To Fall Apart

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Tulala ako habang nakatanaw sa Taal Volcano. I cannot process everything I just found out. How I hurt Van before, how he build his friendship with Mafie, how did I almost stopped him from being friends with him just because I want to be selfish.

I sighed deeply when I felt Van behind me. Mabilis nya akong niyakap mula sa likod kaya pinilit ko na ngumiti. He kissed the top of my head when he noticed my silence.

"What's wrong?" he asked. Umiling ako sa kanya.

"Nothing. Let's just eat? Gutom na ako." sabi ko at tumawa pa.

Kumunot ang noo sa akin ni Van na parang hindi sya naniniwala na wala akong problema. Umiwas na lang ako ng tingin sa kanya. Van sat beside me then grabbed my hand. Umirap na lang ako ng tingnan nya ako habang nakakunot ang noo.

"May nangyari ba?" he asked worriedly. Nilibot nya ang tingin sa paligid bago tumaas ang kilay nya.

"Where's Mafie?" he asked confused. Kinagat ko ang pang-ibabang labi ko bago yumuko.

"She left." I answered.

Biglang lumambot ang tingin sa akin ni Van. I smiled when he held up my chin. I saw his soft eyes watching me. I smiled at him.

"I'm fine." agap ko bago pa sya magtanong.

"What did she tell you?"

Umiwas ako ng tingin kay Van. Because thinking about the things Mafie said make me feel bad about myself. I feel like I am the bad person here.

I sighed deeply when Van pulled me into his chest.

"What's upsetting my baby?" masuyong tanong ni Van. Kumirot ang puso ko.

I hugged Van tighter and did not answer. Van sighed as he let me fell in silence. I smiled because he did not force me to tell what really happened. Actually, it's not that big. Mafie only told me the things she wants to say. She's an honest and a very brave girl for doing that. I actually admire her for telling me all of that honestly.

"Van?" I asked.

"Hmm?"

"I just wonder... Why..." I trailed off. I don't know how to ask it properly.

Dumungaw sa akin si Van kaya nag-angat ako ng tingin. I smiled at him before looking away.

"I just wonder why you didn't end up with Mafie." I said casually.

I bit my lip while waiting for his answer. Kumirot ang puso ko habang tumatagal na hindi sya sumasagot. Nag-angat ako ng tingin at naabutan ko syang seryosong nakatingin sa akin. Halos umatras ako sa talim ng tingin nya.

I swallowed hard before I pushed his chest teasingly.

"Huy, ano?" sabi ko at tumawa pa. Van shrugged his head then licked his lips.

"Why are you asking that?"

"I'm just curious. You dated her. I mean, she's the only girl you dated for real before me. So..."

"I never dated her Andy."

Kahit alam ko na, nagulat pa din ako sa sinabi nya. All along I really thought they're dating. Palagi silang magkasama, palagi nyang bukang bibig si Mafie. And everything between us is just so chaotic that I really think, he dated her.