Parted Ways

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Hindi nawala ang atensyon ko sa wall clock na nasa taas ng white board, mabuti na rin siguro na doon ang pwesto nito para hindi ako mapansin ng prof na hindi naman talaga ako naka-focus sa klase.

My phone alarmed sign that we only have one class left.

"Konting tiis nalang, Aru." I whispered to myself.

I sent Caden some messages but he's not replying in any of it.

I'm in the middle of typing a message when the door creaked opened.

Our prof settled down on his seat and I'm so happy because I know that this man dismisses early.

Give me an hour, Caden. I'm gonna travel no matter what happens just for you.

I can't afford to get him mad at me. I don't wanna scrape our relationship with my stupidity. Mostly, I don't want him to be sad, not on his special day!

The first half hour of the class was smooth, I'm already calculating my time of arrival to our province, the time travel is 4 hours so I would be able to arrive at 6 PM, I guess.

Parang wala akong pakialam sa paligid ko at tila ba tunog lang ng mga kamay ng orasan ang naririnig ko, but not until,

"Are you listening, Ms. Abiera?" his firm voice caused silence.

Napapikit nalang ako sabay tumango.

Nice, Aruzel. One more prof bingo kana, asar na sila lahat sa'yo.

Umirap si Sir at nagpatuloy. "So as I was saying, you'll pass this later at 5 PM. When you can't, automatically zero. I'll be waiting at the faculty, class dismissed."

Isa-isang inabot sa amin ang papel na naglalaman ng gagawin namin.

Tangina, parang gusto kong magwala!

Bago pa ako unahan ng pagsuko at kung ano pa man, nagsimula nalang akong maglakad.

"Hello, Farah."

"Yes, princess?" she answered.

"Are you home earlier at 5 PM? I have something to finish kasi."

"Halla! Anong oras ka nang makaka-biyahe n'yan. Iwan mo nalang at ako na ang gagawa at magpapasa!"

Gustuhin ko mang pumayag, alam kong marami rin siyang kailangan tapusin na nabinbin na ng dahil lang din sa akin. She has her own tasks to do and I don't want to give her more.

"Thank you but ako nalang ang gagawa, favor na lang? Ikaw na lang ang magpasa para maka-abot pa ako. I love you, Farah!"

Lakad takbo ang ginawa ko para makarating sa condo ng mas mabilis. I was cheering and calming myself at the same time.

I can't disappoint him. No!

I was trembling while looking for my card key when I saw a man on his back standing at our door. My jaw dropped so as the things that I was holding earlier.

When he turned around, my tears fell.

I was stunned that I just found myself on his arms.

"I'm sorry, my Solhera." he said while carresing my back. "I didn't intend to get you worried, please, I'm not mad at you."

I can't say any word! I should be guilty but damn! I am overwhelmed and flattered!

When he withdraw, he kissed me on my forehead.

"Mahal na mahal kita, Solhera. Hindi ko kayang magalit sa'yo." sabi niya nang may mga matang nangungusap.

I hugged him back and cried louder. "I'm so sorry, Caden. I'm so sorry! So stupid of me! I'm sorry! I love you so much!"

"Hmmm. Stop worrying, mahal." his voice was so soft na akala mo'y isang anghel.

I'm still crying when he managed to get the card key and opened the unit.

We sat at the sofa with me still hugging him. Ayokong bumitaw dahil baka panaginip lang 'to! Baka 'yung totoong Caden galit pala sa akin! Ayoko!

Few more minutes when he spoke. "For you."

I saw a beautiful bouquet of tulips. I immediately grabbed and hugged it. Baka bigla ring mawala eh!

"Hindi mo manlang ba ako babatiin?"

I closed my eyes because I can't still process that this is really happening!

He fucking travelled on his birthday and even said sorry! This is unfair! I am so unfair!

I can't look at him because mixed emotions was what I am feeling! Maybe one glimpse and boom, I'm just imagining!

"Why are you closing your eyes?" he said with a hint of tease. "Are you, in any way, imagining things, Solhera?"

He cupped my face and then tried to open my eyes. "Bulaga!"

When I touched his face, I already woke up with my what ifs. He's really here! My Caden is really here!

God, what did I do to have a man like him?

"Happy Birthday, Caden. Mahal na mahal na mahal kita." I said and kissed him on the cheeks.

I saw how his cheeks lit red. I giggled.

But then I remembered that even though he seems to be okay, I still need to apologize.

"Mahal." I said while hugging him. "Sorry ha? Alam ko walang salita ang sasapat kasi tignan mo naman? Basta lagi mo lang tatandaan na mahal na mahal kita, ano man ang mangyari. Makalimutan ko man ang pangalan mo, hindi ko naman makakalimutan na mahal kita. Sorry, babawi ako pangako."

"Sssh. I understand. I understand that you're busy and stressed and I don't wanna add up to it. I'm sorry because I made you worried. Basta tandaan mo lang na hindi ko kayang magalit sa'yo, kahit anong mangyari. Hangga't kaya ko iintindihin kita at habang-buhay ay mamahalin kita. "

I was beyond blessed.

"I was about to go home, why did you travelled here instead? Don't you have things to do?"

"Alam ko na marami kang gagawin kaya ako nalang ang lumuwas, kaya ko namang isakripisyo 'yung mga gagawin ko eh, at tsaka konti lang 'yon. Ano ba naman ang isang araw na hindi makatapos kung kapalit naman no'n ay makikita kita hindi ba?" he sniffed my hair. "Ikaw lang ang gusto ko sa araw ng kaarawan ko."

"Caden, I'm so blessed to have you."

"Kaya natin 'to mahal, intindihin lang natin ang isa't isa." he said with a sweet smile.

"Don't ever get tired of me, please Caden." I whispered because tears are eating me up again.

"I promise, I won't get tired of you." the last words I heard from him because I cried louder again.