Say You Won't Let Go (Donny Pangilinan)

Chapter 25

Donny

Days, weeks, months passed, Sophie and I got to know more of each other. Yung way ng pagkilala ko sa kanya is way more different than Danielle's. I'm not comparing but hey, mas naging comfortable ako sa isang tulad ni Sophie na walang arte and such. Ang bait talaga ni Bro sa akin. Thank You so much! It is really a good feeling that someone really puts their trust in you, and you promise each other that whatever happens, you'll still be the same.

"Your family is goals. Like sometimes, I imagine myself in your position but I guess it won't happen again in my entire life.", Sophie said while eating ice cream. We're at the parking lot on The Yard, at the back of my car, just chilling, but then I heard sadness in her voice making me move closer to her. "Enough about me, Sophie. Ikaw naman, you make kwento. I've been sharing too much and I barely heard more about you.", I slowly said. She then looked at me with a forced smile and I did the same. "Okay.", she whispered and took a deep breath before talking again. We first looked for a place to sit before she started to make kwento again. "Before anything else, I just want to say that I'm really not an open book.", she started, and I gave her a nod then she continued. "So, yun nga, most of the people at school looks up to me but I can't even look at myself in the mirror and say that everything is okay.", she paused, I kept quiet nalang muna. "Mom is busy, she doesn't even know what I'm feeling. My only sister was taken away from me. My dad left my mom and I. And the reason of all this? It's because of me. The fact that I'm still breathing this damn air. Bakit pa kasi ako nabuhay?", I was shookt. She was looking down, ready to tear up but then I held her hand. "And kaya siguro ako iniwan ni Josh is because 'di naman ako worth it na pahalagahan at mapanindigan kaya puro kasinungalingan abot ko.", she added. "I tell myself na susubukan ko ulit, mas maging matapang, mas lumaban, para sa sarili ko. Pero sa dulo? Ako pa rin yung talo.", I can't take this anymore. I transferred to the vacant seat next to her and hugged her, letting her cry on my shoulder. "I'm so sorry, Sophie. I didn't know.", for a girl who really looked so strong, is hiding a weak spot. "Tahan ka na, please? May sasabihin ako sa'yo.", she still didn't stopped. :( "Sophie, I know hindi naman ata ako siguro yung right person to tell you this but hey, you matter. To Tita Chelle, Maui, Solana, Hannah, Benj, ate Ella, my parents, Janina, Claui, Marga, Hans, Chris, etc. and of course, to me.", she kind of stopped crying. "Please don't blame yourself, it was never your fault. The pain you've been feeling can't compare to the joy that's coming.", I smiled at her and run a hand through her hair. "These are obstacles to find out where you really belong, and Sophie? Life is worth living. You may have asked yourself kung bakit ka nabuhay? It's because of Him. He brought you to this world to explore, not to end it. Kung wala ka, paano na ako? What would I do since you're one of the reasons why I learned to love again?",

(disclaimer: PAHINGI PO NAMAN NG ISANG DONNY PANGILINAN huhu naiiyak ako)

"Come to think of it, Max. Maybe the reason why he left you is because He has something better for you. And you deserve so much more. Malay mo a-", and malay mo ako 'yon. Wow, perfect timing, my phone started ringing.

"Yes, hello? Okay okay, we'll be waiting. Yup, she's with me. Great! Thank you, see you!", my cousins, Timo, RJ, Joey, and Josh just called because they'll also be here at The Yard, and Josh + RJ will be performing since there's an acoustic band playing on the upper portion of the food park.

"And yeah, always remember that I got you and I'll never ever leave you.", was my last words as I took a glance on Sophie. "So, cheer up na ha? Maraming nagmamahal sa'yo." at isa ako sa mga taong 'yon. 'Di ko palang masabi kasi maaga pa.. I'll wait wait for a month or two.

Sophie

Every word that I've been longing to hear, Donny mentioned all of it. I can't help but cry because no one knows about this, only me. And I'm thankful that Donny was the one who heard everything, and I know I can trust him on this.