Worth of Loving You (A Phase Of; Series #1)

Kabanata 29

"Bakit naman hindi?"

"I mean...it's been a year since you last visited her Café." natahimik ako dahil doon.

I decided to go with him today to ease the heaviness in my heart. I thought I'm ready... I thought I was ready to face this.

Vernon held my hand. Napatingin ako doon.

"We'll just eat, if you're not comfortable, pwede namang sa iba nalang—"

"No, no! It's okay... Maayos na rin siguro ang ganito. Ilang taon akong naduwag...gusto ko na syang mamahinga ng payapa."

"Of course, Yukari. Payapa na ang pinsan ko magmula pa lamang noong nakilala ka nya. She'll be glad in heaven if...we at least visited her café? I guess?" I saw sadness in his eyes. I squeezed his eyes tightly and nodded.

Nang makarating kami sa pupuntahan ay dumagundong ang dibdib ko sa kaba. Pakiramdam ko ay narito parin sya. Pakiramdam ko ay buhay parin sya.

"Relax, sweetheart." Vernon playfully chuckled as we enter the café. Maganda na ang ayos hindi tulad ng noon. Mas lalo na ding lumawak at isa na ito sa mga sikat na dinadayo dito sa maynila.

Chloe, you made me so proud.

I took out my wallet as we sat in the chair. Nagpaalam si Vernon na magoorder para sa amin. Inayos ko ang pagkakaupo at inilabas ang isang maliit na papel sa aking wallet. My eyes began to watered as I read my farewell letter for Chloe. My letter was written a year ago. I've been keeping this inside my wallet.

Chloe,

We were 2nd year college when Vernon told me about your death. I was totally shocked. At first, I don't want to believe him and suddenly want to fly back in Phillipines to find you but Vernon already told me the truth.

Vernon is your cousin.

I don't known if I should feel shock because of the revelation or if I should break down.

I missed you very much. I don't know your reason of your sudden drop out back then but now, I can completely understand.

Heart failure, Chloe. You've had a heart failure.

I was shocked when Vernon told me about this that's why when I got back to the Philippines, I went to your café. Yes, Chloe, the cafe that was owned by your auntie is now named after you.

I hope you're now at peace. I still don't know how to process everything, Chloe. It was painful. You were there for me when no one was. You were there when the world abandoned me. You stayed...when no one was.

I'm sorry for not being there. I'm sorry for not knowing your feelings sooner. I'm really sorry.

You're my friend, Chloe. And I'll forever treasure you.

I love you. Rest in peace, my friend.

Love,

Yukari.

I was tearing up when I finished reading it for the nth time. Maingay na bumukas ang pinto kaya pinalis ko agad ang luha. Malapit lang kasi ang napili namin ni Vernon na upuan sa may pintuan.

"Here, eat na." maingay na bumalik si Vernon sa upuan namin. My eyes darted on someone who just entered the café. Napanganga ako nang makita si Deyan at ang isang matangkad na babae, sapat lamang para pantayan sya.

They were walking like they own the whole café. Halos lahat siguro bg nandito at na patingin sa kanila.

Deyan was wearing his corporate attire while the woman was wearing a tube dress, it revealed her cleavage. Kumunot ang noo ko. Model ba 'to?

Nasa counter sila kaya napahinga ako nang maluwag. Bumaling ako kay Vernon at nakitang nilalantakan na ang pasta na kanyang inorder.

"Messy eater." I rolled my eyes. Vernon smirked meaningfully.

"You know me..." he winked. Ngumiwi ako dahil na-gets ko agad iyon.

Vernon and I were cool to each other. I told him that he can see other girls because I still couldn't enter a relationship. He's still free.

Vernon didn't deny it, though. Minsan ko pa syang nakikitang may love bites sa leeg ngunit tinatawanan ko lang sya. It was no big deal for me.

Nagsimula na akong kumain at dumapo muli ang tingin ko sa counter. Halos masamid ako nang makitang nakatitig sa aming gawi si Deyan habang ang babaeng katabi nya ay patuloy sa pagsasalita. Malalim at seryoso ang mata nya, tila nanguusisa.

I looked away and continued eating, not minding them.

After a while, my breathing hitched when I heard a soft chuckles behind us. Naestatwa ako nang marinig ang malamyos na tinig ng babaeng kasama ni Deyan sa likod namin.

"Castriel... Are you free tonight?" I heard the woman asked. After minutes, Deyan didn't have a response so the woman asked him again.

"Can I invite you for a dinner?" the woman added. Sumimsim ako sa baso ng tubig na hawak. I can't help but to eavesdrop.

Vernon seems innocent and unaware of Deyan's presence...pero duda ako. Madalas mang-asar si Vernon, alam ko 'yan.

Hindi nga ako nagkakamali. Vernon smirked widely as he glance at me. Sinamaan ko sya ng tingin nang sya'y sumipol.

"Ang init, 'no?" pinaypayan nya pa ang sarili. Umirap ako at pinakiramdaman ang paligid. Bigla nga atang uminit? Patay ba ang aircon dito?

"Hot ko kasi." Vernon made a swag face. Ngumiwi ako lalo. Vernon glanced at my back again. Lalong lumawak ang ngisi nya.

"Ano na, Castriel? I'm asking you to eat a dinner with me. Please?" I heard the woman asked him again. Nagsalubong ang kilay ko. Wala bang bibig 'yan? Bakit hindi sumasagot?

"I'm not available, Miss Polin. Kasama ko palagi mag-dinner ang pamilya ng babaeng gusto ko, kaya hindi na ako pwede. You're just my client, nothing more, nothing less." I heard Deyan's ruthless voice.

I tried to find that feeling but I failed.

I still couldn't feel love for him.