That One Match

Chapter 27

IT WAS a hot Saturday afternoon when I arrived home from the airport. To my suprise, Heptane, Trion and Hexion are at my house, comfortably sitting on the sofa in my sala. When they saw me entering the house, they all stood up like they have rehearsed it.

I smiled, a small one. Didiretso sana ako sa taas pero hinarangan ako ni Heptane.

"Galit ka pa rin ba?"

Umiling ako. I can't stay mad at her for a long time.

"How's your trip in Iloilo?"

Hexion walked towards us. Nginitian nya ako.

Is he already okay?

"It's good. I think I have settled everything."

I was referring to Blank and I.

Mapakla akong ngumiti nang maalala kung paano ako matapang na bumalik ng hotel nang nakaraang araw. Blank begged me to wait for him— he was saying he's currently cooking something but he couldn't tell me about it, yet. Truth is, I wanted that moment to trust what he was saying but later, I realized that we really have to stop giving heartaches to each other.

I left him on the shore and rode a taxi back to the hotel. Buong byahe nakahawak lang ako sa left chest ko. Nakakapanghina. Nakakawalang gana. Nakakasakit sa puso.

It was finally official— we unmatched.

"ARE you tired? Do you want to take a rest first and then, we will talk later?"

Trion joined us. Bago ako sumagot, inisa-isa ko muna silang tiningnan.

They are the only persons who were always there for me. Dinamay ko sila sa gulo ng pagmamahalan ni Blank. Nagkainisan, nagkatrayduran, nagkagalitan, nagkasakitan— we all went through it.

Ngayong natuldukan ko na ang relasyon namin ni Blank, mas mabuti pang ibalik ko na rin sa dati ang dating kasiyahan na nararamdaman ko tuwing mga matalik kong kaibigan ang nakakasama ko.

"Magbibihis lang ako tsaka bababa agad ako. Uhm—" Napakamot ako sa ulo. "I'm a bit hungry." Nahihiya kong sinabi.

Natawa si Hexion bahagya. Ginulo nito ang buhok ko.

"I will prepare something. Sige na. Umakyat ka na."

I smiled at the three and went upstairs.

I hope things will be better now.

—

THIRD PERSON POV

NANG masigurong nakapasok na si Pentaliticia sa kanyang silid ay nagkatinginan ang tatlong natitira sa ibaba. Hexion released a sigh.

"I can't believe we really waited for Dreaker's message before checking her. Heptane," he was furiously looking at his sister. "Why were you even talking to Mrs. Alfonzo?"

Napakamot sa ulo ang dalaga.

"Alam nating pareho na ang sumisira sa buhay ni Pent ay ang matandang iyan. I wanted her to stop messing with my best friend— kaya ko sya kinausap."

She defended. Napairap ito sa ere nang maalala ang mapait na nangyari noong maaksidente si Pent at Asul.

Heptane was the first one to arrive outside the emergency room. She was walking back and forth in the hallway, trying her best to stay calm despite the fact that her best friend is in a critical condition.

It took almost an hour when the doctor went out of the ER. Malaki ang pasasalamat ni Heptane nang mga oras na iyon nang malamang ligtas na ang kaibigan nya.