Phantom Of Love (Friend Series #2) | ✓

Chapter 26

Iraia's POV

Nagising ako nang maramdaman ang maharang pagyugyog sa balikat ko at napadilat.

"Iraia." kuya Enzo called.

"Hmm?" sagot ko habang umaayos ng upo.

"Are you awake?" tanong niya kaya binigya ko siya ng side eye.

"Kuya sa tingin mo, sasagutin kita kung gising ako?" pamimilosopo ko dahilan para irapan niya ako.

Nagulat ako ng bigla niya akong tinayo at kinaladkad palabas ng hospital.

I am still wearing a hospital gown! Some nurses, patients and hospital staff were looking at us. Nakakahiya tuloy!

When we arrived at the parking lot ipinasok niya ako sa shotgun seat bago siya pumasok sa drivers seat.

"Saan tayo pupunta?" tanong ko.

"Seawall." maikling sabi niya bago pinaharurot ang kotse.

Kaasar, hindi manlang ako nakapagayos.

I glanced at the back seat and saw foods. Oh My God!

Mayroong McDonald's, Wendy's, Jollibee, Ice Cream and Matcha boba tea.

"Binili mo ba buong fastfood chain?" tanong ko bago kumuha ng burger.

Sarap.

"Pwede. Kaso bumili lang ako ng pagkain. Baka magutom si señora." biro niya kaya hinampas ko siya na ikinatawa niya.

I glanced outside the window. It's late afternoon.

Hindi nagtagal dumating na din kami sa may seawall. He parked the car just beside the wall.

He opened the back of his car para dun kami umupo habang nakatingin sa may dagat. We transferred the foods at the back para makain namin habang tinatanaw ang sunset.

Hindi masyadong maraming tao ngayon. Mabuti nalang din para walang makakita sa akin na nakasuot ng hospital gown.

Nauna akong umupo at tumai siya sa akin. I handed him a burger and he accepted it. The slow music from the radio is perfect while watching the golden scenery.

I just started at the sunset at its rays are hitting my face. The cold breeze from the sea brushes through my skin. Sounds of waves hitting the wall as the sun shines upon them.

The golden scenery is right infront of me. Mesmerizingly beautiful.

I heard a shutter sound kaya nilingon ko si kuya.

He was holding his laughter while taking pictures of me.

"You looked like one of those k-drama scene. Na parang kalalabas palang sa mental hospital at nakita ang sunset for the very first time after years." natatawang aniya.

Tinignan ko siya ng masama. "It's not my fault na bigla ka nalang nanghahablot." I said na ikinatahimik niya.

I returned my gaze to the sunset. Slowly the sun and water gradually become one. Like hearts beating as one.

"Do you know why I've always loved sunsets?" pambasag sa katahimikan na tanong ni kuya.

I shook my head as he chuckled seeing my reaction.

"Every time I see the sunset, it reminds me that there are always more days and more opportunities ahead. It's like every day is a new chance, and every sunset is a reminder that time is moving forward, and I have to keep moving forward with it. Even though there are days when life seems to stand still, the sunset reminds me that there is always a new day to start. No matter how dark the night was, there is always a new day ahead." malalim na tugon niya.

"It's like an ending but at the same time a beginning." dugtong na sabi ko na ikinatango niya.

"Kumusta kayo ni Dux?" tanong niya.

"Masakit pa din." mahinang bulong ko.

"Of course. Love is always painful." makahulugang aniya. 

"How about you and ate Astrid?"

"Fucked up."

"Same." sagot ko na ikinatawa niya.

"Siblings goals 'yan?" aniya habang natatawa pero kalaunan natawa din ako.

Natahimik kami ngunit kalaunan nagsalita din siya.

"Iraia.... " he called.

"Hmm?"

"Did I failed? Being your kuya?" tanong niya na ikinatigil ko.

"I'm sorry... kung hindi kita nailigtas nung panahong pinagmamalupitan ka ni mommy. I'm sorry, Iraia."

Hindi ko mapigilang mapaiyak sa harapan niya.

"K-kuya..." hagulgol ko bago yumakap sa kanya.

Agad naman niya itong ginantihan habang hinihimas ang buhok ko.

"I'm sorry, Iraia. Hindi kita nailigtas dati...."  his voice cracked before kissing my forehead. "... Pero andito na si kuya. Proprotektahan kita hanggat sa huling hininga ko."

Ganun ang naging posisyon namin hanggang sa tumigil ako sa pagiyak sa dibdib niya. I fixed myself before smiling at him.

We just ate while watching the sunset. Laughing at our old memories and lovelife. Kuya Enzo has always been my best friend aside from Anastasia, Athalia and Amaris.

Tiffany on the other hand betrayed us. She broke our promise to each other. To not stab and ruin our friendship, that we would stay until the very end despite any life circumstances. We will have each others back no matter what.

But after what she did I didn't consider her as my best friend. I don't have a friend who is a backstabbing bitch.

I hope, just like a sunset, there would be a new tomorrow despite the darkness of last night.

Days passed and everything seems to be back to normal. Kuya Enzo decided he will cook my food and deliver it to my room.

I begged him to do so. And he reluctantly agreed.

I often meet Yvaine inside the house. I just distanced myself from this family, including dad. They kept on approaching me but ako mismo ang lumalayo.

At school however, I catched up from my notes and quizes. With the help of Anastasia of course. Her father is one of the directors here in the school so she used her cards to pull up some strings.

About Dux, I don't often see him. He is busy for their upcoming game again. Cloe on the other hand, I don't know where. Hindi ko na siya nakikita sa loob ng campus.

As days and weeks passed by, I decided to talk to Dux. Kahit ideny ko, alam ng puso ko na namimiss ko na siya.

Tomorrow is his birthday so it will be a perfect chance.

Little did I know, I would make another mistake.