The Weird Existence of Henry

ch. 24

a d m i t

The number one rule of girl code is to never date your girl's exes. The moment Cindy told me that Simon and her have been going out, I immediately thought of Stacey. Kaya agad kong pinayuhan si Cindy na sabihin ang totoo. And surprisingly, Stacey took it pretty well. I thought she would at least cry but she didn't. All she said was as long as everybody's happy then she would support it.

But I know better. Alam ko, deep down inside, nasaktan siya. Under her iconic ponytale and perfectly even eyeliners, I know, she was hurt. People constantly judge her for her resting bitch face and strong personality, thinking that she's some heartless doll when in reality, she was the one who's hurt the most. Siguro mas pinili nalang niyang manahimik, kasi wala rin naman siyang magagawa eh.

Kaya nang sinabi niyang naging sila ni Henry, agad akong nasaktan. Nasaktan ako kasi ngayon ko lang na realize na ang tagal-tagal na pala niyang nasasaktan. And the worst part of it all was my friend got hurt because of a lie. So, it was wise of me to end things with Henry. Doon din naman papunta 'yun eh. At least now I don't have to pretend anymore. Hindi rin naman ako sanay magsinungaling eh.

I have to admit it though. Life without Henry...is boring. Not that my life was eventful before it's just that...nasanay lang kasi ako na lagi siyang nandiyan, nangungulit kapag tahimik ako, nang-aasar pag wala ako sa mood. Nakaka-miss lang talaga yung presence niya. He was more of a friend than a fake boyfriend. He was such a good listener. It's just sad that it didn't end well between us.

Hindi ko siya nakita buong araw. During lunch naman, hindi ako sa cafeteria kumain. Takot akong makita sina Cindy, iniiwasan ko pa rin sina Wesley at hindi pa ako handang makita si Henry. I was walking home and I passed the parking lot. Dito kami huling beses nagkausap at nagkita ni Henry. My heart suddenly ached. Napabuntong-hininga nalang ako.

Nang makauwi ako sa dorm, Izzy was there, face burried to her laptop. Inaayos ko ang mga gamit ko na hindi ko naayos kaninang umaga nang bigla siyang magsalita.

"You know, I don't mean to pry but...your face makes me worry about you. I know we're not that close. Pero concern lang kasi ako sayo. So if you don't mind me, are...you okay? May problema ka ba?" biglang tanong ni Izzy.

She don't usually talk to me unless it's something important. Busy din kami at may kaniya-kaniyang buhay kaya naman, hindi ko mapigilang hindi mabigla sa tanong niya. But to be honest, I really want to talk to someone right now. I need someone to help me clear my mind.

"Honestly, no, I'm not okay. I just broke up with Henry," ang sagot ko naman.

"Ooooh, boy problems! Hold that thought," agad siyang tumayo mula sa kama niya and grabbed her grey hoodie. "Come on, let's go! We need to get ice cream and talk about this."

Natawa naman agad ako. So we went out. Naglakad lang kami papuntang seven-eleven dahil malapit lang naman iyon sa dorm namin. I told her everything and when I say everything, I mean everything! Including the fictional Henry, the real Henry and of course the whole fake relationship.

"Oh my God! So you're telling me that you guys aren't really together?" tanong niya, gulat na gulat. Tumango-tango lang ako habang ninanamnam ang coffee crumble ice cream ko.
"Dude, you've got to be trippin!"

"Sana nga Izzy. Sana nga biro lang ang lahat. But it's all over now. Tsaka mabuti na rin to, para hindi na lumala ang lahat," ang sabi ko naman.

"Sana pala nag-imbento na rin ako ng fictional boyfriend. Tingnan mo, nagka-love life ka pa nang dahil dun. Nakakainggit naman," komento naman niya.

"Hindi rin naman totoo yung naging lovelife ko. Tinulungan lang din naman ako ng tao eh," ang sabi ko naman sa kaniya.

"Well, it looks real to me though. I mean the way he looks at you kapag magkasama kayo sa school. He even let you hang out with his friends. I mean, that must have meant something. If you know what I mean," giit naman niya.

"What exactly do you mean Izzy?" takang tanong ko.

"Duh, he obviously likes you," sagot naman niya.

Napatigil agad ako dahil sa sinabi niya. He likes me? Henry likes me???

"That's crazy. He doesn't see me that way. He's just doing all of those things for show," hindi ko magawang sumang-ayon sa sinabi niya. "Tsaka...hindi naman ako type nun."

"Bakit? Ano ba type niya?" tanong naman ni Izzy.

"I don't know. Hindi ko rin alam," sagot ko naman.

"Hindi mo naman pala alam eh. Ba't mo nasabing 'di ka niya type?" tanong ulit niya.

"Eh kasi nga...si Henry yun. I mean, his ex is a freaking model. Ang layo ko dun diba? Kaya imposible lang 'yang sinasabi mo," giit ko naman.

"Okay fine. Sige sabihin na nga nating hindi ka niya gusto. Pero ang tanong, gusto mo ba siya?" agad akong natigil sa tanong niya.

Hindi agad ako nakasagot. My heart started beating so fast like I'm somehow running a marathon. Do I like him?

"H-Hindi," agad kong sagot. Nautal pa talaga ako!!!

"Sus, maglolokohan pa ba tayo rito Gwen, you just told me everything, might as well as admit that you like him. I mean there's nothing wrong about liking your pseudo boyfriend. I mean, he's smart, pure gentleman and not to mention, he's hot as hell. And I could see that he likes you too, so gurl, I don't see the problem," ang sabi naman ni Izzy.

"Hay basta! Imposible talaga 'yang sinasabi mo. He doesn't like me that way. Lagi nga niya akong inaasar eh," giit ko ulit.

"All I'm saying is, it's perfectly normal for you to like someone like Henry. Who would blame you? Lagi kayong magkasama noon, he treats you like his real girlfriend kaya normal lang na ma-fall ka sa kaniya no. Maybe you should figure out your feelings with Henry. That might solve your confusion you know," payo naman ni Izzy.

When we got back to our dorm, hindi ko maiwasang hindi mapaisip. Izzy's words hit home. She's right. I should figure out my feelings towards Henry. Do I really like the guy?

But that's the thing! I don't know. I don't know if what I feel for him should be categorized to romantic section. Tama rin lahat ng sinabi ni Izzy tungkol kay Henry. He's nice, really hot and a true gentleman. Comparing him to fictional Henry, he could actually keep up.

Do I really like the guy? Or maybe I just found him attractive because of the things he has done for me?

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This is Patch saying Yes to Happy Reading and Happy life ❤