Pauline's POV
"Happy birthday, ate!" I blowed the party horn repeatedly and I wasn't planning to stop if ate Tey didn't throw a pillow at me, playfully.
"Ugh. It's too early Ponggay!" She groaned, but her smile says otherwise.
"Duh! That's the whole purpose of it. For me to be the first one to greet you." I flopped down next to her. "Happy Birthday, ate." I whispered softly, snuggling closer to her.
"Thank you." She whispered hugging me back.
Our eyes are glued on the ceiling, not talking. And I noticed how slowly, my sister's eyes became sad, I don't have to ask why for I already know the reason behind it.
Maddie's still not here. She used to do this for ate, with me. We did the same thing last year, when she was still here.
My mind went to the time I found out she left, the time where ate and I talked.
Flashback
I just received a text from Deanna, I realized how powerful a single text can be. Imagine, that text alone managed to shater my heart, dreams and even my life.
Maddie left and she took my favorite part of my life with her. I know we're not talking but her going away is a lot harder. No one knows where she is, not even ate Bea.
I can't blame her though, I can't be mad at her. I can only imagine how hard this situation is for her.
And even if we haven't talked since the day in my room, I know Maddie is still thinking about my well-being. Until the end she made sure to put me first. And that alone made me love her more than I already do.
"Ponggay." My sister who have a puffy nose and eyes entered my room.
I froze, ate and I haven't had a conversation since she found out. I watch her walk the remaining distance between us.
When I saw how sad, broken and lost she is, I was quick to stand up and meet her with a hug.
"Maddie's not here anymore." She said in a small voice.
"I know." I have to close my eyes while saying that to endure the pain.
"I miss my best friend." Her voice quivered.
In this moment we have to forget we're in love with the same person. That she's in love with her best friend, and I am too.
We both need a sister. That's what we are right now. We will always be that.
Days, weeks and a month had passed. Ate Tey and I had a different way of coping up with the new situation. Separately we mend our broken hearts that got broken by the same reason, same situation, just different perspective.
But at the end of the day, we will both turn to each other. No one will understand me better than she will.
"I'm sorry, ate." I sincerely said, while we stare at the horizon our feet dipped in the pool.
"For what?" She asked turning her head towards me.
"For ruining it, your friendship with Maddie."
"Pong, I should be the one saying sorry. You didn't ruin anything, I'm the one who ruined our friendship. In fact, I'm the one who caused us problems." She smiled defeated.
"Ate..."
"Ponggay, if I only talked to Maddie we won't reach this point. Hind sana siya umalis. It was late when I realized that I shouldn't be mad at her or you. In the first place, hindi kami, never naging kami." Ate let out a bitter smile and my heart ached for her.
