"coffee or tea?" | one-shot story

coffee or tea?

☕️/🍵

He furrowed his eyebrows and ran his fingers through his slightly dishevelled hair. I can tell how frustrated he is by the way he is breathing.

Gosh, Alex, please don't make this hard for me.

"You can't quit your studies, you're the top of your class," I reminded him because the past events were telling me nakalimutan niya na, "It's unlikely of you to text while class is going on, and that didn't happen once, Alex."

He sighed exaggeratedly, "It's not like it's an unimportant matter-"

I widened my eyes and looked at him incredulously, hindi ako makapaniwalang kaya niyang sabihin iyon.

"What the heck, Alex?! Texting is important to you?"

"Texting you is important to me!"

I shook my head and constantly thought if what's happening right now is even making sense. Never, in the span of time that I have met such a righteous man like him, will I even dream of hearing him say those words.

It's not even sweet anymore, it's just plain ridiculous.

"You can't quit basketball too, you're the captain of th-"

"Watch me quit basketball for you," he smirked a sarcastic smirk. Sinasabi niya iyong mga salitang iyon na para bang iyon ang pinakamadaling gawin sa buong mundo.

This is why I'm doing this. He's not even giving importance to the things that he used to love! It's like I'm the only thing that matters to him now, and that's not good, especially in a relationship.

"No, you won't do that for me. You won't quit basketball," I said with finality, "That's your passion! Bago pa ako dumating sa buhay mo, nagbabasketball ka na."

"It's not about what or who came first, Keera, it's about what or who matters most," he looked at my eyes like it's the only thing he could see, "and in my case, that's you."

Unbelievable.

I didn't know how many times I've shook my head pero I still did it.

I'd be lying if I tell you I don't feel anything after he's said that. I'm at the edge of my seat, trying to contain my feelings. Kung pwede lang na iwan ang lahat para lang sa kanya, at ganon din siya sakin, bakit hindi di ba? Pero let's be rational.

In order to grow, we must make mature decisions and breaking up with him would be mine.

"So the only thing that you can quit on, which would be much easier I tell you, is our relationship."

Katahimikan.

The moment I met his eyes and he didn't say anything is the moment I prayed that he'll consider this. This is not easy for me! Although it may seem that it is.

The reason I've been so brave to tell him about these is because I'm thinking about his future — I'm the only thing who's keeping him from having a good one.

It's been almost a minute or two before he finally spoke, "Why do you keep putting words in my mouth?"

I wanted to retort, I really did. But the way his eyes expressed more feelings than one, I fought the urge to.

"Why do you think you can decide for the both of us?"

This time I couldn't fight it, I had to defend myself, "I'm not! I'm just trying to tell you what would be the easier way to get through this!"

"And that is breaking up?!" pinasadahan niyang muli ng mga dalira niya ang buhok niya, making it messier, "You're telling me to break up? To quit on this relationship so I can focus on the things that should matter?!"

I couldn't say anything. The words that were once supposed to come out of my mouth, nilulunok ko na ngayon. He's making this hard for me!

"That's deciding for the both of us! You're persuading me to do something na ikaw lang ang may gusto!"

Napatalon ako ng onti nang hampasin niya ang table while saying the last word. Nasaan na ba ang tapang ko?

"Making me choose between you and the things that are important?" he faked a laugh and I may be exaggerating pero it sent shivers down my spine.

"Bullsht. You know it will always be you pero you're still doing this to me."

Umiling siya na parang hindi siya makapaniwala sa mga nangyayari. Why wouldn't he expect this? I've been constantly telling him to keep his shit together pero ano? Hinayaan niya umabot sa puntong ito.

I had to take matters to my own hands because he himself couldn't do it. I'm only thinking about what's best for him and this relationship isn't helping at all.

Matagal ko na itong pinag-isipan. Nasasaktan ako tuwing iniisip kong kailangan naming maghiwalay dahil hindi na maganda ang dulot nito sa kanya, pero mas nasasaktan ako kapag iniisip kong magpapatuloy kami pero masisira ang kinabukasan niya.

Tinignan ko siyang mabuti. Nakasandal na siya ngayon sa couch na inuupuan niya, parang pagod na pagod sa lahat ng nangyayari.

I can't let him see how hurt I am to see him this devastated.

I'm sorry, Alex. I love you.

"Baby naman," now his voice sounded so down. He also looked so down and I couldn't look at him anymore because I might hug him, tell him how much I love him, and just leave it at that. Wag na tayo maghiwalay.

Pero hindi talaga eh.

"Baby, you're making me choose tea over coffee when you know how much I love coffee."

I looked at him with sad eyes, "Alex, I'm sorry, but too much coffee is bad for you."

And the moment his eyes left mine to fight back the tears that were urging to spill, that's when I left him. I couldn't stand seeing him so sad.

To say it hurt would be an understatement.

Hays. We shouldn't have used metaphors so it won't remind of this break up.

☕️/🍵