"OKAY, NOW, tell us what's wrong, Autumn? We are perfectly sure now that you've been dodging Caleb. Spit it out."
Autumn inwardly groaned with Krysalle's question. She knew that sooner or later, her friends would notice that she and Caleb have some issues going on. That dreadful day surely came.
Nasa kwarto ni Autumn silang apat na magkakaibigan. It was Saturday and they were having some girl bonding time. Mani-pedi ang ideya nila sa araw na iyon.
Ikatatlong araw na ng pag-iwas ni Autumn sa binata. Kahit sa school ay hindi sila nagkakasalubong. It's as if Caleb was taking the initiative to get loose and avoid her. Lihim iyon na ipinagpapasalamat ng dalaga dahil hindi pa siya handa na harapin si Caleb. Marami pa siyang iniisip at sa tingin niya ay hindi makakatulong kung sa tuwina ay palagi niya itong nakikita.
Kahit hindi niya pinlano ay tila nag-lie low rin pati ang buong pamilya ni Caleb. Autumn respected them even more for doing that.
But Autumn cannot deny one thing that was obvious. She misses Caleb. Magkaharap lamang ay mga bahay nila ngunit ni hindi man lang niya ito makita. It's as if a wall was built separating them. Alam niya na hindi sa ganoong paraan maaaring matapos ang kanilang pagkakaibigan. Kumbaga sa ibang normal na mag-best friend, they were in the rough patch of their relationship.
Autumn always thought that this too, shall pass. Alam niyang malalagpasan nila ito ni Caleb. She was thankful that her friends were sensitive enough to act discreet around her.
Pero umiba na yata ang ihip ng hangin sa araw na iyon. Autumn knew that she has to tell her friends that they were having some best friend problems.
Napilitan si Autumn na ikwento sa tatlo na may kaunting hindi pagkakaunawaan sila ni Caleb. Sinabi niya lamang na hindi niya gustong pag-usapan ang rason ng kanilang hindi pagkakaunawaan. Of course, she excluded the part where Caleb was a fallen angel and he grew some gorgeous black wings. She wasn't dumb. Caleb kept on telling her in particular to keep the secret to herself. She ought to keep it indeed. Hindi niya gusto na mailagay sa panganib si Caleb at ang pamilya nito kung ipagsasabi niya sa iba ang katauhan ng pamilya. She must keep it even from her three closest girl friends.
"I know you two will get over this. Kayo pa. You practically grew up with each other," konsola sa kanya ni Louise.
"Louise is right, Autumn. Hindi ito ang una at malamang hindi rin ito ang huling pagkakataon na magkakaroon kayo ng problema sa pagkakaibigan niyo. Just remember that we'll always be here for you," Cielo said thoughtfully.
Napa-group hug sila ng wala sa oras.
Natawa siya nang mapatili si Krysalle dahil nasira ang basa pa nitong nail polish sa kamay.
All in all, their day was quite fun. Her friends decided to have a sleep over. They spent the whole night watching chickflick and sad movies. Nang sumapit ang hatinggabi ay mugto ang mata nilang apat. They cried a river after watching 'The Notebook' and 'Lost Valentine' twice-in-a-row.
Naghahanda na silang matulog na apat nang makatanggap ng isang text message si Autumn. It was from Caleb.
I hope you're okay. I just want you to know that I miss you so much. Goodnight, love.
Autumn was unaware that a tear escaped from her eyes. She immediately wiped it off before her friends could notice.
Kahit gustong-gusto niya mang mag-reply sa binata ay pinigilan ni Autumn ang sarili. Replying to his message would defeat the purpose of her avoidance to him.
The message, though, warmed Autumn's heart. She missed him so much pero dapat muna niyang bigyan ng space ang sarili. It would be her way of coping.
Maingat niyang ipinatong ang cellphone sa kanyang side table.
BINABASA MO ANG
THE WATCHERS TRILOGY: Caleb (book I)
Romance"One day, he just woke up realizing that Autumn wasn't just his Mortal Half, she was his other half." Some angels are meant to walk amongst us. Some have a purpose to fulfill; a duty to uphold; and a human to protect. But what will you do if you rea...
