A Love To Remember

21.

Audrey's Pov

Today is weekend and I'm just at home, resting as usual. Mom has a lot of things to do and she's at work so I'm all alone here. I've been trying to regain myself and energy that I've lost the past few months.

While I was watching a television, I received a message from someone. I hesitantly opened it and it was from Laine.

From: Ela <3
     Are u free today? I know you are so let's hang out and get your ass off here. I'm already outside your house.

After reading her message, agad akong napatayo at sumilip sa bintana. I saw her outside at kumakaway kaway pa saakin. What is she doing here? Kahit kailan talaga huhuhu.

“Anong ginagawa mo rito?” sigaw ko at tinawanan lang niya ako.

Instead of answering me, I received a message again.

From: Ela <3
    Shhh ingay mo! Magbihis kana para makaalis na tayo, okay? Wag na maraming tanong.

In the end, sinunod ko rin siya at nag-ayos ng sarili ko. It took me a lot of time to prepare myself kahit di ko alam kung saan niya ako dadalhin. After preparing myself, I went out and approached Laine.

“Ela—”

“Stop calling me like that! My name is Laine, only Laine.” She laughed at me. Laine hates it everytime I call her Elaine lol she prefers to use Laine than Ela/Elaine.

“Saan mo ba kasi ako dadalhin?” tanong ko sakanya.

“Ilalabas ka. Tita asked me to keep you company kasi you've been staying at home and your room. She's worried about you kaya I'm here right now to make your day better.” Laine explained and clung onto my arm.

Hays I feel bad talaga kasi pati sila naiistorbo ko na kahit labas naman sila sa pinagdadaanan ko ngayon. Paulit ulit kong sinasabi sa sarili ko na I have to deal with this alone pero I am surrounded by them, who wouldn't let me feel alone throughout this mess.

Sumakay kami sa sasakyan nila at tahimik lang kami buong biyahe. Siguro inabot lang ng 20 minutes yung biyahe namin at alam niyo kung saan niya ako dinala? Edi sa mall.

“Mall?”

“Yup. You have to have fun a bit and relax yourself.” Laine said as she gently pulled me out of their car.

“Aaaah ibalik mo na lang ako sa bahay.” angal ko sakanya habang siya, nasa likuran ko at tinutulak ako papasok ng mall.

“Noooo~”

“Mas gusto ko pang manuod at matulog—”

“Kaya hindi ka makamove on eh, lagi ka lang nasa bahay at nagmumukmok magdamag.”

“Foul na 'yan ah!”

“See! Audrey, you are still affected.”

“I'm not!”

“Sus kaya pala sabi ni Tita one time umuwi ka galing school tapos nagulat siya kasi umiiyak ka. So bakit ka umiiyak nun? Kahit si Tita 'di alam reason kasi ayaw mo rin magsabi.” sabi ni Laine at sandali akong tinignan.

Ah that night...

“I was betrayed.” I whispered but still loud enough to be heard.

“Huh?”

“That night, nalaman kong alam ni Haechi lahat and she kept all those things from me. Napapa-isip ako na kaya siguro siya mabait saakin kasi she feels bad for me. I trusted them a lot tapos sa huli, ganito lang pala gagawin nila saakin.” I smiled bitterly and bore my eyes on her.

Iniisip ko pa lang yun, naiiyak na agad ako.

“You have me, Audrey. You still have me and I always got your back.” Laine smiled at me and wiped my tears.

—

Inikot muna namin yung mall at napadpad kami sa arcade. I can't remember the last time I was genuinely happy, I felt like it was a long time ago but now? I found myself laughing and enjoying Laine's company.

She's always there when I need someone to lean on and when everything feels so heavy, she's always one call away.

“For the last ball, I'll give it to you.” natatawa niyang ipinasa yung bola saakin at agad ko itong shinoot. We both jumped when we beat the high score.

Yung mga taong napapadaan sa harapan namin, nagsisitawanan na lang tas yung iba pumapalakpak naman. We just played until we felt tired and hungry so we decided to eat first.

“Saan mo gustong kumain?” tanong ni Laine saakin habang naghahanap kami ng masarap na makakainan.

“I suddenly want to eat ramen. Is that fine or nah?”

“Sakto may alam akong masarap na—” hindi ko na narinig yung sunod na sinabi ni Laine nang may umagaw ng atensyon ko.

Bakit ba ang malas malas ko? Sa dinami raming mall na pwede nilang puntahan, bakit dito pa?

“Hey, nakikinig kaba?” Laine slightly nudge me.

“They are here.” I whispered, my eyes are still glued to them.

“Ano?”

“Bada and Iris.”

Papalapit na sila sa direksyon namin at sakto namang napatingin si Bada saaming dalawa ni Laine. She brought back her eyes on me and without hesitation I looked away.

“Uy, it's so nice to see you here.” napatigil siya sa paglalakad dahil kay Iris. She greeted us kaya wala akong choice kundi batiin din sila.

“Nandito rin pala kayo.” I flashed a fake smile.

“Inaya ko kasi si Bada magshopping eh kayo? Why are you guys here? May iba pa ba kayong lakad or if you want, magdouble date na lang tayo.” sabi ni Iris. Ay gago alam kong nananadya siya at halatang halata sa pagmumukha niya yun.

“Hey...” awat sakanya ni Bada. Ay wow mabuting girlfriend.

“Im sorry but we're also on date and mas prefer ko kung kaming dalawa lang magkasama. Don't get me wrong okay? Ayoko kasi sumama sa mga taong hindi ko naman kilala but still thank you for inviting us.” I politely or should I say sarcastically rejected her offer? but then I still bowed my head and keep smiling at them.

“Hindi kilala?”

“I only know you guys by names and we're not personally close kaya I'm really sorry for turning you down.” I explained and pulled Laine close to me.

My eyes landed on Bada, she has her eyes on me as well. My heart skipped a beat—nothing's new.

“Mauuna na kaming dalawa ni Laine. See you around and have fun too.” I said and started to walk, dragging Laine away from them.

I didn't dare to look back. I just keep walking and walking until we managed to get away from the scene. I breathed, a sigh of relief and my heart was still beating so fast to the point I felt like I was being stabbed at the same time. It's hurting me.

“You're crying again.” Laine whispered as she tilted her head, checking on me and handed me a handkerchief.