Love Next Door

6 - RonRon

MIKA

I started to speak while walking to his direction in the cafeteria.

Pabebe na kung pabebe pero wala na akong pake kung may makarinig at maka-bidyo nito!

"Hoy Jeron Teng! Talaga bang balak mong sirain buhay ko ha? Hindi ka pa nakuntento na nawalan ako ng trabaho DAHIL SAYO? Pati pag-aaral ko, gusto mong i-sabotage? Pwes, hindi ako-"

Naputol ang gusto kong sabihin at the point when I reached a close distance and got a view of his eyes.

They looked... different.

They looked... sad.

Ano kayang problema nito?

Nanatili kaming nakatingin sa isa't isa.

Him, staring blankly, and me, trying to read his mind.

"Mika!", someone yelled.

I turned my head towards the voice and saw Tori asking me to come over the table where she sat.

I raised my hand and signalled her to wait. Then I faced the man in front of me who hasn't uttered a single word until now.

"Look, I don't know what your deal is. But please, spare me. Sobrang halaga nito sakin. Mag-isip ka na lang ng ibang prank. Not in here.", I firmly said to him.

Then I left and made my way to the counter to buy my lunch.

JERON

I didn't believe it to be true until she spoke to me face to face.

Mika really is here. At malamang, siya talaga yung nakita kong kausap nina Angkong.

Angkong...

He really is sick. Wala man lang akong alam na may nararamdaman pala siya. All this time, he kept his heart illness a secret from us.

Gusto ko pa naman sana silang kausapin ni Ama ngayong araw dahil gulong-gulo na ako and I know that they're the ones who are always ready to listen. I wanted to free myself from the burden that I created because of my decisions.

Turns out, this heart would carry a heavier load upon seeing them.

--- Flashback ---

I decided to go to White Mount with no idea of what to do.

I just found myself asking to meet the manager and telling him to hire Mika back.

"Sir, please. Wala pong kasalanan si Mika. She gave me the right order. I lied. And I'm sorry.", I said sincerely.

"The damage has been done, Mr. Teng. Sana naisip mo yan bago mo ginawa yon. I have already hired a replacement. Hindi naman pwedeng sisantihin ko na lang siya ng ganun na lang, diba?", Mr. Ramos replied.

Wala akong nagawa kundi tumango.

"You see, hindi lahat ng nasisira, naibabalik sa dati. Mainit na rin ang mata ko kay Mika dahil sa time logs niya. What you did was the straw that broke the camel's back."

Mas lalo akong na-guilty sa ginawa ko. Had I not done that, she could have redeemed herself.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Teng. And may I suggest that you apologize to Mika as well. Mabait naman ang batang yon. I'm sure she'll understand."