Definitely Out of his League | published under Ukiyoto Publishing

56th League: Unforgivable

56th League: Unforgivable

"KUYA, KUMAIN ka na, please. Ilang araw na lang concert n'yo na. Hindi ka na nga nakaka-attend ng rehearsals n'yo," nag-aalalang wika ni Trixie.

Dalawang araw na ang lumipas ngunit tulala pa rin si Travis. Wala siyang ibang pinakikinggan. Kung minsan ay maaabutan na lang nila ito na nakatingin sa litrato ni Iris sa kaniyang cellphone.

Ganoon ang estado na inabutan ni Ryland nang makapasok siya sa kuwarto ng kaniyang kapatid. He just came home from a business trip. At nang ikuwento sa kaniya ng kanilang ama ang tungkol sa kalagayan ni Travis ay nagmadali siyang puntahan ito.

"Kuya, what happened? Sige na, Trixie. Ako nang bahala rito. Salamat," ani Ryland. Trixie left the room, still worried. "Kuya, talk to me. What happened? Bakit kahit si Dad ay ayaw mong imikin?"

"Ryland..." Travis uttered. Sa nakalipas na dalawang araw, ngayon na lang ulit nagsalita ang binata.

"Kuya, I'm here. You can talk to me," Ryland said.

"Alagaan mong mabuti si Iris, Ryland. Tama sila. Hindi naman talaga kami bagay. Bakit ba kasi pinipilit ko ang sarili ko sa kaniya?" nanghihinang wika ni Travis. He wanted to cry but he didn't have any more tears. He was just exhausted.

"W-What are you saying? Iris loves you. You love her. Tell me what's going on," Ryland replied.

"You might not know it but... seven years ago, I did something bad. I was so drunk, I couldn't even remember a thing. N-Nagising na lang ako, I was on a bed with Karen. Now, tell me, I know I did her wrong and no matter how remorseful I'd be, I don't deserve her anymore. I will never be enough and so I let her go. Tell me, I did the right thing, didn't I?" Travis stated frustratedly.

Ryland was shocked by his brother's revelation. Iris didn't tell him that. But seeing his brother's situation, how could he be mad? He saw how sorry and regretful Travis was.

"And you chose to hurt her?" Ryland asked.

"No, I chose to save her. From me," Travis answered.

"She loves you, Kuya. I know. I can see it in her eyes. The way she looks at you, the way she acts when you're around. I know, she loves you. She forgave you, otherwise, she wouldn't have accepted you again. Naiintindihan kita, Kuya.

"Naiintindihan ko ang nararamdaman mo. You think you've done something that made you undeserving for her love. Pero, Kuya... paano si Iris? Have you ever considered what she'd feel? Do you honestly think that one day, she'll fall for somebody else and will be completely over you?

"When I learned about you and Iris back then. You told me to not judge your feelings for her. I admired you so much because of that. But can't you see? Ikaw na ngayon ang humuhusga sa pagmamahal na meron ka para sa kaniya," Ryland told his brother.

His words knocked Travis's senses. But he thought it was too late. Iris would never forgive him anymore. She said it herself, he could only get a second chance which he just wasted. Tears slowly fell from his eyes. Ryland sympathetically hugged his brother.

"But if that's your decision, I respect it, Kuya. Just don't push me to Iris again. I have already moved on. She'll always have a special place in my heart as a good friend pero hanggang doon na lang 'yon," Ryland said.

"H-Have you seen her today?" tanong ni Travis.

"No, she isn't answering any of my text messages and calls. I'm thinking she's all locked up in her office. Kuya, kumain ka muna. Look at yourself. Malapit na ang concert mo, 'di ba? Don't be inconsiderate, may mga umaasa kang fan wishing to see you perform."