Virtue of Love in Mendiola (Manila Series #1)

Chapter 27

"Siguro, kaya naging ganyan kasakit kasi naging ganon kasaya." ani Ali tsaka siya umupo sa tabi ko. "It's time to move forward. Don't be a prisoner of your painful story. Pahinga ka na, Ara."

"Thank you.." I said in a soft voice.

"I'll get going. Take a rest now, Ara."  said then we hugged each other before she left the room with Ali. Nang makaalis na sila ay humiga na ako para magpahinga. Gumaan ang pakiramdam ko nang maiyak ko lahat sa mga kaibigan ko. Yung inakala kong imposible, posible pala. Kaya ko palang maging masaya. Di ako sigurado, pero kakayanin.

"Ara?" pagtawag ni Ali sa pangalan ko habang kumkatok sa pinto ng kwarto ko. "Nasa baba na si Jill. Are you done?"

"Not yet!" pagsigaw ko habang nagsusuot ng cargo pants. "Just wait for me sa sala. Malapit na 'ko matapos!" I then continued fixing my clothes. By the way, we'll be hanging out tonight with the gang. Yes, with Jazen and the boys. It's been a year mula nung hinarap naming magkakaibigan ng sabay sabay yung heartache. It's been a year since I lost someone I love.

Anyway, I'm wearing a white halter crop top and a pair of black cargo pants for tonight. After fixing myself and checking my things, I then headed out of my room so that we can leave na.

"Finally, natapos ka din!" sabi ni Ali at tinawanan ko lang siya. Pumunta na kami sa parking dahil naghihintay na doon si Jill.

"Is Jade coming?" I asked while checking my instagram

"Not sure. She haven't replied yet." Jill said while she's driving.

"You told her ba?" I asked.

"Yep." Jill answered. "Jazen told her as well."

I stopped asking when I heard his name. No, don't get me wrong, everything's over. Including my feelings for him and the pain we both had a year ago. what we have now is friendship, and I guess I'm right.

Nang makarating na kami sa Route, ay pumasok na kami agad sa loob dahil ang sabi ni Allen ay nasa loob na sila. Ang tagal din namin silang hindi nakita. Huling kita pa namin sa kanilang tatlo ay noong graduation nila Jazen sa CEU, noong pumunta si Kio to attend their graduation.

"Arabella! Alijah! Jillian!" Allen shouted in joy, welcoming us while he's holding a red cup. "I missed you, guys!"

"Uhh." Ali said then she rolled her eyes.

"Where are the others?" I asked.

"You're looking for someone?" Allen asked, trying to tease me.

"Allen!" Jill and Ali called his name to stop him.

"It's alright, girls. I'm looking for Jade. I hope I've answered your question." I said.

"They're on our place." Allen said. "Tara."

Sinundan namin si Allen papunta sa table kung nasaan yung iba. Pagdating namin ay una 'kong nakita ang taong akala ko'y kaya ko nang makita ulit ng hindi nasasaktan.

"Long time no see, Jill, Ara!" Kio said then Ali sat beside him.

"Ara! It's good to see you again!" Jade said. "Not seeing you for how many months felt like years, huh."

"I know right." I said then I sat beside Jade.

"So, should I consider this as a reunion?" Ali asked. "We haven't seen each other for how many months. Or should I say, for a year."

"Excuse me." Jazen said which made all of us look at him then he stood up and walked away.

"Not surprised anymore." I said with a fake smile. "I think you should follow him, Allen."

"Come on guys, let's not be bitter tonight. Forget all the pain and just enjoy!" Jill said then she opened the bottle of Bacardi.

"Exactly! Let's have fun!" Jade said as she poured some drink on her cup.

"I'll just go to the restroom." I said then I stood up. I thought that this night's gonna be fine for all of us since it's been a year already. Enough time, I guess, to move forward. Or, maybe my expectation and hopes are just too high. Anyway, I went inside the restroom to wash my hands and to fix my hair.

"Should I go back there?" I looked at myself on the mirror and asked myself. I then shooked my head and wiped my hands before leaving the restroom.

"You're gonna leave them as well?" I heard someone standing beside the door said. Ikinagulat ko nang makita kung sino ang nagsalita. "Hindi na 'ko magtataka." he said then he left me dumbfounded.

"Jazen.." the only word I was able to say. Nanatili akong nakatayo habang sinusubukang unawain kung ano ang ibig sabihin ni Jazen sa sinabi niya. Nang magsink in na sa akin ang sinabi ni Jazen ay naglakad na ako pabalik sa mga kaibigan ko at pagdating ko ay wala pa rin doon si Jazen.

"Are you okay?" asked Jade who's sitting beside me.

"Yes, I think so." I said, looking at the cup I'm holding.

"By the way, we're gonna be having a family dinner." Jade said. "Maybe you wanna come and join us?"

"I'm sorry, but I can't come." I answered. "Jade, it's been a year since Jazen and I broke up. And i find no reason for me to join you guys. I'm sorry.." I said and I saw Jades shocked reaction.

"Oh, that's fine. Sorry to hear that." Jade said then I just smiled at her.

My friends are having fun talking and telling stories and I am here, listening to them. The conversation suddenly paused when we saw Jazen sat beside Allen and with that, I once again felt uncomfortable.

"Sa'n ka galing, bro?" Kio asked Allen.

"Just there." Jazen answered. "Di ako mang-iiwan, dude. I won't leave you guys here." Jazen said which made me roll my eyes.

"Oh." Ali said which means she know what Jazen's saying.

"I'll just have a walk around, guys." I said, faking a smile.

"Can I come?" Jade asked.

"Yeah, sure." I said then she stood up as well. We're walking around and I don't know why does it felt uncomfortable walking with my ex's sister.

"You know what, I'm actually tampo sa'yo." Jade said na ikinagulat ko.

"Tampo? Why?" I asked.

"You and Kuya had a painful break up pala and everyone was in pain as well then there's me chilling because I know nothing. No one told me about what happened until nasabi mo kanina because you forgot ata na hindi ko pa alam."

"Oh, Jade, i'm sorry.." I said, apologizing for not telling her.

"It's fine tho. Jill told me the reason why you guys hid the fact from me that you two broke up." Jade said then she smiled at me. "I just hope you two are fine na."

"I hope so." I said with a smile although there's no reason for me to smile.

"Although what happened a while ago was.. you know." she said then she laughed trying to make it less awkward.

"Hahaha, I didn't expect that to happen." I said. "Because, you know, it's been a year. But I think no one moved forward."

"What do you mean?" asked Jade.

"Walang nag-move on." I said. "Wishing they could bring back what they had.."

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