Our Fleeting Glances

Chapter 8

"Oh, bakit ka andito? Uulan pa o?" I messaged him as I spotted Rios sitting alone on the bleachers. The sky was darkening, signaling rain. Good thing I had an umbrella. I almost left because of the gloomy weather, but Rios didn't have a hat or anything to shield him from the rain.

He replied, "Okay lang, may inaantay lang ako."

Parehong tumunog ang relo namin. 7 pm na, at nakita ko ang pagtamlay ni Rios. Kaya lumapit ako sa kanya.

His eyes widened when he saw me. "Meera..." His voice cracked.

"I guess she's not coming," he said, his gaze fixed on Shai's condo. He held tightly to a bouquet of tulips and a cake—her favorite.

I could feel the weight of the moment. Pretending everything was fine had become second nature to me, but deep down, it hurt more than I could admit.

"Uulan na, Rios," I said, trying to pull him away from his thoughts.

"Wala ka bang payong?"

"Let's go?" Ayaw pa niyang umalis, pero sumunod din siya sa akin habang umuulan na.

[Playing "You're Losing Me" by Taylor Swift]

The sound of the rain filled the silence between us. Every step felt heavy, as if we were both walking on eggshells. I wanted to comfort him, to say something that would take away his pain, but I couldn't find the right words.

"Do something, babe. Say something..." The lyrics played in my mind, as if echoing my silent plea. I wanted to tell him to choose me, but I knew his heart was elsewhere.

We walked side by side, and it felt like I was losing him with every second that passed.

He didn't even notice how much it was hurting me. "You're losing me," the song continued, capturing everything I couldn't say aloud.

As we reached the park, the rain grew heavier, and Rios finally stopped walking. We stood under a tree for a moment, both drenched in our own thoughts. I handed him my umbrella, but he just stared at it, lost in a world that wasn't mine.

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