One Last Time

Kabanata XXXII: JUST A HISTORY

Just A History.
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       BUHAT AKO NI LEVI habang palabas kami ng hospital. May mga matang sumusunod sa'min, pero wala siyang pinansin sa mga ito. Diretso lang ang tingin niya sa daanan namin.

Ako naman ay tahimik lang na nakakapit sa balikat niya, nakatingin lang sa isang kamay kong nakayakap sa walking stick ko. I didn't bother glancing at him while he's carrying me.

Nang marating na namin ang sasakyan niya sa parking lot ng hospital ay mabilis niya itong binuksan at pinasok ako sa front seat.

“Saan mo gustong kumain?” Agad niyang tanong nang makaupo sa harap ng manibela.

“Ihatid mo na lang ako sa apartment, doon na lang ako kakain…” kaswal kong sagot. Tumitingin ako sa wristwatch ko at nakitang mag-aalas-dose na. “It's more convenient to eat at home. Besides, it's cheaper to eat at home than to eat outside." There's a practicality to what I said, but I'm not really concerned about spending money kung kakain ako sa labas. I'm actually concerned about the fact that I'll be with him.

"If you're concerned about the expenses, don't be. It's on me. I just want to have lunch with you," he said.

Nilingon ko siya at mataman siyang tiningnan. “Mainit. Ayokong magtagal dito sa labas, kaya please…ihatid mo na lang ako sa apartment ko. Doon ako kakain,” sumusukong pakiusap ko bago ako nagbawi ng tingin. Sinandal ko ang ulo ko sa headrest at pumikit.

I heard him let out a disappointed sigh before starting his car.

Habang nasa biyahe ay nagpanggap akong tulog dahil ayaw kong kausapin niya ako at humaba na naman ang usapan namin.

Mukhang naniwala naman siya. Hindi na siya nagsalita at nagpatuloy na lang sa pagmamaneho.

As soon as his car stopped in front of my apartment gate, I quickly unbuckled my seatbelt.

“Salamat sa paghatid." Kinuha ko ang walking stick ko at bumaba na ng kanyang sasakyan.

I heard him rushing out of the car. His movements are heavy, as if in a panic, that made his car bounce slightly as I shut the door behind me.

“Keira...” he called as he stood by the driver's seat, facing me on the other side with his car between us.

“Although I didn't really like it, I want to say thank you sa pagsama sa'kin sa hospital. Thanks for the encouragement too. I appreciate it. Thank you for what you've done to me today, but I think this will be the last time I go out with you. I'm going inside, Levi. Goodbye,” I said sincerely as I smiled at him one last time. There's a part of my heart that's aching, but I need to distance myself. I need to, or I'll get caught again. Hindi ko na hahayaan na magkaroon siya ulit ng epekto sa'kin.

Sa pagharang ng iilang hibla ng buhok sa mukha kong natatamaan ng araw nang dumaan ang malakas na hangin, I turned away from him. Limang hakbang palayo sa kanya at palapit sa nakabukas na gate, nakita kong nakabukas ang pinto ng apartment ko. Tita Norin is here.

I pushed the gate open, but before I could step in, he called me again.

“Keira...” he hoarsely called out, forcing me to face him. His bloodshot eyes were now fixed on me—they're showing a mix of longing, pain, and other emotions I couldn't name.

I opened my mouth. Magsasalita sana ako nang marinig ko ang boses ni Tita Norin sa likod ko.

“Dear, mabuti't nakauwi ka na—”

Mabilis akong humarap kay Tita at nakita ang seryosong tingin niya kay Levi.

“You are…” Tita uttered, hindi patanong kundi kumpirmasyon sa ideya niya kung sino ang kasama ko.