Love After Life

Eighteen: The Case

*Note: Expect that there are typos and wrong grammars here*

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I know Iven is confuse to me right now based on his expressions. Bumalik na kasi ako sa pagiging makulit at madaldal sakanya nang wala man lang paliwanag. Well, ayoko munang sabihin sakanya yung dahilan kung bakit ako lumayo at umiwas. I just feel like this isn't the right time for this.

"You always surprise me with your personalities, Amery. You should know that." Nakangisi si Iven ngayon habang umiinom ng beer. Andito ulit kami sa balcony niya.

"Ayaw mo iyon, para birthday present yung lagi kong dating sayo."

I joked which made him chuckled a bit before he drank the bottle of beer again. I'm just wishing that he will not open up those things that he'd said to me a week ago. Wala naman akong plano para tanungin siya kung gusto niya talaga ako.

Pero paano kapag oo, susugal kaya ako?

"So how are you?"

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay kahit hindi naman siya nakatingin sa akin. Nagtataka lang ako kung bakit 'yun ang tinatanong niya sa akin ngayon.

"You didn't talk to me for a week so I want to know if you're okay or not."

I immediately cursed inside my mind to stop me from giggling because of what he said because I promised to myself that I will now stop teasing him para hindi na lumalim ang pagkagusto niya sa akin, kung totoo man. Pero nabigo lamang ako nang mapagtanto ko na nakangiti na naman ako ngayon.

"I'm okay. But I can't help but to feel sad for a ghost friend of mine." I started which made him to look at me. "Bukas na kasi yung last hearing ng kaso niya and kapag nanalo siya, makakapunta na siya sa langit. She will be gone forever here."

My voice was sad because I know I'll be missing Karelle once she will take her from us and it will be just Lauren and me. Mawawalan na naman ako ng kaibigan.

"Then that's good." My brows arched. Nagtataka ako kung bakit 'yun ang sagot ni Iven. Can't he notice that I'm going to miss my friend?

"I know you're feeling sad, Amery. But you should be happy for your friend because at last her soul will be at peace. She will rest with God after all the things that she experienced here when she was still alive. Diba iyon namam ang gusto ninyo?"

May point naman si Iven pero siyempre, naging kaibigan ko rin si Karelle kahit sa maikling panahon. I made blissful memories with her kaya nakakalungkot lang na hindi ko na siya makikita bukas. Pero tama nga talaga si Iven dahil iyon ang gusto namin. To find peace and live in paradise.

"So magiging masaya ka kapag nawala na ako?"

Napaawang ang bibig ni Iven nang itanong ko iyon sakanya. Hindi niya siguro inasahan na lalabas iyon mula sa bibig ko. Pati rin naman ako, para bang bigla ko na lang siya nasabi kahit hindi ko naman pinag-isipan.

We stayed there in silence. No one dared to speak up. Maybe he was just really stunned with my question to the point that he can't answer it at hindi ko rin naman alam ang susunod kong sasabihin dahil napaka-seryoso naming dalawa. But I know to myself that I'm expecting an answer from him. An answer that will make me happy.

"Iven, who will be your date in our company's anniversary? Is it Liana?"

My forehead creased when I heard his mom's questions. Company anniversary? At bakit may date siyang binaggit?

"I don't know mom." Iven answered with his bored voice. Nasa loob kami ng kotse ng mama niya dahil sumabay si Mrs. Constello sa pagpasok ni Iven sa university.