Chapter 20
Decide
We failed. We failed!
"Okay na ako dito. Maglalakad nalang ako pauwi ngayon. Hindi naman kalayuan yung bahay namin dito," kinalas ko ang seatbelt pagkatapos ay binalingan si Snow.
She looked at me intently then she heaved and sighed. "I'm sorry Zouie."
I smiled at her. "Anu ka ba! Wala ka ngang sabing kasalanan eh."
"Hindi kasi.. ideya ko iyon tapos wala lang pala tayong napala," malungkot itong tumingin sa akin.
"Okay lang. Hindi naman talaga ako umasa na makita natin siya eh," umiwas ako ng tingin at marahas na huminga.
"I.. think there's still one way left to—"
"Let's stop here Snow," pagod ko siyang tinignan.
Saglit itong natahimik. "What? No. Listen. There's still a way to find out and know him."
"Thank you for helping me out Snow. You've done enough. I just want to take a rest," bumaling ako sa harapan namin.
So he bought a three-story house?
"And maybe wait until he introduces himself to us. To me, without me, wearing a blindfold," dagdag niya.
I heard her sigh. "I'm sorry. Kung hindi ka lang namin pinilit na—"
"Then I wouldn't have enjoyed those moments I've never been before," pinutol ko ang ibang sasabihin niya. I know she was blaming herself. Alam kong nasaktan din ito sa sitwasyon ko. At ayokong iisipin nilang sila ang may kasalanan.
I averted my gaze to her. Ngumiti ako. Kailan man ay hindi ko iyon pagsisihan. It'll be forever kept in my treasure box.
Nanliit ang mga nitong tumitig sa akin na parang sinuri kong nagsasabi ba ako ng totoo. Maya-maya'y unti-unting sumilay ang ngiti nito sa labi.
"Of course," kinabig ako nito at niyakap. "I love you Zouie. Remember, I'm always here. We'll always be here for you."
"Thanks. I love you too," pinikit ko ang mga mata at niyakap ito pabalik.
It's good to have someone you can rely on. Someone who'll help you up when you're down.
"How would you like to join me tomorrow for Jake's birthday party?" masiglang sabi niya.
I drew back from her embrace. "Sure. He's back?"
"Yeah," she answered. Her smiles slowly disappeared.
"Oh, bakit parang malungkot ka? Hindi ka masaya na nandito na siya?"
"No, not that. It's just that.. he has been elected as the new president and that means to say he has to stay in Canada," malungkot itong tumingin sa akin.
"Oh.."
"Well, it's fine to me. Hindi naman kami aabot ng 4 years kung hindi dahil sa long distance," tumawa ito.
"Exactly," I chuckled.
"Alright, I'll meet you tomorrow," she kissed me on my cheeks. "Seven pm."
Tumango ako at lumabas ng sasakyan. Hindi ko na binaggit ang tungkol sa binigay sakin ni Axl. Ayoko muna itong sabihin sa kahit nino. Nagpasalamat nalang din ako na hindi na nag-usisa pa si Snow bakit dito ko gustong bumaba at hindi sa bahay.
