kaniya. Ngayon tamo, pati ikaw."

"I can't blame them, really." Gaille stated. "She's a likeable— loveable person once you really got to know her. She's lovely. She's... Lovelle."

"Abangan ko kung kailan mo mapapabaliko si Sere at kailan magiging kayo, for real. Ako pa rin ang president ng COD couple, ah?"

Gaille laughed. "Yes, Kio, no one will take your place."

"Just like how no one would take Serena's place as my person."

***

Nag-try ako magsulat ulit in Taglish, haha. Sorry, guys, if yung ibang narrations pure English siya. Pure English fanfic writer kasi ako before, nasanay lang hahaha.

Next chapters will contain the side ships muna. Hayaan muna natin magkaroon ng konting space ang COD couple. :)