Before The Last Sunset [Before Trilogy #1]

25

"Whatever you choose, I hope it brings your heart peace."

Mom stood to her feet, patting my shoulder. She exited the balcony, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I took in everything that she said, finding the answer to her question. I contemplated on what move should I take, what I wanted to do. What would bring my heart peace?

Kaya ko ba talagang kalimutan ang sakit para sa pagmamahal? Kakayanin ko bang babaan ang pride ko para sa kanya? Dapat pa ba akong lumaban kahit alam kong talo pa rin ako sa dulo?

Her face flashed in my mind again. I don't think I could afford to lose her, not in the way I did. If I were to lose, I wanted to accept defeat knowing I fought with all I could. Would it hurt me? Yes. Would I regret it? No.

She was worth lowering my pride. She was worth forgetting the pain. She was worth the fight.

Summer was worth every single sacrifice and risk.

Ginawa ko ang lahat ng makakaya ko para makausap siya muli. I sent her texts, I called her and I even went back to her place. I didn't care if I was acting desperate, I just wanted to talk to her again. She deserved an apology from me. Lahat ng sinabi ko sa kanya nung nag-away kami ay pinagsisisihan ko. Nabulag ako ng galit ko at may mga sinabi akong hindi naman totoo. I wanted her to know how sorry I was, how much I didn't mean all the hurtful words I said.

No matter what I did, I couldn't reach her. All my texts were left delivered and my calls ignored. She didn't even show herself when I waited at her house. I understood why she didn't want to talk to me anymore. Nasaktan ko rin naman siya. Baka mas matindi pa ang sakit na binigay ko sa kanya. I wanted to give her the space she needed but there was no time for that. Time was slowly running out for the both of us, and there's no way I would sit around and do nothing. Hindi ko hahayaang matapos kami ng ganun-ganun lang. Gagawa ako ng paraan para lang makausap siya.

I went with my last option. I was so desperate, I had to ask for my friends' help. They didn't hesitate to offer themselves, but that didn't go without an earful of how much of a jerk I was. I did admit it. I deserved to hear that from them.

I bounced my knee repeatedly out of nervousness. I was sweating bullets while waiting. I was just hoping that this worked. If it didn't, I really didn't know what to do next.

"Nagpadala na tayo ng stuff toys, long apology message, voicemails at pagkain," Marcus handed me the bouquet of flowers. "'Pag 'di pa rin gumana 'yung bulaklak, harana na ang susunod sa listahan."

Inismiran ko siya at kinuha ang mga bulaklak. "Harana? Seryoso ka ba?"

"O bakit? Uso pa kaya 'yun," inirapan niya ako. "Gusto mo manuyo, diba? 'Wag kang maarte at gawin mo lahat para makabawi."

Naglabas ako ng buntong-hininga at tumango. "Yes boss."

Lumapit sa'min si Austin at tinaas ang kanyang cellphone. "Papunta na raw siya. Ihanda mo na 'yang sasabihin mo."

Naramdaman kong lumamig ang dugo ko. Ito na talaga 'yun. Makakausap ko na talaga siya. Kung hindi ko pa aayusin 'to, kailangan ko nalang taggapin 'yung pagkatalo ko.

Tumingin ako sa dalawa at tipid na ngumiti. "Salamat sa tulong niyo ha? I owe you both."

They both have been there for me the whole time. Even if they knew I messed up, they still offered their help and time. I really didn't know how to repay their efforts. But whenever they were in the same place as I am right now, I knew I would go above and beyond for them as well.

"Ano ka ba, pre. Syempre susuportahan ka namin! Tropa tayo eh! Diba Austin?" sinabi ni Marcus at siniko si Austin.

Austin crossed his arms to his chest and rolled his eyes. "Whatever. You better fix this, Chase. This might be your only shot so don't mess it up."