Behind Closed Doors

thirty two

"Just let it out... babi."

"Ali.. why do people keep on coming back when I'm already okay?" I asked between my sobs. I sneak my arms around her waist to pull her closer to me. She didn't even flinch with my touch.

"You shouldn't be crying right now if you're okay. You shouldn't be hurting right now if you already moved on. Sometimes what we really need to heal is to face who've hurt us. Because from what I am seeing, you're not yet okay. And you will always end up crying every time they would reach out to you. Don't be afraid, babi. Face them, talk to them." She softly said. No judgement, all I can hear from her is genuine concern.

I lean back to look at her.

"How can you be so good at words?" I whispered. I intently stared at her.

"Nope, I'm not good at words. It's just that... I have a heart to speak to you." Aliah spoke she reach my cheeks using both of her hands to wipes my tears away.

I don't know what got in me. But slowly, I lean closer to her until we're just inch apart. She stunned as she stared at me, her breath hitch as she gulped.

I look straight in her eyes, trying to look for a trace of hesitation but I saw nothing.

"I want to kiss you." I whispered as my eyes went it's way to her lips.

Aliah suddenly capture my lips firmly. I slowly lift my hand from her waist to her jaw.

Slowly, I move my lips to dance with her. The kiss is not needy at all. It's comforting yet I can feel my hurt burning with so much passion.

I am the first one to pull away. I smiled at her.

I lean closer to her again but this time I press my lips to her forehead and pull her in my arms.

"Thank you."

"For the kiss?" She raised her eyebrows at me. I laughed with her reaction.

"What? No, thank you for being a good listener..." I chuckled. She nodded as she smiles in embarrassment.

"Well, do I have to thank you for being a good kisser as well?" I asked her, teasingly. Her eyes widened in disbelief and she pinch my side.

"Masakit yun ah." Reklamo ko sa kanya. She just rolled her eyes and stood up.

"Bahala ka nga dyan." Nagdadabog siyang lumakad papunta sa loob ng bahay.

"Ali! Oy! Joke lang!" Natatawang sigaw ko.

"Shut up." She replied without looking at me and went inside.

I chuckled at her antics.

Maybe Aliah is right for what she said. Maybe, just maybe a closure is what I really need to move forward.

My thoughts got cut by a sudden ring of my phone.

I swipe the screen to answer the call.

"Miro?" Jens spoke through the line.

"Napatawag ka?" Tanong ko sa kanya.

"Well, um-" She hesitate.

"Ano nga? Sabihin mo nalang directly, pabitin ka." I replied casually.

"Kasi... si uh- si Cleir. She's here sa condo mo, wasted." Jens stammered.

Napakunot ang noo dahil sa sinabi niya.

"And what does it has to do with me?" I asked Jens, trying to keep my tone neutral.

"Miro naman, kapatid mo pa rin siya" Jens replied. "Nag-text siya sa akin kanina, gusto niyang makausap ka. Pero wala ka dito e hindi niya alam kung nasaan ka."

I took a deep breath, trying to process the situation.

"Just...just let her. " I said finally.

"Bwesit naman Miro! Wala ka na ba talagang pakialam sa kapatid mo?" She said in annoyance.

I ended the call and looked up to see Aliah standing in the doorway, a concerned expression on her face.

"We should enjoy this vacation no? What if set aside muna natin yung life natin sa Manila? Let's loosen up." She smiles with encouragement at me.

My lips curved up to a smile.

"Let's enjoy this vacation together then."

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