Didn't we almost have it all?

Kabanata 13

"Thank you for being such a good friend, Dominic. Rowena deserves you. You deserve each other." pinipilit kong hindi tumulo ang luha habang sinasabi iyon.

I don't want him to see that I'm hurting. After the break up between me and Riley, I thought I'll never be happy again like before but my friends healed me. I fixed myself and it took me a lot of time to be okay.

"And you deserve Lucas." umayos siya nang upo sa kama at hinawakan nang mahigpit ang kamay ko.

"Hmm."

"So what's your plan? Are you ready?"

If you only know, Dom.

"The question should be, am I sure?" I chuckled.

"What do you mean, Tori? Hindi mo pa talaga siya gusto?" naguguluhan niyang tanong.

"Can I be honest, Dominic?" tumango lamang siya. "I don't want him to expect something from me. I know it's been months, and yes, I still find him attractive but the feeling is not mutual. I don't like him the way he likes me, do you get my point?"

"Can I be honest too?" tanong niya.

"Sure."

"I know you don't like him." what? Paano niya nalaman iyon? "You're just trying, Tori. And kapag tumagal na ganyan, he'll get hurt. Honestly, he's crazy about you. He likes you a lot."

"I don't know what to do."

"You know what? Just tell him. Huwag mo na patagalin pa, mas mahirap kapag walang assurance."

"Thank you, Dominic."

"No worries. You should sleep now, you looked exhausted." natatawa niyang sabi at pinisil ko naman ang kamay niya.

Weeks have passed and Dominic is okay now. Tapos na rin ang finals namin at nag iyakan dahil sa nakitang grades but luckily, we passed and we are celebrating it later. 

Nandito kami ngayon ni Lucas sa mall para bumili ng pang barbeque mamaya. Hindi sumama ang iba dahil mag aayos pa raw sila, mabuti na lang sa bahay namin gaganapin at doon din ang lahat mag oovernight.

"Ano pang bibilhin natin?" tanong ni Lucas.

"Wala na." nakangiti kong sagot.

"You've been quiet for the past days. May problema ba?"

Simula nung paguusap namin ni Dominic about sa amin ni Lucas ay nag-iisip pa rin ako kung paano ko sasabihin sa kanya at hanggang ngayon ay nahihirapan pa rin ako.

"Wala naman, I just miss my parents. Ang tagal na rin kasi naming hindi nakakapagusap."

I know it's not the only reason why I am like this but sorry, Lucas, sobrang hirap lang talaga. I don't want you to get hurt.

"Oh, sorry about that. When was the last time you talk to them?"

"Months ago? Sobrang busy nila at naiintindihan ko naman iyon. Nakakalungkot lang.. Christmas is near." hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at humarap sa akin.

"I want you to meet my parents and I want to spend my christmas with you."

"Lucas.." I don't know what to say.

"I get it, Tori. It's too early but please?"

Hindi ako nakapagsalita dahil nakita ko si Riley at si tita.

"Tori!" dali daling lumapit sa akin si tita para magbeso at nag bless din ako sa kanya. Nakita ko namang nakatingin lang si Riley pero hindi nakangiti.

"Hello tita! Musta na po?"

"I'm great. May cancer pa rin as usual." tiningnan naman siya nang masama ni Riley pero natawa agad si tita. "Ikaw ba? Sino ang kasama mo? Boyfriend?" humagikhik si tita at hinampas pa ang balikat ko.