Letting Go (Broken Girls Series #1)

Chapter 30

The farewell on that bar, was the lastest time  that I saw him. Nabalitaan ko na kinabukasan sa gabing iyon, umalis siya at pinagpatuloy na nga ang pangarap na maging isang sundalo.

My last year as a Senior High student was a bit tough. I distanced myself from the group I used to belong. Inubos ko ang mga oras ko sa pagsasayaw. Dancing saved me while my cousin Chanel, never left me.
I received both positive and negative comments fron the people around me, sa ginawa ko noon. I did not mind all of it cause their opinions never  matter to me. What hurts is the opinion of those who matter to me.

Nakakalungkot lang.

But despite that, I got my cousin who never once judged and left me. She stayed and comforted me even when she also needs the comforting herself. It was hard to mourn when she was also mourning. Pero hindi niya kailanman ipinakita iyon sa akin, but I saw it. And that made me somehow, okay. That made me okay so that she will also have someone to lean on.

We both took Business.  Sabay kaming umalis ng Pilipinas at ngayon ay nag-aaral sa Italy, where our family is. Sumama na rin si Lola sa amin. It's been three years, but the memories keep flashing back kahit na nandito na ako sa ibang bansa.

The weather is hot, it's summer here in Italy. I love the view. The whole place is clean, fresh and beautiful. Maraming mga bulaklak ang namumulaklak dito. I walked slowly, appreciating all the flowers in this place. Pero napatigil ako sa paglalakad ng matanaw ang mga mapupulang rosas.

I love roses, they are my favorite. But they bring back too much memories.

Iniwas ko ang mga tingin doon at umupo sa isang bench sa likod ng isang fountain.

Lumapit sa akin ang mga ibon. I took some bread out of my bag and feed them. Nahagip ng paningin ko ang isang batang lalake na palapit sa kinaroroonan ko. He's going for the birds, I smiled as I watch him go near. Hindi pa sya gaanong marunong lumakad kaya parang matutumba ito. I smiled when he looked at me, he smiled too. The boy is handsome, masasabi mo na talaga na pogi siya kahit sa murang edad.

" Vincente! "  a woman called from behind.

I stiffened when I heared the name.

For years, this is the first time I heared that name again. Lumapit ang medyo may kaedaran na babae sa bata, ngumiti ito sa akin pero hindi ko na nasuklian pa ang kaniyang mga ngiti. I immediately stood up and walked away before my tears could even fall.

I'm living in a beautiful place yet my eyes cannot appreciate it. They are finding something else na wala na akong balak pang hanapin.

After a year, we graduated and both with Latin Honors. Pag-aaral na lang naman ang pinagtutuonan ko ng pansin, ewan ko na lamang sa kaniya. I stayed here and Chanel went back to the Philippines to start her dream restaurant. Actually, business partners kami and she wants to be hands on kaya umuwi siya at nagpaiwan na lamang ako dito. Mag dadalawang taon narin magmula ng umuwi ng Pilipinas si Chanel, though she visits here once in a while.

I handle our family business here, habang si Chanel naman ang naghahandle ng brach sa Pinas at sa magiging bagong restaurant namin. Malapit ng matapos,halos anim na buwan na magmula ang construction nun.

I will go home to the Philippines soon for sure.

Natigil ako sa pag-aarange ng mga damit ng biglang mag ring ang aking cellphone. It's Chanel who wants to facetime. Sinagot ko naman iyon kaagad.