The Relationship Code

Chapter 28: Out of love or out of guilt

I haven't thought about it. I'm happy when I'm with him. He makes me feel safe. He comforts me. He makes me laugh. He's always there for me. When I'm feeling down, he's always there to cheer me up. And I'm thankful for him because of that. I'm thankful because he's here... with me.

Tiningnan ko silang tatlo at nang hindi ako sumagot agad ay umiling si Tamara, "Gusto mo pa ba 'yung isa?"

Hunter.

It's been months ever since he left without even a word. Even though he's not with me, I still think of him. I still care for him. I'm still missing him. But as each day passed by, the longing decreases. I still miss him of course, but I'm getting used to his absence. Sometimes it still hurts knowing that he left but it's not as painful as before. I don't know if I'm slowly starting to detach myself from the idea that he's coming back or I'm just getting numb.

"Kung naguguluhan ka, bakit hindi mo na lang bigyan ng pagkakataon si Russel? Malay mo kapag ginawa mo 'yon masagot na ang mga tanong mo."

"Seryoso ka ba, Hailey?" gulat na tanong ni Warren. "Kasama pa si Hunter sa pinag-uusapan natin dito. Si Hunter 'yon. Si Hunter na nagbago at piniling mas maging mabuting tao dahil sa pagmamahal kay Piper. Si Hunter."

"Oo. Si Hunter na umalis ng walang paalam. Si Hunter na iniwan si Piper mag-isa nang hindi man lang nagpasabi. Si Hunter na hindi na nagpaparamdam."

Sasagot pa sana si Warren nang unahan na siya ni Tamara, "Hindi naman tayo ang nakakaramdam kaya hindi tayo pwedeng magdemand kung ano ang dapat niyang gawin. Personally, gusto ko si Hunter para sa 'yo, Piper. Kasi para kayong yin and yang, eh. You complement each other. Kaya lang kung ngayon gusto mo ng bigyan ng chance si Russel, edi ayon ang gawin mo. Sa bandang huli naman makakatuluyan mo kung sino 'yung talagang nakalaan para sa 'yo."

I smiled at her. It's like she's telling me to just go with the flow or to follow my heart's desire. She has a point din naman. Sabi nga nila, what's meant to be will always find its way.

"Piper?" I looked up when I heard someone calling my name.

"Tanya? Hi!"

"What are you – Oh. Hello, Tamara!"

Kaagad akong napatingin kay Tamara nang batiin siya ni Tanya. "You know each other?"

"Magkaklase kami." Oh. Kaya siguro sila nagkakilala ni Nate. "Kayo, paano kay nagkakilala ni Tanya?"

"We met yesterday. We shared tables," I immediately answered. For some reason, ayoko lang banggitin si Nate at mukhang naintindihan naman ni Tanya 'yon.

***

Nang makauwi ay kaagad akong nagpunta kila Nate. Mukhang kakauwi lang din niya at nang makita ako ay ngumisi siya. I guess alam ko na kung sino ang kasama niya kanina. Ang pinsan niya. At dahil alam ko na na alam niya, lumapit ako sa kaniya at hinila ang sleeves ng shirt niya, "What should I do?!"

"Easy, Pipes. Favorite ko 'tong shirt na 'to."

"Anong gagawin ko?"

"Serious?" Tumango ako. Of course I'm serious. I won't go here if I'm not. "Bigyan mo ng chance tapos tingnan mo kung ano ang mangyayari."

"Seryoso ka?"