Two years ago...
I'm at UPTC about to buy some baking materials for my Mom when I bumped into someone.
She was clearly distraught because she kept saying sorry while looking down and her voice sounded familiar but broken.
"Sorry," I said. But then I got a glimpse of her face. "Jia?"
She looked up and all kinds of emotions reflected in her eyes that I couldn't exactly follow because it changed too fast. And she hugged me tightly.
I hugged her back.
"Hey. What's wrong?" I asked.
I haven't seen Jia in a while and this wasn't exactly how we usually meet.
Jia only tightened her hug a bit before moving back and grabbing my hand.
"Bea, pwede mo ba akong samahan? Please."
The desperation in her voice got me so worried that I nodded my head. I don't think I can let Jia out of my sight when she's like that.
Jia kept holding my hand as she started to walk, leading the way.
I wanted to ask her what the problem was but there was something in her posture that told me not to. Besides, Jia's the kind of person who'd tell you things when she's ready.
Jia led us to a restaurant, hers and Miguel's favorite, if I remember correctly.
We went to the inner part of the restaurant where there were less people and I saw Miguel. He had his head bowed down so he didn't see us until we were practically standing in front of him.
He was surprised to see me and I awkwardly greeted him with a wave of my hand that Jia wasn't holding. His eyes darted to our clasped hands and I bet he noticed my hand was pale already because Jia's grip was freaking tight.
Miguel stood up, seemingly weak. "Jia," his voice was pleading.
"I can't, Miguel. I'm sorry. My decision is final. We're over."
Jia said it so fast I wasn't sure I heard her right but the way Miguel's face turned ghostly pale told me it was exactly what I heard.
Even before Miguel, or I for that matter, could react, Jia let go of my hand and ran away.
Miguel and I stood there like statues. But Miguel was like a broken one.
When I got back to my senses, I just mumbled something incoherent to Miguel as goodbye. I went rushing after Jia.
But seriously, I was shocked! I mean, what the fuck did I just witness?
That couldn't be JiaGuel's break up, could it?
Gago. JiaGuel doesn't break up.
There must be some kind of explanation.
But more importantly, I needed to find Jia. Baka kung ano pa mangyari doon.
Luckily, I caught a glimpse of her running towards an exit and I ran faster to catch up to her. I did, several meters from the exit.
I grabbed her by the arm and God, when she turned to me, the sight broke my heart. Jia was crying. Tears kept falling from her eyes and quiet sobs escaped her lips.
I hugged her briefly before holding her hand this time. I led us to my car in the parking lot. She followed me without question. I made sure she was seated on the passenger seat comfortably before I went to the driver's seat.
That's when Jia's sobs turned louder.
She wasn't saying anything. She was just crying. Her fists where clenched on her lap and her head was bowed down.
