I Wished On A Paper Plane

27: Shattered

Lemuel's Residence, December 31, 2023...

WITH a heavy chest and a slouched back, Calum trails towards Lemuel's backyard where he is invited to hang out with the group before going home to their respective families. He doesn't want to because Venus is there and he's avoiding her for god knows when can he still hold on because he has heard from Mira that Venus has been asking about him.

He doesn't want to see her because he might change his mind after. He genuinely wanted to move forward with shards in his feet. He's afraid that if he will see her, all his rational beings would be drained off in an instant.

However, afraid that they might suspect anything, he agreed to it. He wanted to make an excuse but maybe it's for the best and he also wanted to see Venus for the very last time. If he wanted to move on, he can't do it while she's around so he wanted to go far away from her reach and for everything that reminds him of her. He might as well say his last goodbye to his girl best friend whom he shared half of his life with.

He will miss her for sure.

"... Vers, I really thought na kayo talaga ni Calum sa huli. I mean, may something kaya sa inyong dalawa. Gulat nga ako no'ng nabalitaan ko na you're finally dating for the very first time pero hindi naman pala si Calum." It's Mira's voice who blurted him out from his reverie and something told him to hide so he does just to eavesdrop.

Venus smiles bitterly and he can see it. His heart clenched. "Akala ko nga rin eh."

Calum's breath hitched but he is stabbed right in the chest after hearing Venus' next statements. "Nag-expect kaya ako kaso wala talaga. Gago, kamuntikan na akong umamin noon."

"Gaga, bakit hindi mo ginawa?" It's Hazel, Patrick's girlfriend.

"Oo nga. Wala rin namang mawawala if ever," added Mira.

"Syempre, babae ako. May pride pa naman akong natitira sa sarili. Isa pa, anong walang mawawala? It's not an easy gamble. Baka mawala pa siya sa'kin if ever," Venus countered, pouting as she twirls her wineglass.

"Pero what if may gusto naman pala siya sa'yo?" Patrick asked after downing his glass of beer.

Venus chucks. "I showed him many signs. Parang naging pariwara na rin ang mga motibong ibinigay ko sa kaniya kaso mukhang hindi tumalab. Wala eh, wala talaga siyang feelings for me. Guni-guni ko lang pala ang lahat."

"Hoy, anong motibo iyan? Veronica, nilandi mo siya for real?" Mira asked, eyes are wide and is ready to buck from its socket.

"Gaga, hindi gano'n iyon! Minsan talaga careless ako... kaya ayon, hindi ko napipigilan ang sarili kong halikan siya kaso ang manhid, gagi!" Venus chuckles again as she admitted shamefully.

"OMG! Sa lips ba, Vers?" Hazel squeals.

"G-Gaga! Hindi ah. Hindi pa naman ako nababaliw para gawin iyon," Venus denies, blushing heavily at the thought of kissing her male best friend. It's her fantasy a long time ago.

"What if ginawa mo nga tapos—"

"Eh 'di kasiraan pa ng pagkakaibigan namin kapag nagkataon. Okay na naman ako na nag-stay siya sa akin kahit na masakit. Kahit na hanggang friends lang kami." Venus played with her slender fingers.

All that Calum wanted right now is to snatch her back to the time when they are both pining for each other and he swear to make it right this time. If only he knew. "I-I'm sorry, Venus..."

"So... gusto mo pala siya all along?" The uncertain Lemuel looked at Venus who nods her head.

"Gusto ko siya pero kaibigan niya lang naman ako," Venus answered in her soft voice.