Every Flight Counts

Kabanata 24

Be certain

Gusto ko na ata talaga si Zaid.

Fuck, mukhang hindi na nga lang 'ata' eh.

Or worse, hindi ko lang siya basta gusto. Baka mas malalim pa roon.

I'm so fucked up. This is so fucked up. Falling in love with your closest friend? Really, Ellie? What can be more cliche than this?

Parang dati lang ay nagtataka pa ko sa mga gasgas na love story ng dalawang magkaibigan na nafo-fall sa isa't isa at kung bakit ba ayaw na lang nilang umamin. I find it stupid that they are making things extra difficult and complicated. What's the sense of hiding what you truly feel? Ba't di na lang umamin at magmahalan?!

Pero pota, mahirap pala talaga.

One wrong move and you could lose the precious things you treasure the most.

There ain't no guarantee in love and romantic relationships. No one knows how long it would last. But friendship.. you have it with you forever. And I don't think I'll ever be ready to risk something as special as that.

Because if ever things don't work out well, I won't just lose the love of my life but also the dearest friend of mine.

I almost jumped on my seat when my phone vibrated.

Spencer Donovan:

Ellie, I think it would really be better if I pick you up. It's safest that way.

I sighed.

Today is the day for that so-called date. Ngayon ang napagkasunduan naming araw ni Spencer. Kagabi pa lang ay nag-alok na siyang i-send ko na lang daw ang address ng tinutuluyan ko para masundo niya ako. Ngunit tumanggi ako at sinabing magkita na lang kami sa Seattle's sa Sentro.

Ellie Madeline:

No really, it's fine Spencer. Malapit lang naman. I'll make sure the puppy's safe, don't worry.

Sinabi ko na rin iyon dahil baka dun talaga siya nag-aalala. Never pa sigurong nagka-bagsak na grade yun at hindi ko kakayanin kung ako ang magiging dahilan para ma-experience niya yun.

Spencer Donovan:

You sure?

I heaved another sigh before replying yes and that I'm sure.

Spencer Donovan:

Okay then. Please take care.

Napailing-iling ako sa nabasa. If I know, 'Please take care of the furniture' talaga dapat yun.

Kinuha ko na ang sling bag ko at lumabas. Wala akong naabutan sa sala at kusina pagkababa ko kaya't dire-diretso na ang pagpunta ko sa pinto.

Nang mabuksan ang gate ng boarding house ay napaawang ang labi ko sa naabutan sa labas.

Ang nakasandal na si Zaid sa sasakyan niya ay umayos ng tayo nang makita ako.

"What are you doing here?" gulat na tanong ko.

I saw his eyes scanning down through my body. It made me mentally picture out what I was wearing. I tucked in a fit white knitted blouse in a black square pants that only lasted around my lower-calves because of my tall height. My hair was down and I also applied some color on my face.

He sighed as he returned his gaze to my eyes.

"Get in first," he said.

He went inside the car without giving me any chance to speak.