Time

Part 2

It's a lovely day. The sun is shining brightly. The streets are as busy as usual, but something just didn't feel right. It is nearing 10:30 in the morning and Potato Squad is in their favorite coffee shop. Everyone's there except Ylona, which is weird because she was always on time before. They were supposed to meet thirty minutes ago.

"Hey, Darren. Asan na daw si Ylona?" AC asked.

"I seriously don't know. She hasn't texted me since last night." Darren said, slightly exasperated.

"Guys, would you just chill? Ang O.A. nyo naman! I'm  sure she'll be here any minute."  Kyle said. 

He was busy surveying the room when he spotted a familiar face. 

"Look oh! It's Ate Cha. See? I told you guys she was going to come. There was no point in worrying." Kyle said positively.

Ate Cha approached them.

But no 'Ylona' came into view.

"Ate, where's Ylona?" Darren asked, eagerly waiting for an answer.

Ate Cha fished out a folded paper from her bag and handed it to them. "She won't be coming but she wanted me to give this to you."

"She could've just texted us. Pumunta ka pa tuloy dito. Hay, si Ylona talaga!" AC said, giggling.

Ate Cha just gave her a tight smile. "Just read the letter, guys."

Darren quickly snatched the letter and read it.

"Hi Potato Squad! I'm sorry hindi ako makakapunta. By the time na binabasa nyo ito, baka nasa Sydney na ako..."

"What?!" Darren asked. "Why is she in Australia? How could she just leave?!"

"Try to calm down, D. I'll read it for you so you could digest each and every word. Please, do try to understand her." Ate Cha said before continuing to read the letter.

"...I'm sorry I didn't (or couldn't) say goodbye. I just really had to go. But before I go into the details kung bakit ako umalis, I would like to thank you guys. Thank you for accepting me for who I am. Thank you for bearing with my madness. Salamat kasi pinaramdam nyong katanggap-tanggap ako. You guys are my ball of hope, my light in the darkest days, my rainbow after every storm. Thank you for loving and supporting me. 

It's just that, recently, I've been going through a lot at hindi ko na kinakaya. It's the stress and pressure. Tapos nandyan pa yung mga bashers. I know lagi nyong sinasabi na huwag na lang silang pansinin pero sometimes, words just sting. Words just cut deep. Don't ever think na nagkulang kayo kasi the love that you have given me is more than enough. I just need to do this for myself. I know I'm being selfish pero I just have to go through this on my own para I can be stronger...for me...for us.

Mahal na mahal ko kayo. I will always cherish the moments that we shared. Eto ang gagamitin kong inspirasyon habang nagrerecover ako. Habang nasa Sydney ako, I'll be going through several talk therapies. I don't know kung gaano katagal akong mawawala. I'm going to momentarily distance myself from everything that reminds me of the life I have there. Syempre I'll try to give updates from time to time. 

I'm sorry that our friendship has to suffer. Again, I know I'm being very selfish pero I still hope you would understand me. I can understand kung sasama loob nyo pero I hope you could find a reason to forgive me. Kung magkakaroon kayo ng new circle of friends, I would totally understand. No hard feelings.

AC, you have been such a great friend and sister. Now that you're the only girl left, I know it will be hard. You'll need to step up kasi kailangan mo ng maging 'mom firend'. Take care of the boys. Ikaw na bahala sa kanila. I love you!

Kyle, keep on being strong. Continue to protect this friendship. Dapat buo pa rin kayo kapag bumalik ako. Always be happy, huwag magpapadala sa mga bashers. Kahit anumang mangyare, always remember na nandito kami to support you. Take care, bro!" 

Ate Cha ended.

They couldn't believe what they just heard. AC was about to cry any moment now. The boys were just staring into the blank space. 

"What about me? Wala ba syang message para sa akin? Anything???" Darren asked.

"She recorded a video. She wants you to hear it."

Darren quickly took it and put his earphones. Without second doubts, he clicked 'play'. 

There appeared the face of the girl he loves. The girl was bearing the very familiar smile which he loved. There and then, tears run down his face. Ylona wasn't even speaking yet, she was just waving at the camera, but he couldn't control himself anymore. Who would knew that last night was his last chance to give Ylona the warmest hug he could give.

"Hi Big D! If you're crying right now, dry those tears up. Sige ka magtatampo ako. Pero kung hindi, keep it up! Don't be sad okay? I'm sorry I couldn't say goodbye personally. Hindi ko kasi ata kakayanin. I just don't want to give us a harder time. Gaya nga ng sabi ko, I'm sorry kasi naging selfish ako sa desisyong ito, pero I really need this. I hope na maiintindihan mo ko. Don't ever think na nagkulang ka because that is not true! You are the person who made me feel special. You're my best friend, my knight in shining armor, my travel/movie/concert buddy, my unicorn, my protector...you are my everything Darren. Thank you kasi ikaw ang isa sa mga rason kung bakit kinakaya ko pa rin itong hamon ng buhay. Don't let this sudden change affect you too much, okay? 

Continue to inspire others. Magpasaya ka ng mga tao pero also remember to be happy din. What we have is beyond special. Our label might not be clear but one thing is for sure. Our feelings for each other were crystal clear. I guess I'm sorry becuase our love wasn't given the chance to blossom properly. But who knows, right? Maybe some other time, we could take that chance.

 Pero I don't want you to be tied down sa isang malabong usapan kaya naman, I'm setting you free, Darren. Be happy, okay? I will always love you, my Weirdo...

From your girl, YG!"

The video ended.

"No, that can't be it! Ylona! Please say something else. Nagmamaka-awa ako. Please...I love you..."

Darren repeated the video several times in hopes that Ylona would say something else...

He was desperate but he doesn't care. He just needed something more...

But it was just the same clip over and over again.

There and then, Darren realized that this was a temporary goodbye.

He was hurting but he couldn't do anything.

Rain started pouring. The once bright sky was now a sea of grey, stormy clouds. The howling of the wind can be heard inside. Everything seemed to get darker as if all energy was drained out. Everything was gloom all of a sudden.

Darren looked at the window. How ironic it is that the weather reflected the storm he had inside. 

He was a mess, a chaos. 

Silence reigned as he gazed at the raindrops dripping on the window.

"Mahal na mahal kita Ylona..."