Heartless Series 2: Levi Anderson

Kabanata 23

Right now, sabay kaming nag-breakfast nila Tanya at Paul. Hindi ko pa nasasabi ang tungkol sa pag-alis ko kaya medyo kinakabahan ako. I know they'll be a bit shocked once I tell them.

"Zav, if you're going to say something, just say it. Para kang bata na hindi mailabas ang poop niya dahil dyan sa mukha mo ngayon." naiinis na sabi ni Tanya. Natatawang tinapik naman siya ni Paul dahil doon.

"We're eating breakfast, Tanya."

"Eh totoo naman! Tignan mo itsura niya kaya." tinuro pa ako ng loka.

I pouted. Eh sa kinakabahan ako, anong magagawa ko?

"I accepted the offer of being Cypher's photographer.." mahinang sabi ko. But I finally told them. Tanya's eyes sparkled with joy.

"Oh my God, about time!! So, when will you start?" nilapit niya lalo ang upuan niya sa tabi ko.

"We're not yet sure. May mga kailangan pa kaming asikasuhin. Pero para mas mapabilis ang process, napag-isipan ko na hindi ko na tatapusin ang bakasyon ko rito." dahan-dahan kong paliwanag sa kanilang dalawa.

Tanya blinked a lot of times because of that. "So you're telling me that you'll leave L.A. Paradise early?" tanong niya.

I nodded.

Parehas sila ni Paul na napanganga. Natawa na lang ako sa kanilang dalawa. They're very synchronized with each other. Malamang dahil sa lagi silang magkasama.

"Don't get us wrong, Zavrin. We're really happy for you. But it's so sudden kaya na-shock kami." sabi ni Paul na sinang-ayunan ni Tanya.

"True! Go reach your dreams, babe! I'm all for it. Screw this vacation. Go get that job!" nakangiting sigaw ni Tanya na pati ang ibang kumakain ay napatingin sa amin.

"Huy ano ka ba, nakatingin na yung iba sa atin." saway ko sa kanya.

"So what? My friend just got her dream job!" tumayo siya at pumalakpak. "I'm so proud of her!" sigaw niya pa kaya sumabay ang iba sa pagpalakpak.

Okay, I'll let this slide just this once.

Nang humupa ang ingay ni Tanya, si Paul naman ang nagtanong sa akin.

"Kelan mo balak umalis, Zav?"

"Tomorrow." nakangiti kong sagot.

"That's good. Don't prolong your stay here. Wala ka namang mapapala sa bakasyon na ito. Nakapag-pahinga ka na. Now, you have to work hard because you're finally reaching your dream!"

Mas excited pa si Tanya kaysa sa akin. Natutuwa ako dahil sa pagiging supportive nilang dalawa. This will be my last day here so I'll make the best out of it.

Natapos na namin kainin ang breakfast namin at nagkkwentuhan na lang kaming tatlo nang biglang tumakbo papunta sa amin si Malic. Hingal na hingal siya nang makarating siya sa table namin.

"U-uy. Anong nangyari, Malic?" nag-aalala kong tanong sa kanya.

"M-miss Zavrin..." he looked at me, worried.

"Ano 'yon?" pati ako nag-aalala tuloy dahil sa kinikilos niya ngayon.

"You're going to l-leave L.A. Paradise?" biglaan niyang tanong.

Siguro ay nasabi iyon sa kanya ni Race. Buti naman kung sa kanya sinabi ni Race.

I smiled at him. "Yeah. I guess Race fold you about it? I have my reasons for that. I'm sorry for the sudden notice."

"B-but.."

"But?" tanong ni Tanya gamit ang kanyang mataray na tono.

"Sir Anderson just called me this morning. He's telling me to extend the vacation for a week.."

"So?" si Tanya ulit.

"I-I'm guessing he'll be back.. before this week ends." pahina nang pahina ang boses ni Malic. Pero para sa akin ay tila palakas iyon nang palakas.

"Para saan? Akala ko ba 'busy' siya?" sarcastic na tanong ni Tanya na sinaway ni Paul. Paul gave her a 'stop that' look.

"Uhm.. Things happened..." nahihirapang sabi ni Malic. Maybe it's too confidential kaya nahihirapan siyang ipaliwanag sa amin.

"Well, things happened to our friend as well. She's leaving due to personal reasons. Wala namang mawawala kay Levi Anderson kung aalis si Zavrin 'di ba?" mataray na sagot ni Tanya kay Malic.

Malic sighed because of Tanya's answer.

"Sir, I'm pretty sure na wala namang sinabi na bawal umalis ang participants hangga't hindi pa tapos ang event, tama? If I remember correctly, yung isang participant ay nag-drop pa nga dahil may emergency." si Paul na ang kumausap kay Malic.

"Y-Yes. That's correct..." napayuko si Malic.

"So what's stopping you from letting Zavrin leave early?" sunod na tanong ni Paul na nagpatigil kay Malic.

"I.." he paused. But after a few seconds, he sighed. "Okay. Miss Zavrin can l-leave anytime she wants. I'll take note of it a-and r-report it... to Sir Anderson.." he surrendered. Akmang aalis siya nang tawagin siya ni Tanya.

"She'll leave tomorrow." dagdag nito. Malic bit his lip but then he left right after hearing what Tanya said.

"Tch. Aalis nang walang paalam tapos ngayong ikaw ang aalis, babalik siya bigla? Sira pala siya eh." komento ni Tanya.

"Based on what Malic said, Levi most probably didn't know that Zavrin is going to leave. Sabi niya ay irereport niya kay Levi ang pag-alis mo." Paul explained.

But that doesn't matter right? It's not like his return will change my decision. I already decided to pursue what I want. I've been longing for this opportunity. I won't let go of it.

That day, I took my time with my friends. I spent my last day at L.A. Paradise with them. I also told the others about it. We may not be as close as how I am with Tanya and Paul, but I still consider them as friends. Nalungkot nga sila na aalis na ako. Sayang daw dahil maeextend dapat ng stay namin sa L.A. Paradise. But they expressed how happy they were for me and wished me luck in my future endeavors.

It was once of the best days in my life.

Kinuha ko ang phone ko na binigay na kanina ni Malic. Narinig ko kasing nag-ring ito dahil sa isang notification. Nag-text si Race sa akin.

From: Race

I'll pick you up tomorrow in the morning. Have a good rest tonight, Zav.

P.S. I told Malic about it instead.

Napangiti ako sa message niya. Is that P.S. really necessary though? Hindi niya na kailangan pang ipaalala jusko. Nahihiya tuloy ako.

Habang nag-aayos ng mga gamit ko, tinext ko na rin si Mama na pauwi na ako bukas. Magugulat iyon panigurado dahil sa biglaan kong pag-uwi. I really miss her already.

I'm a bit sad since I will miss everything. Yes, everything. From my friends, the events, the sceneries. And, yes, even Levi. I spent my time here with him. I wouldn't have enjoyed it if it weren't for him. Kaya kahit hindi kami magkaayos ngayon, I am still very thankful that I got to meet him. I probably won't be able to talk to him after this since there's no reason for us to talk anymore, right?

But I'm thankful for the time that we spent together. I'm thankful for the memories we both shared with each other. Even if it's just for a month, it felt like a whole journey for me. I don't regret coming here. Even if I felt pain and got my heart broken from my stay here, this will surely be a memory that's worth remembering.

Thank you, L.A. Paradise.

The end.

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Author's note:

Joke onleh. May next chapters pa hehe.