A Stupid Promise

IV: Reconnected

"I don't understand why I'm still friends with you schmucks!" I spat out bitterly as I sat on the other end of the bench. Miko was sitting on the other end, then Charles was in between us.

We were all facing the overlooking view of the Taal Volcano. We decided to take our "meeting" outside the clubhouse since this space felt more personal and peaceful.

"Come on, Cha! I was just being a good friend! I couldn't bear seeing the two of you fight this long!" Charles said while he put his left arm around me and his right arm around Miko. He pulled both of us closer to him that Miko's head and mine nearly collided with one another.

It turned out that Charles had been communicating with Miko all along for the duration of our whole trip. Nice.

Neither Miko and I said something. To be honest, this was the longest fight we've had. Normally, we would raise the white flag a day or two later.

This was a different case though.

"In about five seconds, I am going to leave the two of you alone to talk. So, are you guys ready?"

Well, I was going to protest but then I remembered I was thinking of talking anyway. So I might as well get it over with now. I gave him a small nod. Charles patted me and Miko at the back before he stood up and went back inside the lobby.

I suddenly felt chills as soon as there was a gap between Miko and I. Both literally and figuratively. I've never felt this distant to him before.

"I'm sorry." We said in chorus as we turned to look at each other.

Somehow, the tension seemed to have died down a little. We both let out a soft laugh.

"Sabi ko na eh, di mo talaga ako matitiis." Miko teased as he moved closer to me.

"Don't be too kampante. You're not yet forgiven." I said as I lightly pushed him back, trying to hold my giggles.

"Look, I know it was a surprise to you. Well to all of you. But I just got really excited to share it with you guys." He started explaining. "I actually wanted to tell it to you first but..."

He trailed off and I could feel my heart racing up again.

"But what?"

"But I knew how busy you were with your work."

I rolled my eyes at him. "Still you could have tried to Skype with me or something. We live in a technological world now, Miko. Didn't we use to email each other?"

"Yea, that was until you stopped replying to my messages."

I gave him a confused look then it dawned on me. A lot of projects started to come up that I barely had the time to keep in touch with my friends. That was mid-2011.

"I saw and heard that you were really making a name for yourself here. I also knew that you've been career-oriented ever since. Kaya I understood din naman."

I felt a pang of guilt. I saw a few of his emails back then but I failed to get back at them. Until eventually, I never did, and he never messaged me since then.

But still...

"You could have messaged me again and again until I replied."

Miko laughed. "It could get tiring too, you know. Lalo na kapag walang reply." He stuck his tongue out at me.