Parted Ways

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

"Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen. This is to announce that our classes for today are all suspended. Have a great day ahead!"

Farah and I had an eye contact and then danced and jumped like crazy ones on the hallway.

"Movie marathon!" sabay naming sigaw.

Long weekend here we come!

We separated for a while because we reported on our own clubs.

"Hello, Farah? Where are you?" I said over the phone.

"Aru, we're finishing some of the papers na need na ipasa today. Sunod ako later, luto ka food please?" she answered like a baby.

"Sure, take care ha?"

"Love you!" she sweetly said.

"Mwa!" and then I cut off the call.

I decided to roam around because I want fresh air before going to our unit.

I was walking like a girl that was on a music video. Why not? It's a vibe.

"Hello, Aruzel!" shouted by a group of boys.

"Ang ganda mo raw lalo ngayon sabi ni Cot." their leader teased.

I just shook my head and walked away. I saw an empty bench so I took a seat.

I checked our exchanging messages earlier today. I'm not gonna lie, some things changed between Caden and I. It's not like the same anymore. This started since the day we came back here in Manila. I don't know what's happening but I won't think of bad thoughts that he may be doing. I know he trusts me and so am I. I don't wanna add a scratch to our relationship. Sapat na 'yung alam kong may tiwala at mahal namin ang isa't isa.

We seldom call each other because we understand the hectic schedules that we're both facing. We never forget to text and update about what's happening on our lives naman. Though, ayon nga, it feels like some things really change.

Change is constant, indeed.

"Nakaka-antok pala." I yawned but my mouth stayed parted when I saw a man's silhouette on the hallway.

It sent shivers down to my spine. Nakita ko na lumingon siya sa akin bago lumayo! Kaya pala parang may naramdaman akong nakabantay sa akin kanina pa!

I immediately gathered my things and headed out of the campus.

I rode to the elevator and while waiting for it to open on the right floor, I can't help but to think about what happened earlier.

Sure, I have lots of admirers kahit pa alam nilang may boyfriend na ako, pero kahit kailan hindi naman umabot sa puntong ganoon. May stalker na ba ako? Ang creepy!

When the elevator clicked open, 'tsaka ko lang naramdaman ang pagod. Oo nga pala, tumakbo ako kanina.

Upon opening our unit I immediately went to my room and took a nap, bahala na mamaya.

Naalimpungatan ako ng may marinig akong ingay sa sala. I checked the time and it's already 6:30 PM!

I fixed myself before going out. When I opened my door, a bouquet of tulips was what I first saw.

Oh man!

Kahit pa hindi ko iangat ang paningin ko, sa amoy pa lang kilalang kilala ko na kung sino ito.

I gently grabbed the flowers and then faced him. Our eyes immediately met and I saw how his dilated.

"Surprise!" he said then hugged me and gave me a kiss on the forehead after.

I hugged him back and whispered. "I missed you."

Akala ko ay sapat lang ang mga bulong na iyon para marinig ko ngunit nagkamali ako.

"I'm sorry, I missed you more." he softly whispered back.

Farah coughed fakely and then followed by some teasers from the boys.

Sumilip ako mula sa pagkakayakap kay Caden at doon ko nakita na nandito pala ang mga kaibigan niya! Reunion huh?

Samuel and their other boy friends was there grinning.

Caden was the only boy from their circle na naiwan sa province. Lahat ng kaibigan niyang lalaki ay dito sa Maynila nag-aaral. Though, Caden was really not alone kasi nasa province ang ibang mga babaeng kaibigan nila.

We spent the night catching up with each other. They drank while Farah and I just listened to their undying stories. We stayed up until 3:00 AM but then they decided that they should already go home.

I was happy because Caden was here. Because again for the nth time, he made an effort. I'm so lucky, blessed and all the good deeds you can say.

Hinatid namin ang mga lalaki na ngayon ay medyo may mga tama na. Bago ko maisara ang pintuan, Samuel spoke.

"I'm glad that you are happy, Aruzel." he said with an implied meaning.

"Hey, why wouldn't I?" I answered laughing.

"Hmm." he then smiled weakly. "Guard your heels up! Guard your man."

What the fuck?

I was pre-occupied when the door shut close by a man behind.

"Mahal?" he said softly. "Kanina pa sila wala ah? Anong ginagawa mo pa?"

I stared at him.

Ilang beses nang nangyari ang ganito. Ilang tao na ang nagsabi sa akin. Ilang pagkakataon na ang dapat kong pagdudahan pero bakit? Bakit hindi ko kayang magalit?

I cupped his face. "I love you, Caden."

He smiled sweetly then answered. "I love you more than you could imagine, Solhera."

We went inside and cleaned the mess.

"Caden, hindi ka ba nalasing?" Farah asked.

"Hindi naman ako uminom." he answered.

"Eh bakit ang pungay ng mga mata mo kanina?" my best friend fired back.

He then looked at me. "Makita lang si Solhera, taob na ako."

Tumili si Farah ngunit binato ko ng unan. Aba! Anong oras na sisigaw-sigaw siya?

"Ang lalandi!" she hysterically said. "Matulog na kayo, shooo! Caden tabi na kayo, don't worry hindi ako magsusumbong kila Tito at Tita!"

Wala kaming nagawa kundi ang pumasok na sa kwarto dahil tinulak-tulak na kami ng magaling kong kaibigan.

He hugged me and I heard things from him before I fell asleep.

"Sleep tight, mahal ko. Hinding-hindi ako mawawala sa'yo."