WHEN IT WAS YOU

Taking first steps

Finally, their graduation came. The ceremony lasted for two because unlike the previous years, they have fewer students this time. Soonyang and Ji was sitting on the auditorium's bleachers as they watch students with their parents leaving the school and some greeting their friends.

"May balita ka na ba kila kuya Cheol, Ji?"

"Wala pa e. Hintayin lang natin matapos 'tong ceremony, tawagan ko si Ate Hani."

The ceremony ended. Soonyang and Ji remained at school to greet some of their blockmates and friends.

While walking through their College's hallway for the last time, they saw two familiar figures at the end of it. With excitement, Soonyang and Ji ran happily.

"Akala po namin di na kayo pupunta e."

"Kami pa ba? Syempre, pumunta nga kayo nung graduation namin e, di naming kayo pababayaan."

"Thank you, kuya Cheol." Soonyang seems to be looking for someone or something else.

"Ako na magtatanong, Soons. Si kuya Woo po? Hindi ba sya pupunta?"

"Hindi namin sure e. Kami lang ni Hani ang sabay na umuwi kahapon."

"Why don't you call him?" Hani said as she pointed towards Soonyang's phone.

Suddenly, Soonyangs heart jumped as she heard a very familiar and anticipated voice.

"There's no need to call me." Soonyang quickly turned and became relieved as she saw who's behind him.

"Congrats Ji. Congrats, Soonyang." Then handed them both bouquets of flowers.

"Thank you kuya Woo. Soons magthank you ka din."

"Ah- Thank you kuya Woo."

"So, saan ang celebration?"

They all went to their favourite café. As usual the girls would endlessly chitchat about everything.

"Woo, what's up?"

"I'm good naman, Cheol."

"What's your plan with Soons?" Cheol lower down his volume so that the girls will not hear him.

"I don't have a plan, Cheol. I don't know."

"Try to ask him kung kamusta sila ng manliligaw nya."

"What if sila na? Edi sinaktan ko lang sarili ko?"

"You'll never know."

The two watched the girls who were really excited telling their stories to each other. They really missed each other that much. Fortunately Cheol and Woo heard Hani asking Sooyang about Gyu.

"Hay, ate. Na ghost nanaman po ako."

"Ow. Really. How? Ayy we can stop talking about it if you don't want to."

"It's okay ate. I've already moved on. Ganun dapat kabilis. Actually, I'm about to sa yes to him na 2 weeks ago. But then, he had blocked me na pala sa mga soc meds and even my contact number. I also saw that he already had a girlfriend. And I'm totally fine with that now. Though I hate him for leaving me without any word."

"Wow. Just wow. Sana ganan kabilis mag move on."

"Ate, actually nagreply na sya sakin after namin magkita sa mall, pagkatapos ng sakuna. But I told him that I don't want to see him ever again. Hindi naman na dahil sa galit ako sa kanya pero ayoko narin bumalik yung feelings nung inlove na ko sa kanya at yung feelings ng iniwan. If ever siguro na magkita po ulit kami, I'll treat him as a stranger. No more strings attached. Just someone I bumped into." Soonyang noticed Woo that's looking at her with a blank expression. She waved and Woo flinched.

"Ah- Buti nalang di mo sinagot." Everyone were shocked at what Woo said. Even he himself was shocked so he tried to explain.

Patay, bakit ko sinabi yun?

"Diba, ano- minsan ka narin nya namang hi-nang. Red flag na yun. Hindi na talaga sya sure sayo noon pa man. Kay that's good na hindi mo sya sinagot, right."

"May point ka jan, kuya Woo. Enough for Gyu. I've already let him go. He can date whoever he wants now kasi free narin sya from me." After giving her two thumbsup to Woo.

Soonyang was more happy now. No more with gloomy eyes and sad expressions. She is much better now. That made Woo in relief. He can't explain but he felt a sense of happiness after hearing what happened to Gyu and Soonyang but he's also mad at Gyu for hurting Soonyang.

While driving home with Hani and Woo, Cheolo tried to tease Woo.

"So masaya ka na di nya sinagot huh?"

"What are you saying?"

"Look, Woo. Matanda ka na. Sabihin mo na sa kanya. Man up, Bro!"

"I don't think this is the right timing."

"What if it is the right timing? Edi nasayang nanaman?"

Hani looked at Woo who's in the backseat. "What if puntahan natin sya sa kanila. Then let her ride here, tapos dalhin namin kayo sa lugar na mas makakapag usap kayo. Text her now, bilis. Sabihin mo may sasabihin ka."

"That's a good idea, Honey. It's fine with me to be your driver, Woo."

"Are you sure about this?"

"Bilisan mo. Itext or i-dm mo na sya. 5pm palang naman."

"Hindi parang ang bilis nito? I mean, katatapos lang ng involvement nya kay Gyu, then here I am taking the opportunity agad agad. Should we let her heal muna."

"Woo, I promise. You'll regret this kung di mo pa 'to gagawin ngayon. As in ngayon. You knew it already na marami ang humahanga dun. Gawin mo na bago ka pa bumalik ulit sa Manila." Hani was eager too to convince her friend.

"Woo, this is just your first step naman kaya uncertain pa tayo of what could happen next. But believe me, kapag nasimulan mo na 'to, you'll eventually know what to do next. Promise! Heard it from me. Been ther done that. Diba Hani?"

Woo can't help but to shiver in nervousness because of the couple's idea. But he really don't want to miss the chance if this will be.

As Woo agreed, Cheolo made a u-turn and drove back to Soonyang's village. Woo, on the other hand was sending a message to Soonyang.

"Hey Soonyang, I have something to tell you. Busy ka ba? Babalik kami nila Cheolo jan sa inyo ha. Hintayin mo kami."

Napaka random man, Soonyang replied and say, "Sure, kuya Woo. Wala naman po akong ginagawa as of now."