Meet Me In Mabini (City Series #2)

Chapter 19

#MMIM19

"Grabe, isang taon na pala, Ate." I smiled bitterly as I stood in front of her grave.

I felt Vale's hand intertwine with mine as I took a deep breath.

Isang taon na pala ang naka-lipas na wala akong kapatid.

I looked at Vale who was looking at Ate Noelle's grave. Napangiti ako. It's been months since Valentine's, but he has never made me feel alone.

Tapos na ako sa 3rd year ko, at siya, sa second year niya. I had the whole summer to enjoy, but he had to study his short term. Wala talagang pahinga ang kurso nila.

"Tara?" I said.

He nodded. Hawak kamay kaming naglakad patungo sa sasakyan niya.

It was nice that Vale came with me. Alam kong busy siya, dahil nga katatapos lang ng finals na nila ng short term. Alam kong pagod siya. I appreciated the fact that he knew it would be hard for me.

"Alam mo, isang taon mo na pala akong iniinis." I laughed as I buckled my seatbelt. "Naalala mo ba?"

"How could I forget?" Tumawa siya at umiling. "Crush mo na nga ako no'n, eh."

"Ang feeling!" I laughed aloud. "Ikaw may crush sa akin! Hinatid mo pa ako sa loob!"

Umiling siya at hinalikan ang pisngi ko bago niya sinimulan magmaneho. It was a bright day out.

Nagbuntong hininga ako habang nakatingin lang sa labas. It's been a few months with Vale and I in this kind of set up. Halos kalahating taon na rin.

We disagreed on some things, especially when it came to what we were. Hindi ko naman siya boyfriend, hindi rin ako girlfriend. We were just.. happy. With less people being involved in our relationship, it was less chaotic

I still had those days. I'd still miss my family, and I'd still feel tired from time to time, but it wasn't the same, because I had someone.

Vale started going to Church regularly, too. Hindi ko nga alam kung paano niya nababalanse ang kurso niya, banda, at tinetrain pa siya ni Kuya Kahel sa worship team. There were times when they'd have late nights, so after practice, I'd still see his car parked outside Church. Mabuti na lang at tapos na ang finals nila for this short term.

It wasn't so hard for me. Seeing him on fire for God again reminded me of my relationship with God, too. Minsan, siya pa ang nagno-notes kapag preachings at binibigay niya 'yon sa akin pagkatapos.

Seeing someone as committed to the Lord as you are is honestly.. one of the hardest things not to fall in love with.

And everything with Vale was just so easy. He respected whatever decision I wanted. He'd always be understanding. Kapag ayaw ko magpa-talo, magpapatalo na lang siya.

It wasn't hard to fall in love with him at all.

"What happened pala before?" I asked him as he drove.

Lumingon ako sa kanya, and he looked confused.

"I mean," Umiling ako. "Dati. Sa dati mong Church? Diba you mentioned na na-burn out at stumble yung faith mo?"

Tumango siya. "Yun, wala akong kapalit kaya sa lagat ng services, ako lang nageelectric. Tapos sina Mama't Papa kasi.. basta nagkagulo gulo doon."

Kumurap ako ng ilang beses, deciding not to press on it. Whenever I asked him about his dad, he'd just give me vague answers. Turns out I didn't meet his dad noong Christmas dahil busy daw.

Tumango na lang ako. "Diba ka-Church kita noon? Nung Sunday school days? Bakit kayo lumipat?"

"Is this an interview?" He laughed.