Bed of Flames✅

CHAPTER 29

Chapter 29

Days went fast. Tomorrow will be Grandma's burial. I'm still not ready to face that, though. Everything felt surreal. I still can't believe we'll be burying her tomorrow and our last moment together on the world's surface.

Mamayang gabi sisimulan ang pagbibigay ng tribute kay Lola. Mga videos noong nandito pa siya at mga ala-ala sa nagdaang panahon. Hindi ko alam kung kaya ko bang manood dahil naiisip ko palang ang mga iyon, naiiyak na ako. Hindi ko kakayanin.

"I'm here for Lola Mercedita, not for anyone else here." Betty said coldly.

She's stopping by here consecutive days already... and her reasons will always like that. I know she's still mad at me and I deserve that hate. I hurt her. Whenever I remember everything I said years ago, I wanted to just slap myself. Why did I say that? She's a great friend... however, I can't turn back time. She hates me.

"I know, Betty." I gasped. "Galit ka parin ba sa akin, Betty?"

Napabaling siya sa akin. Pareho kaming nasa harap ng kabaong ni Lola. Ngayong nilingon niya ako, nilingon ko rin siya. Her eyes express something else but her face is cold. I used to see her smile and happy face but now... it's plain cold and blank.

Sobra ba talaga ang nagawa ko noon para maging ganito siya?

"What do you think?"

Even her voice is so cold. Why the heck do people in the universe nowadays are so cold and serious? Damn it! Am I left behind the trend?

"For what I said, I apologize." mahinang sabi ko. "Betty, patawarin mo na ako, o. Nasabi ko lang naman ang mga iyon kasi... I was broken hearted and..."

Kinagat ko ang labi ko. I realized how stupid I was with all my decisions. I hurt my friend for that stupid love. I should have followed what she said to me. Sana hindi ganito... hindi kami magkasakitan.

But 'what-ifs' and 'maybes' will never happen.

"Stop calling me 'Betty'. Only a friend can address me that. We're not friends."

Ngumuso ako.

"Are we? Betty naman, sorry na kasi. It's been years. I've grown and matured. I've known my mistakes and somehow... regretted some of my mistakes especially those words I've said to you. I'm really sorry. Sana mapatawad mo ako."

Nag-iwas siya ng tingin. I saw how she pouted a bit to suppress a smile. My lips parted. She faced me again with that blank expression. It amazes me how she easily swiped expressions and emotions on her face.

"You know what, Ashka? I'm not mad at you for that. Alam kong nadala kalang sa emosyon kaya mo nasabi iyon. And I'm not numb, of course, I feel hurt. Pero madali lang naman nawala iyon, e. Kaibigan kita at mabilis kitang patatawarin. But do you know why I am so mad at you?"

"Why?"

"Because you left without a word."

Natahimik ako at yumuko. Aminado naman akong iniwan ko sila... pero may rason naman ako kung bakit ko ginawa iyon.

"You left me. You left Senyorito Leo without a word." she said. "You didn't even explain why did you end up on that bed naked... with Ken Zarzaloga! Had something happened to you that day? I'm so disappointed, Ashka. Umalis ka nang hindi nagpaalam. Hindi nagsabi ng rason sa ginawa mo. For what? Para matakasan lahat ng nangyari? Did you really cheat?"

Nangilid ang luha sa aking mata. Umiling ako pero dahil sa panghihina ay hindi ako nakapagsalita. Hindi ko kaya. I left them so confused about what had happened. I didn't explain my side.