It's the Same Old Song (The Runaway Girls Series #4)

Chapter 47

Mine

"I'm leaving this weekend."

Our annulment was finally granted after four long years. Hindi na rin ako nagulat na inabot ng gano'n katagal ang proseso, but compared to others? We were lucky enough. Four years is nothing compared to those who've been waiting for almost a decade.

And now, I am single. I'm no longer a Serratosa. I am just me—Janna Beatrice Regalado. Back to a clean slate, still hoping for plot twists, even as I approach my 40s.

"Babalik ka pa rin naman dito, diba? Huwag mo kaming taguan ng inaanak mo!" si Ria, na ngayon ay kalong-kalong ang dalawang taong gulang niyang anak.

"Yup, I'll just finish my master's and then I'll be back."

"I seriously don't think na kailangan mo pa ng master's. You're doing great here. Malapit ka nang maging editor-in-chief ng Dazzle. Kaunti na lang talaga."

"Ria, I wanted to explore on my own. Ako lang. Nang hindi ako nakatali. I couldn't do it before, even when I was with Carlos. Iba kapag kasama siya, at iba kapag ako lang. And I feel like I'm still missing out, so this time, I really want to do things on my own."

Tumango siya habang pinapakain ang anak niya. "I understand. Kung ano naman ang gusto mong gawin, Beatrice. Suportado ka namin. Huwag mo lang kaming bibiglain na may asawa ka na, ah!"

"Kakahiwalay lang namin ni Carlos, asawa agad? Hindi ko 'yan hobby gaga," I replied with a chuckle.

"Malay mo lang kasi may makilala ka sa ibang bansa."

I huffed while checking my phone. "Not in my plans, Ria. Hindi pa rin ako ready. Gusto ko muna maging buo ulit kung sakaling kumilala ulit ako ng bago. I don't wanna ruin another life again. Nadala na ako."

"Did you already talk to him? Kamusta si Vance?" she asked.

"Hindi masyado, pero minsan nagkikita kami. Huling kita ko sa kaniya sa fashion event pa last month. After that, I heard he went to the US. Busy pa rin sa start-up company niya."

"No plans on getting back with him?"

"Wala pa rin, Ria. But if I'm ready, ako na mismo hahabol sa kaniya. Kung sakaling parehas pa rin kami ng feelings, pero ngayon? I'm afraid I'll just ruin him. Gusto kong maging sigurado. Gusto kong maging buo para sa kaniya."

"Feeling ko naman ikaw pa rin ang mahal no'n. Did he try to talk with you? Nagmakaawa na naman ba ulit sa'yo?" tanong niya pa ulit.

I shook my head. "Hindi na naulit. I think we're on the same page, Ri. Weird, pero feeling ko pinapakiramdaman niya rin ako. Nginingitian niya naman ako tuwing nagkakasalubong kami sa event, pero hanggang doon lang 'yon."

"Oh... still checking you." She nodded thoroughly. "Kung kayo, kayo naman. But for now, do what you think is best for you, okay?"

"Thanks, Ri. Babalitaan ko na lang kayo."

Muli kong sinulyapan ang relo ko. I still have to check something before this day ends. After a thirty-minute drive, nakarating na ulit ako sa dati naming tinitirhan ni Carlos. It's been years since I last stepped foot here. Ngayon na lang talaga ulit.

I just wanna check this place for one last time bago namin ibenta. I didn't have the guts to visit this house years ago, but now, after seeing the exterior from the gate... it made me feel nostalgic.

The laughs I shared with Carlos. Mga gabing uuwi kami galing sa travel namin. Even the simplest and dumbest conversation with him kept me sane. Napatawad ko na si Carlos, at sana kahit papaano, maging okay kami ulit. Kahit kaibigan na lang.