hug me ♡ ten

▪ ten's point of view ▪

"Hoy, Ten!" Tawag sakin ni Yangyang, kaya naman pabiro ko siyang binatukan.

"Anong Ten?" Sabi ko sa kanya, at saka tumawa naman siya. I sighed, and then placed the pens I bought earlier inside the mini gift bag I bought.

"Drawing pens nanaman? Hindi ka ba nauubusan nyan? Andami mo pa sa dorm, bumili ka nanaman?" Sabi ni Yangyang sa akin, but I chuckled before shaking my head.

Sabay kaming nagulat ni Yangyang nang tumunog ang phone ko so I took it and answered the call. Sino nanaman 'to?

"Ten! Dali na, nasa labas na kami ng mall, labas ka na dyan," sabi ni Ayako. I instantly recognized her voice. Teka nga. Kami?

"Sinong kasama mo?" I asked, and then she suddenly stuttered.

"H-Ha? Kasama? Wala!" Sabi ni Ayako, making me sigh. Narinig ko naman na bumulong siya. "Yuta, kaya ko na nga kasi!"

"So, magkaayos na kayo ni Yuta?" Tanong ko agad, and then she chuckled.

"Oh... hindi naman sa ganun, pero alam mo naman kasing-"

"I'm coming. 'Wag mo nang ituloy 'yan, alam ko na 'yung sasabihin mo," sabi ko naman, and she muttered a quick sorry.

Lagi nalang siyang kay Yuta. Lagi nalang si Yuta ang kasama, tapos si Yuta naman hindi makamove on kay Kaede. Minsan gusto ko nalang silang dalawa pag-untugin kung pwede lang.

"Okay. I'm sorry," sabi niya, and I hummed before ending the call.

I slipped my phone back in my pocket, at saka naman tinignan si Yangyang na tinataasan ako ng mga kilay ngayon.

"Pwede na ako umalis?" Tanong niya sa akin, and I nodded. "Yes! Bibilhan daw akong pagkain ni Hendery-ge, eh."

"Wow, tinatawag mo na siyang Hendery-ge?" Sabi ko, and then he laughed.

"Just because he's buying me food. HAHAHA!"

"Ibang klase ka rin, annoying orange,"

"Bleh. Stupid."

"Aba-"

"Hahaha! Susumbong kita kay Kun-ge, sige?"

"Di ako takot dun,"

"Tologoooooo?"

♡♡♡

Chattering, and the sound of slight laughter filled my ears. Hindi ako makapaniwala na nandito ako ngayon. Alam kong masasaktan ako since this is her engagement party, pero wala naman akong magagawa kundi ang suportahan siya sa lahat ng gusto niya.

Habang nag-uusap usap silang lahat dito sa table, nagkatinginan kami.

"Ten, can I speak to you alone?" She asked, at natahimik naman silang lahat.

Tinignan ko ang fiancè niya, and then he smiled at me before nodding. Oh. He's that trusting enough to let his fiancèe talk to a past lover, huh?

Tumayo naman na ako and then I followed her as we went to the balcony. She leaned on the railing, smiling as she stared at the stars in the sky.

Hindi ko alam kung anong mararamdaman ko ngayon. Malulungkot ba ako dahil engaged na siya, o magiging masaya ako dahil masaya na siya?

"Ten, I know you promised me that you'll love me forever, kahit na anong mangyari, but I just want to say... you should already give up, okay?" She said, then gazing at me with a sad smile across her lips.

"Natsuki..." tawag ko, but then she held my hand.

"Please... hindi ako magiging masaya kapag alam ko na may nasasaktan pa habang ako naman masaya na. Ten, there are plenty of girls out there. Hindi ako nag-iisa," she said, making me smile sadly. "Find love. Surely, there's someone out there who you'll love more than you loved me."

"I know, Natsuki. If you really want it, then wala naman na akong magagawa, diba? Just promise me you'll be happy with him. Promise me that, and I'll promise you right now na hahanap na rin ako ng ibang babae na makakapagpasaya sa akin," sagot ko, and she smiled sweetly at me before nodding.

She stuck out her pinky finger, and I breathed out before lacing my pinky with hers.

"Promise."

"Promise."

Bigla naman na lumitaw si Ayako, looking between us before heading straight to Natsuki.

"Natsuki, andyan na 'yung sundo niyo ng fiancè niyo, baka malate pa kayo sa flight!" Sabi ni Ayako, and then agad naman na humiwalay na si Natsuki sa akin.

"Oh, hala. Sige," sabi niya, and then she stepped towards Ayako.

Bigla naman siyang tumigil, at saka hinarap ako.

"Ganbatte!"

I looked down. Umalis na siya. To have her happily ever after.

I wasn't even able to give her my gift.