Written in the Stars

Chapter 17

"I just wanted to see you" she said casually.

He gave her a pained look and he scolded her, “Pero hindi mo naman kailangang tumakas just to see me”

After coming from a vacation, Madi and her parents decided na ipasok siya sa isang drug rehabilitation facility. Her dad was disappointed with her ngunit suportado naman nito ang treatment ng anak.

Madi was sitting a seat apart from him sa sofa ng living room ng condo unit niya, tumabi ito sa kanya. 

“I know.. Babalik naman talaga ako. I’m just missing you so bad babe”

Alden looked away because he couldn’t say the same thing to her.

“Three weeks pa lang ako doon but it feels like a dragging three months” Madi blurted out.

Paalis na siya papuntang Cebu when she appeared on his door. And he was not that rude to just dismiss her kaya pinatuloy muna niya ito sa loob.

“You have to be good para makalabas ka na agad, so you can get on with your life” he said.

“So we can get on with our lives” she corrected, emphasizing the word ‘our’.

“Kapag nakalabas na ko we’ll get back together right? Gaya ng dati”

He watched her face became suddenly filled with hope. Alden closed his eyes, choosing the words that wont hurt her.

“I don’t wanna give you false hopes Madi. Things are different now” he whispered.

Madi’s face turned serious. She held his hands tightly.

“No.. Don’t say that.. Kahit noon pa naman we were on and off hindi ba? We just needed time. We broke up countless of times but we always get back together”

He couldn’t tell her that he only did that dahil kagustuhan iyon ng mommy niya and that he was secretly hoping he can learn to love her in return but it didn’t happen.

“I’m afraid, not this time” Alden stated clearly as he withdrew his hands from her. Ayaw niya na umasa ito.

Madi’s expression changed.

“Bakit? Dahil may bago ka na?” matigas na tanong nito.

“Wala” his eyes darted to his big travelling bag in the corner of the room.

“I already told you the reasons. I don’t want to be unfair to you” he said.

He was telling the truth. Walang bagong babae sa buhay niya because he was steadfastly and whole-heartedly in love with the same woman, for years.

“I don’t believe you” her eyes were now filled with anger.

“I can’t blame you” he somehow felt guilty for their break up but he thought it is better than to be with her when he knew deep inside his heart na wala siyang nararamdaman para dito at ibang babae ang mahal niya.

“Madi you should do your best para ayusin ang buhay mo. Someday you’re gonna find the right guy for you”

Madi clutched his arm and demanded, “I wont let you go until you tell me who that girl is”

Alden shook his head. There is no point telling her. The girl he’s in love with is happy with another man.

He realized Madi and him are alike. They are both in love with someone who doesn’t love them back.

“I’m really sorry. And I’m wishing the best for you” he meant it. Inalis niya ang kamay nito na nakakapit sa kanya.

“I need to go Madison, I have a plane to catch”