Strings of Regret

Chapter 20

A shaky breathe came out of my lips as the night breeze brushed my face. I felt light-headed as I made up my mind to let things go with the flow. Never minding the inhibitions, limitations nor boundaries. I tore it all up just for tonight. I don't know when will I be able to have this feeling wherein I am so certain that I'll let things unfold on their own.

  "Space.." Reese trailed off.

Nanatiling nakatutok ang mata ko sa tahimik na tennis court. May iilang motor at sasakyang dumadaan sa kalsada at maririnig mo pa rin ang kaunting ingay mula sa campus kasi isang kilometro lang naman ang layo nito doon. The tennis court is located just beside the plaza.

I heard him sigh before continuing. "I gave you space because I know that you needed that to think. Pero tingin ko nakapagdesisyon ka na."

My eyes widened a fraction. Paano niya nalaman? I wanted to ask that but there's more important things at hand.

  "It's not a one-sided love huh? Nakita ko iyon sa inyong dalawa ni Stephen," he scoffed.

I smiled sarcastically at that. "Gaya ng nakita ko sa inyo ni Tiana? Didn't know you could be that dense though."

Aba! Kita niya daw ang namamagitan sa amin ni Stephen pero ang nararamdaman ko sa kanya wala? Anong nangyari sa mata niya at naligaw ng landas? Didn't Stephen subtly clear that out earlier? Gosh! He's making my head ache.

From looking ahead, he turned to me with wide eyes, shock evident on his face.

I'm getting annoyed at this slow-poke but I need to let everything out tonight. Bahala na kung pagsisihan ko ang maaaring lumabas sa bibig ko. I won't stop it.

  "You know after I witnessed such scene, I have come to the realization that I'm just making things complicated. I'm just making excuses because I'm scared even though I know what my heart really wants," I breathily said. "Pero bakit.. kung kailan nakapagdesisyon na ako, nagbago na ang isip mo?"

He shifted his position and turned his whole body in my direction. "Witnesses what? Anong ibig mong sabihin?"

And just like a trigger to a gun, I fired it without much thought.

  "Ngayon pa ba tayo mag maang-maangan Reese?" tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Hindi ko talaga alam ano ang tinutukoy mo Abrianna. What is it?" seryosong sambit niya.

I sighed loudly. Mukhang hindi niya talaga alam ah? Ang dali naman makalimot ng isang 'to. Akala ko ba matalas ang memorya?

I turned to him, brows still arched. "You really don't know? Or you forgot because that's what you tend to do? Forget things when everything go side ways?" sarkastikong saad ko.

Nakakalimot na siya ah? Tanungin ko kaya kung paano makalimot agad? Is he really being true right now? Because I still wanna give him the benefit of the doubt.

Marupok na naman Abrianna. Kahit kailan talaga.

He heaved a sigh and massaged the bridge of his nose. "I swear hindi ko alam anong ibig mong sabihin ka---"

  "You and Tiana smiling at each other like lovesick fools. Like no one was around and just the both of you. Not caring that the whole world is still orbiting on its axis. Did the time stop or everything turned into slow motion as you stared at each others eyes? Huh?" nanunuyang aniya ko.

His eyes widened and like a cold water was splashed above his head.

  "This may sound cliche and all but we're just friends Bri. Yung nakita mo kanina--"