The Journey of a Broken Soul [Ongoing]

3. The Guy Who Must Not Be Named

Chapter 3

"So, are you gonna get back with him when he comes back from Japan?"

His question made my throat go dry. I took a big gulp of my coconut juice, trying to swallow down the lump that suddenly formed. It's the same question I've been asking myself over and over again. But let me rephrase his question: Will Stephen and I get back together, or did we even break up in the first place?

"Hindi ko alam," I finally replied. "Technically, we're still together. He didn't break up with me, and I didn't break up with him. So, in short, walang break up na nangyari in the first place."

"Nene, sometimes people break up without any closure," Totoy said, his voice gentle but firm.

"So, are you saying na break na talaga kami?"

"Maybe yes, maybe no." He set his coconut juice down on the table, then jumped into the swimming pool, splashing water everywhere. When he surfaced, he turned to face me. "But here's the thing, your boyfriend is going to come back to the Philippines eventually. And when he does, talk to him. If he doesn't want to, well, then you'll know your answer."

Napatitig lang ako sa kanya, his words sinking in as I took another sip of my coconut juice. He had a point. My thoughts drifted again, like they always do when I think about Stephen. It's been a week, and I still haven't heard from him. But somehow, I'm thankful for this guy I've nicknamed Totoy. Dahil sa kanya, I don't feel so alone anymore. He's been keeping me company. Gumala na kami at nag-trekking papunta sa Tangadan Falls, nag-boat papuntang Immuki Island, hindi rin namin pinalampas yung Ma Cho Temple, nag-grapes picking at wine tasting kami sa Bauang Grape Farms, nag-photoshoot din kami sa Paraoir Manmade Forest at sa Baluarte Watch Tower pati na rin sa Bahay na Bato. We've pretty much explored every hangout spot here in Elyu the past 3 days.

Simula nung gabing kinulit niya ako, hindi na rin niya ako tinigilan. Gabi-gabi na rin kaming pumaparty dito sa Elyu. And honestly, Totoy's been nothing but good company. He has this way of making me feel like we've known each other forever, with his constant banter and energy. To be honest, he's kind of like a Golden Retriever—so playful and ridiculously friendly!

"Nene, come on!" He splashed me with water from the pool, making me wipe my face in mock annoyance. "Let's swim!"

"Hindi ka ba napapagod kakalangoy?" tanong ko.

"Stop sulking, okay? Or you'll start crying again."

Umiling lang ako. Ganito na rin yung naging sistema namin. Kinakausap niya ako ng English pero sinasagot ko siya ng Tagalog. Wala naman siyang reklamo. Minsan lang talaga may mga Tagalog words na hindi niya maintindihan.

"Stop thinking about him, okay? Just for once, have fun. I mean, you've talked about him non-stop for the past three days. That's enough, right? He's probably been biting his tongue by accident because you keep mentioning him so much," he teased.

"Baliw!" Natawa nalang tuloy ako. Naniniwala rin pala siya sa pamahiin. "Alright, alright, wait a sec..." I quickly finished my coconut juice before jumping into the pool with him.

Three days na rin simula nang makipag-hangout ako kay Totoy, and in those three days, I don't even know how he got me to open up to him. I ended up spilling everything—from how me and Stephen met to how we became a couple. Totoy even knows the names of my friends and Stephen's siblings because I kept mentioning them in my stories. Well, except for Stephen na pinalitan ko ng Casper. Kasi nga Casper the Ghost and he ghosted me. That makes sense, doesn't it? Anyway, this guy is something else. Hindi kaya hinypnotize ako nitong si Totoy? But then again, they say it's easier to open up to a stranger than to someone who knows you personally. And Totoy? He's the living proof of that...