Imagine Me And You

Chapter 13

"Finally! We're graduate!" Aiah exclaimed. She's hugging me and jumping at the same time.

I can't find myself to be happy knowing na wala yung taong gusto kong yumakap sakin then congratulate me for graduating.

It's been four months since the last time I talked to Sheena; spend time with Sheena. I miss her. I long for her every minute, every hour, every day.

"I'm leaving Aiah." Bulong ko which made her stop from jumping and pull from the hug. She shot me a questioning look.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm leaving. Hindi ako magco-college here sa Manila. I'm sorry if hindi tuloy ang plano natin na same university ang papasukan natin."

"But why? Bakit need mo umalis?"

"I won't be able to free myself from my family's control if I'm not gonna do this. I need to do this because otherwise, hindi ako magiging malaya mahalin si Sheena." I honestly stated.

I know Aiah will understand me. She'll be hurt and sad about this, but, I know she will support me.

"Congrats sa inyo!" Napatingin kami ni Aiah sa mga boses na bumati samin. Aiah smile then greet the girls. They're Sheena's friend.

"Thank you!" Masiglang bati ni Aiah na para bang hindi siya malungkot kanina. That's how good she is with people. She knows how to handle herself accordingly.

"Gift pala namin. It's not big pero I hope okay na sa inyo yung "the thought counts" na phrase." Sabi ni Jhoana and handed Aiah the gift.

"Hindi niyo naman kailangan, pero thank you." Aiah said in gratitude.

"By the way, she wanted you to have this. Hindi na niya nakuha sa bahay ko so I thought it's best for me to give you this." Mikha said.

Inabot niya sakin yung maliit na box. Ang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko while looking at the gift that Sheena prepared for me.

"Thank you." My voice almost cracks because of me trying to stop myself from crying. "Excuse me." I added then naglakad ng mabilis papunta sa kotse ko.

Pagkapasok ko ay agad kong binuksan yung regalo sakin ni Sheena. My heart melts seeing the gift. It was a bracelet with our initials engraved on it.

My tears start to fall before reading the note inside the box.

To my bebe,

Happy graduation day! I hope you like this small token of my appreciation for you. I'm so proud of you!

P.S. Sana girlfriends na tayo before you're graduation. Pilitin mo ako na sagutin kita para mas special yung araw mo.

I grip on the bracelet then cry myself out. Hindi ko alam kung ilang beses na akong umiyak. Hindi naman ako madramang tao pero dahil sa pangungulila ko kay Sheena, walang araw na hindi ako naging malungkot.

"Why am I hurting so fucking much?!"

*********

"Please don't tell anyone kung nasaan ako." Sabi ko kay ate Colet.

"I got you, Gwenny. Just don't hesitate to call me if you need anything." Niyakap ako ni ate Colet pagkatapos ay sumakay na siya sa kotse niya at pinaandar ito.

Lumakad akong bitbit ang maleta at backpack ko papunta sa isang bahay sa gitna ng bukirin kung saan nakatira ang dati kong tagapag-alaga.

No one knows about this place except kay ate Colet. We grew up together at parehas kami ng nanny.