Tears Of An Angel

Chapter 28

Chapter 28: Missing you is the hardest thing I've got to deal with everyday.

Ilang beses akong tinanong ni Mikey kung bakit bigla akong nag-desisyon na umuwi na. She asked if it was because of Vince and Lisette, but I shook my head and told her that I just wanted to go home. 

"Kahit hindi mo sabihin sa akin ay alam ko na si Vince ang dahilan kaya gusto mo ng umuwi," Mikey said with a sigh while helping me pack my clothes. 

"Best, he's not the reason. May kailangan pa kasi akong gawin."

"Could've fooled me."

Hindi na ako umimik. I just sighed. Habang pababa ay natanaw ko si Vince sa may sala at mataman siyang nakatingin sa akin. I couldn't read the emotions I saw in his eyes. I stopped in front of him. Nabaling ang tingin niya sa maleta ko na bitbit ni Bob. His forehead creased. Nauna ng lumabas sina Bob at Mikey. 

"Where are you going?" halos hindi bumubuka ang bibig na tanong niya.

"I'm going back to Manila," I said above whisper. 

He clenched his jaw. "Why don't you stay longer?"

Ngumiti ako ng tipid. "I can't."

Dumilim ang mukha niya. "You can, but you just won't.. just like before. Nothing has really changed," he said bitterly.

I swallowed the hurt. I wanted to explain and tell him the truth, but Lisette was right; it would ruin him, and I love him too much to let that happen. 

"It's for the better."

Walang kibong iniwan niya ako. Tinatagan ko ang loob kahit gusto ko ng tumakbo papunta sa kanya at ipaliwanag ang lahat. I wanted to ask him to come back to me, but I couldn't. Nanghihinang lumabas na ako at sumakay sa sasakyan ni Mikey.

A tear rolled down my cheek as I watched my best friend walk down the aisle to marry Bob. I honestly felt so happy for her but at the same time I couldn't help but think about the could've beens with Vince. I wiped my tears then accidentally met his gaze. He was looking at me intently. 

God, I wish I could have him back in my life. I felt a stab in my heart when he looked away. Pinili ko ito, dapat ko ng sanayin ang sarili ko sa sakit ng katotohanan na hinding-hindi ko na siya mababawi, katulad ng katotohanan na hindi na niya ako mapapatawad.

I touched the promise ring that Vince gave me. Kahit kailan ay hindi ko ito hinubad. Ginawa ko siyang pendant ng kwintas ko. 

"Best! Kasal na talaga ako!" tili ni Mikey ng lapitan ko siya para batiin at yakapin. 

"I'm so happy for you, best," I said with a smile. "Ikaw na ang bahala sa best friend ko," I told Bob.

"Don't worry, I will tame this naughty best friend of yours."

"Ah ganon!" Siniko pa siya ni Mikey.

Natawa na lang ako sa kanila pero kaagad din akong natigilan ng lumapit si Vince para batiin ang bagong kasal. He didn't even spare me a glance. 

"Mr. Anderson, baka naman po pwedeng pasabay ang best friend ko? Wala kasi siyang sasakyan papunta sa reception."

Bigla akong napaangat ng tingin. "B-best, pwede naman akong sumabay ki-"

"Let's go," he said coldly. Maang na nasundan ko na lang siya ng tingin. Tumigil siya at kunot ang noong nilingon ako. "What are you waiting for?"

Mikey pushed me forward. "Alis na daw kayo, best! Dali na!"