The Last Shot

Chapter 1: Immature

TWO YEARS AGO:

He is adored by everyone. He is every girl’s apple of the eye. He is mine, but nobody else knows it. Only us and the people who knew how we started.

And because of that, he took me for granted. He took us for granted. Dahil sikat siya. Dahil nakuha na niya ang gusto niya – the fame from being a heartthrob, from being with a bunch of jerk guys. He has changed.

"Babe, let me explain." sabi niya as he held my hand.

Since he got close with those bunch of jerk guys in his school, nag-iba na talaga siya. Too far from that guy who made me realize what love is – far from the guy that I loved.

"Go." I said as I looked at him straight on his eyes. "Explain yourself Jeron."

I realized I've been through this scenario for so many times. Seeing this guy in front of me with another girl, this is too mainstream.

 How many times did he cheat on me? Twice? Thrice? More perhaps. How many times should I forgive him? How long should I wait for him to be back to his old self again?

Yung babaeng naka-cling sa braso niya kanina, biglang umatras at nagtago sa likod niya. He looked at her and as if on cue, umalis yung babae.

He scratched the back of his neck. "Kasi... I was just dared. You know? Yung friends ko kasi.. we had a bet and yeah, I lost. So I had to do the dare. Dare lang yun babe."

Same old reason. Sawang-sawa na ako sa reasons niyang puro kasinungalingan. Until now, he wouldn’t admit to himself that he is just being immature.

"Okay." I replied coldly.

He grabbed my arm and pulled me for a hug. "I'm really sorry babe. Hindi na to ma-uulit. I promise."

I pushed him a little as I gave him a look. "Talagang hindi na to ma-uulit Jeron."

"I promise babe. Hindi na." He said and smiled. "Tara, mag-ice cream tayo. Di ba gusto mo yun?"

I heaved out a heavy sigh. Kailan pa mag-mamature tong lalaking to? He is hopeless!      

"May problema ba?" he asked as he cupped my face.

I sighed once again. "Let's end this."

He was obviously taken aback with what I said. "Wha--what di--did you just sa--say??"

"Jeron, tapusin na natin to." I said calmly. "Break na tayo."

"WHAT?!" he exclaimed. "Kim! Are you kidding me?? Makiki-pagbreak ka sa akin?"

"Enough of your immaturity Jeron! Grow up!" I yelled. "Mahal kita. Pero hindi ko na kaya."

His eyes softened. He tried to reach for my face pero umiwas ako. Naiiyak na naman ako. I've been crying for so many times, and only God knows kung gaano ka sakit yung mga nangyari sa akin. I've been forgiving him for cheating on me, for lying and for being so immature. Pero ngayon, hindi ko na kaya. 

"Kim, let's talk about this." he said softly. "Let's fix this. Please. I promise. Hindi na ito mau-ulit."

I shook my head. "There's nothing else we can fix Jeron."

"Give me a chance please." he pleaded. Tears were forming on his eyes.

I hate to see him in that state. The last time I saw him like that was noong nag-away sila ng older brother niyang si Jeric. It was just a petty fight between brothers though, pero he cried that hard.

I love him that’s why I gave him so many chances. I wanted to hear from him a good reason kung bakit niya ginagawa to, kung bakit nam-bababae pa siya, eh nandito na naman ako. Am I not enough for him? Or is this just something that his circle of friends should have in common para maging in sa grupo nila?