Lost Then Found

26

Dalawang araw, dalawang araw na ang lumipas. Hindi pa rin gumigising si Juanito, at hindi ko pa rin kinakausap si Leverest.

"Ven," I was staring at the view outside the glass wall. "Sa tingin mo ba galit sa'kin si Mads?"

Isa ito sa tanong na bumabagabag sa'kin these past few days. I felt like all these are a result of my doings. Kung hindi sana ako sumali ng kompetisyon, none of these would have happened.

"Why would she? Wala ka namang kasalanan, you're a victim too." Lumapit siya sa'kin at umupo sa tabi ko.

"Tama si Ven, bakit naman ako magagalit?" Para akong nahugutan ng hininga nang makita si Mads na nakatayo sa pintuan.

Gaya ni Ven ay lumapit din siya sa'kin at umupo sa kabilang side ng kama ko. She held my hand with both of hers. "I wouldn't blame you for all of this. It was his decision to save the girl he loves,"

Nailang ako bigla sa huling pangungusap na binitawan niya kaya napaiwas ako ng tingin.

"You don't have to feel sorry about that, Ash. Kahit anong mangyari, kaibigan pa rin kita. Nothing can break us apart, lalo na ang mga lalaki. Ang dami dami diyan, e!"

Natawa kaming tatlo sa mga pinagsasabi niya. Kahit papano ay gumaan ang pakiramdam ko knowing there was one less problem on my plate.

"Thank you," I whispered before a tear dropped, I've been really emotionally stressed these days.

"Everything will get better, okay? Communication is the key," Ven adviced and the three of us got into a group hug. I was glad I could have such supportive and understanding friends.

Nakarinig kami ng katok sa pinto kaya pinunasan ko kaagad ang mga luha ko. Pero parang nawala ang sayang nararamdaman ko kanina nang makita si Leverest sa labas.

The slight happiness I was feeling turned into a mixture of sadness and anger. But as Ven said, communication is the key. I should give him a chance to clear this.

"Mhm?" I gave him a questioning look if he wanted to seat beside me. Para siyang naguguluhan dahil ang sa alam niya ay galit ako.

"Baby, I'm sorry." He sat beside me and reached for my hand. Hindi ko naman iyon ipinagdamot sa kanya at hinayaan siya.

"Did you think I wouldn't support you about going abroad?" Mahinang tanong ko at tinitigan lang ang kamay niyang nakahawak sa'kin.

"Of course not, but I just suddenly wanted to stay with you here." Tuloy-tuloy niyang saad ng hindi inaalis ang tingin sa'kin. "I didn't want to leave you, to separate from you."

My lips were trembling, I couldn't say anything. As I said, I've been emotionally stressed these days. Kaya nilalamon na naman ako ng emosyon ko.

60 seconds, I counted. Nothing could come out of my mouth. I just found myself crying on his shoulders. He hugged me and placed one arm around my waist, the other one caressing my back.

"Sh, it's okay. I'm here if you need a shoulder to cry on." He whispered into my ear before showering me with kisses around my head.

"I will support you in your dreams, just like you supported me." My face was buried in his chest, so my words came out slightly muffled.

"Thank you, baby." He was already tearing up when I separated from him, so I wiped it for him.

"I love you," I finally found myself bringing out a small smile, but this time it was a real one.