2. This wasn't the end
1143 Words
Brena POV
I didn’t know how long I stayed there, just staring at the stars that peeked through the Manila smog. The breeze was cold. My coffee was cold. And honestly? My heart felt cold too. "King-ina lang."
When I finally had the strength to drive home, it was already past midnight.
I tiptoed through our gate, keys jingling softly, hoping to avoid my mom’s usual “asan-ka-na-naman” face.
But it was too late.
The living room lights flipped on with the drama of a teleserye reveal.
There they were.
Mom and Dad.
Seated like they were waiting for a crime suspect to enter.
“Ow, so the lady Adson is finally here?” sabi ng mommy ko habang nakataas ang kilay.
“Saan ka galing?”
I gave them both a kiss on the cheek like it was a peace offering.
“Nagpalipas lang ako ng sama ng loob, mi. Sa Severino na ‘yon.” nakabusangot kong sagot.
Dad's eyebrow arched next. “Si Sevy? Masama loob mo sa kanya? Bakit, ano na naman ginawa ng batang ‘yon?”
I plopped onto the couch, letting my guard down for the first time tonight.
“Because I love him, okay?” I blurted.
Their eyes widened. Halatang nagulat sila kaya I covered my face dahil sa hiyang nararamdaman.
“I mean—I don’t know. Maybe I do. Maybe I’ve always had a thing for him. Pero kasi, dad, mom, natatakot ako.”
“Sa ano?” Mommy asked gently.
“Sa rejection. Sa pag-iwas niya. Sa pagkasira ng friendship. Sa posibilidad na hindi pala niya ako gusto the way I like him. Or worse, na alam niyang gusto ko siya… at pinaglalaruan lang ako.”
There was a long pause.
And then dad said something that surprised me.
“Anak, alam mo bang kahit si mommy mo, minsang natakot din aminin na gusto niya ako?”
“Hoy Adson! Parang hindi rin ako nagpakipot sayo!” Mom laughed, elbowing him.
“Oo, pero umamin ka rin eventually. And look at us now.” He winked.
I laughed softly, despite myself. They always found a way to make things lighter.
“Anak,” Mom said, brushing my hair behind my ear, “ang pagmamahal, hindi pinipilit, pero hindi rin dapat tinatago kung totoo. Hindi mo malalaman kung mahal ka rin, kung hindi mo sasabihin.”
I nodded. Silent.
Processing.
Still scared.
But a little less alone.
Maybe tomorrow I’d try again. Maybe next time, I won’t stay silent. But for tonight…
I’d just let myself feel it.
Unti pang usapan namin nila Dad and Mommy ay nagpaalam na ako para pumunta sa kwarto ko.
The silence in my bedroom was deafening.
I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling, still wearing my jeans and hoodie. My phone was face down on the bedside table, and I had zero plans of checking it. Not tonight.
What if he texted? What if he didn’t?
A part of me hoped he would message—even if just to joke around or tell me he didn’t mean what he said. That it was all just a prank. A test. A misunderstanding.
At least that would be better than this aching uncertainty.
But no.
Nothing.
No pings. No buzz. No "Bren, sorry." No "Just kidding."
Not even a "Na-receive ko message mo, ingat ka." Nothing.
Damn it, Severino. Why’d you have to ask that?
Why’d you have to make me feel like maybe… maybe you see me, too?
I curled to my side, hugging my knees. I could still hear his voice—low, teasing, borderline flirty.
“Much better than Ate.”
Argh! I covered my face with a pillow and screamed into it.
How dare he be that confident? That charming? That infuriatingly sure of himself?
I hated that I didn’t hate it.
I hated that part of me melted when he drank my coffee like it was some form of intimacy. That my stupid heart jumped when he touched my hand. That I froze when he finally asked the one question I’ve avoided my entire life.
“Talaga bang lil bro lang ang tingin mo sakin?”
I couldn’t even lie and say yes. Because he’s not. Not anymore. Not for a long time.
I sat up and stared at the framed photo on my dresser. It was a picture of me and Sevy from five years ago—when he was shorter, scrawnier, and still had braces. We were both grinning widely, messy hair, holding up ice cream cones in front of Tita Jewel’s garden.
Back when it was easy. When he was just “Sevy.” Not this six-foot-tall, business-running, heart-melting, emotionally-confusing man-child.
Back when it was safer to love him in secret.
My door creaked open slightly, and a familiar face peeked in.
“Still awake?” It was mom. She stepped inside, a glass of warm milk in her hand. Classic.
“Barely.” sagot ko.
She sat beside me and handed me the glass. I took it, no complaints. Mommy didn’t show up in your room at midnight unless she was worried—and when she’s worried, she gets soft. Which is rare.
“I told your dad you wouldn’t sleep until you cried this out,” she said gently.
“You win,” I murmured, sniffing.
She sighed, brushing my hair from my forehead. “Anak, listen. Being in love with your best friend is both the sweetest and the hardest thing.”
“So what do I do? He walked away, mom. He said he has a date.”
“Then let him go. For now.” She looked me straight in the eye. “But if it’s meant to be, you’ll find your way back to each other. Don’t chase. Don’t beg. But don’t lie to yourself either.”
I nodded slowly.
Then, with a faint smile, she added:
“And Brena? Sa ganda mong ‘yan, kung hindi pa niya ma-realize na ikaw lang sapat na, eh baka kailangan nating ipa-MRI utak nung bata.”
I burst out laughing despite the mess in my chest.
Mom kissed my forehead and stood. “Goodnight, my brave girl. Sleep, ha? Wala nang iyakan bukas. Kung gusto mo, turuan natin ‘yang si Sevy ng leksyon.”
I chuckled again. “Mom…”
She winked before walking out. “Just say the word, may batuta si Daddy sa ilalim ng kama.”
Left alone again, I finally took a deep breath.
This wasn’t the end.
Maybe just a very stupid middle. And whether or not Sevy likes me back, one thing was for sure—
The moment I froze earlier? That wouldn’t happen again. Not next time.
Because next time… I’d choose to speak.
Even if it scared me.
Even if it changed everything.
- Writer
