Still Not Over (Over, #2)

Chapter 5

--- 05 : Unexpected Visitor ---

Alam n'yo ba ang feeling na parang ang tagal n'yo nang magkakilala kahit na ilang beses pa lang kayong nagkikita? Ewan ko kung bakit pero ganoon ang nararamdaman ko ngayon.

The silence wasn't uncomfortable but I could feel the tension in the air. I glanced at his direction and I saw him reading the journal. Naalala ko naman ang nabasa kong entry dati.

Sana maayos pa natin 'to. Sana, tayo pa rin hanggang sa huli. Pero hindi ko alam kung dapat pa ba akong umasa. Sabihin mo nga? Kailangan ko na bang magmove on? O may chance pa para magkabalikan tayo?

Napaisip tuloy ako kung ano ang nangyari sa kanila ni Kris Leila. I know that I don't have any business with them but I was curious. After our first meeting, even though I didn't want to admit it at first, Andrew has always been in my mind. I don't know if it was because of that, that I keep seeing him or maybe fate is really playing a game with me.

Bigla naman siyang lumingon at hindi ko agad naiwas ang tingin ko. Our eyes met each other and my heart thumped nervously.

"May I also ask you a question?" he asked.

"W-what is it?"

"Bakit hindi kita nakikita dati rito?"

His question felt like a spear piercing through my heart. I averted his gaze and looked at Kyle's grave.

"I was afraid," I mumbled. "Natakot akong harapin ang katotohanan kaya umalis ako. Ilang taon pa ang lumipas bago ako nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob para bumalik."

"I see. I guess he's happy that you're finally here," sabi naman niya at saka siya ngumiti.

"No. Maybe he's sad or mad. It took me five years to finally face him."

"But at least, you have the courage to face your fear. To step forward."

Natahimik naman ako pagkatapos niyang sabihin 'yon. I was actually moved by his words because I know that he understands me more than anyone. After all, we experienced the same tragedy, the same pain. Siguro kaya malapit din ang loob ko sa kanya ay dahil pareho kami.

Nanatili pa ako ro'n ng ilang minuto at nang tinignan ko ay oras ay tumayo na ako. Napatingin naman siya sa akin.

"Aalis ka na?" tanong niya at bigla namang kumabog ang dibdib ko.

"Mm," sabay tango ko.

"Ingat," he said with a concerned smile.

Ngumiti rin ako at pagkatapos no'n ay naglakad na ako palayo pero nakakailang hakbang pa lang ay tumigil din ako. I turned around and I wasn't expecting him looking at me . . . but he was.

"Hey uhm, Andrew," I called and saying his name felt weird. "I'll return your handkerchief another time. Thank you for lending it again and sorry for using it twice."

He smiled after I said those words and I felt something different . . . something that seemed like I have forgotten through the years.

"Sure, Sabrina."

"Sab," I said. "You can call me Sab."

"Okay, Sab."

My heart suddenly skipped a bit and in that moment, I knew something was already different.

***

Nandito na ako ngayon sa condo at nakatulala lang ako sa view mula sa kwarto ko. The city lights below were beautiful but my mind can't appreciate it right now.