See You Someday [ON-GOING]

24

my toes

:ONE YEAR LATER:

Ivan's POV

Six pm na pero bat hindi pa siya lumalabas?

*arf! arf!*

I rolled my eyes on the dog. "I told you to stop shouting at me. I had a bad day, doggo."

Sinisigawan na niya yata ako. Baka pinapaalis na niya ko kasi kanina pa ko dito. Should I just go in? I don't wanna disturb her tho. I know she's working so I'll just wait here. Yeah that's better.

I was about to open my phone so I could call her when I saw the lights inside the store went off. Finally. Lumabas siya pero mukhang hindi niya ko napansin. She slowly pulled the roll up door and padlocked it. I even saw her check it if it's really locked. Sigurista. She was about to leave when she me standing alone here beside my car.

"Kanina ka pa diyan? Bat parang malungkot—"

I didn't let her finish whatever she wanted to say and I gently put my arms around her waist and rested my head on hers. I hope she doesn't mind if I suddenly hugged her. We're not usually like this, did I freak her out?

"Remember Jerry?" I asked, still hugging her.

"Bakit?"

"Wala na siya, Grace. I feel so sorry for him that I couldn't do more to save him. He was a strong kid pero hindi na kinaya ng katawan niya." My voice sounds so gay but who fucking cares? How can I be a good doctor if I get so affected with my dying patients? Jerry made me laugh so much because of how goofy he is. I'm so emotional baka nga bakla ako but no. Bukod kina Gio, Atom and Air, I always wanted a baby brother or a sister and I only experience having one with my patients. "I just need a hug right now. I'm thankful I have my favorite girl right now."

"Sigurado ako, nakakapaglaro na siya ng masigla sa heaven." I felt Grace hug me back.

With her simple words, I felt better. Tama si Grace. Imagining Jerry playing happily wherever he is right now, I think I'm no more sad. Grace never fails to make things lighter. I'm actually running to her for like a year now. I found a girl friend in her and I never thought I'd be close with a girl.

~

Grace's POV

"Kain muna tayo." Nakangusong sambit ni Ivan. Matatanggihan ko ba naman yan? Magtetext na lang ako kina Kuya Gab na malelate ako ng uwi ngayon.

Dumaan kami sa isang restaurant at nag-take out ng pagkain. Nang tumigil sa pagdadrive si Ivan ay sinilip ko kung nasaan kami.

"Bakit hindi na lang tayo doon sa restaurant at dito pa sa park?" Tanong ko sa kanya nang makababa na kami. Inagaw niya sakin ang dala kong plastic na may lamang pagkain at naunang maglakad.

"Nakita ko kasi sina Atom at Air." Tumatawang sagot niya. "Baka magpalibre lang yun e. I'm fine with you today. Wag na sila."

Itinago ko ang ngiti ko. Mas naging close kami ni Ivan ngayon. Madalas kaming magkita pero hindi naman araw-araw. Mas naging komportable rin ako sa kanya. Mukhang natupad nga ang hiling ko na sana hindi mawala sa buhay ko si Ivan.