Ry's Lie

*Nathan's POV*

"May problema ba?"

The game already started.

Nasa loob na kami ng maze.

Nagmamadali akong makaipon ng ribbon para lang makausap siya but she doesn't look interested at all.

I stopped walking when she didn't answer. When I looked at her, nakatitig siya sa kamay kong nakahawak sa kanya.

She had bruises on both of her wrists.

Kasalanan ko ba 'to?

"I'm sorry I did this.."

I felt too bad seeing it..

"Masakit parin ba?"

"Hindi na."

"I'd understand kung galit ka sa'kin." I said. "After what I did to you, hindi ko alam kung mapapatawad mo pa ko.."

I don't deserve to be forgiven..

"It's okay.."

"Then why aren't you saying anything?"

"Kasi.."

"Is it Ryan?" Tanong ko. "You don't want me to be your partner do you?"

"Nate.."

"Kailangan ko ba talagang iwasan ka?"

Napatingin siya sa'kin.

"Paano kung gusto na kitang maalala?"

She took her hand back and stepped away from me.

Theia..

"Don't." Sabi niya. "It's for the best, Nate.."

She doesn't want me to remember anymore?

"Pero--"

"Don't worry." Ngumiti siya sa'kin. "Hindi ako ganun kaimportante."

I was right.

"Does he make you happy?"

"Y-es.."

"Of course, Ry wouldn't hurt you like I did."

I turned away from her.

She already made a decision and I need to respect that..

"Masaya ako para sa inyo, Theia." I said. "I wish you happiness."

"I'm sorry.."

I finally realized how much it hurted to hear those words..

Sorry meant that a person did something that hurted you.

And no matter how many times you say sorry, it wouldn't heal the pain you inflicted.

I'm sorry, Theia kasi yun lang din yung kaya kong sabihin sa'yo pagkatapos ng nagawa ko..

I stopped walking when the rain started pouring.

Babalikan ko sana siya pero paglingon ko, may taong mabilis na tumatakbo papunta sa lugar kung saan ko siya iniwan.

Ryan.

"I like you, Theia."

"You don't know me." She said. "You can't like someone you just met."

"I can and I just did."

"I don't know, Nate." Sabi niya. "Ang bilis ng mga pangyayari. One minute, kakakilala lang natin sa isa't isa and the next, gusto mo na ko agad?"

"Say it again."

"Say what?"

"Yung pangalan ko."

"James?"

"No."

"Nathan?"

"I already told you, right?"

"Nate."

Napangiti ako. "Yes."

"Walang tumatawag sa'yo nun diba?"

"Wala. Ikaw palang."

"Pwede namang Nathan."

"Bakit? Kaibigan ba kita? Kapatid?"

"Edi James nalang."

"Ayaw ko ng James. Gusto ko Nate."

"Ako naman yung tatawag sa'yo e."

"Ako naman yung tatawagin mo. So dapat, nasa akin yung desisyon."

"Then give me one good reason."

"Call me Nate because I want you to become the most important person in my life."

Pero dahil sa ginawa ko, I might not hear her call me that way again.

Ry was right.

Ako yung unang gumulo sa kanya.

If this is the only way to avoid hurting her..

Iiwan ko na siya.

***

Nasaan na ba siya?

Gab called me out.

Magkita daw kami sa may gazebo. It's been 30 minutes pero hindi parin siya dumadating.

I was already planning to leave when I heard voices. I hid behind the gazebo and peeked.

It's him.

Pero may kasama siya.

Theia.

"Surprise!"

The gazebo suddenly lighted up.

Nagtago ako ulit. Baka makita nila ko.

"Wow..."

"This was the reason why I was late." Rinig kong sabi ni Gab. "I wanted to make sure that when we come here, you will have a piano to play, Courts."

I didn't want to pry but I was too curious.

Gusto kong makita yung ginagawa nila.

"Piano was your escape kaya hindi ko kayang makita na pati 'to, mawala sa'yo."

"Thank you.."

She hugged him.

"You're always welcome, Courts." Sagot niya. "Gusto mo ba tumugtog?"

"Pwede ba?"

He laughed. "Of course."

"It's been so long, Gabby."

"I know. At dahil dyan, kailangan ko muna umalis."

"Saan ka naman pupunta?"

"I'll just check on them."

"Sasama nalang ako.."

"Wag na." He said. "It's our last day. You won't be able to play tomorrow."

"Okay."

When he kissed her on the forehead, nagtama yung tingin namin.

Napatago ako ulit.

I was so sure he was looking at me.

How did he even know I'm hiding??

Bago pa ako makaalis, she began playing..

I couldn't take my eyes off her.

She's still playing the same song she asked me to memorize before.

My phone suddenly started ringing.

I immediately turned it off.

"May tao ba dyan?"

I heard her footsteps getting closer.

My heart was beating fast.

Mahuhuli niya ba ko?

"Bessy?" It was Charm's voice. "What's wrong?"

"Parang may tao.."

"I didn't see anyone." She said. "Baka guniguni mo lang."

"Siguro nga.."

"Tara? Kakain na tayo."

"Sure."

Nakahinga din ako ng malalim pag-alis nila.

***

"What do you want, Nathan?"

Ano nga ba?

"I want to know the truth, Ry."

"The truth?"

I nodded but he suddenly started laughing.

May nakakatawa ba sa sinabi ko?

"Ehem.. Seryoso ka pala."

Nakatitig lang ako sa kanya.

"Sorry." He stared at me in return. "Hindi ko lang inakala na gagana yung plano niya."

Is that one of Gab's plan??

The game earlier was called Two truths and a lie.

What came out of Ry's mouth was still in my head even after the game ended.

Kaya ako nandito.

At kinakausap siya.

"You wanted the truth?"

"Yes."

"But this is not the time, Nathan." Sagot niya. "You heard what Ms. Ces said. Sa ball pa daw natin malalaman."

"I can't wait for that, Ryan."

I need to know now.

"Then you have to figure out the lie on your own."

I can guess pero baka magkamali ako.

"Alright, I'll give you a hint." Sabi niya. "The answer lies on what I said nung sinapak kita."

"..."

"If you find out the truth, you need to run back to her."

"W-what??"

He shrugged and started to walk away.

"Ry---"

"Kung ako sa'yo, mag-iisip na ko." He said. "Time's running out, Nathan."

"..."

"Tick tock tick tock."

******