From the Start

Chapter 9

"Please take care of him, for me."

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My mind went blank at what he said. I couldn't process it. They are what?! My mouth hanged open too, I coudn't speak a word.

"We broke up yesterday." Walang buhay na sabi niya at ibinaling sa sahig ang mga mata. Saka lang ako parang natauhan ulit. Kinabig ko siya paharap sakin. My hands went up to his face like palming his cheeks.

"Oh my God! What happened? Kaya pala parang nahumpak mga pisngi mo." Nag-aalalang sabi ko. Hinawakan niya ang mga kamay ko at pinanatili iyon duon.

"My parents asked me to stay here for good with them since they are getting old. And Shania has to go back to States soon."

Kahit alam kong gumaan ang pakiramdam ko na naghiwalay sila, may kirot pa din akong naramdaman para kay Shania. Sigurado akong masakit sa kanya yun, seeing how she loves Lance. Hindi ako makapaniwala na basta na lang nila i-give up yung meron sila dahil sa layo ng distansiyang nakapagitan sa kanila.

"Hindi ba pwedeng LDR na lang." Masokista ata ako. Gusto ko pa din ma subukan nilang ayusin at pag-usapan.

Lance sigh and looked at me like I don't understand anything.

"Long distance will never be easy and with our situation, I am sure we will not be together for a long time."

"But you love her, you should find a way." I still insist.

"It is not enough that we love each other, Lynce. She has her own obligations in the family who all are living there. And I can't leave Mom and Dad here for a long time. So I know it will not work in the end. And I can't waste that much time." Malungkot na saad.

I hugged him. He must be in a lot of pain now. He returned it with a tighter embrace.

"Huwag ka mag-alala, nandito naman kaming family at friends mo. We'll help you move on. And of course, just pray to God that your broken heart will get fixed in no time." I was patting his back. We were like that for a couple of minutes until he decided to go home so I could rest.

"You, too. Have some sleep. You look like a zombie already." He finally smiled a little and nodded his head.

I sent him in the door and I went to my room. Just in time for my phone to ring.

Ezrael Kulit calling...

I picked it up and asnwered his call.

"Angel...!" Kinakabahan ako sa urgency ng tono niya.

"Ano nangyari?"

"Kasi nandito ako ngayon sa bar ng pinsan ko. Tapos nakita ko si Shania dito, lasing na. Tulog na, actually. Eh hindi ko naman alam number ni Lance kaya ikaw tinawagan ko. Pakisabi sunduin dito." Mahabang sabi ni Ezra.

"Huh!? Eh... Naku! Bakit naman siya nagpakalasing? Saan ba yan? Puntahan ko kayo.!" Nagmamadali akong kumuha ng pampalit.

"Bakit ikaw!? Sabihan mo kaya si Lance! Para siya sumundo dito." Medyo napalakas na pagkakasabi niya.

"Mamya ko na ipapaliwanag. Pakisamahan mo muna si Shan. Papunta na ko diyan. Text mo sakin address."

"Huwag ka na umalis. Hahatid ko na lang siya sa inyo. Mapahamak ka pa, gabi na."

Napatingin ako sa oras. Its five minutes to twelve. I was shocked. Ganoon pala kami katagal magkasama ni Lance kanina. Delikado na nga, buti na lang may isang Ezra.

"O sige. Hintayin ko kayo. Ingat sa pagmamaneho."

"Siempre, para sa'yo. Mwahh!" Tapos humalakhak. Talagang rinig ko yung tunog ng mwahh na yun.