When All Lies Fade

12

"Kakadating lang namin dito, paalis ka naman pala. Sana sinabi mo sa amin," 

Nagtatampong sabi ni Nic sa akin habang tinatanggal ko damit ko sa hanger. Nakaluhod ako sa harapan ng maleta ko at silang dalawa naman ay nakaupo sa higaan ni Jae. 

"Alam mo, nagtatampo na ako sa'yo eh. Hindi ko alam kung galit ka sa akin. Galit ka ba? May nagawa ba ako sa'yo?" Tanong ni Nic sa akin habang si Jae naman ay kumakain ng Choc-nut. 

Napatigil ako saglit na kunwari'y may inaalalang gamit na dadalhin at saka pinagpatuloy magligpit ng gamit. "I'm not mad at you, Nic. It's not you, it's-" 

"Oo na. 'It's not you, it's me'. Alam ko na yan, ilang beses na natin pinapakinggan ang mga linyang ganyan. Wag nga ako!" 

Iritang sabi ni Nic at napabuga ako ng malalim na hininga. Tumingin ako kay Nic at iniirapan niya ako. I chuckled and sit beside them. 

Inakbayan ko sila. "Alam kong nagtatampo ka sa akin, Nic but it doesn't mean na aalis ako dahil, wala na kayong time sa akin. Ang babaw ko naman kung ganun," 

"Buti alam mo." Iniirapan pa rin ako. I chuckled and placed my head on her shoulder. 

I hold Jae's hand before continuing my sentence. "With you guys, it's always been a better days. For now, I can't say anything muna. I hope you'll understand me." 

Nic heavily sighed. "I know, we understand you. Right, Jae?" 

Jae nodded. "Kung ano man yang gumugulo sa isipan mo, handa kami na resbakan ka. Si Dein ba ang problema?" 

Parang may tinik sa lalamunan ko nang agad akong tinanong ni Jae. "No. Dein is not the problem here and please, that's not the issue. His okay and I'm okay?" 

"Okay? Parang hindi ka sure, sis." Nic removed my head over her shoulder. "Wait, did we missed something? What's going on with you two, huh?" 

Jae scrunched up her eyebrows at me, still clueless like Nic. "Nothing. I'm sure, guys." 

I said it short and calm. Ayaw ko munang isipin ang nangyari kagabi lalo na sa kasama ni Dein. Mabuti na lamang, hindi kami at lalong lalo na hindi magiging kami. Pagod na ang utak ko para mag-isip ng kung anu-ano pa. Mas pipiliin ko muna ayusin at buoin ang sarili ko. At mas makakabuti kung lalayo muna ako sa gulo. Kumbaga, less talk, less mistake. 

"If need mo ng kausap, nandito lang kami." Jae informed me before she hugged me. 

I hugged her back. "Always, Jae." 

"Will visit you, soon. Okay?" Nic pouted and I pulled her. We were hugging right now. 

Gosh, mamimiss ko silang dalawa. Babawi ako sainyo, I promise. 

Once we both pulled away, I went inside Spencer's car. After helping out putting all my stuff at the back of his car, he offered a friendly hug at them. I rolled down my windows and touched Jae's hand. I took a short glance at Spencer fixing his seat belt before heating the engine. 

"Take care of her, Spence." Nic instructed as he nodded. 

I looked back once again at them. "Thank you, guys for everything. I will make it up to you, I promise." 

Umiling si Jae sa akin. "You've done everything. Now, go find your inner peace." 

I mouthed 'love yous' at them before Spencer started driving. I watched them through the side view mirror and felt a single tear on my right eye. 

"Everything will be alright. I assure you." Spencer said before laid his eyes on me. 

I smiled, squeezing his right hand. "Thank you, fam."