I Fall All Over Again

[43] - Forgiven

JOSH's POV

Himala'ng matatawag ang nangyari sa'kin ngayong gabi.

I know it's Friday night at dapat nasa resto ako ni Carl ngayon para sa tradisyon ng barkada na kumain ng magkakasama, pero I don't feel like going kaya nagdahilan na lang ako sa kanila. I'm gonna admit, I'm feeling this way because of Angelo and Rhianne's engagement. I shouldn't feel this way, but what can I do? I still love her.

But to my surprise, halos sirain na ni Zia ang pintuan ng kwarto ko sa kakakatok and when I opened it, she told me a miracle.

"Nasa baba si Ate Rhianne. Gusto ka raw niya makausap!"

I immediately fixed myself and prepare myself to face her, but when I saw Angelo's car outside our house parang bigla ako'ng nawalan ng gana. But whatever, ang mahalaga nandito si Rhianne at gusto niya ako'ng makausap.

Pagbaba ko sa first floor ng bahay namin, nakita ko'ng nakatayo si Rhianne sa may sala namin. Nakatalikod siya sa'kin kaya hindi ko makita ang expression ng mukha niya. Dun ko kasi malalaman kung good news ba o bad news ba ang dala niya.

"Rhianne.." I called her as I walk towards her, "..what brings you here?" casual ko'ng tanong sa kanya.

She faced me and smiled at me, God I miss this smile of hers.

"I came here to talk to you Josh." she said.

"About?"

"About our friendship."

Shit.

Am I dreaming? Sabihin niyo na sa'kin kung panaginip 'to kasi ayoko'ng umasa. Baka mamaya kapag nagising ako malungkot lang ako dahil isa'ng malaki'ng kalokohan lang pala ang lahat ng 'to.

"Take a seat." I said but she refused.

She shook her head, "Hindi naman ako magtatagal e. Nasa labas kasi si Angelo, he's waiting for me." sabi niya. "I just really need to talk to you. Mabilis lang."

I nodded, "Do you mind if we talk outside? Baka kasi mag-eavesdrop 'yung magaling ko'ng kapatid e." I joked.

She chuckled, "Sure."

Paglabas namin, nakumbinsi ko siya'ng maupo sa may hagdanan sa harapan ng bahay namin. When we settled, parang bigla'ng naging awkward ang lahat dahil katahimikan ang bumalot sa pagitan naming dalawa.

"So.." I broke the ice, "..what do you want to talk about, Rhianne?"

She took a deep breath before responding, "I want to apologize for what happened to us in Padre Pio church, I shouldn't say those things to you. I know you caused me so much pain, but that's not enough reason para sumbatan kita ng gano'n. You don't deserve that." she gave me an apologetically look, which she shouldn't because I deserve those words, "A week ago may sinabi sa'kin si Angelo, na kung magpapakain ako sa takot wala'ng mangyayari sa buhay ko. Aaminin ko, natakot ako'ng patawarin ka, pagkatiwalaan ulit at papasukin sa buhay ko. I was about to forgive you when I knew that you donated your blood to me, but fear consumed me. Natakot ako na baka saktan mo na naman ako, iwanan mo na naman kami." she shook her head, "Ayoko na kasi'ng pagdaanan ulit ng barkada 'yun e. Masakit na nga na iniwan mo 'ko noon, mas lalo pa ako'ng nasaktan kasi pati 'yung barkada nasaktan mo."