Eight Letters

Chapter 3

I woke up with  body pain and headache, maaga pa akong nagising ng tumawag si Sam to remind me about our quiz in Geology. I wore a simple tattered jeans and black croptop sleeveless with white jacket, pinaresan ko ito ng black heels, I also wear a light make up para di mahalatang kulang ako sa tulog. 

My day became more stressful lalo na nang mas lumalapit ang araw ng Sabado. Pumapasok ako sa umaga then practice at 5:00, dinner with the club members at uuwi para mag-aral ng lessons. For the past few weeks I made a lot friends na akala ko sa una ay mahirap because I really don't socialize well. 

"Zysk?" napatigil ang pagpractice namin when a group of girls entered the auditorium. Lima sila ang pumasok and they are all wearing the university's lace for Law students. The person who called Zysk caught my attention, siya yong nakita ko dati sa may parking lot kasama ni Zysk. She's taller than me or maybe because she's wearing a heels and I am on my sneakers, lagpas balikat ang buhok nito, she is wearing a fitted white dress and a white handbag. 

"Matagal ka pa ba?I'm hungry." my brows immediately arched with her statement. I meant can't she eat alone? Or with her squad,alam naman niya na Friday na bukas at sa Sabado na tong performance namin. Is she a girlfriend? Sabagay she is more beautiful  than I am. 

 Hindi na ako nakinig sa usapan nila dahil hindi naman ako interesado, isa pa Zysk isn't my boyfriend anymore, he's no longer my responsibility,pinutol ko na yon 5 years ago, the day I left him and choose to be with my grandfather. I took my water jug when Jacques approached me,kinakamot nito ang kanyang ulo.

"Erin, sabay ka sa dinner? I'll treat you."

Thanks but no thanks,Jacques. Got a quiz tomorrow and I need to study." I gave him a sweet smile before turning my back. The practice continued and the girls are watching our every moves. After our practice I went home I was too exhausted and absentminded. I took a shower and wear a dolphin short pinaresan ko ito ng white shirt napatalon pa ako sa gulat ng magring ang phone ko. I immediately took the phone call.

"Hello?May I know who's on the other line?" I politely asked kasi unregistered number ang tumawag. I overthink most of the time and right now I am thinking that this is a scam.

"This is Zysk I'm on the parking lot.Meet me here I'll give your things you left in the audi." 

Bago pa ako makapagsalita ay binaba na niya ang phone. I cussed and cussed hanggang sa nakita ko ang sarili ko sa harap ni Zysk, standing like a kiddo trying to hide her fear.  What is he doing here in the first place?My things? I can't see  him holding any things which belongs to me, o baka nasa bag niya? Pero pwede namang ipabukas yon kasi may practice naman tapos diba may dinner sila?

"Stop looking at me like that,Erin." I pursed my lips. 

"Asan ang ibibigay mong gamit ko?" I asked directly. I saw how he looked at me with annoyance and disbelief. 

"I'll give it inside. Lead the way."

"WHAT?!" 

He frowned and pull me inside. Tinahak namin ang daan mula parking lot papuntang elevator,minsan nagtatanong siya kung saan ang daan and I'll him the way pagkapasok namin sa unit ko ay agad niya akong binitawan. He's eyes roam my unit, sometime's he'll touch the figurines or the paintings on the wall, the typical Zysk Luciano I once knew. Ganitong ganito din siya noong dinala ko siya sa bahay to meet my family. 

"Ahm I'll j-just cook for us."

"No need. I already ordered one while driving here." I looked at him while he is opening his bag. Kinuha niya ang plastic na may dalawang styro sa loob, he placed it on the  table and took another plastic from his bag, this time it was soda in can. I chuckled while watching him.

"Walang gamit na naiwan sa audi tama ba ako?" I asked.

"Meron." I raised my eyebrow. 

"My questions and your answers, Erin Leondale Gracinni."

His eyes are filled with mixed emotions-

Pain,hatred,loneliness 

"I visited your house the day after you broke up with me. Your whole family is nowhere to be found, tell me what's your real reason,Erin?"

I was processing his words. He what? 

"I- I..."

I gulped the lump on my throat. I don't know what to say, this is so sudden. Akala ko dati pag nagkita man kami he'll just ignore me and bury our past in oblivion but no. He's here in my unit asking for my explanations, parang pinipiga ang puso ko sa kung paano niya ako titigan. 

"We migrated to Japan kasi g-grandpa was diagnosed w-with severe leukemia." I burst in tears. The pain of my grandpa draws in my mind, kung paano niya tiisin lahat ng sakit para hindi kami mag-alala, sa kung paano niya pahirin ang luha ko while I should do it to him. 

"Hurting you and leaving you was the only option I have that time so I could leave--" hindi ko na natapos ang sasabihin ko when he pull me into a tight hug. He caress my back and keep on whispering sweet talks which made me cry harder. Kahit kailan hindi ko naisip na maiintindihan niya ako, all along I thought he'll dig a grudge towards me. It was 5 years ago, we we're too young that time,  too naive about love.

"After you left I kept on asking my worth, kung saan ako nagkulang then I visited your house I wanted to fix the thing between us but you left. Explanation, that was all I want, Rin. Thank you for clarifying things with me,thank you baby. Let's fix it. Hindi pahuli ang lahat diba?"