Thorns After Everything (Completed)

Chapter 34

Weeks turned into months.

My morning routine was healthy. At least it keeps me going with my life. I didn't get a job for I breakdown anytime. Anytime.

Grocery, nag-breakdown ako sa CR. Sometimes when I watch movies alone in my room, iiyak at iiyak ako.

People who never get cheated on will never understand.

I decided to take a walk today and read a book at a cafe nearby. I ordered coffee and had some time reading. Pero yung isip ko laging lumipipad so reading doesn't really work for me.

So, a new order of coffee na naman.

As I sip my coffee, I heard a woman.

"Thank God I finally found you."

Napatingin ako kung sino.

I froze.

"Maris! When your sister told me that you're here in Canada I immediately booked a flight. I mean, how could you not tell me that this is where you are at? I mean— I've been looking for you! Akala ko ba sabay tayong maghahanap ng open interview? It's such a coincidence na makita kaagad kita when I just arrived yesterday. Zadist doesn't even answer my call—"

I slapped her. Hard.

Horror shot her face.

Napahawak siya sa pisngi niya.

Napakunot ang noo niya nang marealize niya kung anong nangyari. I noticed that everyone in the cafe also noticed it.

"How could you—?" Madiin kong sabi.

Her jaw dropped.

I've never slapped anyone before. But it felt good slapping the one that betrayed me.

"H-how could I—?" Paolla asked. "What the hell— Maris?!"

Umalis ako sa harap niya at lumabas na sa Cafe. Mabilis akong naglakad.

"Maris!"

Hinarangan niya ako sa daan and her tears were already flowing like crazy.

"What is wrong with you?!" She asked na parang siya pa ang biktima.

I rolled my eyes at her.

Naglakad ako muli.

Mabilis niya akong hinatak at hinarap sa kanya.

"Let go!" Sabi ko sabay tabi nang kamay niya.

Napanganga siya.

"I get it. Is this about what happened sa after-party?"

"Oh, alam mo pala. Why are you acting like you didn't have an intimate night with my boyfriend?" Sabi ko. "Ex-boyfriend."

"Oh my god! Is that why you're here? Is that why you're suddenly gone? You seriously left Zadist sa ere just because you thought we're having an intimate night?? You're wrong."

Bigla akong kinabahan.

"Maris, I would never cross the line between you and Zadist. Even before you met him." Sabi niya.

A moment of silence.

"I know what I saw that night."

I could never forget it.

"I get it now." Sabi niya pa. "Zadist's been saying it na parang may mali."

"Hindi lang pagkakamali, Paolla. Hindi ako makapaniwalang magawa mo kong saktan. You're my only friend and you know that. Bestfriend kita, pinagkakatiwalaan kita, pero anong ginawa mo? I was even worried about you that night and what?" I throw my hands in the air. "What a stupid surprise."