Us, Against All Odds

Kabanata 26

"Oyy! Wholesome tayo dito! Nandito si Camila!" Pang-aasar pa ni Cael. "Tsaka mamaya na beh. Maraming tao."

Dahil pikon si Kyline, ayun nagwalk-out pero sinundan din naman kaagad ni Cael. Pambihira 'no?

Tunayo naman si Alex at umalis na. Tinulak naman ako ni Stella and said go. Sinunandan ko naman si Alex, nasa labas siya at nakatingin lang sa langit habang nakapikit.

"Hey." I called.

"Hey there, beautiful." He said and laughs while looking at me.

I laughed. "Got the title, hm?"

"I know. And I'm so proud of you." Aniya. "Sobrang galing niyo ni Cael to pulled something like this."

"This was all Cael's idea." Wika ko. "Tumulong lahat ako sa maliliit na details."

"Big or small, counted pa rin 'yun." Aniya nang nakangiti.

"Thank you, Alex." Sincere kong wika.

"For what?" Taka niyang tanong.

"For pushing me to do better. Hindi man tayo magkasama, pero kahit ni minsan hindi ko naramdaman na nagiisa ako." Wika ko at tumingala. "I have been the best version of me."

"Don't thank me, Camila." He said atsaka siya umiling. "Thank the person who was with you even when you're down."

I remember Cael. He kept with me kahit na ang sama sama ng ugali ko sa kanya. Kahit na sobrang pinapakita ko sa kanya na mahal na mahal ko si Alex ay hindi niya pa rin ako iniwanan.

"Yeah." I agreed. "Kailan pala alis mo?"

"Bukas na." Aniya.

"What? Agad?"

He nodded. "Kailangan ko rin namang magpahinga. Sobra sobrang information ang natanggap ko. Pati, I need to take a break for being with Lia. Alam mo yun?"

I looked at him, he was smiling like I never hurt him before. Sobrang bait na tao.

"I don't regret the time we spent together, Alex." I honestly told him. "Kahit nung panahon na nagpapanggap palang tayo."

Ngumiti si Alex, "Hindi rin ako nagsisisi na ikaw ang minahal ko, Camila. I know you did your best to save me from falling apart, iyon nga lang mas masakit pala 'yung ginawa mo."

"Because you deserve it, Alex. I mean, you always try to save me, maybe it's time na ako naman? You gave me everything you had without thinking twice, you gave me the most memorable lessons in life," Wika ko. "... and sacrifing myself for you? Alam kong worth it, look at where you are now. Sobrang professional mo na."

"Solana's been asking why weren't you visiting us." Ani Alex. "Walang may lakas ng loob sabihin na nagkahiwalay tayo, because Solana loves you too much."

I smiled, "Tell her one of these days, I'll visit her. Namimiss ko na makipaglaro sa kanya."

Tumango naman siya. "But, you did not pursue your dreams, Camila."

"Hindi kasi kaya ng oras ko, Alex."

He looked above. "We talked about your own dreams, you being a registered doctor; doing medical missions, your future, how successful you'd wanted to be. Gusto kong makita iyon, you have sacrificed enough."

Ngumiti ako. "But you know what? I just realize na every success of mine is invalid without you."

"Alam ko, kasi ganoon din ako eh." Aniya. "But, being with me now isn't a good idea."

Napanganga ako sa sinabi niya. "That's not true, Alex. Because being with you gives me strength to face the future."

"I've been too selfish, Camila. Masyado ko nang nilalayo ka sa taong karapat-dapat sayo." Aniya. "But someone has taught you to get back up and be stronger than before, diba?"