"O siya, why don't you two talk outside while Richelle is taking a quiz and activities? So you could catch up," suggest ni Ma'am.
"That's a great idea!" Cleint replied, smiling. And he turned to me, "We have some catching up to do."
He gestured towards the door.
"Shall we?"
With a forced smile, I went ahead, but not before saying a temporary goodbye to Richelle and Ma'am Mina.
"Chel, Ma'am Mina, sige po punta muna kami sa labas."
The two nodded and they went on with their task.
When we were out of hindsight, I no longer keep my smile. I put on a stoic face and walked faster than Cleint. In fact, halos tumakbo na ako.
Ayaw kong maabutan niya.
"Teka Misty! Sandali!" sabi niya. I know he is just meters behind me so I did not dare look back and tried to keep myself moving in a fast pace.
Ayaw kong makipag-usap.
"Misty, I just want to talk!"
Hindi ko pa kasi kaya.
"Please, mag-usap tayo Misty."
I hate how he sounded desperate to talk to me.
"Misty, just please pause for a moment."
I hate hearing him plead, trying to break into this walls I built up around.
"Misty, just please."
Di ko na mapigilang tumakbo. Ang layo-layo na namin mula sa faculty, at madilim-dilim na rin ang kapaligiran if it weren't for the lights along the way.
"Jo."
But what I hate the most is how softly he said my nickname. Unti-unting bumagal ang takbo ko hanggang sa bigla na lamang akong napatigil.
At nagsimulang tumulo ang mga luha na kanina pa nagbabadyang bumuhos mula sa aking mga mata. Napatingala ako sa langit at para bang trinaydor ako ng mismong mga tala na nagpaalala sa akin ng mga gabing pilit kong kinakalimutan.
The smiles and laughters shared under the same stars...
The plans and promises made under the same stars...
The same memories I vanished from my mind all these months, finally coming back with the feelings it entailed.
I can't be facing this right now.
"I missed you, Jo," he uttered after a long moment of silence.
"Lie," I breathed out. But he kept talking and ignored what I said.
"I have a lot to say to you, but I don't know where to begin," he said, and there is a hint of sadness in his voice.
But I convinced myself it is all an act, so I keep my silence.
"Please hear me out first without walking away."
He took a deep breath and continued.
"Sorry. I know sa lahat ng ginawa ko hindi sapat ito, but still I want you to know that I'm feeling sorry for everything. I admit I'm a jerk for doing those things, at alam kong hindi ko madaling makukuha ang kapatawaran mula sa'yo-"
I cut him off.
"Hindi kita mapapatawad," I said coldly. Naramdaman ko ang pagluwag ng hawak niya sa braso ko.
"Sorry, Jo."
"Don't call me that," sabi ko, at inalis ang pagkakahawak niya sa braso ko. Hinarap ko siya. I stared at him coldly.
"Damage has been done. Sinaktan mo na ako. It was not only my love that you have thrown away, our friendship too. Trinaydor mo ako, Cleint. You betrayed your freaking bestfriend and broke her heart. You ruined my life before. And I would no longer give you another chance to do it again," madiin kong sinabi.
Under the moonlight, I could see remorse, pain, and longing in his eyes. Hah. Magsisi ka, although that's not even half of what I felt before. Have your part. Feel the pain. Take it and suffer.
"I promise I won't do it again," he said, pleading and reaching for my hands. I did not let him.
"I had enough of your promises and lies. Wag mo akong igaya sa Jo mo dati na isang inosente at tangang babaeng naniwala sa'yo," I retorted, saying the nickname he gave me in a sarcastic tone. "I have lost trust in everyone, and that's thanks to you."
"I did not mean it-"
"Even if you did not, that's still not acceptable. It did not ease the pain, did it?"
Napasuklay siya sa buhok niya at yumuko.
"I really loved you before and-"
"Stop. You're wasting my time," I said and started to walk. But after taking a few steps, I paused and slightly turned my head to his direction. "Alam kong magiging magkaklase tayo ulit, much to my distaste, but don't worry. I'll be polite to you, just so hindi ako pagpiyestahan ng chismis. Don't flatter yourself, okay?"
And I continued to walk away. This time, I'm the one who left.
The thought made me smile bitterly.
- - - - - - - - -
A/NHello to everyone who happened to stumble upon this story of mine! *kaway kaway* Hahaha, sorry if drama kaagad kahit nagsisimula pa lang ng story. But what can I do? Yan ang pumasok sa isip ko eh. Can't think of a better start. 😆
Anyway, it would mean a lot to me if you vote and comment. :)
Lovelots,
Dana
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