Unbind the Strings

Four

"Hindi lang tayong dalawa, siz! Tayo nila Neil! Pero I only treated you hehehe." she smiled awkwardly and we took another picture.

We gathered in the stage after and talked about the success of the event. Other officers suggested to order a pizza delivery para may makain kaming snacks. May available pa kayang delivery? It's almost 7 pm.

"Where is the President?" One of teachers asked. "He should be assisting you here bakit wala siya rito?" She sounded tired na may halong inis. Hindi ko napansin na nawawala na siya.

They were looking at me like I know where he is. Kapag nawawala, saakin talaga hahanapin? Lost and found?

"Uh, hindi ko po alam kung nasaan siya ma'am." Tiningnan nila ako na para bang ako dapat ang humanap kay Jay. "Hanapin ko po, wait lang." Dali dali akong tumakbo para hanapin siya. Kinuha ko na rin ang regalo niya para ibigay sakanya. This is the right time para ibigay 'yun.

I tried searching for him in the places where he might be. I still couldn't find him. I even tried to look for him in the guard house but he's still not there. Where would he be? Medyo madilim pa naman na.

I was about to leave the building and go to the gym when I passed by the parking and saw some shadows standing.

Tiningnan ko kung sino 'yun at nagulat ako ng makita si Seah na nakayakap kay Jay. Hindi ako nag react at tumalikod pero bago ko pa magawa, he held my hand. I stopped and didn't even bother to look at him.

Inabot ko sakanya ang paper bag na may regalo ko. "Merry Christmas." I faked a smile. Natulala lang siya at tuluyan ng umalis.

"Nakita mo na ba siya?" Our teacher asked.

Hindi ko na nasagot ang teacher namin kakaisip. Pinaglalaruan ba ako nito? Bakit?

Narinig kong may papalapit saamin at mukhang hiningal pa kakatakbo. Fresh from the hug.

"Ma'am." He said while losing his breath.

"I had to uh...take care of something important, Ma'am." He clarified while glancing on me.

Sana all importante.

I fixed my things and waited for my mom in the parking lot when Seah passed by and stopped to look at me.

"Sorry, Cali." She said while looking down.

"For what?"

"For being rude."

"Nah. Sanay na ako. The world is cruel so wala na sa'kin 'yon." I smiled a bit.

"Kanina pala...'yung nakita mo..."

"It's okay, Seah. Wala naman akong balak siraan kayo. I was just looking for him kase kailangan namin siy-" She didn't let me finish my sentence.

"He told me to stay away from him."

"What?" I asked her again.

"He wants me out of your way. He warned me about messing with you. Sabi niya kapag sinaktan ulit kita, siya na raw ang makakalaban ko." Natulala ako sa sinabi niya. Bakit naman niya kailangan sabihin 'yun? Kaya ko naman sarili ko.

"I hugged him because I don't want him to leave. I can't let him go. Bago ka pa lumipat dito I was already into him and hindi ko lang matanggap na he's very nice to you...I'm sorry." She said with a brittle voice.

She left and tapped my shoulder. I was dumbfounded that time. My mom picked me up and when I got home I texted him right away but I got a text from him instead.

From: Keane
"Cali, can we talk?"

To: Keane
"Where are you?"

From: Keane
"Outside your house."

I looked outside my window and saw his car outside. He was leaning to his car looking at the ground while his hands are on his pocket.

To: Keane
"Wait for me there."

From: Keane
"Alright, please be fast."

I went down and opened the gate. He looked at me right away. His eyes looked so down and tired. He went closer and threw his arms around my waist giving me the tightest and warm hug.

"I'm sorry, Cali..." His voice sounded different from before. "Tama sila. Masyado akong magulo. I don't set my intentions straight and I'm giving you a hard time." Hindi padin niya inaalis ang pag kakayakap saakin.

"I want to let you know that I like you. Ikaw. Ikaw lang." I faced him and my eyes started to blur.

"I was scared of falling kase baka hindi ko kayanin kapag nawala ka. I'm leaving soon and maybe things won't work out between us kaya hindi ko tinutuloy." His voice is starting to crack.

"I avoided you a lot of times but I still find myself coming back to you. I'm sorry for giving you false hopes before. I want you to know what I feel is real. Do you think we can work this out?" He asked me while looking into my eyes. This time, his eyes looked hopeful.

"Oo naman!" I was smiling with a teary eyes because of happiness.

"But we still have to wait until you turn eighteen so we can make it legal, alright? We can just enjoy the time we're still together. Is that okay?"

I nodded and just hugged him tight.

"By the way, thank you for the gift, Cali. I appreciate it. A lot. I will wear that everyday and avoid it from getting a stain. Thank you so much." He kissed my forehead before we waved our goodbyes.

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