Still Drowned To You (Still Series #3)

Hakbang 26

"Ilang araw ka roon? Babalik ka rin naman agad dito, hindi ba?"

Tumango ako habang abala sa pag-aayos ng mga gamit sa maleta. Nag-overnight si Olivia dito at madaling araw pa lang, gising na kami. Summer half term holidays kasi kaya wala kaming pasok ng limang araw. Ngayon ang umpisa noon at ngayon din ako aalis.

To where am I going? Philippines.

"Two days lang. We still have classes so I really need to go back," I said.

"He's not aware you're going there, right?"

"Yup. I wanna surprise him."

Ngumisi sya sa akin. "Sabihin ko nga," Aniya at nilabas pa ang phone kunwari.

Inirapan ko sya ngunit natawa rin. I'm glad we became friends. Isa si Olivia sa mga taong tumulong sa akin para magpatuloy dito. She's one of my few trusted friends here.

"Try and you're doomed," Banta ko.

"I'm just kidding! Anyway, kasama mo pauwi si Quiel?"

"Hindi. Busy 'yon."

"Pero alam nyang aalis ka?"

"Oo. Why are you asking?"

She just shrugged and checked her nails.

"Baka mamiss ka n'on. Baka umiyak," Tawa nya.

I shook my head in disbelief.

"I told you, we're just friends, Liv." I explained.

"Friends for you. How 'bout him? Does he feel the same way?"

Bumuntong hininga ako. Here we go again with this issue. Magdadalawang taon na ako rito at issue pa rin 'yan.

"I have a boyfriend and he knows that. Stop pairing Quiel with me. Why don't your try pair him with you?" I smirked.

Naubo sya at umarte pang parang nasusuka.

"He's definitely not my type. I'm having goosebumps with your ideas!" Reklamo nya.

Umiling na lang ako at humalakhak. Bagay naman sila, ah? But she's right. It's kinda impossible, I guess? Hindi rin kasi sya type ni Quiel. But who knows, right? Minsan pa nga, doon tayo napupunta sa hindi naman natin gusto noong umpisa. If that happens with them, I'll be really damn happy! They're opposites but I can see the potential!

It's been almost two years since I decided to pursue my dreams and study here. It's not that easy. I struggled and almost gave up on my first year in fashion school. I questioned my abilities and I started doubting myself. Mabuti na lang hindi ako sumuko dahil ngayon, kaunti na lang at magthithird year na ako.

I gained myself back. Hindi na ako iyong madalas mapagalitan at nakuha ko na rin ang loob ng mga Prof. They started liking my designs. They started seeing my potential.

Hindi naging madali ang lahat pero masasabi kong worth it. Mabuti na lang hindi ako sumuko at hindi ako sinukuan ng mga taong naniniwala sa akin. Lalo na si Condrad.

All those times, he was there for me. I started opening up my problems and struggles after his first stay here. He started opening up too. Mas nagamay namin kung paano ihahandle ang relasyon namin. It's like we really needed that fight to know how to manage our relationship.

"Ashei, I believe in you."

"Mahihirapan pero hindi susuko, mahal. Alam kong kaya mo 'to."

"You have me. I won't ever doubt your love for your dreams, baby."

Iilan lang sya sa mga sinabi nya sa akin para pagaanin ang loob ko sa tuwing naghihina ako. He became my strength even though we're far away. Hindi nya ako sinukuan kaya bakit ko susukuan ang sarili ko? Dati, pangarap ko lang 'to. Ngayon, pangarap ko na 'to kasama sya. Pangarap na naming dalawa kaya mas hindi ako susuko.