Gone with the Wind (Upper East Side Two)

Chapter Thirty-Two

32 - Stay

As soon as I went out from his office, I didn't think twice to stop. My head still bent pero tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang paglalakad ko palayo sa kanya.

I stopped in front of the lift and waited for it to open.

"Thalia?" I looked up and saw Zoey. She looked surprised looking at me. Maybe I looked hideous from crying. Perhaps my face paints how wrecked I am.

I was also surprised that she didn't go home. Ang inaasahan ko ay hinintay niya lang ako makapasok sa kumpanya nila bago umalis. And right now, she has to witness this.

She hurriedly went to me and hugged me.

Ito. Ito ang kailangan ko. Ang taong laging hindi ako iniwan sa bawat problemang naranasan. I hugged her and my tears can't stop falling again. She hugged me and rubbed my back.

"Ang sakit, Zoey. He hurt me big time. Ang sakit. Ang sakit sakit." Hagulgol ko sa kanya.

"What happened? What did he do? Anong sinabi at ginawa niya sayo?" Sunod-sunod niyang tanong.

I just shook my head and broke away from our hug. I pointed the lift, trying to tell her that I need to go. I really need to go and go away from him.

"I need to go back to the hospital. Mommy needs me. I'll see you soon, Zoey."

Nag-umpisa na akong pumasok nang hawakan niya ako. Hinila niya ako palabas at sinama sa kanya papunta sa office ni Zavi. Pinigilan ko siya sa pagbawi sa kamay ko. She looked at me.

"Thalia, come with me. Let's talk to him. I need answers why he hurt you." I shook my head. Anger is visible in her eyes. However, her eyes are bloodshot too.

"Tama na, Zoey. I can't bear to hear what he's going to say. Tama na yung mga narinig ko kaya kusa na akong lalayo." I hugged her and whispered. "Hindi ko na kayang makita pa siya."

Pagkatapos kong sabihin iyon ay tumuloy na ako papasok sa lift. Tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang bagsak ng mga luha ko at patuloy ko rin itong pinupunasan.

I immediately went outside at parang hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko. I walked, oblivious of what's happening in my surroundings.

Nagpatuloy lang akong lumakad hindi alintana kung saan man ako mapunta. I felt the coldness of the night but I remembered the coldness in his eyes as he said how eagerly he wants to let go from my hold. Ramdam ko ang lamig sa mga salitang sinabi niya.

I remembered how I pursued him back then. I promised to chase him for him to notice me finally. I vowed to love him until he loves me. I vowed to stay beside him and never go away from him.

I remembered every time he's annoyed with my presence. How I tried to make him smile but turned out annoying him.

Naalala ko na naman na tuwing sasamahan si Zoey ay lagi akong meron. I thanked Zoey everytime when she just disappears and letting me enjoy his brother's company alone.

Sa tagal kong naglalakad at pag-alala sa bawat sandaling nakasama ko si Zavi ay nakita ko na lang ang sarili kong nasa malapit na amusement park.

I sat on the bench and looked up only to find that there are no stars in the night sky. I used to love the stars when I was a child. At the time, my father was still with us.

Every time he will accompany me outside to watch the stars. I want to love them because he loves stars.

Sabi pa niya na kapag may nawala sayong mahalagang tao ay magiging star sila. They will be up there looking for you. He used to be my great super hero.