No Campus Romance (COMPLETED)

NCR Chapter 32: Responsibilities and Burdens

NCR 32: Responsibilities and Burdens

"Hija-"

"Please don't feel burdened po. What I did was the only thing I can do. Nostalgia saved my life. At alam ko pong alam niyo na may iba pa pong rason. I value Nostalgia. We may not be the closest but she has my respect. Please let me help po. Never niyo po itong magiging utang na loob sa 'kin. I already told my parents about it po. They agreed right away po. I hope we're all in the same page po," I said in a low voice, making sure that no one could eavesdrop our conversation.

"I appreciate it, hija. I really appreciate it. Pero sa tingin ko, hindi ito ang tamang solusyon. Kailangan ni Nostalgia na madisiplina. Hindi ganito-"

"Pero gusto niya po rito." Nahinto sa pagsasalita ang Dad ni Nostalgia, tila ba hindi makapaniwala sa narinig. Napakurap-kurap pa siya sa loob ng ilang segundo, maingat na pino-proseso ang mga narinig mula sa 'kin.

"I'm really sorry po if it seems like I'm going against your parenting way. But I think that Nostalgia belongs here. She's happy here. Saka, Grade 11 na po siya. Hindi po magandang palipat-lipat pa rin po siya ng school kung may iba pa po namang paraan. And if you're worrying about the issue po, it will die down soon. Bawal po talaga sa school na ito ang magkaroon ng kasintahan. Pero hindi naman po bago ang ganitong kaso. Huwag po kayong mag-alala. It will not affect her grades or anything. What happened here will stay here. We just have to go through the proper process," I added when I felt like it's not enough to convince him. Huminga nang malalim ang Dad ni Nostalgia at napailing-iling naman ang Mom niya.

"Pero paano ka? Bibilhan ka ba ng parents mo ng bagong points? Pwedeng kami na lang ang magbayad," alok ng Dad niya na mabilis kong inilingan.

"My parents will buy me some points. Hindi niyo na po kailangang magbayad. Desisyon ko pong tumulong," magalang kong sagot bago tumalikod para umalis na. Pero kahaharap ko pa lang sa aking likuran ay agad kong nakita si Nostalgia.

Her reddened cheeks were flushed with tears. She appeared to be exhausted and frail. She hadn't even put on any make-up. I'd say she's looking a little run-down today. Her dissatisfaction with me was visible in her eyes. It was not my intention to put her in such a tight situation.

"Gusto ko rito? Totoo ba 'yan, Memoria? Kailan ko sinabi 'yan? Sigurado ka bang masaya 'ko rito? Aalis ako, sa ayaw o sa gusto mo. Hindi mo ako mapipigilan. Hindi mo na kailangang gawin 'yan," sambit niya sa mariing tinig. Kitang-kita ko sa mga mata niya ang galit na hindi niya magawang ibuhos lahat.

"Nagawa ko na. Hindi na 'yon mababawi pa. Kung aalis ka man o hindi, desisyon mo 'yan. Pero hindi mo rin ako mapipigilang tulungan ka-"

"Hindi ko kailangan ng tulong mo! Ako ang dapat tumulong sa 'yo! Napag-usapan na natin 'to 'di ba? Memoria naman!" she screamed, overwhelmed with rage.

"Tanggapin mo 'yung tulong ko! Hindi mo kailangang makaramdam ng kung ano pa. Just accept it! You deserve my help! And if it doesn't feel alright, then just do whatever you want. And you want to be friends with me, right? Why are you planning to leave when I am here, as your friend, to help you?"

"You didn't do it because you want to be friends with me! You just felt burdened with our sisters' past! I've told you already! It wasn't your fault! I was the one who's immature! I was the one who did you wrong! You don't have to help me! And don't kid yourself that you're doing it just because we are friends! We weren't friends! Remember? Why are you acting like we were?"

"You said that you want to be friends with me? Why are you rejecting me now?"

"Don't use that friend thingy to me! I did say that! I really want to be friends with you! But don't use it as an excuse! Let me handle my problem!"