MKT TRILOGY #1 [COMPLETED]

Chapter 59

"H-ha?" Parang nabingi ako sa tanong ni Clee.

"I'm not rushing you or anything. I was just wondering if—"

"I'm sorry." I cut him off. Alam ko na ang patutunguhan ng usapang ito. "Clee, you helped me a lot when I was at my lowest. And I appreciate that a lot. But you do know that friendship is the best thing I could offer you right?"

He smiled bitterly. "I-I know. I mean that was two years ago when you rejected me. I was hoping that maybe over time you'd change your mind."

Tumayo ako para pantayan siya. "I'm sorry, Clee. But you deserve someone better. And I can't be that person."

Hinaplos ko ang balikat niya. I painfully watched him smiled at me as tears fell from his eyes. "Wow. You've rejected me once. Masakit parin pala. You can really shred me into a thousand pieces but of course I can't do anything."

***

It's been weeks since I talked to Clee. Ang alam ko lang ay umalis na ito ng bansa. Hindi siya nag paalam and I don't know where is he going or when is he coming back.

Maybe, it's for the better.

He helped me a lot and all I did was hurt him at the end. It was never my intention to hurt him but I can't force myself to love him as well. He deserved so much.

"Good morning, Ma'am."

I smiled and greeted the nurse before entering the room.

My smile quickly fade away when I saw her. Everyday, she gets weaker and weaker.

"Alam mo, walang araw na hindi ko iniisip kung magbabago ba ang takbo ng buhay ko kung kinausap ko lang siya."

I sat down beside her bed. Her body is so weak and anytime soon... She'll leave us.

"It's still so fresh in my mind how he died in my arms—"

"He wouldn't be happy if he finds out you're blaming yourself for what happened. You have paid your sins. Isn't that enough—"

She looked at me. I saw the pain in her eyes and how tired they were due to the treatment she's been getting.

"Even if I spent half of my life in prison, it'll never be enough. And I will never be able to forgive myself for being the reason he had to die."

She's helpless at this point. "Just please... leave me alone. I don't want to be with anyone during the last few days of my life."

And I respect that. I can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped.

***

I was driving and as I passes by where we used to live in Pangasinan, I can't help but to reminisce.

Those good old days. I wish I could go back. But time had shape me to be strong enough not to go back so I wouldn't get hurt again by the people whom I least expect to hurt me.

Nag park ako ng sasakyan sa nearest coffee shop na malapit sa sports complex sa calasiao.

Pagpasok ko pa lang ng coffee shop ay naramdaman ko na kaagad ang pagbilis ng tibok ng puso ko.

Nasobrahan ko na siguro ang kape.

"Good morning, the usual
please." Ang mga tingin ko ay naka pokus sa aking bag dahil hinahagilap ko ang aking wallet.

"Baguhan pa lang ako, Ma'am. Sorry. I'd like to know what's your usual drink po. Coffee, Tea, or..."

Naningkit ang mga mata ko ng marinig ang tila pamilyar na boses.

Nag-angat ako ng tingin at nagulat ng makita siyang naka apron at may hawak pang ballpen at parang 1/4 na papel.

Magulo din ang buhok nito at hindi ito naka ayos gaya ng kaniyang usual hairstyle.

"Or me?" Pilyo nitong sabi.

Hindi ko naman mapigilan na sumilay ang ngiti sa mga labi ko. Is he following me?

"Iced coffee. I'd like an iced coffee please. For here."

Hindi naman ako na-inform na requirements na pala ng coffee shop na ito ang pagiging pogi ng barista nila.

"Matagal na pala kayong customer dito, Ma'am? Ang ganda niyo naman po."

Inabot ko sakaniya ang card ko. Hindi naka takas sa paningin ko ang kunwari nitong paggamit sa card ko.

Kahit kaylan talaga. He'll never let me pay for anything. I saw him getting something from his pocket. Debit Card niya siguro. Iyun ang ginamit niya imbes na card ko.

"Upo na po kayo, Ma'am. Baka mapagod kayo kakahintay. Iseserve ko na lang po sainyo."

I wanted to laugh hard. Ang dami niya kasing sinasabi pero hindi ko siya sinasagot.

Na-upo ako sa second floor dahil puno na ang mga table sa first floor at mas maganda ang view dito.

Wala pa manding limang minuto ay nariyan na si Leo at isinerve na ang order ko.

"I don't remember ordering a blueberry cheesecake."

"But I remember that its your
favorite."

He smiled again. Parang good mood na good mood ang lalaking 'to.

"Wala pong charge iyan, Ma'am. Kaya don't worry. Free na free po iyan. Actually, ako din. Free ngayon, mamaya, tomorrow, and anytime for you."

Since when did he get so cheesy?

||R. A||
RAENA ALMEDA

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