When Our Paths Cross Again

3. Keep that in mind

LOU's POV

After the homecoming party, I was in my new room when I got a call from Shawntel.

"Shawntel, hello?" sabi ko agad sa phone after I press the green button

I heard her sighed, "So kailangan mo ba talagang ipahiya si Andre kanina sa harap namin?" tanong niya sa'kin

"Kulang pa nga 'yun sa pasakit na binigay niya sa'kin e." sagot ko kay Shawntel, "Is that the reason why you called me this late?"

I looked at my clock and it's almost three in the morning.

"I called because I want to make sure you're okay." she said

"Of course I'm okay." sagot naman sa kanya, "Siguro kaya ko rin nagawa 'yun kanina kay Andre dahil sa galit ko. I never had the chance to confront him again, kaya ngayon ko nalalabas. At kasi binigla niyo ko."

"Huh? Binigla?" nagmamaangmangang sabi ni Shawntel

I took a deep breath before I respond, "You invited him without my consent. Nagulat ako na nandon pala siya." sagot ko sa kanya, "Anyway, tuloy tayo bukas ha. We'll talk about the expansion of our business."

"Yes." sagot naman niya agad, "Pero okay ka na ba talaga? Nakalimutan mo na ba talaga 'yung nararamdaman mo para kay Andre?"

"Matagal na Shawntel." sagot ko sa kanya, "Pinagsisisihan kong minahal ko pa siya. But at least, nakompleto 'yung pamilya ko diba."

"Yeah. Sige magpahinga ka na. I'll see you tomorrow." and she ended the call

I was about to sleep when I someone knocked on my door. I opened it and I saw tita Grace outside my room.

Pinapasok ko siya at naupo kami pareho sa mini sofa na nakalagay sa kwarto ko.

"Tita, bakit hindi pa po kayo natutulog?" tanong ko sa kanya

She brushed my hair using her hands, "I just want to check up on you." and she gave me a smile, "How are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling just fine tita." sagot ko sa kanya

"What is like seeing Andre again?" tanong niya sa'kin

I knew it. It's gonna be about Andre.

"I know you don't want to talk about it, but as your tita I want to know some things." and she held my hand, "Alam mo naman siguro na girlfriend na ni Andre si Abi diba? 'Yung best friend niya?"

I nodded, "At masaya ako para sa kanila."

"Hindi ka ba nagsisisi sa desisyon mong sumama sa parents mo papuntang America?" tanong sa'kin ni tita Grace

I shook my head, "I had no reason to stay here four years ago tita. Pinaniwala ako ni Andre na mahal niya ako, and I thought Andre's love for me is the reason to stay here before, but it was a lie." and I sighed, "Masaya na ako tita, may boyfriend o wala."

Nagulat ako 'nang bigla niya akong niyakap.

"Alam mo naman na para mo na kong nanay diba?" tanong niya sa'kin

I nodded.

"Lahat gagawin ko para maging maayos ka lang. Kaya kung may nagawa man akong mali o nakakasakal sa'yo, tandaan mo lagi na ginawa ko 'yun dahil mahal na mahal kita, para na kitang anak." at hinalikan niya ang ulo ko

Something's different with tita Grace.

Mula 'nung una niya akong niyakap kanina sa airport, alam kong may something different na sa kanya. And now, she's saying these words na parang may kasalanan siya sa'kin.