Claire's POV
I am busy reading my notes when a shadow was caught on my peripheral vision. I look at the person who owns it.
It's her. Ghad! I am supposed to be crying on her shoulder today, but since we're not okay, I guess I will just manage this alone. She walks toward me and I look back to my notes.
"Claire, can we talk?" I would surely need a lot of patience in talking to her. Sadly, I had enough today. Just this morning.
"I'm sorry, but whatever it is... I cannot listen to it now. Go back some other day."
"I'm sorry about the things I told you last ---" I roll my eyes before looking at her again and manages to hold my emotions.
"Gab, please... I can't do this now. Really." She looks at me with worry and tries to hold me but I resist.
"I'm okay. Just please, leave me alone."
"O-okay..." She leaves me.
Ugh! I miss her. I am so absent minded today that I didn't even notice it's dismissal already. I don't want to go home yet. I'm sure we're just gonna talk about what happened this morning and start a drama again. I had enough of it.
I walk through the hall way and think of a good alibi I can use later. I want to go out tonight. I need a break from their broken promises. Haha. Alright, here's my drama again.
I almost had a heart attack when a car beeped in front of me. Wait. This is my service. Manong Ed comes out and opens the shotgun door for me.
"Ang aga niyo po ah."
"Pinapasundo ka na kasi agad ng Daddy mo be. Aalis yata kayo."
"What??? E aalis din po ako e. Pakisabi na lang po hindi po ako sasama. Sila na lang po."
"Bakit naman hindi ka sasama? Kila Gab kayo pupunta e. Magkagalit ba kayo?"
"P-Po? Ano po bang meron?" Kinamot na lang niya ang ulo niya.
"Hindi ko alam e. Sumama ka na lang be. Tara na." I just nod at him and hop inside the car.
After fifteen minutes, we are now home. I don't know what's going on with my parents. They know naman that I and Gab are not yet in good terms.
"Hi, baby." Dad greets me and kisses me on the head. I just ignore the word I hate.
I look at mom who gives me a small smile then look back at Dad.
"Dad is it true, we're going to the Gomez's?"
"Yes. Go get changed na." I crease my forehead.
"Dad, have you forget? Hindi pa po kami nag-uusap ni Gab. Maybe kayo na lang po. I'm not going."
"Claire, aalis na nga ang bestfriend mo ganyan ka pa. Hindi ba kayo nagka-usap kanina? She told me yesterday that she'll talk to you today."
"Aalis?" Dad got confused.
"Gab is flying to LA tomorrow morning. Doon na siya mag-aaral. You do not know?" Did I hear it right?
She's leaving?
And she didn't even bother telling me?
Oh, shoot! She did try. She tried to tell me earlier. That's probably the reason why she wanted us to talk but I declined. But, why is she leaving? Don't tell me ---
"That means... Alam na po nina ninong yung tungkol sa kanila ni Daniel?" He nods as his answer.
I cover my mouth in surprise and I can't help but cry. Dad hugs me and tells me to hush but can't really help it.
Why does she has to leave me this way?
"She probably cried when ninong and ninang learned about it. I'm sure they were mad at her. I'm sure she was scared. I'm sure she was extremely hurt... A-and I wasn't even there. Wala man lang akong nagawa para sa kanya. Napaka wala kong kwentang kaibigan. Dad, I'm so useless."
No words can explain how hurt I am for her and for doing nothing for her. I even ignored her when I did not know that she needed me the most.
"Claire, don't say that. You're not useless, 'kay? Gab is very blessed to have a bestfriend like you. You've always been there for her for almost all her life. She knows that. Nagkataon lang na this time, hindi mo siya natulungan because may pinagdadaanan kayo. Hindi kayo okay. I'm sure she understands. Don't be too hard on yourself. She loves you no matter what. The best thing you could do for her before she leaves is to fix your friendship and reconnect with her. Com'on sweetie. She's waiting for you." Mom told me.
I lift my head and look at her. She smiles at me and it makes me feel strong. It's amazing how her words moved me even though we are not yet okay. I smile back at her and wipe my tears.
"Wait for me here. Magbibihis lang po ako." Dad nods with a smile. I run to my room as fast as I could.
Gab's POV
I can't believe I'm leaving.
I am leaving everything that used to make me happy.
I warm hug suddenly embraced me. It's the smell I have missed so much. My shoulder gets wet with her tears. Her sobs stubs my heart thousand times.
"I-I'm sorry." She repeats it many times and it aches my heart even more. I remove her hug and face her.
"I'm sorry. Bati na tayo please, Gabby."
She says like a kid. I hug her as tight as I can.
"I missed you so so much, Claire. I'm sorry." She hugs me back and just like before, I feel stronger. With just her hug I feel better.
"You're leaving me."
I shake my head and face her again.
"You will always be with me. You are here." I point to my heart.
"Hindi ka mawawala dito."
"Talaga? Baka naman pagpalit mo nako dun ha. Promise me na kahit anong mangyare... b-bestfriend mo parin ako. Wag mo 'kong kakalimutan ha?" We're like crying toddlers here.
"Promise. You will be my one and only bestfriend no matter what. Ikaw, 'wag mo kong ipagpapalit dito ha. Baka naman pagbalik ko dito may bestfriend ka ng iba." I cry even more. She giggles between her sobs.
"That will never happen." We hug again and it seems like no one wants to let go.
"Girls, dinner is ready." That's the cue. We let go and go down stairs holding each other's hand. Our parents smiles to see us okay. They also waited for this reconciliation.
