To Fall Apart

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

I sighed when we both sat or our chairs. Tahimik lang si Gab at naghihintay sa sasabihin ko habang hindi ko naman alam kung ano ang sasabihin ko. I don't want to be insensitive. He said that he likes me. He was there when I felt alone. He stayed by my side. Yet, I know that I cannot reciprocate his feelings for me.

And now, he just saw me with the man that was the reason why I always cry at him.

"Gab." I sighed.

Nag-angat ng tingin si Gab sa akin bago ngumiti. My eyes softened while looking at him.

"Kayo na?" he asked while still smiling. Kumirot ang puso ko. Slowly, I nodded at his question.

Nag-iwas sya ng tingin bago bumuntong hininga. He's still smiling though. I hate that I don't know what's behind that's smile.

"Finally." tipid na aniya. Umawang ang labi ko. Gab noticed my reaction so he looked at me.

"I'm sorry Gab---"

"No. Don't say that." putol nya. Yumuko ako at kinagat ang pang-ibabang labi ko. I heard Gab chuckled at me.

"C'mon Andy. I am your friend. I know I said I like you but that doesn't mean that I don't want you to be happy. If your happiness means being with him, then I can bear the pain."

Mabilis akong nag-angat ng tingin kay Gab. Ginulo nya ang buhok ko at pinat ang ibabaw ng ulo ko.

"You're the purest, sweetest and the most genuine person I know. I won't risk losing a friend like you just because I like you. I can understand Van's struggle now. Damn, I salute him."

"Gab..." tanging pangalan nya lang ang nasabi ko. In the end, he smiled and stood up. Naglahad sya ng kamay sa akin kaya hinawakan ko yun at tinulungan nya akong tumayo.

"I'm happy that you're finally happy. But don't forget that I am still your friend okay?" he said and made a puppy eyes. I slightly laugh and nodded at him.

"Good. Can I hug you?" he asked. Tumango ako at ako na mismo ang yumakap sa kanya. He chuckled while patting my back.

"Thank you Gab. Someday, you'll find someone who will love you the way you deserve to be loved." I said sincerely.

Naramdaman ko ang pagtango ni Gab sa akin. He then chuckled after.

"I know. But for now, I still love my life and I don't want to risk it by some possessive guy just because I am hugging the girl he love." aniya at kumalas ng yakap.

Ngumiwi ako bago sya sinapak sa balikat. In the end, sabay kaming natawang dalawa.

"So?" I asked. He smiled at him.

"You go now. He's waiting."

Bumuntong hininga ako bago tumango. I gave Gab one last quick hug before I headed out. Gab waved his hand at me from inside. I waved back.

Pumasok ako sa loob ng kotse ni Van na nakaparada lang sa harap. I sighed when I entered his car. I never thought that Gab would be that understanding, even though he's already hurting.

"Hey..." naagaw ni Van ang atensyon ko ng hawakan nya ang kamay ko.

I smiled at him.