Drowning Emotions (Isla Series #5)

PROLOGUE

MARCO

Lunod.

Minsan... Gusto ko na lang mangyari iyan. Gusto kong magpatangay sa alon na tanging karamay ko.

Sad, angry, frustrated, enthusiastic... Lay every emotion in front of me, the tides are my only savior and comfort. The rising and falling of the wild tides sometimes seems alluring that I want to flow with them, especially when I felt like drowning in my own emotions.

It was the only one I ran to...

Not until she came.

"Quin! Napakatagal mo naman! Iyong alon umatras na sa kabagalan mo! Come out already!"

"Wait a minute!" I shouted back.

Being in love is fun, they say. The best feeling ever. That's a statement I do agree on. Love is something I have always wanted to feel despite seeing people get drown by it. It's not the same for everybody. That's a fact I know.

Best feeling ever, huh? Not until you get rejected countless of times.

Want to know something worse than getting rejected? Falling for your best friend. Yes, my first love is my best friend. The one who shouted earlier, that's her. Sariyah.

"Don't say jokes like that, Quin. It's not funny," Sasy told me, sipping on her straw to hide her frown.

Nanigas ako. She thinks I'm joking. "Seryoso ako. Matagal na kitang crush, Sasy," I admitted bravely.

I saw how her eyes widened a little, not knowing what to say. "Ah... thank you?" She got shy.

First rejection.

"Gusto talaga kita, Sariyah. I am sincere with my intentions." I never gave up. We were older now. High school. But still, it's her I have my eyes on.

She drew a deep breath. Twice was enough for her to tell I was serious. Kilalang-kilala niya ako. Siya lang ang nakakakita sa akin, sa lahat ng emosyon ko. I choose to let her in my life and read through me. Only her.

"Quin... thank you talaga... but I still don't feel the same. Best friend kita."

Second rejection.

"Quin, alam mo naman na hindi talaga ako papatol sa barkada. You're my best friend, like my brother even. I value you the most, Quin... I only want you to be happy and I cannot give you that."

Third rejection.

Nasundan pa iyon nang sobrang daming rejection niya sa akin. Nalaman kong kasal siya sa iba. I cannot fully process it until she confirmed it through words. That didn't end there, alright. I kissed her. Rejected.

Pero makulit ako. Hindi ako tumigil. Nangulit ako. Gago nga yata ako tulad nang sinabi niya.

God, I loved her too much I was forgetting my principles in life. Nakalimutan ko kung ano'ng nararapat na gawin. Nakalimutan kong rumespeto ng kasal. Nakalimutan ko kung ano nga ba ang tamang paraan ng pagmamahal.

"God, Marco!" Sinabunutan niya ang sarili niya sa iritasyon. "Ilang beses ko na 'to sinabi sa 'yo! Hindi ka naman siguro bingi?! Sige, uulitin ko! Hindi kita mahal sa ganoon na paraan! Bilang best friend lang!"

"Bakit?!" Hindi ko napigilan sumigaw, nasasaktan.

"Ano'ng bakit?!" She didn't hold back too, equaling my anger.

"Bakit hindi ako?!"

"Bakit kasi ikaw?!" Sasy shook her head. "Maawa ka sa sarili mo. Kung mahal mo talaga ako, hindi ka aabot sa ganito. Pakawalanan mo na ako, please..."