Parted Ways

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

"I'm done for this day!" I frustratingly shouted while rolling at my bed.

It's just 4:00 PM but I already feel so exhausted for all those things I have encountered earlier.

The man that bumped in to me earlier was whom I thought my stalker! But hell, why would he stalk me? I knew that I didn't really treated him well back then but why? Is he planning something against me as his revenge?

"Tangina."

Mapapamura ka nalang talaga, plus the possibility that Caden and Kara might be together right now. Tangina talaga.

How could he spend time with her with him setting aside what would I feel once I found out about it?

Ganoon na ba kalala ang nakaharang sa pagitan naming dalawa? Hindi ko ba namamalayan na inaagos na pala ng panahon ang nararamdaman niya palayo sa akin?

Ayos naman kami ah? Bakit naman biglang ganito!

Ayokong unahan ng pag-iisip ng kung anu-ano ngunit hindi ko kaya. Kailangan naming ayusin 'to. Kailangan naming pag-usapan.

"It might be true that once the communication fades the feelings would follow." I said to myself.

Hindi ko mapigilang isipin kung bakit umabot ng ganito. Bakit humantong kami sa ganito.

Masyado ba akong naging kampante na akala ko okay pa kami ngunit sa totoo lang hindi na?

I know I shouldn't over react like this and I know I should wait for his explanations, but I can't help to, because I know that girl's instincts never fails.

My phone then rang, he is now calling.

I watched the screen until he stopped reaching me.

I let out a deep sigh and after a while, I fell asleep.

I woke up at around 7:00 PM and first thing I did was to check on my phone. I was expecting tons of missed calls and unread messages but then I was left disappointed.

I plastered a fake smile.

"Sorry, Farah." I said as I hug her. "I slept, nakalimutan ko ako pala ang naka-toka ngayon."

She giggled. "Ano ba nakikiliti ako."

I looked at my best friend, she looks amazing. She looks very happy.

"Kumusta na kayo nung blockmate mo?" I asked then teased her.

"So ayon nga," then she started telling how their first encounter went and if how they end up being in a relationship.

We ate while she's telling their story at dahil nakatulog ako, nag-order nalang kami.

"Even a person you only met within a short span of time can make you happier than you ever thought you would be," she then said after hours of chismisan.

"Aru, hindi nasusukat sa tagal 'yan." she then added then stood up to wash the dishes.

I cleaned the table then suddenly stopped when Farah then again spoke.

"Princess." she said.

"Hmm?"

"Tingin mo ba masyado akong nagmadali?" she weakly asked.

Farah just got out from a toxic relationship just months ago, they lasted for 2 years. Akala ko nga bago lang sila nito dahil kailan lang niya sinabi sa akin but to my surprise, they kept it a secret pala!

Kairo was Farah's childhood friend, first love and first boyfriend. Everyone also thought na baka magtagal sila and eventually end up being together after they graduate because why not? They were so happy, kilalang kilala na nila ang isa't isa, you can tell na they loved each other so dearly din.

Time being constant is so threatening. Hindi natin alam, baka bukas magbago na lang bigla ang lahat.

"You deserve to be happy, my Farah." and then I joined and hugged her. "I always got your back, no matter what."

"I'm scared.. about.. what people may say." she added.

"Sssh." I caressed her hair. "Yourself, your rules. Don't mind their opinion, what matters was yours."

She then faced me. "You know what I have realized, Aru? Kayang-kayang iparamdam sayo ng taong kahit ngayon mo lang nakilala lahat ng hindi naiparamdam sayo ng taong halos kasama mo na buong buhay mo."

She sighed then added. "How long or how short the time is, the most important thing is that he made you feel worthy of things na ipinagdamot sayo."

That. Spoke. Volume.

I was left dumbfounded until I found myself on the veranda, thinking about all the uncertainties.

I spent an hour or two until I decided to open my phone. I put it on airplane mode earlier because I am in no mood to talk to anyone just over the phone.

Upon clicking the airplane mode off, my phone rang.

I let out how many deep sigh before I gathered some strength to answer it.

"Mahal!"

His voice, no doubt it sounds like he really did waited for me. Well then if that's the case, may pake parin naman pala siya sa akin.

"Cade-"

"Mahal," ilang beses niya pang
banggit.

"Kumusta ka? Anong nangyari sa'yo? Pinag-alala mo ako. May problema ba, mahal ko?" he continuously asked weakly.

"I'm good." I swiftly answered.

"How about us, are we good?" he immediately asked.

"You should ask that yourself, Caden."

He was then caught off guard.

After a long stretch of silence, "I'm sorry, Solhera."

Shit! Where is this heading!?

Tears escaped my eyes. I tried enough not to break my voice. "Why are you sorry?"

"Mahal, please, ayokong pag-usapan 'to dito. Kailan ka uuwi?" he said sounding like he's pleading.

"Bakit ayaw mo?"

I'm pretty sure alam na niya kung ano ang mali.

"Mahal naman."

I was waiting for him to say na siya ang gagawa ng effort para makapag-usap kami pero ilang minuto ang lumipas at nanatiling tahimik ang bawat linya.

I kept on waiting. Selfish bang hilingin iyon?

He sighed. "Mahal na mahal kita, Solhera. Hindi ko kayang gawin sa'yo kung ano man ang nasa isip mo. Kailangan ko lang ng tiwala mo, mahal ko."

Habang nag-uunahan ang mga luha ko, hindi ko mapigilang mapangiti.

I knew you have your explanation. Come on!

"I'll explain it all to you once we'll see each other." he then sighed again. "All I want you to do was to trust me. I wouldn't disappoint you."

Kahit gaano ko pigilan, tuluyan nang kumawala ang mga hikbi ko.

"Patawarin mo ako, mahal ko. Hindi ko sinasadyang saktan ka." he said weakly.

"Cade-"

"Mahal kita, sobra pa sa sobra."

Hindi ko alam kung tanga ba ako o sobrang mahal ko lang siya dahil pagkatapos ng naging usapan naming iyon, bumalik kami sa dati na akala mo'y walang problema.