Finding Ms. Right

Chapter 69: Preparation

JANA

I don't know how I was able to avoid him while we are going back to La Union. Sa tuwing lalapit siya, kaagad akong iiwas. Sa tuwing susubukan niya akong lapitan, lalapit ako kaagad kay Lucy o kaya kay Joshua.

I clearly saw how pain strucked his eyes when he asked that night but I answered him nothing. He was aking if it's the truth. Gusto kong sabihin na oo, na iyon ang totoo. Pero umatras na lang ako at hindi siya sinagot. Like, what's the sense anyway? Tell him the truth for us to reconcile? To continue the friendship, or worst the love that stopped for a long time ago?

Nang hinarangan ako ni Joshua para hindi siya makalapit, doon na ako tumakbo papasok sa tent namin. I was able to wake Lucy up and she was surprised to see me crying.

I cried that night.

I cried so hard that I can't even breathe.

For the nth time, destiny made me play the fun of getting hurt again.

Napabuntong hininga na lang ako habang nakatanaw sa labas ng bintana. Nandito pa din ako sa bus nila Joshua at siya din ang katabi ko. Mukhang naramdaman din niyang hindi pa ako ready na kausapin si Zild kaya palagi niya akong sinasamahan at inilalayo din sa kanya. Even Lucy, she never left my side and when she sees him approaching, she will immediately start a conversation with me. Somehow, napagaan nilang dalawa ang loob ko at isama mo pa sila Lucas na bati ng bati sa akin simula pa kaninang umaga pagkaalis namin sa campsite.

"You okay?" I didn't looked at Joshua when he asked.

"I'm fine."

"Liar." Natawa ako ng bahagya.

"Did you named yourself Joshua?" Tanong ko.

"Nope. My full name is Jerome Joshua Sicarpio." Tumango na lang ako habang nakatanaw sa labas ng bintana. Hapon na at malapit na din kaming makauwi.

I badly want to rest. Kanina ko pa sinusubukang matulog dito sa bus pero ayaw akong dalawin ng antok.

"When will you talk to him?" Tinignan ko siya ng bigla siyang magtanong. And of all questions, why do he need to ask that right now?

I just shrugged and looked outside again. "I-I don't know." I heard him sighed. Katulad ko, naging kaibigan din ni Joshua si Zild. Siya ang pinakaunang batang lalaki na naging close ni Zild noong nandoon pa kami sa probinsya. I know this is also hard for him and I don't want to drag him in this mess but I can't help it. Kung kaya ko lang sanang kalimutan ang lahat at magpatawad kaagad, baka masaya na kami ngayon. Baka nakakatawa na ulit kami gaya noon.

"Why did you transferred to AU by the way?" Nagtataka kong tanong ng maalala ang biglaan niyang pagsulpot.

"Well, Tito Lohan asked me to." Nilingon ko siya dahil doon.

I frowned. "Why would Papa do that?" Natawa siya ng bahagya sa tanong ko na mas lalo kong pinagtaka. What's funny?

"Baka nakakalimutan mo, next week is already your 18th birthday. But well, hindi naman talaga ako lumipat sa AU. Your father invited the people in the province and that includes me and Paula. And also, he asked me to join this camp and act like your bodyguard." Natatawa niyang sambit. Napanganga naman ako. Papa did that? Kung gano'n, ang main purpose naman talaga ng pagsama ng mokong na ito ay bantayan ako?

"Bakit hindi ka tumanggi?!" Mahina kong sigaw sa kanya. I shook my head. Kailan pa naging mahina ang pagsigaw?

He chukled. "Why would I? I think camping is fun. Dapat kasama si Paula ang kaso, may gagawin pa siya so I went alone. And besides, your brothers will kill me if I won't agree. Alam mo namang nag-iisa kang prinsesa ng mga Tolentino at kapag may nangyaring masama sayo, magkakaroon ng world war 3." Tatawa-tawa niyang sambit na kinailing-iling ko na lang. Saglit akong napangiti. Maybe if he's not here, nabaliw na ako kakaisip kung anong dapat kong gawin. His laughs and bright attitude can lift up my heavy heart. Pero at the same time, alam ko namang iisang tao lang ang kailangan ko sa ngayon.