October First

Eighteenth

"Yung hoodie mo?Wallet?Passport?Ahm,ano pa ba-visa?Ticket?Phone mo nasa bag mo na ba-"

I held both of her shoulders. "Ianna,everything's alright.I've pack them yesterday.Okay na,okay?Chill."

"Look,I know how much you love Zoey.Not a day goes by since you broke up with her that you didn't say her name or even think of her.Ayoko lang kasi na may hadlang pa sa pag-punta mo kay Zoey-"

"Kung meron man akong nakalimutan-o kahit hadlang pa yan,hindi ko na hahayaang maiwan si Zoey.Tama ka,si Zoey naman."I smiled at her.

"Kung kay Zoey ka lang din naman mapupunta,hindi na ko hahadlang...you look happier,than you were before,with me."her most sincere smile showed up,and I guess this is the first time I saw it.

"Ianna..."

"N-n-no!It's fine!We both know that what we had is just an infatuation.And I owe Zoey a lot for hurting her!If I ever got a chance to talk to her,I would definitely say sorry."

She drove me to the airport.She showed her full support,even before,she's always teasing me and linking me to Zoey.She herself isn't pushing our relationship to be done,she gave her full support for Zoey and I.She's actually shipping us.What a weirdo,haha!

Na-una ang flight ni Mommy,kaya mag-isa ako ngayon.

"Get yourself together!You can do it!"now she's so cheerful. "Look,I know you can do it.Be a man!You got it!"

I'm now in the airplane,and I'm very nervous.I received a call,good thing we're not yet on board.

"Hello?"

"Bro,ahm,ano-may problema."

"Huh?Ano yun?"nangunot ang noo ko.Not today!

"May flight ata siya eh."

"Oh anong problema dun-don't tell me..."

"Oo bro,mukang magki-kita kayo ng maaga..."

"Putcha,di ako prepared-nata-tae ako bigla pre!"

"Ano ng plano?Asan ka na ba?"

"Eroplano na,lilipad na to mamaya.Di ako makapag-isip ng matino!"

"Ano pre,ganto nalang,harap kalang lagi sa bintana tapos mag face mask ka tapos shades.Alam mo na yun pre!Sige na see you soon!-"

"Hoy pre!Teka-uy-hello?He-Putek!"he already ended up the call.The cabin crew already announced to turn our phone off.After turning my phone off,I covered my face with shades and face mask.

The flight felt so long,o baka dahil ninenerbyos lang ako.My heart skip a beat when I saw her walking down the aisle,pushing a trolley.She stopped right where I am sitting.She smile at me.It's been a while since I saw her smile.

"Good day,Sir.Anything for you?"I didn't reply at her,I just remain looking at her.She felt a little awkward,I can sense it,but she managed to put a smile on her lips.How is it so genuine?Is she already happy?Without me?With someone else?She looked away when other passengers called her. "Excuse me,Sir.Just call me when you need me."

"Zoey!"she already took a step when I called her.She froze but recovered after a few moments.I saw that she's confused but she's still professional.I smiled even though she can't see it due to my glasses and mask. "I-I'll just call you,thank you."she bowed a little and smile before walking away.

After the flight,I call my friend.

"Hello?Naka-land na ko pre,asan ka?Nandito ka ba?"

"Teka naghahanap pa ko parking.San ka ba?"

"Nandito,kakalabas ko lang."

"Sige sige,antayin mo ko."

"Hello?Oh Blessie?San ka na?Nakalabas na ko.Tagal mo,gutom na ko.Nagbawas ka ba dyan sa cr?Hahaha!"I looked at my side to see who's talking.And there I saw Zoey.Is she really happy?Good for her.

A girl rush towards her holding a baggage.She's also in a uniform."Sorry,sumakit tyan ko,andun kotse ko.Ano?Tara?"and just like that,I saw her leaving and walking away from me,again.But this time,she's happy.

"Pst!Uy pre!Huy-"

"Ah?Ano yun?Uy,andyan ka na pala.Akala ko hahanap ka pa ng parking?"

"Hindi na ok na to.Sakay na."

He drove me and let me stay in his condo for a while.I'll take a rest and he's going to work.

"Kumain ka nalang diyan,nag luto ako ng sinigang,may bread din diyan kung ayaw mo mag kanin,pero imposible yun,hahaha-"

"Thank you,Ray.You never left Zoey's side,especially when she needed it the most."

I saw his sad smile,I know that he have feelings for Zoey.And among the two of us,he deserves Zoey than I do.But he's just too kind to give me what I want,what makes me happy,even though it gives him too much pain in return.That's why even though he's with her throughout her struggles,I can't be mad at him,in fact,I'm thankful.Dahil hindi niya iniwan si Zoey.That should be me,the one who's by her side through ups and downs,but she wouldn't experience that struggle if not because of me in the first place.

"Just know that I'm always here,not just for Zoey,but for you also.Remember,I'm your best friend here,hahaha!"

He checked his phone and put his hard hat on the chair.He also remove his shoes and opened his polo.He sat comfortably on the sofa.

"Oh?Kala ko aalis ka?"

He shrugged. "Hindi din naman nila ko inaasahan dun,nagpa-alam ako kasi nga susunduin kita.Gusto ko lang sanang humabol pero okay na daw,may pumunta ng isa pang Engr."

"Oy pare,maybe you'll find this corny pero...congrats,I'm proud!Engr. kana!Grabe!Best friend ko ang isang Engr.Angeles!"and I motion my hands in the air like I'm showing something.Ever since,hindi niya pinaramdam sakin na distant kami sa isa't isa.He said na kami ni Zoey ang nag-break,hindi ang friendship namin sa isa't isa.He never been bias to anyone.He's there whoever needs him.How I wish I'm also there when he needs someone.

"And no one can be more proud than me having you as my best friend.Captain Ford."

We spent the day catching up,he shares things that Zoey loves to do and hates to do.We drank and we get drunk,but we still managed to pull a plan to make it up to Zoey.

The next day,to deal with our hangover,I treat him to a nice coffee shop I knew.I also treat him to an arcade.Nabitin kami sa basketball sa game zone kaya naisipan naming umarkila ng basketball court.

My phone rang,good thing it is connected to my car.

"Yes,Ma?"I answered.

"Oh?Asan ka?San ka nag stay?Nasundo ka ba ni Rayden?Bakit hindi ka dumiretso ng bahay-"

"Ma,okay lang ako.Opo nasundo ako ni Ray,pinatuloy niya din ako sa condo niya,pinagsilbihan-"

"Aahhh!Kaya love ko si Ray eh!Favorite ko talaga siyang best friend mo.Oh siya!Dito kayo tumuloy,maglu-luto ako.Drive safely!"and she hang up the call.

"She really have no idea that I'm with you right now,hahaha!"I told Ray.

When we arrived at home,I feel at ease.This is really our home.We ate what my Mom cooked.We rest and play basketball after.My Mom also prepared us snacks after we play.We cleaned up and I share my room with Ray like we used to when we were younger.We have guest room though,but we choose to bond.

"HAHAHA para ka namang ikakasal!Ano to?Ineenjoy ang pagka-binata?"he suddenly asked.I stopped.I looked at him seriously and he got serious as well. "A-are you planning to get married?"

I don't wanna hurt anyone,but I don't want to lose Zoey neither.Never again.

I looked away and exhaled.I smile,like I'm seeing Zoey in front of me,smiling beautifully. "I am."

Enjoy reading...

~Rhodon