Withdrawing to the Background

4

"Ayaw na niya akong makita."

 This is the second time that he's here in my condo. He's broken and lost, and I'm here, comforting him.

"Bakit raw?" I asked.

"Hindi na daw siya umuusad dahil palagi ko nalang ginugulo buhay niya." He replied at binuksan ang canned beer na kinuha ko sa ref kanina.

I sighed. He's so fucking stupid.

"Can I be honest with you?" Wala na akong pakialam kung magalit ka nanaman ulit." Deretso kong sabi. Nagulat siya at napatungo nalang, hindi alam ang gagawin.

"You're stupid. You know that it's done, bakit ginugulo mo pa siya?"

I don't care if he gets mad again. He deserves to hear the truth.

"Let her move on, Let her live her life." I stated getting tired of their situation.

"But I truly think she's the one." He whispered. "I love her so much, It hurts."

Puta. Ang sakit naman marinig na yung gusto mo ay nasasaktan sa iba. Akala ko crush ko lang siya e, bakit ako nasasaktan?

"Hindi ka mahihirapan kung siya talaga ang para sa'yo."

Natahimik nalang tuloy kaming pareho. Ramdam ko na medyo nalalasing na siya dahil naka lima na siyang canned beer. Hindi ko naman siya mapigilan, I know he's hurting.

"I'm here, Ian." Iyon nalang ang lumabas sa bibig ko. I'm confused too. I don't understand bakit ang sakit sakit na kada nakakausap ko siya, nasasaktan siya dahil sa iba.

Para bang nandito lang ako tapos palagi nalang akong taga-kinig sa kaniya.

He didn't answer me. I know he's drunk.

I looked at him and he looks back. I can see that he's been crying.

I sadly smiled and patted his back. "You are not alone."

I was shocked when he holds my hand. "I wish she's just like you." He whispered.

"....But even though she's hurting me, She's still the one I want."

"Bruha! Uy! Ano yan?!" Nagulat ako nang makita ko si Seven na nasa loob na pala ng condo ko. Kailan 'to nakapasok?

I was about to push Ian away pero bumagsak siya sa balikat ko.

Bumagsak na siya sa kalasingan.

"Tangina? Okay pa ba 'yan?" Tanong ni Seven.

"Broken e" simple kong sagot.

"Dapat 'di mo na sinamahan, ginagamit ka lang ata niyan para maka move on e! Sinabi sa'kin ni Samantha na iniwan ka niyan dito. Kung alam ko lang di ko na sana pinakilala sayo 'yan."