Always Been You

Twenty two

Old friends

Pabagsak akong naupo sa sofa ng living room sa apartment ko.  Inihagis ko ang purse ko sa glass center table.  Shit.  That was close!  Naihilamos ko ang mga palad sa aking mukha.  I felt so damn frustrated.  Buti na lang agad akong nakapagpaalam na pumuntang powder room at mabilis na umalis bago ko pa kami magkakitaan ang mukha ni Matthew in full view.  which is I won't allow it to happen.  Not in my dear life now. 

Sumandal ako sa pagkaupo at patingalang pumikit. God! Abot langit ang kaba ko dahil dun.

Ganoon ko inalagaan galit sa kanya?  That even just the sight of him annoys me. I don't know.  

The days go on like nothing such disturbing encounter happened.  I jog along the calm street of Adams. This is the best way to distress myself from overthinking things which will cause no good for me.  

Same daily routine I used to do.  I eat light breakfast, toasted vegan sandwich and lemonade.  

When I reached my favoritr coffee shop, I ordered a take out coffee on my way to the hospital.  This will make me through the day I guess.  

But something is off today. I of calling  my mother later when I get home.  

I was in the middle of reviewing a new patient's profile referred to me by a cardiologist when a heard someone cleared the throat.  Surprisingly, Josef Marco at Paula Kaye are here!  Napatakip ako sa bibig ko.  I can't believe they are here.  Halos maiyak ako sa sobrang tuwang naramdaman.  

Agad kong binaba ang eyeglasses.  I only wear it to prevent myself from eye draining.  They are both in their wide smile while looking at me.  Probably, the feeling of missing each other just flooded now.

Tinakbo ko sila at niyakap si Kaye.  what a good timing.  She is like a heaven-sent in my sorrow days.  I need a friend now.  Mas lalo ko pang hinigpitan ang pagyakap sa kanya.

Humalakhak siya, "I know you missed me pero huwag mo naman akong durugin."  ungot pa niya.

"Sorry, it's just... I-I mean... masaya lang ako. S-sobra." nauutal ko pang sagot matapos siya bitawan. "What brought you two here?"

"We're visiting my folks and ate of course." masayang sagot niya sa akin.  Her beauty radiates happiness and peace.  Maaninag ang kasiyahan sa buong mukha niya.  She looks blooming as well.  Halatang alaga ito ni Josef.  Buti pa sila...

Niyaya nila akong lumabas.  Wala akong makitang alibi.  Isa pa, she has been a good friend of mine.  tsaka, missed being with them for so long.

We dined in the restaurant near my place.  "So, what's the catch?" bulong ko sa kanya kahit na wala naman sa table namin si Josef kasi sumaglit sa labas kasi may kausap sa phone.  She showed me her left hand. Kuminang duon ang diamond engagement ring niya. 

Napatakip ako ng bibig.  Halos maluha ako sa nakita.  "You're getting married?!" It's expexted but still it came to me as a surprise.  I mean knowing how uncertain she is with her relationship to Josef due to some women linked issues. 

Ganoon lang din yata ang problema kapag makarelasyon mo ay nasa larangan ng music lalo na sa banda.  They are much prone to women going after them. 

Well, been there.  Kahit pa nga hindi pa siya actively involved in music that time.  Paano na lang ngayon.

"Hey." puno ng pag-alala ang mukha ni Kaye nung tiningnan ko siya.  Umiling lang ako.

"I'm so happy for both of you." I tried harder to mask my heavyheart. 

"Hi ladies" Josef sounded cheerful when he came back and seated beside his fancee.  He kissed her right away on the cheek.  "What the two of you been talking about?" He is eyeing us with curiosity.

"I just showed her my engagement ring." She sweetly lean on his shoulder while giggling like a three year old girl.  Ngayon ko lang nakita na ganoon kalambing si Kaye kay Josef.  Kaya nga pumayag na siyang magpakasal di ba.

"So, when is the big day?" Tanong ko sa dalawa.

"I will be on June." Kaye answered.  That's barely eight months from now! Well, not bad for the wedding preparation. 

We talked about random things over dinner.  But what Kaye suddenly asked caught me off-guard "do you have a plan of going back home?"