Don't Cry

010

It is as if the time has stopped and it was only me and Lay right now in this playground.

I didn't even dare to look away but rather my eyes are still looking directly into his.

I couldn't believe my eyes. I didn't know if he was real, if he's really here right in front of my eyes.

Gusto kong magsalita pero walang boses ang gustong kumawala sa akin. Even him, he didn't also try to speak and break his eyes in mine.

"Lay, is that really you?" I asked when the courage to ask envelopes me.

But instead of answering my question, he smiled at me. It is like the world stops spinning, the time freezes and the rain vanished.

"How are you? Long time no see, I guess," he said as I saw sadness in his eyes.

Hindi ko rin alam kung ano ba ang dapat kong isagot. I went through hell when he's away but I guess, I am coping up better these past few days.

Hindi ko siya sinagot. I just stared at him in an engrossed manner, having the fear of him disappearing again right before my own eyes.

He extends his right hand and offered me to get the umbrella he is holding. My pupil dilated while looking at his hand and then, back to his face once again.

Inabot ko ang payong at agad naman niyang binitiwan iyon nang nasiguro niyang hawak-hawak ko na.

He turned around and started walking away from me regardless of the pouring rain.

"Lay," I called his name loud enough for him to hear me. He stopped on walking but he didn't turn around to face me.

"Hindi ka na ba aalis?"

Nilingon niya ako at binigyan ng matamis na ngiti. "I will not, Mira. I promise."

After he said those words, he started walking away once again. I keep on looking at him slowly fading away from my sight.

He's back.

My heart is filled with so much delight by the thought of him staying here for good but...

But confusion arises within me once more.

"Ven," Kit called me firmly, taking me away from the memory I had yesterday.

"Kanina pa kita tinatawag pero parang hindi mo ako naririnig. Ni hindi ko rin nga nakikitang inililipat mo ang pahina ng librong binabasa mo. May problema ka ba?" he asked. I bit my lips, having a huge dilemma within me.

He's worried but I don't think now is the time para sabihin ko sa kanyang bumalik na si Lay. I know I will tell it to him but I still can't right now.

I smiled at him to hide my thoughts. "May naisip lang ako." I shook my head. "It wasn't that important anyway."

Yeah sure.

Why am I even lying to my best friend?

"Sigurado ka? Alam mo naman na pwede mo kong sabihan ng kahit ano."

"I can handle this." I paused. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For being with me always. For being patient even though I know I am hurting you inside. For not leaving me in times that I needed you the most. And most especially, for being the person who wipes every tears that fell from my eyes. Thank you, for being that person."

His worried face is converted into a smiling one. "You know that I will do anything for you even if it means that I need to forget myself first."

I wanted to be happy for hearing what he said to me but my heart is breaking for him. He still loves me. He still does. I even had the chance to heard it but I chose not pay attention on it because our friendship is at stake.