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

Chapter 48

Love

London had become a strange kind of home to me. Hindi na rin siya tulad ng dati na nabibigla ako sa gulo at ingay ng siyudad. Natutunan ko na rin na tanggapin at kinalaunan ay nakasanayan ko na rin ang bawat kilos at galaw ng mga tao dito.

The coffee shop near my flat had my order memorized, the bookstore owner on the corner always saved me the last copy of the newspaper, and I learned which Tube lines to avoid during rush hour.

Grabe, all of this in a year. Hindi ko inakala na magiging ganito ako ka-komportable sa lugar na hindi ko naman kinalakihan. And it was an achievement for me. Maliit na bagay man sa iba, pero para sa akin, sobra-sobra na iyon.

"Why are you packing as if you're moving there forever?" Anna's voice crackled through my laptop speakers. Kanina pa kami magka-video call habang naghahanap ako ng mga damit na pwede kong dalhin sa trip ko sa Edinburgh.

"I'm not!" I defended myself while tossing the sweater into the suitcase. "It's just... I need options."

"Options? You're just going to see your ex!" she emphasized the last word which made me frown.

I groaned. "It's not like that. We're just—"

"Friends," Anna interrupted as she tried to mimic my voice. "Sure, Beatrice. Totally normal to spend hours deciding which coat screams, 'I'm totally over you.'"

I threw a scarf at the screen even though she couldn't see it. "You're impossible."

"And you're in denial. Look, I get it. You've been through a lot. But don't you think it's okay to admit you're excited to see him?"

"Fine," I admitted while grabbing a pair of boots from the closet. "I'm excited. But it's complicated."

Anna smirked. "There she is. Complicated is good. Just don't overthink it. Let him see the Beatrice we all know—badass, brilliant, and slightly obsessed with organizing her thesis references."

I laughed despite myself. "Thanks for that."

We talked a little longer. Nagpatuloy lang si Anna sa pang-aasar sa akin hanggang sa nagpaalam siya dahil may reunion pa raw siya na kailangang puntahan. Eventually, the call ended, and my place was quiet again.

Vance and I stayed in touch. Although we don't always talk, he occasionally checks on me. Minsan magkukuwento siya tungkol sa mga trip niya. Tatanungin niya ako tungkol sa thesis ko at sa buhay ko dito sa London. I think it's fine. We both know our boundaries, and no one dares to cross the line.

Mas lalo rin kasi siyang naging busy dahil unti-unti nang lumago ang startup company niya. The last time I heard, he's busy working on a mixed reality game platform. It's a combination of AR and VR. That's all I know. But by the looks of it, mukhang komplikado.

"Ano 'nak? Uuwi ka ba dito sa pasko? Miss ka na namin ni Bella!" si Mama 'yon na tumawag naman habang naghahanap pa rin ako ng damit na isusuot ko bukas.

"Uuwi ako. Hanggang new year lang kasi may presentation ako sa January 4."

"Magtatagal ka pa ba d'yan pagkatapos ng master's mo? Masaya sa ibang bansa pero iba kapag nandito ka 'nak. Nadala lang ako sa naranasan ko kaya masaya sana kung dito ka na lang kapag natapos mo na 'yan."

I sighed as I pulled out my scarf from the suitcase. "Hindi ko pa po naiisip pero sa tingin ko uuwi rin naman ako. Ayaw ko rin naman tumanda dito not unless magkapamilya ako dito. Ibang usapan na 'yon."

"Bakit?" Naningkit ang mga mata niya, halatang nanunuri. "May nakilala ka na bang bago d'yan? Nga pala, may girlfriend na yata yung dati mong asawa, eh. Nakita ko 'yon sa ATC last week lang ata? May kasamang maganda. Ang sweet nila!"