Something More

Chapter 017

017

"Audrey.. gusto mo bang malaman kung bakit kita iniiwasan?"

Nagulat ako sa tanong niya. I wasn't expecting it, and it all just came out so suddenly. Now that I think about it.. bakit nga ba? Bakit ayaw niya nang lumapit sa akin and keep being friends?

"Y-yes.." I said.

He took a deep breath. "Hindi mo pa rin ba alam? It's all because I'm in ---"
"XANDER!" someone shouted. Napalingon kami ni Xander, and I could see a figure walking towards our direction. Lumayo sa akin si Xander, glanced back at me, and stood still. Habang papalapit nang papalapit yung tao.. I finally realized who it was. It's Marielle.

"Xander..?" she called. When she saw me, she gave me a stern look. "Audrey." 
"Uh.. Marielle.. kasi.." I stammered. Hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin ko, pero Xander walked away from me and lumapit kay Marielle. Marielle held his hand, tapos umalis na silang dalawa.

I'm here again.. alone. Pero, ano kaya yung sasabihin sa akin ni Xander? I don't know, I don't even have a single idea. Pero kung malaman ko man, may magbabago ba? Nothing. Siguro masasaktan pa ako sa malalaman ko. Well.. what do I expect? Na sasabihin sa akin ni Xander na kaya niya ako iniiwasan ay dahil sa he loves me? No, I don't want to expect, because I might just hurt myself.

"Audrey..?" someone called, and when I looked for that voice, I saw nothing. But it was a familiar voice, yung boses na laging nandyan para sa akin. Yung taong.. mahal ako, pero nasasaktan ko. 

"Jared.." I called back. Nakikita ko na siya ngayon, palapit na siya when I noticed I'm crying. I covered my face, afraid he will laugh at me when he sees me crying again over nothing.

Lumapit siya sa akin and reaches for me. He held my shoulder, and I lay my head rest on his chest. Umiyak ako nang umiyak, but he just silently stood up in front of me, saying nothing at all.
"Jared.. alam mo.. this thing, it should just end."

He cleared his throat. "Tama.. 'wag mo nang pahirapan ang sarili mo, Audrey. Please lang.. just let go of him, please.. I don't wanna see you crying."

I sobbed a little harder this time. "Jared.. why is it so hard to fall for someone when he wouldn't catch you?"
Jared nodded. "Audrey.. kung minsan, kapag sobrang lalim ng bangin at sobrang sakit na kung mahuhulog ka pa.. all you have to do is turn away from it."

I didn't reply, nor did I even looked at his eyes. But Jared hugs me very tight, it feels so warm and cozy.. that I don't want to let go anymore.

"Audrey, would you fall for me?"

I nodded. "Jared.. I like you." sabi ko. Jared brushed my hair, tapos he gently let go of me.
"Audrey.. I love you." he replied, smiling. "Hindi mo pa ako mahal pero.. at least there's something more in friendship."

I smiled back. Something more.. siguro pwede naman mangyari yun with me and Jared, diba?