From the way you would hold me
To the sweet things you told me
I just can't find a way
To let go of you
--Officially Missing You by Tamia
--
This is just a thank you chapter. Kasi ang bilis maka-1M ng TA. Tapos ang taas ng votes. Di ko alam kung saan kayo nanggaling. Haha. Kasi TC is not getting the same response. But I guess that just goes to show that you love Lena more (poor Lacey). Anyway, I'm not going to force you to read TC. Maybe someday, if you're ready. For now, here are Lena and Cyrus again.
I'm not promising that there will be more of these SCs, but you never know.
Anyway, thank you.
P.S. I get you. Lena's an easy read. She's also easier to write.
P.P.S. Naaawa tuloy ako kay Lacey. Hahaha.
--
"What do you mean you can't come home?" simangot na tanong ni Lena kay Cyrus.
It's only a week before her graduation. She was expecting that he will come home to see her march. But he can't. Again. It's her birthday all over again. Nangako ito sa kanya noon na uuwi ito pero biglang bawi nang malapit na. Nagpadala na lamang ito ng regalo.
She didn't speak for him for a week. She thought that would teach him to keep his promise. Apparently, she was wrong. He's doing it again, backing out on their plans.
"After your graduation lang ako pwedeng umuwi," he replied. "I'm sorry, Lena. I tried-"
"But not hard enough."
"Look, babawi ako pag-uwi ko. Pangako."
"Huwag ka na lang tumuloy kung pagkatapos na rin naman ng graduation ka uuwi."
"Lena naman..."
"And if you're still set on marrying me, then you better schedule the wedding. Baka hindi ka rin makauwi sa kasal natin."
Cyrus sighed exasperatedly. "Lena, please don't be difficult."
"Fine. Then don't make promises you can't keep."
"Lena..."
She ended the video call before she could burst out crying. Nawalan tuloy siya ng ganang mag-martsa. She's been looking forward to her graduation since the date was announced; it's also when Cyrus told her that he will come home. Now, fast forward to a week before the said event, bigla-bigla itong uurong.
Isa na lang talaga at bibingo na ito sa kanya.
Dahil sa nangyari ay hindi na niya sinagot ang mga kasunod na tawag nito. But he was persistent. Lahat ng tao sa paligid niya ay kinukulit nito, even her dad.
But she was indignant. Kahit anong pakiusap ng mga ito sa kanya ay hindi niya kinakausap si Cyrus. Kakausapin lang niya itong muli kapag umuwi ito o nawala ang galit niya rito, whichever comes first.
When the day of her graduation came, she almost did not attend. Pinagalitan lamang siya kaya napilitan siyang pumunta. Her dad was adamant about her marching.
"You should wear a dress, Ate," Lacey told her. Itinaas nito ang dalawang naka-hanger na dress, pinapipili siya.
"I'll just wear my jeans."
All black. From her long-sleeved blouse to her pair of high-cut chucks. Wala rin siyang planong mag-ayos. Inis na inis pa rin siya. At dahil sa katigasan ng ulo niya ay tinutopak na rin ang mga tao sa paligid niya.
"Pabayaan mo na nga kung ayaw," sabi ng daddy niya. "Hayaan mo syang magmukhang kaawa-awa."
She crossed her arms against her chest as response. She felt a little tinge of guilt when her dad walked out of the room.
