Chasing Fire (Completed)

Chapter 27

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I smiled as I remember something from the past. I did not even imagine that my life in the Philippines would temporarily end just like that.

I went to Madrid with Mommy after what happened and decided to continue my Hotel and Restaurant Management course here. I studied and learned their cuisine dahil plano ko na ring manatili rito.

People come and people go. Sometimes we lose them for us to be stronger and sometimes we lose them because better people are coming.

I am now with my mom and I couldn't be happier. We lose love to be loved by another. And that another person is my mom.

That week, Mommy contacted me and asked me if I am willing to be with her in Madrid and live with her. I immidiately agreed because to be with her, is my greatest wish.

Napabangon ako mula sa gitna nag pag-iisip at pagtulog dahil sa kantang naririnig ko. Mommy with Zandra, is singing the birthday song holding a chocolate cheesecake.

Zandra is now sixteen. Pumapasok sa isip ko na noong iniwan ako ni Mommy ay buntis na siya kay Zandra noon ngunit hindi ko na siya tinanong pa.

"Thank you Mom! And you too Zandra." I said then hugged them both.

"Ate, make a wish!" Si Zandra na may hawak pang number two at five na balloons.

I smiled at her then closed my eyes.

I wish for a genuine happiness. No more pain, no more heartbreaks and no more sufferings. I wish for inner peace.

I blew the candle then smiled. I wish they will always be happy too.

Payapa ang buhay ko dito ngunit pumapasok p rin sa isipan ko ang Pilipinas. I have new friends here and some of them are Filipino or Filipino-Spanish.

At least here, I made new friends. In the Philippines, the person whom I consider as a friend is only Seth and his group of friends na hindi ko alam kung ma lelabel ko ba na kaibigan ko. I don't even know if Seth still remember me. Ang tagala na noong nawala ako kaya baka nga hindi na nila ako naaalala.

Months passed again and I am with Danna and Kevin today here at Toma Cafè having our little celebration dahil gagraduate na kami in two days.

Silang dalawa ang lagi kong kasama simula noong tumira ako rito dahil sila lang ang naiintindihan ko dahil kapwa ko sila Pilipino.

"Cheers!"

Instead of having alcohol, we chose to drink coffee instead. Halos naging parte na ang cafe na to sa buhay namin. It witnessed all of our anxieties and frustrations. But now we'll finally graduate.

"San na yung boyfriend mo? I thought he'll attend your graduation?" Danna asked.

I smiled at her.

"He's still in the Philippines. Mamaya pang 7 pm yung flight niya so I think he'll be here by tomorrow afternoon."

"Can't wait to see him again!" Excited na sabi ni Danna kaya't nilingon siya ni Kevin at sinamaan ng tingin.

"Your'e that excited? I thought we're friends? Hindi mo na ako susuportahan kay Vien?" Pabirong tampong sabi ni Kevin. "Vienna oh, inaaway ako ni Danna."

Napairap nalang ako sa kanya. He always joke about wanting me to be his girlfriend. Kaya ayaw na ayaw niyang bumibisita yung boyfriend ko dito sa Madrid. Palagi siyang tahimik.

"Mierda. Tumigil ka nga! It doesn't fit you. Ew."

At diyan nagsimula ang mahaba na namang pagtatalo nina Danna at Kevin. They're best friends since secondary school. Mabuti nga't sinasama nila ako kahit parang nagiging third wheel na ako dito eh.

"Ang sweet naman." I commented.

Nilingon agad ako ni Kevin at inilayo si Danna sa kanya.

"Ew." Si Danna.

"What? Sweet? Oh don't be jealous Vienna, you're the one I like but sadly, you don't feel the same." He said then placed his palm on his left chest, at umaktong nasasaktan.

Jealous? Baliw.

Kung noon niya sinabi to, to the 20 year old Vienna, baka naniwala na agad ako, inulit ulit and tease him about it.

Now I've learned that I should not take everything seriously. Just explore, be happy, and most importantly, love yourself.

"Wag kang magkagusto sa'kin. May mas malapit naman diyan oh." I joked but that was half meant.

Unti-unti silang nagkatinginan at sabay na nagsabi ng "kadiri!".

I smiled as I watched them two. They're a good match for me, hindi lang talaga nila makita.

Bigla silang natigil sa pagbabangayan dahil natahimik si Kevin at uminon ng kape niya. My forehead ceased as I noticed his changed of disposition.

Habang si Danna naman ay bigla nalang ngumiti habang nakatingin sa likuran ko.

"Your boyfriend is here!" She excitedly said.

What? But... I didn't believe Danna at first but when I felt a familiar presence behind me and a gentle hand on my left shoulder, I smiled and looked at my back.

"Lex!" I called as I stood up and hugged him.

He chuckled then hugged me back tightly.

"Akala ko bukas ka pa!" Sabi ko nang bumitiw sa yakap.

"Uh... Surprise? I missed you." He said then smiled warmly while giving me the bouquet he's holding.

Always thoughtful.

"I missed you too."

"Someone's in a sour mood." We heard Danna kaya't nilingon namin siya.

I know what she's trying to say ngunit hindi iyon alam ni Lex kaya't sinawalang bahala niya iyon and greeted Danna.

"Hi! Nice to see you again!" Promal na sabi ni Lex at naglahad ng kamay.

"Nice to see you again too!" Maligayang sabi ni Danna at tinanggap ang kamay ni Lex gamit ang dalawang kamay.

I remembered when she first saw Lex. Hindi pa kami ni Lex noon, ni hindi ko pa siya pinapansin. He's still pursuing me that time nang sinabi ni Danna na crush niya si Lex. I don't mind though.

Kevin cleared his throat kaya't siya naman ang binalingan ni Lex. Kevin's cold stare made it awkward. Hindi talaga sila nagkakasundong dalawa. Kevin's always cold when Lex is around.

After almost half ang hour, nagpaalam na si Danna na uuwi na. Sumunod naman agad si Kevin.

Uuwi na rin ako but Lex wants to buy a cake for Zandra.

I held the cake as Lex held my bag. He's staying in a hotel at nandoon na ang gamit niya na gagamitin niya for a week here.

Palabas na kami ng cafe nang napansin kong naroon pa sina Danna at Kevin. Lalapit na sana ako when I overheard their conversation.

"What's your problem, really. You're that jealous that you'll treat Lex like that?"

"And you're on his side? Damn it, it's not Vien Danna, it's you who I like! Why can't you see that?! Ayokong nandito ang Lex na yun because you said you like him!" Kevin said with frustration.

Oh.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Lex at agad niya akong hinawakan sa baywang upang igiya papalayo sa kanila.

"Let's go."