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Kabanata 37

Kabanata 37

I shouldn't have confronted him that way. Mali na pinagdudahan ko ang pagmamahal n'ya sa akin. He did love me. He loved me but I broke his heart. And I have to face the consequences of it.

Gio loved me at my worst, he didn't mind the flaws and faults. He unraveled the few good things about me. It takes great courage, a lot of patience and an unconditional love to be marveled with someone who's flawed and insecure.

He's a really great guy.

Sayang dahil hindi ko na nakita 'yon. Kung nakita ko man, hindi ko pinahalagahan. At kung pinahalagahan ko naman, hindi ko inalagaan.

"Tutuloy pa ba tayo?" nahahapong tanong ko.

Walang bumalantay na ekspresyon sa mukha ni Etienne. He shrugged off as he watched me packed my bags and suitcases. Ilang beses pa akong nagdalawang-isip kung sasama pa ba ako dahil alam ko naman na masasaktan pa rin ako kapag nakita ko siya.

Maybe it's human nature for people to still try even if it will be a painful process. Maybe it's the only way to cope with pain, to get another dose of another ache. Maybe we don't really heal, we just learn to accept different kinds of afflict.

The flight to South Korea was smooth. Pero agad akong humingi ng pahinga nang makapunta kami sa hotel na tutuluyan namin. I had my own room and I think it's also the same for Xien and Gio. Etienne wouldn't like to appear boorish and cheap since he's a Soteiro, the CEO of the EIJE Inc.

I was deeply comforted by the huge comforters when someone knocked on my door. Pupungas-pungas ko itong sinalubong at agad na lumitaw si Xien sa harapan ko. She was well clothed, even wearing a furry coat. Her pastel outfit complimented her skin.

"Uh, lalabas na sana tayo papunta sa Nami Island. Pasensya na kung naistorbo ko ang tulog mo," aniya.

"Hindi naman," I smiled, meekly. Mabilis n'ya itong sinuklian at umalis na rin. I hastily went towards the bathroom to prepare for our trip. Ayoko talaga na may pinaghihintay kaya naman hindi na ako masyadong nag-ayos.

It was my first in South Korea and albeit knowing that their temperature is obviously cooler than the Philippines, mukhang minaliit ko ito dahil nangingisay ako nang datnan ako nina Gio at Xien. Etienne smirked at my sight, his hands on his pockets.

Gio and Etienne were wearing white and black winter coats respectively. Naka-coat din naman ako ngunit manipis lang ang tela dahil hindi ko naman inakala na sobrang lamig pa rin dito. It's autumn! Sa Pilipinas ay nagbebenta pa ng Halo-halo kapag ganito!

We took a ride to Nami Island that is near Seoul. Ilang oras lang ang biyahe patungo rito. My eyes went to Gio and Xien who were obviously familiar with the sights because they were laughing at certain places. Na para bang may naalala sila. Na para bang bumuo sila roon ng mga alaala.

My sight hastily frayed away from them. Tahimik lang si Etienne buong biyahe at hindi man lang ako kinausap.

Nang makarating kami sa Nami Island ay agad na umawang ang labi ko. It wasn't that packed but there were a lot of people too. Locals and tourists were enjoying the view of the trees and the nature in whole. Kahit naman ako ay namangha dahil sa matatayog na puno at makukulay na dahon nito.

The foliage of trees were obviously mesmerizing. Bawat tapak ko sa daan ay para bang tinatanggalan ako ng problema. Although, my body was still adjusting to the temperature. Mas malamig pa sa Baguio ang klima rito. Maybe it's because it's autumn already, it's slowly embracing winter that is about to come.

"Doon tayo sa may mga ostrich!" yakag ni Xien sa amin. Hinihila n'ya si Gio na natatawa dahil nabibigatan sa kan'ya si Xien.

"Pupunta pa ba tayo roon? E, kamukha mo naman 'yon?" biro ni Gio kay Xien na agad tumulis ang nguso.