Peace Within (Villa Priscilla Series #1) #Wattys2020Winner

Chapter 30- Always been her

"Why are you running? Wait, are you crying? What happened?" Sunod sunod na tanong niya. Bakas ang alala sa mata. Nagiwas ako ng tingin, takot ipakita ang nararamdaman.

"Wala 'to. May hinahabol kasi ako kanina kaso nawala na." Walang kwentang palusot ko. He's not convinced but he let it out. "Saan ka nga pala pupunta?" Pagiiba ko.

"I was about to go home when you bumped me. Have you eaten yet?"

"No."

"Great. Let's eat." Inakay niya ako sa isang restaurant. Mukhang mamahalin. Hindi bagay sa lugar ang suot ko. We're waiting for our food to arrive. Nang dumating ay tahimik pa rin kaming kumain. Hindi na ako nasanay kay Lucas, eh lagi namang tahimik 'to.

"Thank you," Paalam ko bago bumaba ng sasakyan niya. He offered me a ride and I gladly accepted.

"Sure no problem. But please," I was waiting for his next words,"next time, please don't cry." I feel my face heated. He signaled me to close the door and I did. Kumaway ako kahit hindi ko alam kung nakita niya ba.

When I reach my bed, I suddenly feel tired. It's been 9 years and I thought I won't let myself drown from our past that was not even lasts a year,  but here I am, it seems that I did. How can I forget someone who's been so close to my heart since then?

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"What's with that face? You seems exhausted." Dane said when I put my seatbelt on. We were going back to Manila today.

"I am." I said, almost whispered. I drove our way to Manila. He keeps on talking to me so I will not get bored or sleepy. Eight-thirty in the morning when we arrived at the condo. When I saw my bed, I immediately jumped so I can rest. It was a long drive, I'm so tired.

5:00 pm, my clock alarmed. I get up to do my things. I did prepare my snacks for my duty. After doing such, I get down to wait for Warren. Sabay kaming papasok. Pagod na pagod pa rin ang katawang lupa ko kahit nakapagpahinga naman ako. Hinilot ko ang batok, "Are you okay?" Said someone from behind. It was Waze.

"Yeah, of course. Let's go?" We walked to his car. I know him too well, that's why he will not let this one out.

"What's with you today?" See? I told you.

"I was so tired."

"Ano bang ginawa mo sa Villa? Ang sabi ni Dano nagkita kayo nung JC? Yung kapitbahay ko tama?" Tumango lang ako. "Then you should be happy? You waited for him so long."

"How?"

"Anong how?"

Tulala kong pinanood ang mga gusaling dinadaanan. "How can I be happy if it seems like he don't know me at all?"

"What do you mean?"

What's this sadness all about? Ang annoying. "We never did catch up you know. No 'how are you?' No 'it's been a long time' like that.  So fucking funny." I bitterly said. "You know what's even fucking funnier? We introduce ourselves to each other like we never met ever since."

He's watching me. I know what's on his mind. He probably think that I am crazy over his neighbor. "Don't judge me. It's just that, I was in the state of absorbing things. I just can't believe that we met again. Like nothing happened in the past."

"Why would I judge you? You've been tough all your life. It's okay to show your vulnerability this time. It's okay not to be okay for once." With what he said, tears rolling down to my face. I can't contain it.

"I'm sorry if you have to see me like this."

"It's okay, Ada. I'm your friend. You can always count on me." I fixed my face before going out of the car. Hinatid niya 'ko sa post ko bago dumiretso sa kaniya. Finocus ko ang sarili sa trabaho, umaasang makakalimot saglit. Iyon palang ang nakukwento ko kay Waze naiiyak na 'ko, paano pa 'pag sinabi ko na may iba siyang mahal? I shaked my head trying to erase that thought. Hindi ko dapat sila iniisip. Siyam na taon na 'kong lugi. Luging lugi na 'ko.