Take Me Home (City Series #4)

Chapter Thirty-Six

L

"Huy, gagi! Sabi ko sa'yo ingatan mo ulo ni Lia! Nauntog ulit!"

"I'm trying, Ena! Where's Vale na ba kasi with the water?"

"Mahaba ata pila sa 7/11 eh!"

"Should she sleep in my condo instead? Baka magalit sina kuya if she goes home this drunk." Mage sighed.

"Ay uminom kami nung kailan, bago pa umalis si Claude. Si Natalia yung tumulong sa amin. Lasing na lasing rin si Lia no'n, eh." Napa-kamot si Selena ng ulo niya. "Malay ko ba dito! Siya naman nag-iimbita!"

I felt my tears escaping as I sat down properly. My whole face felt numb, but my heart wasn't. Hindi naman nawala yung sakit na nararamdaman ng puso ko.

I grabbed my phone, desperate to find Z's name. Once I tapped on the call icon, I placed my phone beside my head.

"Lia!" ani Mage. "You can't go drunk calling people!"

"I'm calling my boyfriend!" I laughed as I wiped another tear off my cheek. "I haven't seen him in a month! The last time we were together ako nag-alaga sa kaniya, ah!"

"Hello?"

"Z!" I squealed as I put him on speaker. "Hiiiiiiiiii."

"Lia? Nasaan ka?"

"Z! Sorry, Lia's really drunk! I don't know why rin!" Mage grabbed my phone.

"Yan ba yung doktor?" Selena giggled. "Hanapan niya ako kamo."

"Oh, no." Umiling ako at pinisil ang pisngi ni Selena. "They all hurt you in the end."

"What's she saying—"

"Wala, Z!" Mage cleared her throat.

"Can you take care of her? Nagrereview kasi ako ngayon para sa prelims namin.. I can't focus on this right now."

Kunot noo kong tinignan ang cellphone ko.

I'm never a priority to him, after all.

"O-okay! Good luck." Mage laughed nervously. "We'll bring her home safely, don't worry."

"Thanks, Mags," ani Z. "Tell Lia I'll call her before I sleep."

"Will do."

Sumimangot ako at nag-punas ulit ng luha. "Gusto ko nang umuwi."

"I got pocari sweat and another bottle of water," Vale said while closing the car door.

"Lipat na ako sa harap at ako abg unang ihahatid! Hinahanap na ako ni tita, nako, warla nanaman 'yon. Sabihin nag-aadik ako." Selena kissed my cheek and opened the door para makalipat siya sa harap.

Pigil na pigil ang pag-iyak ko habang nakaupo kami ni Mage sa likod. She kept looking at me, her eyes full with concern.

"Bye! Thanks sa hatid, Vale!" Selena waved. "Lia, chat ka sa gc bukas ng umaga ha?"

I blinked my tears away, but they weren't enough. Once Vale started driving again, I couldn't help but sob.

I miss Z so much.

At the same time I hate him for what he did.

But I love him too much to let him go, either.

"Lia?" Tumingin si Vale sa akin. "What's wrong?"

I started sobbing uncontrollably, kaya naman nilagay ni Mage ang kaniyang kamay sa likod ko, in hopes of comforting me.

"Sabi ko noon.. sabi ko I'd never be one of those girls who stay." Tumingin ako sa labas. "I said that if anyone ever cheats on me.. I'd leave instantly."