Invisible Line in Between

Chapter 25

#NewClassicILIB

Chapter 25
Give It Back

My steps were becoming heavier as I got nearer and nearer to the park where Isaiah was waiting.

It took me almost ten minutes to get myself ready before I left the house. I gave him a simple reply earlier and told him to wait for me. I didn't ask why he wanted to meet me. I just agreed after arguing with myself about my decision.

Nagpalit ako ng damit para mas mukhang presentable kahit papaano. I wore denim shorts and printed tee. Mula sa pagkakatali, nilugay at sinuklay ko rin ang aking buhok. Hindi ko na pinakialaman ang aking mukha. I decided to go out bare-faced, since it was rather late. Ayoko na ring paghintayin pa si Isaiah.

Nang mas makalapit ako sa parke ay natanaw ko ang likod ni Isaiah. He was sitting on the same bench the other night. Seeing him from behind, I couldn't tell his mood. It made me feel more anxious.

I gripped tighter on the smiley guitar pick he gave me years ago. I brought it with me as I thought of something, which could help me let go of my feelings.

If he succeeded taking Blair back into his life, I would be happy for him despite the pain that I might feel alongside it. But aside from that, I would also give him back the guitar pick he had given me.

It already became my own happy charm for years, but I don't think I could still keep it with me if everything goes well between him and Blair. It would hold me back from moving on. I would never be free as it would always remind me of him―and that lingering memory, which gives me a lot of hope.

I have to give it back to him and hopefully, I would get my heart in return.

Tahimik akong pumanhik at umikot kung saang mas makikita ko siya. He sensed my arrival right away, so he lifted his head to look at me. He also stood up from his seat and then, he smiled.

He really did smile.

It was a genuine smile. He looked happy and satisfied. It almost made me trip on the ground as I lost my composure.

My heart used to flutter every time I see him smile―but now, I could hear it breaking apart.

I suddenly felt like turning around. I had this urge to just go back home, instead of meeting him. It seemed as if I was about to enter a battlefield and participate in an all-outwar. Even if I wouldn't die on the field, I knew I would still come home with a lot of wounds and bruises.

However, I already came this far. Going back wasn't an option to take.

For the past few weeks, I had gone through a lot and suffered. I had endured those worst times. I almost gave up on life, but I was still here―standing strong. What's the big deal if I get hurt more, right?

I was ready to settle for another heartbreak. I was ready to take another harsh wave of pain. I decided that it'd be better to take the pain all at once before I start to put my heart at rest and just hope that it'd be ready again in the future.

Nang buo na ang aking loob nagpatuloy ako sa paghakbang papalapit sa kanya. I slid the guitar pick on my side pocket as I approached him.

Just like him, I wore a smile on my face. But suddenly, as I was just a meter away from him, I was taken aback by his sudden shed of tears. He was still smiling, but tears kept rolling down his face.

Nanigas ako sa aking kinatatayuan. Hindi ko malaman kung ano ang aking gagawin. When I saw his genuine smile, I thought he succeeded. I thought he got what he wanted, but it turned out that he failed.

Staring at him crying in front of me, I was so dumbfounded. However, my body just moved on its own like it was possessed by another soul.

I found myself stepping out of the boundary and crossing the line, ignoring the consequences that I might face as I took the risk. All I wanted to do right now was to comfort the man I love who's breaking down.