A Friendship to Remember

Cry

Kenjie's POV

"I'm willing to do the wedding with Kenjie." Leighton announced that made me surprised. What's with the sudden change of heart?

Nagusap na kami about this. I want to be an obedient son but hindi sa ganitong paraan. She's in love with someone else, how can I take that away from her? And I can't bear losing the girl I truly love.

Nagulat siguro ang parents namin pareho when I excused her after saying those words. "Leighton, what is this about? Paano na si Joshua?"

She shook her head as if ayaw na niyang pagusapin namin 'to but then there's no way that I can let this pass. "I'm sorry Leighton pero..."

"I'm doing this for Gabrielle. And don't lecture me about Joshua, hindi siya nakakatuwa."

I was surprised. May problema ba sila ni Joshua? Pero may video nung concert na umamin si Joshua sa kanya. Nagtrend nga agad yung video na yun kahit a few hours pa lang ang nakakalipas.

She showed me her phone. "I'm not doing this for me." Sabi niya at nakita ko ang isang private message ng picture ni Elle na nakatali sa isang upuan. May caption pa na 'You have to continue the wedding to save Gabrielle'.

Shit! Si Gio. Siya lang ang posibleng gumawa nito. Fuck him! Mapapatay ko na talaga si Gio.

It was a bad move nang utusan ko siya to spy on Gabrielle, dapat pala ako na lang ang gumawa nun. Since lumabas ako ng hospital, hindi ko na siya nakita or nakausap. Nakaban ang lahat ng communication, kahit TV bawal.

"Shit." Sigaw ko while clenching my fist. "How will the wedding save Gabrielle?"

Leighton shook her head. "Honestly, I don't know." Sagot niya sabay upo sa bench. "Bahala na."

Paanong bahala na? Paano kung magkatotoong ikasal kami? Paano na si Elle? Paano na... Her phone suddenly rang. Buti pa siya may phone. "Paris?" Tanong niya at napatayo sa gulat. "Paanong nasa ospital si Joshua? Eh nasa..." Her eyes widened in surprise at napatulala siya nang ibaba ang call.

"What happened?" I asked. She's starting to tear up kaya napaluhod ako sa harap niya. Although ayokong ikasal kay Leigh, I can't bear seeing her cry. Well, I can't bear seeing a girl cry. "Bakit?"

"Nasa hospital daw si Joshua." Sabi niya in between sobs. "This is all my fault. Kenjie, natatakot ako kay daddy, natatakot ako masaktan si Elle." She said and I nodded. Now, I understand her intentions. "Mahal ko si Joshua pero Kenjie..." She choked on her tears at agad kong hinawakan yung braso niya for comfort. "Paano na si Elle?"

Unconciously, napangiti ako. Although ganito ang situation namin, si Gabrielle pa rin ang iniisip niya. She's lucky to have a friend like Leighton ay ngayon, I vow to help her in any way I can.

Tumayo ako then lend a hand to her. "Tara, let's go to Joshua." I offered and she looked at me, hopeful. "Kasama mo ako kaya hindi magdududa ang dad mo." Kahit wala akong phone, may kotse pa rin ako and offered her a ride to the hospital.

Bago pa kami makarating sa kwarto ni Joshua, she stopped to hold my arm. "Kenjie, wag na." She said then sighed.

"Nandito na tayo, are we going to back out?"

"Nandyan yung girlfriend niya." Girlfriend niya? She stared at the young girl na nakaupo sa tabi ng hospital bed ni Joshua.

Pumasok ako sa loob although pinipigilan niya ako kaya napatingin sa amin yung babae. May lalake din na lumapit. "Leighton." Pagtawag niya kaya napalingon ako sa kasama ko. Kilala niya yung lalake? "Buti nandito ka."

Tinapik niya yung balikat ng babae. "Yanna, bili mo muna kami ng inumin." Utos niya sabay abot ng pera ng babae na lumabas naman ng kwarto. "Leighton, maupo ka." Sabi niya pero nakatingin pa rin si Leigh sa babaeng kadadaan lang. "Aah, si Yanna. Bunso namin."

I lightly glanced at Leighton who looked surprise. I saw Joshua stir at kitang kita yung cuts sa mukha niya maging yung bandages. "Kuya?" Tawag nung lalake at pumasok si Leigh sa kwarto para silipin si Joshua.

Instead of bothering about his brother, mas pinansin pa ni Joshua ang pagpasok ni Leigh and for second time tonight, nakita ko siyang umiyak. "Ang tanga tanga mo. Bakit ka nagoverspeeding?" Sigaw niya habang umiiyak.

Tinanong ko yung kapatid ni Joshua kung pwede kaming lumabas after kong marinig kay Joshua ang katagang, "Yes, my Leighton. Namiss din kita."

Tapos na ang trabaho ko for Leighton. Now, for Elle. If the wedding is the only way to save the girl I love, then I'll marry Leighton tomorrow.

Sana lang magkaroon kami ng maayos na plano para sa mission na 'to.