PORTION 46

Petot's POV

After that night, I decided to meet him up on the rooftop. So, without thinking twice I went out to see him in the living room and I asked him to meet me up at school because there’s something we need to talk about.

I told Al about it and he's okay with it, he even asked me if I’ll let him fetch me but I know that he has a class so I refused. May tiwala naman daw siya sa akin so hinayaan niya ako, ayaw kong sirain 'yon.

So, we met here after school.

"So?" while smiling at him.

He's about to speak and say something but he hesitated first.

"Say it," I said.

He took a deep breath, "From the very beginning, gusto na talaga kita."

"Lauren, tama na. I don't want anyone to get hurt more."

I'm the reason why he stopped.

He shook his head, "Let me hear out first. Pagkatapos nito hindi na ako mangungulit pa."

I nod as an answer.

"At first, I really should be courting you but because of my first time, I don't know what to do. Napapaisip rin ako na baka nga hindi mo ako magustuhan dahil sa first time ko nga, baka ayawan mo 'ko. Furthermore, bawal ka pa rin naman, 'di ba? na magkaroon ng boyfriend? So I decided to just make it a prank, so sorry." He's explaining himself to me.

I can't say anything because I really don't know what to say.

I chose to do this, because I let go already.

He smiled but his eyes were not.

"The second one. Honestly, you are the reason why I'm editing something because your birthday is about a week from that time, right? Pero nawalan ako ng time sa 'yo, sorry."

"Bakit ngayon ka lang nage-explain ng ganito?"

"The third time. I decided to not court you anymore because Dhen, me and you are all friends, nagsasabi ako kay Dhen at nagsasabi ka rin kay Dhen. Pero sinabi ko kay Dhen na tama na kasi sinasabi niya sakin na nasasaktan ka na raw kaya dapat lang talaga na tumigil na ako. Sorry," Instead of answering me, he continued explaining.

I don't know what to do, should I be happy because he now said everything to me or should I feel sad because it's too late?

But then I said something, "I know."

And I saw how startled he was. He was frowning, looking at me and confused.

"Alam mo? Paano?"

"Hindi na yun importante, but do you think they won't tell me that? Just like how Dhen told you, he told me everything as well, though It's too late, but they told me how much you really love me. Oo yung iba hindi alam, especially Jaybi na hindi naman natin ganoon ka-close talaga dati pero sa ating magkakaibigan, baka nakakalimutan mo na ako ang pinaka-close nila?" I explained everything, "But why do you think I didn't say anything? because I choose to let go."

Sobrang sarap pala sa pakiramdam ang masasabi mo lahat, ang naging pait at sakit, 'de charot! nag let go na ako.

"Nag let go ka na ba talaga?"

I nodded, the reason why he burst into tears.

"But I can't let go. Mahal pa kita, Petot."

"You're the definition of Sayang, dahil sayang ka. Binigyan kita ng maraming pagkakataon, pero sinayang mo yung mga pagkakataon na 'yon."

We're standing and can't move, we're both in tears.

"Hindi ko sinasadya . . ."

"Pero nagawa mo," I protest.

"Petot, you're my first love at mahirap kang kalimutan."

"Hindi mo naman ako kailangan kalimutan, you just need to let go. Let go, Lauren." And I'm trying to smile while I'm crying.

Bakit kasi ganon? Bakit kailangan masaktan `pag nagmamahal?

"Sorry, I'm really sorry." Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko, "pero mahal na mahal pa kita."

He's trying his best to say how much he loves me and gives every minute a chance to the both of us.

I throw his hands away, "Enough! Umpisa pa lang hinihintay na kita, I'm waiting for you to say everything to me!"

"But now, I said everything. Tatanggapin mo ba ulit ako?" He knelt down and held my hands again, tight. "Will you accept me again?"

"I'm waiting for you, Lauren, pero napagod na ako."

He looked me in the eyes, "Is it because of that guy?"

"Yes. . . . Siya mismo ang kumausap sa mahahalagang tao sa buhay ko; kay Sam, kay Kuya, kay Mama kahit kay Inay. Approved si Al kay Sam. Mama gave her permission, as usual. He faced my Kuya despite not being ready. He serenaded me twice and he's willing to do it again and again. Pero alam mo ba kung ano ang rason kaya mas lalo akong nahulog sa kanya?"

Lauren gave a confusing face.

Flashback...

After talking to Kuya, I immediately go outside of this room of him to see Al if he's still okay and alive.

(Nung time na inintroduce ni Petot si Al sa Kuya niya, PORTION 14.)

"Rerespetuhin ko po ang magiging desisyon niyo, but let me please court her. Let me be the reason for her happiness," Al asked Mama.

End of Flashback….

I'm so happy to hear that. Al didn't know that I know but Mama did and she's happy about it. Actually, Mama said yes that Al will court me but of course, because of Kuya, he asked again.

"I had nothing else to ask for during those moments. Sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam na ipinaglaban niya ako at pinatunayan niya ang nararamdaman niya sa akin, unlike you," I said, while looking at his eyes.

Pareho kaming umiiyak dahil sa mga sinabi ko. I'm crying because of happiness but he's crying because of sadness.

"Now, I'm with someone who is ready to fight every battle with me. And ayaw kong sayangin yun," I continued, "So Lauren, sorry."

Sobrang minahal ko 'tong lalaking nasa harapan ko at hindi ako nagsisisi na minahal ko 'to.

"Sorry, Petot, sorry."

"No, Lauren, sorry. I know you'll find a better person than me, just wait for the right time. . . . but for now, let go." After saying that, I started to remove my hands from him.

I turned around, narinig ko ang hagulgol niya.

"Sorry, Lauren." And walked away.

I went inside and what I saw startled me, “Al?”