Definitely Out of his League | published under Ukiyoto Publishing

41st League: Forget Each Other

41st League: Forget Each Other

HINDI NAGLAON ay dumating na nga ang araw ng pag-alis ni Travis. Iris was staring at herself in the mirror, looking at the non-stop tears coming from her eyes. Gabi pa naman ang flight ni Travis. Before that, she met her friends first.

They were at a coffee shop. Alex, Yuri, and Elerie were staring at Iris as she cried her eyeballs out like a baby. They sympathized with her but they knew they couldn't do anything to make her feel better.

"Nag-offer naman pala siya na 'wag nang umalis, why didn't you agree?" Yuri asked.

"I can't, Yuri. It's for his future, it's for his own good," umiiyak na tugon ni Iris.

"Then that left you with no option. You just have to accept it. Kung ako 'yon, hindi ko 'yon makakaya. I won't settle on a long-distance relationship," Alex uttered.

"But that's fine, Iris. Kung gusto mo talagang magkasama kayo, why don't you just study there as well?" Elerie suggested.

Bigla namang tumigil sa pag-iyak si Iris. She blinked her eyes twice before pulling out a childish smile. Kunot-noo naman siyang tinapunan ng tingin ng mga kaibigan niya.

"She's acting crazy. You're creeping us out, Iris," Yuri said.

"Elerie, you're so brilliant! Bakit nga ba hindi ko naisip 'yon?" namamanghang wika ni Iris.

"You're not serious, are you? Don't tell us that you have not thought about that. Na mas nauna pang naisip ni Elerie 'yon kaysa sa 'yo," Alex said.

Hindi sila pinansin ni Iris. Bigla na lamang tumayo ang dalaga at kinuha ang kaniyang cellphone para tawagan si Travis na agad namang sinagot ng binata.

"Iris?" Travis said on the other line.

"Travis! I have an idea!" Iris exclaimed.

"Ha? Idea? Anong idea?"

"I'll go to London with you. Doon na lang din ako mag-aaral, pag-usapan na lang natin ang details later. Pupunta ko sa inyo," sabik na wika ng dalaga.

"Hoy, Iris! Wait!"

Hindi na pinansin ng dalaga ang kaniyang nobyo at agad nang binaba ang tawag. Abot-abot ang pagpapasalamat niya sa kaniyang mga kaibigan na tila naguguluhan pa rin sa inaakto niya.

IRIS WENT home after having some girl talk with her squad. Masayang masaya ang dalaga sapagkat hindi na nila kailangang magkalayo ni Travis. Tamang tama naman na nang makauwi siya sa kanila ay inabutan niyang nasa sala ang kaniyang ama.

Tumabi si Iris kay Mr. Jang at malambing itong niyakap.

"You're back early, Iris. Aren't you gonna help your boyfriend pack his things. You said he'll be off tonight," nakangiting wika ni Mr. Jang. Hindi rin lingid sa kainiyang kaalaman na tila masaya ang dalaga, 'di tulad nang umalis ito kaninang umaga.

"Dad, I want to tell you something," Iris said.

"Go ahead, sweetie."

"Will you allow me if I ask you to send me to London as well? I also want to study there," walang pag-aalinlangang sabi ni Iris.

Saglit na tumigil sa pagbabasa ng magazine si Mr. Jang. He was actually expecting his daughter to open up about that matter, he just couldn't understand why it took her so late to ask so. Gayunpaman, hindi niya pa rin alam kung ano ang dapat sabihin.

"Do you really want to study there or it's just about Travis?" Mr. Jang asked.

"Hmm... Can't it be both?" anang dalaga nang may pilyang ngiti.