Destructing The Flame's Deception

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

"Miss mo?"

Napatingin ako kay Phoebe at natigilan sa tanong niyang iyon. The second semester for this school year has already started. Sobrang lapit ko nang maabot ang pangarap ko. Kaunting tiis nalang.

"Alin? Sino?" I asked her.

Tumawa siya. "I mean, kanina mo pa kasi tinitignan 'yang relo mo. Did you miss someone who gave that watch to you?"

I swallowed hard. Ngayon ko lang na-realize na kanina pa pala ako nakatingin sa relo ko, kahit na hindi naman oras ang sinisilip ko.

Napaisip din ako sa tinanong ni Phoebe. I don't know what to answer. I don't even know the answer. Naguguluhan ako. Siguro… oo?

One year has passed since we last met, and our last meeting was such a fairytale to me. The night that he confessed his feelings to me, that's also the night that we last talked to each other before he was gone.

Is that because he really likes me? That's why he let me go because that's what I wanted him to do?

I think that's the reason why he suddenly went away. At ngayon, mababalitaan kong nasa states na pala siya. 

Kahit ilang beses ko mang itanggi, inaamin kong namimiss ko siya. Nasanay ako na laging kaming dalawa ang magkasama. We've been friends since we're senior high school. Sabay naming inabot ang pangarap naming makapasok sa pangarap naming unibersidad.

But things happen— fate happens that we suddenly need to part our ways.

Things were still complicated right now. Walang naka-alam sa nangyari noong birthday ni Grandma, maliban sa akin, kay Grandma, kay Silas, at sa ina niya. It was still a secret that keeps hiding. Hindi ko na rin natanong si Papa tungkol doon.

Maybe because I don't want to get involved in their affairs anymore. Kahit na sobrang interesado ako sa nangyari sa kanilang tatlo nila mama, wala akong magawa dahil nakalipas na iyon, at natatakot akong madamay kung sakaling magtanong pa muli ako at ibalik ang lahat. 

Besides… I already accept the fact that we're really adopted. And Grandma is currently sick right now. Ayokong ma-stress pa siya lalo kung sakali.

"I did," I whispered.

Phoebe clapped her hands, as if she was happy because her instinct was right.

"Sabi ko na, e. Sino ba kasing nagbigay n'yan sa'yo? It's not like you're still not trusting us? Ang tagal tagal na nating magkaibigan, oh. Curious din ako kung may special someone ka ba or…"

"Special someone?" I looked from afar. "He's a friend,"

"He? Lalaki? Care to tell us who he is?" Avhril asked.

"Someone… just someone who keeps making me feel so special." 

"Is he special to you?" taas kilay na tanong ni Phoebe.

Hindi ko masabi. Hindi ako makatango kaya nagkibit ako ng balikat.

"Gusto mo siya?" 

Mas lalo akong hindi nakasagot sa tanong na iyon. Narinig ko naman ang buntonghininga ni Phoebe.

"May nabasa ako. If you keep missing someone… it's either you're longing for him or… you like him and he's really special to you." 

I sighed. 

"But they also said, you can see it in people's eyes if she likes someone." 

My lips parted as I looked at Phoebe. "Talaga? Anong masasabi mo sa mga mata ko?"