Grievous: Braylon (GS1)

Kabanata XV

Kabanata XV: New

After 3 years since I arrived Canada, nakapagtapos din ako ng Senior High. Third year na si Damien that time, naging malapit din ako sa kanya since wala naman akong masyadong kaibigan sa Canada and madalang lang bumisita sina Zadkiel since nag aaral sila sa Bulacan.

"So you are planning to finish your studies here, Serena?" tanong ni Damien nung magkita kami after ko mag enroll ng college.

"Yes, Tito Joaquin will help me and Kuya Navy will also visit here next week since he wants to help Tito with his company here in Canada." saad ko bago sumimsim ng kape.

"Serena, about the marriage..." Damien sighed. Oh! I almost forgot about that. Daddy is really convince about my marriage with Damien peri hindi nila alam Damien has a girlfriend in Manila. That is also the reason why he go back and forth from Manila to Canada. Hindi alam ng parents ni Damien since his parents won't approve when they knew about them.

"I know, we both don't want it. But—"

"Buntis si Chantal before I left... I can't leave Chantal alone raising our child. I want to be there for her. So I want you to help me convince our parents na itigil ang marriage natin."

I was so shocked. I didn't know his girlfriend was pregnant! Kaya pala he's always nervous because of that. I didn't want to get married also, I'm too young for that besides I'm sure I'll be able to find someone else. I'm sure about that.

"Of course, Dame. We'll talk to them. How about your studies here?"

"I'll finish this semester dito but I'll continue it in Manila. Thank you, Serena." He smiled and softly holds my hand.

"Don't worry about it, Damien. Kaibigan mo ko and I'm willing to help my friends." ngiti ko pabalik.

I talked to our parents about our decision that night. They are both shocked since they didn't know Damien had a girlfriend but everything went smooth. Pumayag naman sila na hindi na ituloy ang marriage para akong nabunutan ng tinik sa lalamunan. Finally, I can chase my dreams.

I can still see Braylon's face while he was chasing me. The tears falling from his eyes as he slowed down because and bended on his knees...

Nagising ako ng hating gabi dahil sa aking panaginip. I looked at my alarm clock, it's only 3 am. Ilang beses ko na siya napapaginipan, the guilt, the heartbreak still lingers kahit 3 years na ang nakakalipas. I wonder what his doing right now? No doubt he was always my greatest love, walang magbabago doon.

"Serena! I missed you so much!" sambit ni Carmilla habang ng mag video call kami.

"I missed you too, Carmilla! Kamusta kayo diyan?"

"Okay lang, you looked more beautiful! Nakakaganda ba talaga diyan sa Canada?"

"Sabi ko kasi sayo sumama ka sa amin ni Abel pag pupunta kaming Canada." narinig kong dagdag ni Zadkiel.

"Hay nako! Tigilan niyo nga ako!"

"Kailan ang uwi mo?" Zadkiel asked, nakatabi na siya ngayon kay Carmilla. I still doubt about their friendship. I know it's more than that, I'll just wait for them na aminin sa akin.

"Baka after 4 years pa, tatapusin ko pa ang course ko dito. Tito Joaquin wants me to finish my studies here. Uuwi dito si Kuya Navy next week. Sasama ba kayo?"

"Hindi ko lang alam, wala namang nabanggit si Kuya. If kaya ng sched, sasama ako. Si Abel hindi ko pa sure, umuwi kasi si Ate Genevieve nung nakaraan."

Napatango ako.

"By the way, si Br—" bago pa maituloy ni Carmilla ang sasabihin niya ay narinig kong biglang dumating si Abel.

"Sino yang kausap niyo?" narinig ko si Abel mula sa malayo.

Buong araw ko silang kausap noong araw na iyon. I wonder what Carmilla wants to tell me. Is it about Braylon?

Classes started nang sumapit ang Lunes. Hinatid ako ni Kuya Navy sa University of Ottawa. His hand brushed his undercut hair habang ang isang kamay niya ay nakahawak sa manibela.

"Goodluck on your first day, Serena. Don't attract too many boys please." Hagalpak niya. I swear alam ko na kung saan nagmana si Zadkiel.

Napairap ako sa kanya, "Kuya Navy, tigilan mo nga ako" sambit ko bago bumaba ng sasakyan. I waved him goodbye bago ako pumasok.

My first two years of college was a bit easy since katulong ko sina Tito Joaquin. I also made friends. Naghahadali akong bumaba nang makitang late na ako sa aking first subject. Nakita ko si Kuya Navy na kumakain sa kusina habang si Tito Joaquin ay busy sa pagtingin ng mga blueprints. Kakauwi niya lang after niyang magbakasyon sa Pilipinas.

"Let's go?" tanong niya habang may kagat pang toast bread.

Tumango ako. "Ingat kayong dalawa," Tito Joaquin added.

"May girlfriend ka ba Kuya Navy?" tanong ko habang nagdridrive si Kuya.

Umiling siya habang nakangisi. "Wala, may irereto ka ba?" biro niya.

Ngumuso ako at umirap, "Well, I don't have time for a girlfriend since I was always busy with our business." he added.

"Kailan ang last girlfriend mo, then?"

"Hmm.. Before I arrived here in Ottawa. It's been two years since my last girlfriend."

"You should find someone here, Kuya! How about Archt. Eleanor? I mean she's pretty and cool."

Matalim niya akong tiningnan, "She's a lesbian, Serena. Besides, she has a crush on you."

Napatigil ako. What? Architect Eleanor is a lesbian? Ship ko pa naman sila ni Kuya Navy. Napahilamos ako ng kamay sa akin mukha.

"Maybe, pareho tayong tatandang single, Kuya." Humagalpak siya.

"You're still young, Serena. 21 ka palang, how about we go on a club mamaya? May gagawin ka ba later?" I see a spark on his eyes. I don't party that much pag nandito lang sila Zadkiel.

"Hmm, sure. Can I bring some of my friends?" tanong ko.

Tumango siya nang maihinto ang kotse sa harap ng University.

"Goodluck, Serena. Don't attract too many boys."

I stick out my tongue at him bago bumaba ng sasakyan.