At Least We Met Novels & Stories

Pero hindi naman namin napapag-usapan ang mag-meet up dahil na din siguro sa busy din ako sa office. Hindi ko din alam kung taga saan itong si Amigo. Basta ang alam ko lang nag-eenjoy kami parehas sa company ng isa't-isa. Kahit na never kaming nagkita or nagkausap through calls.

ismid ko sa kaniya. "I am not the only one, hmm? We've been meeting here for many times, Zehra Clarabelle. Aren't the midnights we stayed here kissing and all are not enough to prove that they will not go here?" O-Oo rin pero ito naman ang unang beses na mukhang lalagpas kami sa halikan at may pangamba ako, takot na baka nga may maghanap sa amin at mapunta dito.

We were supposed to tie the knot back then, but a supposed accident derailed our plans. "Daydreaming, love? Your food's getting cold. What's up?" he interrupted. We were at a restaurant, and it turns out our meals had been served without my even noticing. "I was just thinking, love, about how we met and who my parents are," I shared. Watching his smile fade, I couldn't help but wonder if my past held secrets.

Ano kayang dahilan ng meeting nila? Naputol lang ang tingin ko ng may sabihin sa akin na ikinatuwa ng tainga ko , nag-aaya si George na kumain kami sa labas, at ang lugar ps na kung saan kami kumain ni Earmiel lang manggaling kami sa ospital.

Parang sinusuri niya ang buong pagkatao ko. Why? Gusto ba niyang pag-usapan ang nangyari kagabi? Gusto ba niyang sabihin na kalimutan na lang namin iyon? Or worse… Naalala niya ako. Pero impossible naman, ‘di ba? Pareho kaming lasing kagabi. At umalis ako nang hindi niya nakikita. So there’s no way— “So…” bahagya siyang sumandal sa upuan niya. “We meet again.”

I took a glance at her, then back in front, “Kumusta ka na?” We were civil. After everything. We still had a connection because of families and to our children, but they know who the woman I love is, and they were not against it at the same time; hindi rin nila ako suportado. “Ayos lang,” tinungga ko ang isang bote ng alak, tapos naglakad patungo sa sofa habang siya ay humarap at nag-lean backward sa railings. “It’s been a long time since we first met,” puna ko.

"After that, you will move in to America for the mean time?" She looks unsure. "Depende siguro. Hindi naman ata araw-araw ang meeting." Napatango na lang ako. I'll better get in touch with Von before the project collaboration starts. Natahimik ulit kami. Parehong sumasabay sa tugtog at sumasayaw pero hindi nag-iimikan. It's not that awkward though. Hindi tulad sa iba na kapag pareho kayong tahimik ay awkward na agad ang paligid. I feel at peace right now.

Part of me wanted to respond, to tell him how I felt, but another part wanted to protect my heart from further pain. But then I remembered the way we’d been—how much I cared for him despite everything. Could we still salvage this? Before I could think too much, I typed back. *“Fine. Let’s meet.”* **The Meeting** We agreed to meet at a park, a neutral place where we could talk without the weight of our homes around us. When I arrived, I saw Jarren sitting on a bench, his face filled with concern and regret. “Hey,” he said softly as I approached, his eyes searching mine.

Ngayon ay paika-ika na akong naglalakad kasi tangína talaga ang sakit pero gusto ko pa. Hapon na at gaya ng napagplanuhan, nandito kami ngayon sa may tindahan kung ito ang meeting place kasi maliligo kami sa falls na hindi ko alam kung saan. "Sinadya mo bang magpahuli 'no?" taas kilay na tanong ni Belle.

Mamaya lang kita mamemeet, Solemn. A part of me became gloomy now that he won't be able to contact me anytime that week. Because of that special bond we have had, it made me feel like I needed his attention everytime. Ang hirap palang maattached sa kapwa ko criminology. Lalo pa ngayon na ang dami niyang ganap dahil graduating na sila. Ako: Okay lang, ano ka ba. Sige, let's meet later pagkatapos ko sa campus.