EVERY BEAT OF MY HEART

CHAPTER 21: Five Minutes

"Kelan pa to?" Nanlaki ang mata ni Carl nang mabasa ang laman ng sobre na dala ni Drake.

"I need a long vacation Carl. I know it will be hassle for you, but I really need to take a leave. Don't worry. I will be back as soon as I fix these things."

"Take your time. I don't care how long it is, basta bumalik ka. I mean..."

"Ang drama mo Carl." Natatawa nitong sabi.

"Hindi ako nagda-drama. You, Gian and Nathan are the people whom I treasured so much. Alam mo yon diba? Magkakapatid tayo. Well, there are times that-"

"Bro! I'm not dying. And I will not let it happen. If I need to gamble with the grimreaper, I will. Babalik ako. Chill ka lang."

"Alam na ba ni Gian at Nathan?"

"No. Huwag mo na lang sabihin. Lalo na kay Gian. Baka hindi niya ako tigilan. Alam mo naman, daig pa non ang tatay ko kung makapag-react. And as for Nathan..."

"What about that jerk?"

"I think he is serious about Arylle. Give him a chance. Don't bug him with threats. Nathan finally fell inlove. Kaya hayaan mo lang siya. He is pursuing her kaya let him prove himself."

"Eh paano ka?"

"Anong paano ako?"

"You like Arylle. Huwag mo na i-deny sa  akin. I can read your mind."

"No. I don't like her."

"Magkaibigan nga kayo ni Gian. You keep on denying things. You-"

"I don't like her Carl. I love Arylle. I love her so much. I love her more than Samantha. I love her so much, and I want to protect her. Even if it means breaking my heart. I will do anything to protect that woman."

Natigilan si Carl sa mga sinabi niya. Iyon ang pinagkaiba nila ni Gian. Palaging sigurado si Drake sa nararamdaman niya. Hindi man ito palasalitang tao, kapag nagbitaw ito ng salita, siguradong-sigurado siya. Alam niya at pinaninindigan niya ang mga salitang binibitawan niya.

"I can see myself in you three years ago. Alam mo Drake, sa tingin ko...kailangan malaman ni Arylle ang mga bagay na pinagdadaanan mo."

"Para saan? Para umasa siya? Para maghintay siya? I want her to be happy Carl. I want her to have a happy ending. Isang bagay na hindi sigurado kung ako ang mamahalin niya. I don't want to take risk."

"When I told Missy that she deserve a better man, akala ko yon talaga ang tama. That James deserves her. That James would make her happy. That James was the right man for her. Pero isa yon sa mga bagay na pinagsisihan ko noon. Noong naging sila ni James, naisip ko, sana nag-take risk na lang ako."

"You're situation is different from mine.  If I will be in the same situation as yours, do you think I will let her go? Hindi ko yon gagawin Carl. Kasi I'm not confuse. Samantha was a part of my past. Kung anuman yung nararamdaman ko kay Arylle ngayon, sigurado ako don. Pero alam mo at alam ko na kapag hindi ko naayos yung mga dapat kong ayusin, she will end up miserable. If Nathan will be persistent, Arylle might fall for him. Huwag ka mag-alala. Okay lang ako. Basta siguraduhin lang ni Nathan na hindi niya sasaktan si Arylle. You know me, hindi ako manghihinayang sa friendship namin kapag ginawa niya yon sa kanya."

"Kelan alis mo?"

"Tonight."

"Agad-agad? Hindi ka man lang ba magpapaalam kay Arylle? Parang naka-duty siya ngayon."

"For what? Baka magbago pa yung isip ko kapag nakita ko siya."

"Sabi mo eh. Pero magpaalam ka kay Gian and Nathan. I think, you can that? Lalo na kay Gian. Ayokong kulitin niya ako. Alam mo naman yon, alaga ka non eh. Don't make him worry."