The Plan (The Series #1)

Epilogue III

"Hindi talaga kayo nagpapansinan ni Naiser sa school niyo?" Ezra asked me. We're inside of the plane immigrating to London. She told me that Papa is waiting for us. Hindi nga ako makapaniwala na kayang bumyahe mag-isa ni Ezra, since she is three years younger than me.

Umiling ako. "Hindi kami close," I answered.

"You didn't talked to him? Nung naalala mo na ang lahat?" she asked again.

I grinned. "Para saan pa? He's better off without us. Mas masaya siya kasama si— nevermind."

"What? Sino? Hala, Kuya... Sino na ang nagpapa-saya sa kanya?" pagpupumilit niya. "Kuya, naman, e."

"Syempre, mga naging kaibigan niya... Kasama na 'dun ang special someone ko," I said while chuckling. Alam kong may gusto si Naiser kay Wendy. I knew it. I saw it. Another reason that I cannot compete anymore. Parang talo na ako kay Naiser, kahit ako ang naunang magustuhan ni Wendy. He's the deserving one.

Wendy will fall for him one day. I'm sure of it.

"Sinong special someone 'yan, ha?" she asked teasingly.

"Wala ka na 'dun," sumbat ko.

"So it means na... Pareho lang kayo ng nagugustuhan ni Naiser?" she speculated. "That's mindblowing, Kuya. Buti hindi kayo nag-aaway ni Naiser."

"Hindi naman talaga kami nag-aaway. Ang alam nila... Wala akong gusto sa special someone ko," I clarified.

"So you hid it from him? From them? From her?"

"No. I ignored what I really feel for her," I replied. "As you can see, may gusto rin sa akin ang special someone ko. And I was an ass for ignoring it, and for hurting her."

Her forehead creased. "How did you hurt her?"

"I dated her friend," I answered nonchalantly.

Bigla niya naman ako pinalo sa aking braso. I reacted from it, but she was just glaring at me. Ano naman ang ginawa ko?!

"Ang sama mo, Kuya! I feel bad for your special someone!" she hurled. "Dapat nagsorry ka sa kanya! That was... fucked up!"

"I did!" I defended. "Akala mo hindi ko narealize 'yon? I still have my heart and senses, Ez. Hindi ako manhid."

"Yeah, right," she replied ironically. "Manhid ka. You didn't treasure her feelings."

"Hey, I wasn't numb! Kaya nga isinantabi ko ang nararamdaman niya para sa akin, because it doesn't fit for me. Hindi ako naattract sa kanya noon," I admitted.

"Wow, Kuya. I bet you're one assed playboy," she concluded.

I laughed. "You got me there."

* * *

London became intimidating for me. I've been to other countries, but I never tried to come here. Maybe because Mom didn't want to bring the past back.

Mas lalo lang ako namangha kung gaano kalaki ang bahay ni Papa. I don't remember that we're this rich. Akala ko lowkey lang kami. 'Di ko naman inaasahan na ganito pala.

"Pa," Ezra called. "Someone's finally here to meet you."

I saw him. I saw him walking towards me. Nangingilid ang kanyang mga mata ng mga luha. I visualized him. I remembered him. Si Papa...

My jaw dropped when he suddenly hugged me. My heart was melted as my father expressed his love and longing for me. I hugged him back. Maraming taon na nasayang nang hindi ko sila nakasama ni Ezra. Now... I'm here with them for good.