Book Two - It Should Have Been Us

Chapter Eight Page Two

{Paulo's POV}

Wala naman binilin si Caryl. So I guess we’ll just go to the resort, swim the weekend away? James asked while he feeds Reese.

You don’t have to be sweet or anything? Yassi looked between Nadine and James.

Nadine looked around the table, her eyes settling on mine.
Uhm…I don’t think that’s necessary. Pau, what are you doing today? Her effort to change the awkward subject couldn’t be more obvious.

Ocular inspection. It was scheduled on Monday pero isasabay ko na lang. Yung excuse kasi na naisip namin is that we’re sourcing out location for my short film.

Short film? Like an indie? It seemed to have piqued James’ interest.

Not really, it’s for a school project. A requirement for our finals.

Oh, yeah? What’s it about?

Uhm… the script’s not done yet… but it’s about second chances.

It was followed by companionable silence. We finished breakfast quietly; only interrupted by the small conversations the girls strike out with Len or when James or Andre tries to talk to Reese.

It was only when we’re in the car heading North when Len broke the silence.

Ano yun? At bakit okay lang sa’yo?

Sino bang nagsabing okay?

Eh bakit?

I sighed. It’s not as worse as you think it is. The other night, they slept on the same bed.

What? He looked at me, puzzled.

I know. Don’t judge okay? It wasn’t anyone’s fault. Reese wanted James beside them.

Paulo, hindi naman mawawala si Reese eh. Anak nila yun. What if palaging irequest ni Reese na magkakasama sila matulog? What if irequest nya na mag-kiss yung mag-ex? What if magrequest sya ng baby sister or brother? What happens then?

Len… bata pa si Reese. Even Aki had a tough time when LJ and I separated. It can’t be easy on any kid, especially for him na ngayon lang nakilala ang father nya. I won’t take that away from them just because I’m with Nadz. James still has every right.

Ano ba kasing plan nyo? Sa totoo lang, very vocal naman kami ni Jake sa pagsasabi sa’yo. Magulo yang pinasok mo. Hindi pa sila hiwalay legally tapos ngayon kailangan pa magpretend na sila uli. Ang daming baggage ni Nadine.

What do you propose I do? Let her go? That’s not even an option. Just the thought of breaking up with Nadine after finally getting my second chance with her? No, I can’t think it.

So ano? Para kang tanga Pau. Hindi ko akalain na ganyan ka kamartir.

Let’s just not talk about it Len, please.

Bahala ka. Nako Pau, sinasabi ko sa’yo, pag ikaw nasaktan dyan sa ginagawa mo…

I can take care of myself. Whether this fails or succeeds, whatever happens, it’s all on me.