"You're right, Mija. Felipe here will take you home." Tumango na lang ako. Iyon naman talaga ang balak ko. Kailangan ko rin mag – apologize kay Rafa dahil sa gulong ginawa ni Avo at ni Andy sa kanya.
"Oh, no need. I texted my friend. I gave him the address, I'm sorry, ayoko namang makaabala kaya nagpasundo na lang ako. Aabangan ko na lang po siya sa harapan."
"Okay, then, I'll wait with you." Hindi ko na binigyan ng pagkakataon si Avo na makapagsalita. Mukhang nakuha naman ni Rafaelle ang ibig kong sabihin that was why she stood up too. Naglakad kami papunta sa may main door. We stood there side by side, nakapamulsa ako habang si Rafaelle ay nakahawak sa handle ng hand bag niya habang nakatanaw sa malayo. It was very awkward indeed.
I thought about my actions the other night when I took her to her hotel, hindi ko rin dapat ginawa iyon. Hindi ko alam kung anong pumasok sa isipan ko. Rafaelle respects my relationship with her cousin, pero ako itong parang hindi mapakali dahil muli, abot kamay ko na naman siya. I should do something. Ruel told me the other night that if I am having second thoughts, I should distance myself away from Jaqueline and Rafa to think about things and to reassess my priorities, pero paano ko gagawin iyon? Hindi pa nga kami maayos ni Jaque. Hindi niya pa rin sinasagot ang tawag ko, hindi niya rin sinasagot ang mga message ko sa kanya pero. She wants me to come pick her up at the Hacienda, but the thing is, I already went back to work and my schedule is always packed. Literal na wala akong oras para sa ibang bagay...
And yet I have time to stand here and wait with her.
I kept on looking at Rafaelle, I realized that I am now at ease. I feel like I am back in Malta where I found joy just looking at my baby like this.
"Thank you, Felipe." I was a bit surprised when Rafaelle looked at me. "I know naman that I shouldn't be here. Hindi ko lang talaga matanggihan si Avo." Napakamot pa siya ng ulo. "I was kind of shocked seeing them sa coffee shop. Nagulat rin ako nang imbitahin ako ni Andy. Hindi ako dapat pumayag. I didn't want you to feel uncomfortable. At this point, para akong ex – girlfriend na stalker." She sounded amused, pero may bigat ang huling sinabi niya. I didn't want her to feel like that. Hindi naman siya ganoon.
"No. I don't think of you like that, Rafa." I sighed. "I'll admit that I was a bit taken aback seeing you here, but my family enjoyed your company. I should be the one thanking you. But you're right, we shouldn't be doing this anymore." She nodded in agreement.
"I mean we can still be friends, but not until I get over you completely." Nakangiting wika niya. "So, maybe this is the last time we'll see each other for now."
I didn't like that idea, but no matter what I do, I know that she has a point. Tinanguan ko na lang siya. Wala naman akong maapuhap sabihin dahil ang tanging nasa isipan ko lang ay ito na ang huling beses na makikita ko si Rafaelle. I wasn't this scared when I left her in Malta. I don't know why, maybe because I think that I will never see her again. Sarili ko lang pala ang niloko ko.
"Oh, JM is here." Napatingin rin ako sa main gate. Rafaelle climb down the stairs, I followed her to make sure that she will be safe, but again, for the second time that day, I was taken aback when I recognized the man she called to pick her up.
Si Jose Maria Birada. He was all smiles to Rafaelle, sinalubong niya pa ito. Rafaelle kissed his cheek while Jose Maria took Rafa's bag. I was rooted on the ground while watching them. Rafa waved at me and left, but still I stood there.
"Ang hirap naman ng sitwasyon mo, Felipe." I heard Andy. Didn't even realized that she was standing behind me. "Hirap magpigil ng feelings."
"Andy, please..." I was so tired of this. I know they don't like Jaque but why can't they just let me be?
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