I'll Be There ✔ (I Will Series 1)

25. Selfish?

Author's Note: Again, please bear with me, this chapter has more than 5.6K words. So, if there are any typographical and grammatical errors please don't hesitate to correct me.

Also, imagine Loey singing the song above.

Happy Reading!

Kabanata 25
Selfish?

I WISH this could be all just one big bad nightmare, and wake up tomorrow with a smile on my face, a hug from my mother, a soft embrace from my father, and one sweet kiss from my love.

"Manang, sorry po talaga," malumanay kong sabi bago iabot ang sobreng naglalaman ng panghuling sweldo nila.

"Okay lang po, ma'am, naiintindihan ko po," sabi nito bago ngumiti sa akin at binuhat ang kanyang dalang bagahe.

Kahit ayaw man namin silang tanggalin ay wala na kaming magagawa pa, halos lahat na ng properties namin ay isa-isang nawawala. We needed to pay for my tuition fees, the house bills, and other expenses. Hindi pa naman gaano ka laki ang sweldo ni kuya dahil mababa palang ang posisyon nito sa kompanya.

"When should I give you the deed of sale?" tanong ko kay Lyn.

"I'm available right now kita nalang tayo, I'll send you the address." sagot rin nito sa kabilang linya. "Are you sure you're going to sell the car that your parents gave you?" she added which made me stopped from talking. I don't have a choice, baka lalo lang kaming lumubog sa utang. The other reason is, I'm saving it for my upcoming licensure exam. I can study on my own, but it will be much better if I also go to some review centers. I want to ace the exam. I want to ace it for Mama, Papa, and Kuya. For Loey.

"Of course," I replied.

Weeks after I broke up with Loey, he would always visit me here in our house. Pero si Kuya lang ang pinapaharap ko sa kanya. Hindi ko siya kayang harapin, baka bumalik lang ako sa kanya, and I don't want that. I promised myself not to talk to him, his future is more important than this relationship. Loey would often wait for me after my class at araw-araw ko rin siyang iniiwasan, I started to distance myself from my friends and other people, afraid it would cause another ruckus.

"Can you tell me now," umupo sa tabi ko si Kuya pero ang tingin niya ay nasa palabas.

My gaze fell on my hands before I turned my gaze to my brother. "I... broke up with him,"

Agad itong nakuha ang atensyon ni kuya, he took the remote from the table and turned off the TV. "Come again,"

I let out a heavy sigh, "I broke up with Loey,"

Tinitigan niya ang buong mukha ko, maybe studying what I really feel. "He loves you and you love him too, why choose to let go?" his voice is calm.

"I needed to," I quickly wiped the tear that escaped from my eye with the back of my hand.

Kuya pulled me by my hand and enveloped me for a hug, "Whatever your reason is, I'm sure it's for the best," he added. I just cried and cried until there's nothing left.

It was during lunchtime when I saw him waiting for me again, nakasandal ito sa pader at ang mga tingin ay nasa kanyang sapatos. When he noticed my stares he turned his gaze towards me and smiled, but I see no joy in his eyes.

I turned my gaze away from him. I swallowed the lump in my throat, if I'm someone who's not close to him I will be fooled by those smile but I know him pretty damn well. He looks tired, sad, and about to give up.

I turned my back and when I'm about to take a step forward he called my name, memories came flashing like a tidal wave.

"Erinayle,"