Between Distance (Between Series #1)

CHAPTER 17

I swear. Ilang beses kong sinumpa si James sa utak ko. But then, I asked for forgiveness afterwards.

Ang hirap maging gagong mabait.

Napairap ako sa sariling naisip.

"Para siyang tanga!" reklamo ko kay Ysabelle. Nasa office niya ako ngayon. "Isipin mo, nagtanong lang naman ako kung nasaan si AJ. He answered me, but he was sooo sarcastic!" Inis kong rant.

Si Ysabelle lang ang na kikwentuhan ko. Clara have multiple hearings this week. Daphne's scheduled operations is packed. Azalea's is still busy on her new restaurant.

"Anyway," iba ko ng usapan nang mapansin hindi niya ako pinagtutuuan ng pansin. Kala mo talaga maganda "Kailan mo balak magtayo ng sarili mong company?" I suddenly asked.

"Kung kailan na siya mag po-propose," walang ganang sabi nito. Napatitig ako sa kaniya. Nang marealize niya ang sinabi niya sakin ay agad naman siyang nakabawi, ngunit hindi alam kung paano ito i se-segway. 

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.

"Ah ano, hindi," nawawalang palusot niyang sabi. "Yung ano kase," napa kamot na lang siya sa batok niya. She doesn't know what to say anymore. I just let her. I mean, if that what she wants. Then go. Wala naman kasi akong dapat pakielaman sa mga decisions nila sa buhay. As long as pinagiisipan naman nila ng maayos, why not?

Dinner came, tumambay lang ako sa office ni Ysabelle. Hindi na ako nagbukas ng clinic. Nag-order na lang ako ng food namin ni Ysabelle.

As expected, naging dirediretso na nga ang sessions ko with AJ. She's actually recovering fast. Hindi ko inexpect 'yon. Jagger seems cold. Cold na siya dati pero mas cold siya ngayon.

I wonder, did he regret having me on his life? I bet he did. Ang sigurado ako ay hindi niya pinagsisihan ang pag-iwan sa'kin. AJ is a blessing to her. Who wouldn't want her? She's sweet, jolly, smart, and a light person.

Nung namatay kaya ang asawa niya sino ang sinandalan niya? I'm sure it was a hell for him. Naiwang mag-isa sa kaniya ang bata. Wala siyang kasamang mag-bantay at mag-alaga.

Way back high school hindi ganoon kadali ang pera sa kaniya. He worked before as a crew in some fast food chains. Iipunin niya ang kinita niya at iyon ang gagamitin niyang pamasahe papunta sa'kin.

Bigla kong naalala. Ang sabi ni Az ay sa BGC na siya nakatira. Bigatin na. All his hard work are worth it. He made it even though he struggled a lot. Kamusta na kaya ang family niya sa Laguna? Namiss ko ang kapatid niya pati ang best friend niya.

"Now open your eyes," I said to AJ while walking to the grave of her mother. It must be hard for them, yes also for Jagger, to face this. I need to this, though. They need to overcome this. This will be my last meeting with them. Kung hindi na mag kakaroon ng nightmares si AJ.

According to Jagger, she's coping up well. She never had nightmares in the past few weeks. AJ is indeed a strong girl. 

After she opens her eyes. She stared at the grave blankly. Only four words came out to her mouth.

"I love you, mommy." she strongly said. She then went to Jagger. She hugged him. They stayed for a while. I took a picture silhouette of them.

I should post this later to my Instagram. I didn't look the name and who's on the grave. Baka hindi ko kayanin, choz.

The two stayed. Ang sbai ni Jagger pwede na akong umuwi. He will just call me if something happens to AJ.

I went to a bar. Inaaya ko si Clara, ayaw niya daw. Weird, pag nag-aya ako laging sumasama 'yon naghahanap ng lalandiin. Baka 'di na broken hearted.