My AI Romance

Episode 6

Friends

"You didn't tell me that you already know what happened in Canada," I stopped eating for a moment after Primo said those. I look at him while trying to hold back my tears.

"You don't have to worry about it," maikling sagot ko.

My mother didn't call me even at once right after I discovered the truth. She's already married to her Canadian husband without asking for my approval.

"I am very mad at tita Helena. If only I could do anything to bring her back here."

I can see in his eyes that he felt very pity on me. I don't want anyone's sympathy. Even him. Alam kong may mga bagay din s'yang pinoproblema at ayoko ng dumagdag pa.

"Para saan pa? Besides, I am used to being alone, Primo. K-Kaya ko naman... kahit wala siya," my voice broke.

I want him to know that I am strong even if the truth breaks me apart.

My mom is already happy there without coming back to visit me. Buo na ulit yung pangarap n'ya na magkaroon ng isang masayang pamilya. I will never be her happiness. Because if that's the case, she will not anymore find anyone just to fill her satisfaction. I am sad thinking that she found another man aside from my dad. Totoo nga siguro na ipinanganak ako para mabuhay na mag isa.

"Your eyes says the opposite, Hershey. I will always stay by your side. Don't think that you're alone, okay?" I smiled a bit after Primo said those.

Based on my experiences, I believed that most of the promises are meant to be broken rather than fulfilled.

Nasasabi lang sa'kin ni Primo ang mga katagang 'yon dahil wala pa s'yang totoong plano sa buhay. If the time comes that he was able to find someone he will love and marry, I know I will be left alone again.

That's the reality that I need to always remember.

After my dinner with Primo, I thought, everything will be alright but I was wrong.

The next day, mas lalo akong nawala sa mood. I skipped attending my two classes. I spent my time staying at the rooftop para makapag isip isip. I was just looking at the photo of our family when my mom's number registered on my phone.

I am torn between answering it or rejecting the call.

Why does it have to be like this? I used to get excited hearing her voice but now, pain and hatred ate my whole system.

"H-Hello," I answered with a low voice, trying to sound alright.

"Anak, how are you doing there? Did you already receive the money I gave? I also brought you all of your needs."

"No. I don't need all of that."

I want you here. I want your presence. I want to bring back the old times.

"Ganon ba? I know you already know the truth. I'm sorry, anak. I'm sorry if I couldn't bring you here."

"I understand."

"Never let yourself alone, alright? Did you already have friends there? I am proud raising a strong daughter like you."

"M-Mom."

"I'm sorry I need to hang up. My husband is here. I'll find time again to talk to you later. I love you."

I love you.

Did she really mean it? We were very happy before but I guess everything is different now. Nilibot ko ang tingin ko sa buong paligid. No one is here that's why for a moment, I chose to be true to myself.

Niyakap ko yung mga tuhod ko habang umiiyak. At some point, being alone is not a happy life at all. I don't even experience having circle of friends because of my trust issues. I felt like everyone will gonna betray me.

Walang tigil sa pagbuhos yung mga luha ko.

Natigil lang ako sa pag iyak ng may maramdaman akong tao sa harap ko. Someone handed me a handkerchief. I wiped my tears to have a clear vision about who is it.

"So you're here in this place just to cry alone? It's a wrong move that you didn't call me."

It was Eleonora.

Nagulat ako ng bigla s'yang tumabi sa akin. I didn't accept the handkerchief she gave me but she wiped my tears instead.

We remained silent for a moment. Gusto ko s'yang paalisin pero nawalan ako ng lakas para magsalita. I am just crying while thinking that she's not beside me.

"I also grew up being alone. I am not given a chance to be with my real parents. There was a road accident before and until now, it was still under investigations if it's a murder or not. My dad is in politics. Alam naman nating lahat kung gaano kadumi ang pamalalakad sa pulitika. My tito is the one who raised me. At some point, I think of committing suicide as a solution but there are people who made me realize that I still have purpose here in this world. Do you understand what I mean, Hershey?" I have still no idea on what she is pointing out that's why I shook my head.

I don't know why she's here. Hindi ko alam kung bakit n'ya ako kinakausap. Pero aaminin ko, medyo gumaan lang yung pakiramdam ko after knowing that I am not the only one who's been into different silent battles before until now. We're somewhat at the same boat. The only difference is, she's now enjoying the life she had now. She still had a family. Aside from that, she also has lots of friends that loves and adores her.

"Hindi ba't mas magandang umiyak kung may kasama ka? I am here, Hershey. What I mean is, I want you to trust me. I want to be your friend. I want you to tell me what's your problem. We both experienced having an incomplete family and I think that's an enough reason why we can be good friends. What do you think?" she's smiling widely at me. I'm afraid to trust someone. I am always been like this since before.

Eleonora hugged me and I just found myself hugging her back. Siguro nga ito na yung tamang panahon para magtiwala ako.

"I want you to trust me, Hershey."

That day after Eleonora and I talked, she's always beside me. She introduced me to her friends and I'm glad that my social ability improves. I don't want to be alone again.

The truth is, when the day comes that I'll die, I'm afraid that no one will be on my funeral. Gusto kong maramdaman sa unang pagkakataon kung paano magkaroon ng mga kaibigan at magtiwala.

Eleonora:

Sis, I'm not feeling well. I won't be there at school. Let's have a videochat later, okay?

I smiled before replying to Eleonora. I was wrong about my impressions to her. She's actually kind at napagtitiisan n'ya yung ugali ko. I never expect that she's serious about being friends with me. It's been three days and I can say that I'm happy with her. Ganito pala ang pakiramdam ng magkaroon ng isang babaeng kaibigan.

I immediately proceed to the locker area to get my clothes. After changing what I'm wearing, I was supposed to go to our P.E class to attend our practice when I bumped into Nikkolas.

"S-Sorry." I exclaimed. I am surprised seeing him now. I can't hide how happy I am when I saw him once again.

Ilang araw din kasi s'yang hindi pumasok. I don't know the reason behind it. Basta ang alam ko lang hindi pa ako nakakapagthank you sa ginawa n'ya last time.

He made my report and he even brought me medicines to drink. That's the first time I felt that someone cared for me again aside from Primo.

I can feel the abnormal beating of my heart again when he came towards me. I am trying to compose words pero maski salitang thank you ay hindi ko masabi. I am distracted by the way he looks. Hindi ko kaya na ganito kami kalapit sa isa't isa.

Maya maya pa, nagulat na lang ako ng bigla n'ya akong yakapin.

"I miss you,"

I was speechless and I can't even move even a single step.

"I miss you, my lady."