When The Flower Falls (Fitzmael 7)

15: Cloudburst

Nang makarating kami sa tapat ng bahay niya ay wala akong imik na pinagbuksan siya ng pinto. Pagkatapos ay dumiretso ako sa bahay kung saan nando'n ang pamilya kong masayang nagtatawanan habang kumakain ng meryenda.

There, I saw my siblings, Cedar with Elisha, Lilac with Zius, Catmint with Archer and my cousins, Imil with Amaris, Marcus with Jarzaiah, Franco with Adorn, and Serene. When they saw me, sadness was visible with their eyes. Hindi pa ako nakakahakbang nang mawalan ako ng lakas... Lumuhod ako at humagulgol sa iyak.

"W-Why are you all still here?" I muttered. Agad nila akong nilapitan at inalalayan. "W-Why?" I asked then I laughed.

"Hey, what happened?" Adorn asked.

Marahan akong umiling-iling. "I'm okay..." I whispered.

I didn't want them to know what had happened. I was mad at Elimae for saying those things, for judging the family who accepted her without doubt, but I was still in love with her. Even if we were no longer together, protecting her was the only thing that I could do.

And I also wanted to protect my family. Hindi nila dapat na malaman 'yon dahil alam ko kung ano ang mga pinagdaanan nila. I was there for them. I was there at their lowest and it hurts—because the very person whom I trusted and loved so dearly would see us—our family that way.

So I chose to suffer alone. I'd rather took all the judgments and get hurt.

Nakatulala lang ako sa kawalan. I used to love life but it felt like my world turned upside down. It felt like my motivation to live withered. I just couldn't understand the emptiness that I've had felt. And then something came up to my mind. It was a rash decision that I might regret... or not.

I stood up, took a deep breath before I spoke. "I'm going to move out."

"Where?" All of them replied at once.

"Alam niyo bang mahal na mahal ko kayo?" I smiled a little. "Instead of asking why or stopping me, the first thing you'd asked was where."

"Of course! We're not gonna stop you. Napagdaanan na namin ang break-ups pero hindi ibig sabihin no'n ay pare-parehas tayo ng sakit na nararamdaman. May kanya-kanya tayong pamamaraan kung pa'no makalimot. If you think this is what you need, we're supporting you. Basta sabihin mo lang sa 'min kung saan para hindi kami magworry," it was Cedar.

"Thank you," I smiled. "Sa Karao. Gusto kong doon muna ako."

"Wow..." Elisha gasped. "I miss Karao!"

"Hometown niyo ro'n 'di ba?" Adorn asked.

"Yep."

Biglang tumayo si Archer at lumapit sa 'kin. "Tara na! Tulungan kitang mag-impake." He hugged me then caressed my back. "Dude, tawagan mo ako kung kailangan mo ako, ha?"

"Okay..."

"Tawagan mo ako kung gusto mo ng kainuman," ani Archer ulit. Hindi niya pa rin kinakalas ang kanyang pagkayakap. "Dude—" his voice trailed off. "Bumalik ka, ha?"

"Okay..."

"Kung hindi mo na kaya, tawagan mo lang ako. Kahit anong oras pa 'yan, pupuntahan talaga kita."

I smirked a little then a tear slid down my cheek. I hugged him back. It was the tightest hug that I've had given him.

After a while, he pulled away the hug then we went to my room. Agad niyang kinuha ang luggage ko saka isa-isang nilagay ang mga damit doon. I was about to help but he didn't let me.

"I know that you're tired already. Let me pack your things."

Makaraan ang ilang minuto ay natapos din siya. Bumaba na kami at isa-isa akong nagpaalam sa kanila. Niyakap ko sila nang mahigpit. "Mahal na mahal ko kayong lahat," mapait kong sabi sa kanila. My chest tightened. I immediately looked away to hide my tears.