Almost, But Not Quite (COMPLETED)

Chapter 48

#ABNQ48 Chapter 48

The days passed by quickly. Psalm and I spent time as much as we could—which wasn't much because he's always too busy with work. Kadalasan, puro madaling-araw kami nagkikita kasi iyon ang tapos ng mga ginagawa niya. Ang dami niyang functions na pinupuntahan gabi-gabi. I didn't want to complain because he was so patient with me nung ako naman iyong busy.

But I wished we could've spent more time.

"Are you sure?" I asked Psalm.

"Yeah, I'm sorry," he said, sounding really apologetic. I planned this weekend getaway for all of us—since I was pretty sure hindi ako papayagan ng parents ko kung kaming dalawa lang ni Psalm ang aalis. I did all the research. Walang signal sa pupuntahan namin sa Bolinao, so I was pretty sure that I could hog Psalm all to myself. Sobrang busy na kasi talaga niya. Akala ko masosolo ko siya habang hindi pa nagsisimula iyong pasukan, but clearly, I thought wrong. Mas nasosolo siya ng trabaho niya.

"Kahit one day lang?"

"It's a nine-hour drive, Joey," he said. I knew I shouldn't be competing with his job, but I really missed him! Swerte na iyong makapagdinner kami twice a week! Swerte na kapag nasasagot niya iyong text ko ng wala pang isang oras!

I sighed. "Sige."

"Joey," tawag niya sa pangalan ko. Hindi ako sumagot agad. Hindi ko alam kung ano'ng sasabihin ko sa kanya. "Joey, you know I'd rather be with you than work, right?"

I nodded, although he couldn't see me... kasi nasa trabaho na naman siya. We were supposed to have dinner tonight, but he cancelled on the last minute kasi biglaang kailangan siya. Hindi ko nasabi na kanina pa ako nasa resto. Na kumain na lang akong mag-isa kahit na kitang-kita ko kung paano naawa iyong server sa akin kasi siguro mukha na akong iiyak kanina.

"Okay lang," sabi ko matapos humugot nang malalim na hininga.

"Joey, please don't be like this."

I bit my lower lip. "Okay lang talaga," I said in an attempt to make my voice a little jollier. I didn't want him to worry about me because I knew that I'd power through this. Maybe I was just missing him too bad... but I knew I'd be okay once I see him again.

"I'll just call in sick."

"No," I quickly said. "Just... work, okay? I'll be fine."

Hindi agad nagsalita si Psalm. Alam ko na kung pwede lang, gusto niya ring samahan na lang ako... Pero hindi pwede. Kasi may trabaho siya. Siguro ganoon talaga. Na habang tumatanda, mas ma-re-realize mo na hindi pwede na love lang. Maraming bagay iyong dapat i-consider. Maraming aspeto ng buhay iyong dapat alagaan—hindi pwede na pagmamahal lang lagi.

"Next week, I promise," sabi niya.

I smiled. Sa isang araw na lalabas iyong resulta ng NMAT. Pagkatapos nun, mag-a-apply na ako sa school. Sigurado ako na magiging busy na ulit ako. Baka nalimutan na ni Psalm iyon dahil sa sobrang busy niya.

"Yeah, sure," I replied. "Ingat ka," sabi ko bago ibaba iyong tawag.

I stared at the clothes in front of me. I was already packing before Psalm called. Sobrang excited na ako kasi akala ko talaga at least dalawang araw ko siyang masosolo.

But life happened.

* * *

"Nahihilo na ako sa 'yo," sabi ni Jax. Ngayon naka-schedule iyong release ng grades para sa NMAT. Ngayon ko malalaman kung pasok ba ako sa cut-off ng gusto kong school.