Almost

Chapter 1

Ang dilim ng paligid. Umuulan. Dugo sa aking mga kamay. Hindi ako makagalaw.

"Tulong...," sambit ko. Ngunit tila walang lumalabas na tunog sa aking mga labi.

Pinilit kong gumalaw. Pinilit kong lumabas sa kotse na iyon. Halos di ako makahinga umiiyak lang ako sa labas ng kotse naghahabol ng aking hininga. Hanggang sa maalala ko si Kalehn.

Dali-dali akong bumalik sa kotse upang hanapin sya. At tumigil ang lahat ng makita kong duguan sya, walang malay at puro basag na bubog sa kanyang mukha. Wala akong magawa, gusto ko syang lapitan, gusto ko syang tulungan. Ngunit hindi ako makagalaw. Hindi ako makahinga. At bigla na lamang nagdilim ang lahat.
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"...Stella? Hey wake up." Patuloy na pagtapik sakin ni Kasumi at Ashlyn. "Kanina pa kitang ginigising. Sama ka? Lunch naaaa--"

"Hoy bakit ka lumuluha? Napanaginipan mo na naman ba?" tanong ni Ash. Sabay tingin kay Kasumi nang may pag-aalala.

"Hahaha. Oo e. I just cant accept it," at pinunasan ko ang aking mga luha. Na sya naman biglang dating ni Akos.

"Okay. Where to?" bungad ng isang napakatangkad na si Akos.

Akos Scholte was born in UK pero naghiwalay ang parents nya when he was 5 years old kaya napagdesisyunan ng Mom nya na umuwi na lang sila ng Pilipinas at dito na lang mamuhay. Akos is my bestfriend since we were kids. Palagi syang dinadala ni Tita sa house when were little kasi bestfriend ni mommy si Tita. And hanggang sa naging kaclose ko sya at sya na ang kasama ko sa lahat. He's a year older than me. Matangkad sya. Mga 6'ft samantalang ako mga 5'3 lang.

"Don't you have any classes?" I said.

"I want to be with you, is that a problem?" smirking.

And just in the corner of my eye I see Ash and Kasumi teasing me. But Kasumi look quite unhappy.

"Okay. Ahm, why not we go to Dangs this day?"

"Thats a good choice," Ash interrupted nodding. And Akos took my bag as we all stand.

"Uhmmm...guys I think I cannot go with you today. I have to go." And she rush in the hallway.

"Anong problema nya?" tanong ko kay Ash.

Ash just shrug.

"Maybe she's in a rush to do something. Let's go. I'm starving," Akos said.

At bago kami lumabas ng room I saw him. Passing by, Kalehn...

"Kahlen...," and just like that I immediately run after him. Pero bago pa ako makalapit sa kanya, some girl grab his arm. He kissed her forehead. At bakas pa rin sa kanyang pisngi ang sugat na natamo nya sa aksidente.

Ako dapat yun e. Ako dapat yung kasama nya sa oras na ito. It should be me he's kissing. It should be me he's loving! It should be me!!!

Nilapitan ako ni Akos at Ash. But I'm still in shock sa mga nakikita ko.

"Stella. Come on, let's go. You dont always have to be like this," Akos urging me to go. But I don't bulge.

I stared at them blankly. Letting him go with that woman. And I can't stop my tears from falling. Ash console me as Akos held me close onto his chest.

"I told you to let him go. All of those memories. Even him. Wala ka na magagawa kasi he can't remember you anymore. It's been months Stel. Huwag mo na pahirapan pa sarili mo." Akos always took care of me everytime I have this kind of episode. He never left my side.

"I..I..uhm I think I need to go to restroom."

"I'll go with you." Ash said.

"No. I'll go by myself. I'll meet you at Dangs." I immediately go to the nearest restroom. Lock myself in the cubicle and started crying again quietly.

No. Put yourself together. You can do it. Be happy for him.

But it hurts. Why does it fucking hurts?

After a while lumabas na ako ng cubicle and wash my face and stared at the mirror.

Kaya ko ito.

Paglabas ko ng restroom, it's him. Kahlen. Nakatalikod siya sa akin. Halatang may iniintay sabay harap niya sa akin.

"Oh, I taught lumabas na sya. Ikaw pala yan," Kahlen smiled at me. And he is talking to me.

"Do you know me?" I asked.

"Yes, you're ah...classmate kita sa History, right?" another smile from him.

I am so disappointed. He cant even remember me pero yung babaeng habol lang ng habol sa kanya noong mga panahon na kami pa ang kaya niyang maalala simula ng magising siya sa coma.

Out of desperation I hold his hand and said, "It's me. I'm Stella. I was the one...," before I could even finish what I am saying lumabas na si ate girl na kulang sa alaga ng magulang nya.

Agad na tinanggal ni Kahlen ang kamay niya sa pagkakahawak ko sa kanya.

"Hi love. Are you through?" Kahlen said.

She nodded at him while eyeing me saying that I should back off.

"Well nice meeting you Stella. I'll see you more at our History classes." Another smile while putting his arms to her waist.

And just like that. I was left here in the hallway, losing again the man I love.