Requited

PROLOGUE

After all these years, Rhian can’t believe that Franco- ironically, changed a lot but still hasn’t changed even a bit. He transformed from the guy closest to Rhian into the most distant guy from her, but he’s still the same guy who doesn’t know how love works.   

“Ano?! Mahal mo ba’ng sundalong ‘yon?” malakas ang boses ni Franco, linakasan niya pa para ‘di marinig ng babae sa harapan ang sakit na nararamdaman ng puso. He looks at her intently, trying his best to read what’s on her mind. Unciously, his eyes glisten. Maybe because he's doing his best to win the staring battle?

Subalit hindi rin papatalo si Rhian. Crystalized liquid’s already forming in her eyes, but she can’t let them flow. Not now, not in front of Franco. She look at him straight in the eyes, took a step, lifted her chin and asked, “papaano mo nasabing mahal ko siya? Ano bang alam mo sa pagmamahal?”

He didn’t budged. His tongue were tied. After all these years, he can’t tell her. Franco thought if Rhian accepted the proposal of that soldier he loathes, it’ll be easier for him.

Rhian expected Franco to give zero response to that question. Sa huling pagkaka-alam niya kasi, nawala ang puso ng kaharap noong mga bata pa sila. Ibang-iba na ito. But she’s glad na hindi na ito sumagot. Wala siyang lakas para makipagtalo ngayon. Kaya naman tumalikod ito at lumakad papalayo.

While looking at her back, walking away- bumalik ang lahat kay Franco. It’s always been like this at hindi niya ito ginusto. It’s as if Rhian willingly walks away from him but still got the guts to run in his mind- not for days nor weeks nor months but years. He heaved a sigh and went to his car.

Wala itong nagawa kundi ibaling ang galit sa manibelang nanahimik lang. All these years, he thought he stopped the feelings for growing but he’s wrong. It’s a mistake he made himself. Instead of cutting them, he just kept them feelings on the side. Stupid, Franco.  

On the other hand, Rhian tightened her grip on the strap of her bag. Ayaw niya naman kasi talagang itanong ang tanong na ‘yon. Maybe she’s afraid to hear Franco’s answer although she expected him to keep silent. She’s walking away from him again. Naalala niya ang mga panahong kasama niya si Franco- mga hirap na sabay nilang pinagdaanan. She was happy….. before, with him- with his childhood friend. Ano bang nangyari?

She must say, she already saw this coming from the start. But the guy she thought would stay by her side forever, left so early already. Alam niya naman kasing walang lugar ang puso sa samahan pero masakit pa ring isiping pilit inaalis ni Franco ang pangalan niyang matagal nang nakaukit sa puso niya.

Naupo muna si Rhian sa nakitang bench sa harapan ng isang convenient store. She can’t believe what happened today. Ethan asked her to marry him. She can’t. For the first time, she did a very selfish decision. Hindi niya kayang pakasalan si Ethan. He’s a good guy- a very good guy, actually. Too good for her. May iba pa namang paraan para magawa niya pa nang mas mabuti ang misyon, ‘diba? At isa pa, ayaw niya rin magpakasal sa taong alam niyang hindi niya kayang tumbasan ang pagmamahal na ibinibigay sa kanya.

Tumingala si Rhian sa taas at maraming bituin ngayon. Naalala na naman niya ang mga gabing ‘yon. Titingala silang dalawa sa langit at maghihintay ng bulalakaw para humiling kahit na alam nilang hindi ‘yon totoo. Immaturities.

She breathed deeply while waiting for a shooting star because there’s this one wish she’s been asking for 13 years already. Sana tigilan na ni Franco ang pagtakbo sa isipan niya kasi siya mismo napapagod na rin. At higit sa lahat, may mga bagay na mas importante pa kaysa sa iniisip niya ngayon. She closed her eyes. Her thoughts are battling. Ayaw niyang alalahanin ang lahat ng ‘yon pero ang puso niya pilit pinapaalala sa kanya ang lahat. Her heart won, her brain is again defeated.

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Hi! Thank you for reading this. Next chapter na talaga yung set sa teen Rhian and Franco. As you can see, I had this posted on twitter and thought of continuing and finishing it here on wattpad. Thank you for taking the time to read this. I’m no professional nor may experience na superb sa pagsusulat. I stopped writing for leisure 5 or 6 years already kaya pagpasensyahan niyo na kung hindi ko mareach mga expectations niyo sa story na ito. But I’m just writing this to please all RhiCo shippers and of course myself :> One more thing, I edited some parts/dialogues sa mga chaps na napost ko na sa twitter hehehe. AND ANOTHER THING, I’m apologizing in advance sa mga incorrect grammars na ma-i-encounter nyo kasi Filipino and English are both not my primary language :<

PS: Comment kayo kahit positive man yan o negative basta wala lang foul words. Please be objective para na rin maimprove ko yung story at yung pagsusulat ko. So yeah, thanks again for being here! Have a nice day mga ka-RhiCo!  

PPS: Sorry ang pangit ng cover LOL Sa mga may talent jan sa pag-edit, patulong naman :< Comment kayo para mamessage ko. SO YEP, Thanks ulit for being here!