Sweet Beginnings

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JERON

"You haven't changed much.", my brother said all of a sudden.

He paid me a visit here in my condo to catch up with each other while enjoying a few drinks.

I chuckled bitterly before asking him back.

"Why Ahia, is there a problem with that?"

"Well, you just got yourself a girlfriend. You must have a different aura. The good kind.

Pero honestly bro, mukhang mas problemado ka pa eh."

I let out a heavy sigh.

It's been a week since I got back from Baguio. But her memories still haunt me like it was just yesterday.

Mika...

Her smile... her eyes... her voice...

Everything about her.

When we were asked what was my favorite body part of Mika, I meant my answer. The whole of her is lovely.

And when we were asked kung pang-ilang boyfriend niya ako, I knew deep inside that I meant it, too.

I knew that deep within, I was wishing that I would be her first. And she, my last.

But here I am now, caught up with something I thought I wanted.

The day after we got back, binigay ko kay Meg lahat ng hiningi niya. And she immediately said yes to being my girlfriend kahit hindi ko pa ulit tinatanong.

But I can't blame her. Because that's what I let her think from the start.

"I was supposed to withdraw pero...

wala na, ahia. Sinagot na niya ako...

And I don't want to hurt her.", I admitted.

I felt him pat me on the back.

"You know mas lalo mo lang siyang masasaktan if you'll continue to pretend that you're in love with her.

And you'll also be making a fool of yourself, if I may add.

What happened ba? Did you... meet someone else?", my brother Jeric asked.

I could only nod my head in response.

"Tough love.

Pero ganun talaga eh.

Look at me and Wensh, hindi rin naman namin inasahan that we'll fall for each other. But when we met, ayun na.

If I wanted to be happy, I knew I had to chase her. And chase her I did.

It's the best thing I've done in my life.", he shared, his eyes reflecting the joy he felt about their story.

"Thanks, ahia."

"O pano, I have to leave. Nag-aalala na yun, for sure."

"Yeah. Take care. Say hi to Achi Wensh for me."

"Will do.

And bro."

"Hmmm?"

"Wag mo na yang patagalin. Baka mawala pa, ikaw rin.", he said before leaving.

I cleaned up the glasses we used and caught a glimpse of some of the strawberries I bought during the trip.