Ephemeral Love

FOURTEEN

The next few days text nang text si Will at Kenneth. I just can't talk to any one of them. Naka mute lang phone ko the whole time para di ko matingnan.

Napapansin na ako ng kapatid at parents ko.

"What's wrong Scarlet?" Tanong ni papa

"Wala pa. I'm okay" tapos yun yung queue ko na umalis sa hapag kainan.

Umakyat na ako papunta sa kwarto ko pero di ko alam na sinusundan na ako ng kapatid ko.

"Ate, can we talk?"

"What are we going to talk about?" patawa kong tanong

"I know something's wrong."

"No, Im just tired."

"No, it's not just that."

tumahimik ako.

"Ate, masakit mang aminin pero..."

nanahimik lang ako at hinintay ang mga sasabihin niya.

"Hindi ako mahal ni Will eh."

Lumaki ang mga mata ko.

"Ate, wag na tayong mag tanga tangahan dito."

"Maggie.."

"Sorry, ate."

Nagtataka ako. Why is she saying sorry?

"I know, ako yung epal dito. Obvious na obvious na gusto mo si Will at obviousna obvious na gusto ka ni Will at obvious na obvious na hindi pa siya nakakamove on sayo."

She started crying. Maggie, Im so sorry you had to go through this.

"Ate, we kissed."
she continued.
"Thing is, he wasnt there. He was so lost. I didnt feel anything when wekissed. That's when I realized that I wasnt meant for him."

"Maggie..."

"Ate, Im so sorry about this. Di ko man lang kinonsider the obvious feelingsyou had. Inuna ko pa kalandian ko. Ang laki laki ng chance na magkakilala pakayo and mas mahulog pa sa isa't isa pero wala eh. Sorry talaga, ate Scarlet."tumawa siya

She hugged me.

"Ate, dont let anything stop you from what makes you happy. I already let himgo for his own happiness so don't lock yourself up drowning with sadness."

I looked at her and we both cried.

"Ate Scarlet, wag kang umiyak ang pangit pangit mo."

"Huy mas pangit ka!" at tumawa kaming dalawa

I hugged her real tight and said I love her more than anything.

The night passed and the next day we decided to go to church.

I wanted to vent out everything to God. Tell him all the pain and happinessthat happened to me for the past few weeks.
Maggie and I had a day for each other. There was nothing else to think of thatday but the both of us.

We went home late and we had so much fun! Napalitan na kaagad yung malulungkotna memories.
Kaso, Will texted.

--
From: Will Jose

Scarlet, ako na yung pinakagagong tao na nakilala mo.
Pero I would like to say sorry to you one last time.
I know ang kapal ng face ko to ask you this pero I think we need a closure.
I dont want you hurting na. I dont want to see you down everyday.
So please, meet me sa harap ng school gate.
This is the last time Id be asking you for anything.

Please.

--

What is he talking about? I dont want him to go away.

Maggie saw the text and said, "Ate, go! Gusto mo ba talaga siyang mawala?"
I smiled at her, went outside the house and rode my bike.

Will, what are you thinking? I dont want you to be missing my life.
I want you to be here knowing everything. You let me forget something I thoughtthat would be unforgettable.
You never even stopped when I thought you did. What are you doing?

Bumuhos ang malakas na ulan. Ang galing rin ng timing no?!

I reached our school pero I was on the other side of the road. I saw himsitting on the sidewalk, all wet and tired.

"Will!" I shouted his name
"Will!" I shouted again.

I caught his attention and saw the smile Ive been dying to see.

I just didn't know that would be the last time.