HEARTSTRUCK

Chapter 43

YEOJI DALE

I did mess up. I became a good-for-nothing drug addict. Everyone tried to understand why I ended up destroying myself. Easy— I was weak. I knew a lot of people had high expectations from me. That pressure drove me to find an easy way out. I then finally understood Drake's resolve.

I have tried to quit before it was too late but I was already addicted. I couldn't claw my way out of the chaos. Nawala sa isip ko na may pamilya pa ako, mga kaibigan...at girlfriend. But even though that was the case, they didn't give up on me that easily.

That's why I'm here right now tying up loose ends. I started with the guys. Kasama rin iyon sa rehab e. Step nine: make amends. I reached out to them one by one. I did try to talk to Ardyne but every time I do, I constantly back out. Sinaktan ko siya. I'm the worst and maybe her hating me would be better. I thought that maybe she had already moved on. Why would she listen to a worthless person, right?

Kaso nang sabihin ko kay Kendal na hindi ko na kailangang guluhin ang buhay ni Ardyne, nagalit siya. Tinawag pa niya si Drake para may back up siya. They thought Ardyne deserved closure.

And now, I had the courage to face her. I have been silently following her for quite some time now. Not stalking or anything. Just finding some timing.

I glanced at Ardyne. Kanina lang nakatingala siya sa langit pero ngayon, nakatulog na siya! I tried waking her up but she just said "Five minutes, Cad."

Ngayon lang, napatunayan ko na tama nga sina Kendal. I left a huge hole in her life. I wonder if I can fill it up again? Nah, maybe it's too late. She looks really happy. I wish she could let go of hate eventually just so that she can live a peaceful life.

"Tulog?" Naupo si Drake sa tabi ko.

"For twenty minutes now," mahinang sagot ko. Inabot ni Drake sa akin ang isang manipis na jacket na siyang ipinangkumot ko naman kay Ardyne.

"Napagod sa kakasigaw? O pinagod mo sa ibang bagay?" tanong ba naman niya. Halos mapatawa talaga ako ng malakas. Hindi ko nga kasi naisip na ganito ang ending ng usapan namin ni Ardyne. Just earlier, I was holding back myself from fucking crying!

Drake saw the irony too.

"I'll tell you about it later," sabi ko kay Drake.

Nilapitan ni Drake ng husto si Ardyne. "She's really asleep huh?" aniya. Nag-vibrate ang phone ko kaya lumayo muna ako saglit.

Nang balikan ko si Drake ay nakangisi ito. "What's amusing?" tanong ko agad.

"Mukhang tulog na tulog si Ardyne, Cresent Air's hottest flight attendant. It's safe to talk."

"Mamaya na. Tsaka ikaw na ang gumising sakanya. I have to check the next flight back. Kakarating lang ni Ma at Ellen," sagot ko habang nakatingin sa aking phone.

"Visiting for?"

"A week. Business matters and to check on me."

"Ako na ang bahala sakanila. I'll vouch for you."