A Thousand Second Chances

Kabanata 6

Secret

I practically glowing with excitement as I made my way back to Manila.  Papa's words kept playing in on my mind, each one sinking deeper, making me realize how much I had overlooked. I've been so caught up with my own emotions that I hadn’t seen things clearly. But now, I can say everything felt different. I finally knew what I wanted.

Make things right with him.

My heart fluttered as I arrived at his place. I could already imagine the relief on his face when we're see each other, the weight that would lift off both of our shoulders. But just as I was about to knock, something made me pause. Voices. Coming from the side of the house.

My brows knitted together as I stepped closer, my pulse quickening.

“I don’t know how to tell her,” said a familiar voice.

I froze. My mind instantly clouded with confusion.

Ako ba ang pinag-uusapan nila?

“She deserves to know,” came another voice. His cousin. His tone was calm, but there was an urgency behind it.

My heartbeat quickened. Tell me what?

“She’s been through enough already…” Huey’s voice was quieter now, almost hesitant. “But… how do I tell her that?”

Tell me what?

"Ano ba kasing pumasok sa isip mo—"

"I was drunk! Dyther, hindi ko alam na nandoon din siya no'ng gabing 'yon."

The words hit me like a slap.

My mind went blank for a moment. I blinked, trying to process what I just heard, but the words echoed louder and louder in my head.

Sana mali ang iniisip ko.

"Pero natulog ka pa rin kasama si Sam, Huey naman!"

A sickening feeling washed over me, making my throat dry and my knees weak. I wanted to move, to turn around and leave before I'll heard anything else, but my feet were rooted to the ground.

My heart battled with my own mind, and before I could stop myself, I stepped forward.

“N-natulog? Dyther ano bang sinasabi mo…”

My voice came out barely above a whisper, but it was enough.

Huey and his cousin turned abruptly, their eyes widening in shock as they saw me standing there.

My gaze locked onto Huey, my heart pounding so hard it echoed in my ears. My chest felt tight, my breathing uneven.

“Totoo ba?” I asked softly, but my voice trembled, betraying the storm inside me. “You slept with your ex?”

The way Huey’s face paled told me everything I needed to know. He opened his mouth, but no words came out.

I didn’t need to hear his explanation. The ache spreading in my chest was answer enough. My mind screaming a lot.

"Loria," Dyther said. Ramdam ko ang awa sa boses niya at ayaw ko iyon.

My legs felt like lead as I stumbled away from Huey’s place, my vision blurred by unshed tears. My mind was spinning, trying to make sense of everything.

This… this is what I came back for?

I had been so ready to fix things, to put the pieces back together. But how could I fix something that had already shattered? Huey’s pale face, the silence that followed my question — it was all too much. My heart felt like it was being squeezed in a vice, the ache spreading through my chest, making it hard to breathe.

I didn’t know how long I walked, my feet moving aimlessly, as if they had a mind of their own. I ended up in a quiet park, the soft rustle of leaves the only sound breaking the heavy silence. I sank down onto a bench, my hands trembling as I fumbled for my phone.

Delight.

My fingers hovered over her name, hesitation gnawing at me. But I couldn’t hold it in any longer. I needed someone.

The phone rang once… twice…

“Loria?” Delight’s voice was soft but instantly filled with concern.

I opened my mouth to speak, but the words wouldn’t come. My throat tightened, and before I knew it, a choked sob escaped.

“Loria?” Delight’s voice sharpened, worry lacing every word. “Ano’ng nangyari? Nasaan ka?”

I swallowed hard, trying to steady my voice, but it came out broken.

“Del… I heard…” My voice cracked, and the tears I had been holding back spilled over. “Huey…”

For a moment, there was silence on the other end.

“What happened?!” Delight’s tone was a mix of anger “That shit, again.”

“I… I didn’t know,” I whispered, wiping my eyes, but the tears just kept falling. “I just… I just found out. I was… I was ready to fix things, Del. I thought…” My voice trailed off, the words too painful to finish.

“Nasaan ka ngayon?” Delight’s voice was calmer, but there was a quiet urgency in her tone.

“Sa park… malapit sa kanila.”

“Stay there. I’m coming.”

I nodded, even though she couldn’t see me.

The line went dead, but knowing Delight was on her way brought the tiniest bit of comfort.

I hugged my knees to my chest, trying to calm the storm inside me. But no matter how tightly I held myself, the ache wouldn’t go away.

Minutes felt like hours. When I finally saw Delight’s car pull up, I felt my walls start to crumble. She barely had time to get out before I stood up and ran toward her.

“Loria…”

That was all it took. The moment her arms wrapped around me, I broke down completely. The sobs I had been holding back poured out, and Delight just held me, letting me fall apart in her arms.

“I-I love... I love him,” I whispered between ragged breaths, my voice barely audible.

“I know,” Delight murmured, her voice steady, but I could hear the sadness underneath. “I’m here, Loria. I’m here.”