Parted Ways

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Alam ko ang tinutukoy niya. May bagay na sumagi sa isipan ko pero ayokong maniwala, hindi ako maniniwala.

Mauulit nanaman ba? Aasa nanaman ba ako sa kan'ya? Masasaktan nanaman ba ako?

I felt the familiar bitterness I felt when I saw what Kara said to him through that message that day.

May Asher na nga siya! Bakit ba kailangan pa niya kaming guluhin ni Caden ngayon?

'Kara: I'm sorry, Calian. Let's go back to the way we were before.'

Really, Kara? It's been how many months yet you're still not over my Caden? Or more so, it's been how many years.

Parang kailan lang nagpapatulong ka sa'kin para mapalapit kay Asher tapos ngayon ito?

"Aruzel!" sabay pitik niya sa noo ko. "Kanina ka pa wala sa sarili mo, what's bothering you?"

Isang tipid na ngiti ang sinagot ko 'tsaka ko siya sinenyasan na lumabas na kami.

It's already 4 PM and we're now heading to the school gate.

"Ang bagal." Farah murmured.

Sinadya kong bagalan ang lakad ko, umaasang susulpot ang taong inaasahan ko sa aking harapan at magpapaliwanag.

Last step, there's still no Caden that arrived.

I just let out a deep sigh before bidding my goodbye to my best friend.

Hindi siya nagparamdam sa akin ngayon, he did not even left anything on my table. No traces of him for today. I wonder, tama kaya ang sinabi ni Asher? Well if that's the case, he must've been hurt too. They've been together for how many months now.

I saw him these past few days being terrible. Maybe he had a fight with her, and now Kara bothers Caden naman.

What's your thing in the past with him, Kara?

I was about to sleep when I remembered that I have a homework to finish.

Kinuha ko ang bag ko at umupo sa sofa ko katapat ng bintana.

"Hey, Luna. I missed you."

I stared at the moon for a couple of minutes before I finally decided to do my task.

"Oh. My. God."

A small box was placed in the most corner of my bag.

Bakit hindi ko ito nakita kanina?

With my other hand on my mouth, I slowly opened it.

I can clearly remember what I said to him when he asked me about myself.

'"What's your favorite flower, my Solhera?" he said while caressing my hair.

"Hmm, why? Bibigyan mo ba ako?" I said teasingly.

"Of course, I will give anything to my baby."

He smiled sweetly. "My baby is blushing," iniwas ko ang tingin ko dahil ayokong makita niya akong ganito, get a hold of yourself Aruzel. "Let me see you like that."

I faced him with gritted teeth, acting like mad but deep in side I'm slowly dying in happiness.

"Stop it."

"Stop blushing too," he laughed and then tried to catch my sight. "No, I changed my mind, don't stop blushing, I like you more that way."

"So you don't really like me much when I'm not blushing, huh? Nevermind, I love tulips by the way."

"I like the blushing you, but I love the whole you."

What the hell, Caden.

Hindi ko na napigilan ang takas na mga ngiti.

He then smiled sweetly at me again. "And tulips? Noted."'

It's a preserved little pink tulip in a dome with fairy lights on it. My eyes watered and it watered more when I saw his note.

"You love tulips while the only thing I love is you. This is one of the symbol of my love for you, just like this, it wouldn't die. This I promise you, my Solhera."
-Caden

How could I be mad at you when you're like this Caden?

I spent an hour doing my homework and I don't know how many hours for thinking about things.

Nang napagtanto kong wala rin namang patutunguhan kung mag-iisip lang ako ng mag-iisip at hindi kikilos ay wali rin, nagdesisyon nalang akong matulog.

I was about to fall asleep when my phone rang.

"Hello." a low voice greeted me.

I startled and immediately sat on my bed. I bit my lower lip because I can't contain what I'm feeling right now.

Stay calm, easy girl.

"Hey." I tried not to sound excited.

"Hmm, I'm sorry for calling out late at night," he said softly. "I just can't let you sleep mad at me."

Napatayo ako at saglit na pinindot ang mute sa tawag niya.

"Get a hold of yourself, Aruzel! Argh!" then I dramatically fanned myself.

I unmuted it and didn't uttered any word.

"Hey, are you sleepy? Okay rest now, I understand kung ayaw mo na munang pag-usapan ngayon," I heard him sigh. "I'm sorry. Don't overthink, baby. I know you are confused, but don't you ever question my love for you. Sleep now, I'll make you feel better tomorrow. Goodnight."

Ilang buntong hininga pa ang pinakawalan niya bago tuluyang pinatay ang tawag.

I'm a bit disappointed because I thought he'll insist to make up things and explain everything to me right now. But it's alright I'll just wait for tomorrow's happenings. I'm done for today.

I don't like him anymore because I'm already falling in love with him. I don't want to totally acknowledge and admit it because I'm scared. Maraming bagay pa ang hindi umaayon sa amin. I'll just wait because time will come and it will lead us to the right path, I know.

Bago ako bumalik sa kama ko kinuha ko ang isa pang matalik kong kaibigan at wala sa sariling nagsulat.

Dear Diary,
I fall for him every single day. I don't want to admit it to myself. But I know I do. I don't want to get hurt. Yet, I also want to risk.

- Solhera.