Gleaming Part

....21

Chapter 21

My friends and I are happily catching up in my bedroom, Kuya Kane and mom left us to be.

"Naalala ko every morning kapag may klase super aga natin papasok para lang sabay-sabay tayong mag breakfast." Tumingin sa'kin si Grace at ngumiti. "We stopped doing it, not only we were in different universities but, it was different without you and Thomas." I frowned.

I looked at everyone else and they seem to agree on what Grace said.

"Hey, it's okay. You don't have to be guilty about it. We understand you. We truly do. We just acted like we were super affected on your sudden disappearance for Eugene's sake. You never knew how he was when you suddenly left. He looked like a lost puppy. We were in so much pain seeing him like that." Hinawakan ni Ashley kamay ko.

"And I know you are thinking if you were in his place, you'd get mad at you too." Umiling siya at hinigpitan ang hawak sa kamay ko.

"If only he knew. Pero, Cadie..." Umangat ang tingin ko sakaniya.

"Why did you not choose to tell him? I mean, you might didn't have the label. Pero we saw naman how you value one another. Why didn't you tell him?" I sighed.

"Because it's hard for him to live already, you know. He has a lot to deal with already. Saying my situation will add up another weight to the luggage he is already carrying. I don't want to add up." Tumango naman sila pero alam ko na ginusto pa rin nila na sabihin ko kay Eugene.

"As much as we want to tell him what has really happened. It wasn't our story to tell." I nodded and smiled.

"No worries. Your feelings are valid. Your thoughts are valid. You chose to be selfless again even though that was the time you were supposed to be selfish. But, that's you. Ikaw iyon. Laging inuuna ang iba kaysa sa sarili. Laging pinapahalagahan ang iba kaysa sa sarili. Gusto ko man or namin sabihan ka sa mga ginagawa mo. Hindi namin kaya kasi alam namin nakakatulong ka. Do you remember Patty?" I looked up at Grace and I nodded.

She smiled, "She's a fashion designer already, she has her own boutique. It's successful. Noong nagpasukat ako for an event. She was there and she can't stop looking for you."

I smiled a little and bowed my head, feeling my heart becoming soft for the news. I am so proud of her.

"See, you have helped other people in so many ways. Kaya kahit labag kami na lagi mo inuuna ang iba kaysa sa sarili mo, hindi ka namin mapigilan kasi sarili mo rin ang magdedesisyon para sa'yo, hindi kami." I bit my lip trying not to cry.

"Your heart is too soft. Your whole being screams purity and kindness. You are courageous, compassionate and empathetic. You are just amazing for someone who has such a dark past. And we are so proud of you for conquering it. We are so proud of you for still being here." Hindi na napigilan at tumulo na ang luha kanina pang pinipigilan.

"You conquered many things in so many ways. Balita naman you graduated your undergraduate course with Honors. Gosh, Cadie. Wala ka talagang ginawa kundi mag aral noh?" Ashley exclaimed that made me giggle while wiping my tears away.

Natahimik kami, embracing each other's presence. It feels so good and light uniting with them. A part of home that I always was longing to feel.

Napatingin ako kay Cameron, "Our Producer." I smiled.

He bit his lip and chuckled, "It feels so good hearing that, lalo na galing sa'yo." I laughed and nodded at him.

I looked at Ashley, "Our Financial Analyst." She playfully pulled my hair.

"Kinikilig ako, Cadie." She frowned holding back a smile that made me giggle.

I looked at Grace, "Our Successful Baker." She glared at me but eventually, she smiled.

"Oo na, Cadie. Libre ka na sa kung saang branch ng Cafe ko ikaw mapupunta." Natawa kaming lahat. Inirapan ko siya at napatingin kay Greg.

"Our Pilot." Napatigil siya at napailing.

"Sorry, babe." Nginitian niya si Grace kaya naguluhan naman si Grace.

"Huh?" Grace asked.

"Kinikilig ako sa sinabi ni Cadie, hindi ko siya mahal like I love you ah! As a friend. Pero iba talaga kapag si Cadie na nag sasalita parang laging tagos sa puso." Inirapan na lang siya ni Grace kaya tawang-tawa kami.

But I immediately thought of Thomas.

"Thomas." I uttered. Kaya napatigil sila at napatingin sa'kin.

"Our CEO." I smiled and then my mind went to something else that made my heart clenched a bit.

"Eugene..." I stopped and pinched myself.

"Our future CEO of their hospital and our future Pediatrician." I bit my lip while gazing up to meet their stares.

I saw Greg smiled, "Our Angel in disguise, our fighter, our kindness, and our future Pediatrician."

This brings back memories...

We decided to have a picnic in Ashley's backyard.

We were happily eating and chatting when Thomas brought up a topic.

He raised his glass filled with orange juice, "Cheers to us, our future." Nagkatinginan kami at ngumiti.

We all raised our glasses but when we were about to clink, Eugene stopped us.

Napatingin kami sakaniya, he looked at me and slightly smiled, "Here's to you Ashley, our future accountant." He looked at ashley and slightly raised his glass.

"Here's to you Grace, our future Baker."

"Here's to you Greg, our future Pilot."

"Here's to you Thomas, our future CEO."

"Here'e to you Cameron, our future Producer." 

He raised slightly his glass while saying that, but when it came to my turn.

He patted my head with his right arm and brushed down my hair.

"Lastly, to my angel in disguise..."

"Our!" Sigaw nila kaya natawa ako.

Umikot ang mata ni Eugene, "Fine, our angel in disguise."

"Our future Pediatrician, and hopefully my future wife."

"Wala nga kayong label, wife kaagad? Girlfriend muna!" Thomas exclaimed that made us laugh louder.

Eugene just shrugged his shoulders. He raised his glass higher and we all clinked.

"No matter how long your dream path will take, always remember. As long there is progress then you will get there. Just believe in yourself. You know you can do it, don't shrug that thought away. Whatever what people say about us, they will never get such hold to us. They don't us, we own ourselves." I smiled.

They will get there. I know it. I can feel it. They will. As long as they keep on going, they will really get to where they wish to be.