Falling for the Criminal

Chapter 38: Keep On Loving

"You're going to the US to study music?" Olive gasped. "Seryoso na ba 'to this time? As in wala nang atrasan? And music is what you really like?"

She visited me at home and I finally let myself talk to her again. Sobra ko rin siyang na-miss e, at na-gi-guilty na rin ako masyado kasi alam kong worried siya sa akin. We talked for hours, I told her everything, and we even cried together. Nakakalungkot lang kasi wala si Gigi.

Tumango ako sa tanong niya. I also decided to tell her that lalo na't papalapit na ang date ng pag-alis ko. It's actually only been three days since I decided to go there, when I told mom and dad about it ay agad silang pumayag.

Akala ko nga ay hindi nila magugustuhan ang plano kong mag-aral ng music, that's why I was surprised when they told me na sila na ang aasikaso ng lahat, at makakaalis na ako sa lalong madaling panahon.

They really love me, huh?

"Yeah, actually, Olive, lately ko lang din narealize na 'yon pala ang gusto kong gawin sa buhay. That it's my passion." I smiled.

It was because of him. He made me see that.

"Ohh." She pulled me into a hug, may kokonti pang luha sa mga mata niya. "I'm so happy for you, bb. And I feel bad, nag law school ka pa talaga, dahil ba sa amin 'yon?"

I chuckled. "Gagi, hindi naman sa gano'n. Hindi ko pa lang talaga alam gusto kong gawin noon. Buti nga nand'yan kayo e."

She smiled. "Hmm. Mamimiss kita. Iniwan niyo na talaga akong dalawa. Charot, 'wag mo na akong isipin. Okay lang. Masaya ako para sa 'yo, lagi mong tatandaan that I'm always here to support you. Kapag sobra na kitang mamiss, yaan mo, bibisitahin kita ro'n."

I smiled back. "Sinabi mo 'yan ha. By the way, next week's your birthday, right?"

Olive pouted. "Yeah, the day before your departure actually. It's okay if you won't come though, I understand na hindi ka pa comfortable sa labas dahil sa mga nangyaring events recently. But of course, I'll be the happiest if you come!"

I smiled apologetically. It's true that I still don't feel comfortable outside because of the encounters I had with the vixen. Gusto ko na ring subukang lumabas ulit but I'm still not sure if I can already do it without having anxiety attacks.

"Thank you, Olive." I smiled and squeezed her hand.

She then smirked at me. "By the way, inimbita ko nga rin pala siya sa birthday ko and he said he'll come. So you know na, kung gusto mo siyang makita o makausap na, pwede sa party ko."

"Olive," I uttered but stopped dahil nawalan ako bigla ng sasabihin.

She sighed. "You told me na hindi pa rin kayo nakakapag-usap ulit hanggang ngayon. Don't you think it's better if mag-usap muna kayo bago umalis? You know, just to clear up things?" Tinapik niya ako sa balikat ko bago tumayo. "But of course, it's up to you if kaya mo na siyang harapin ulit. Don't force yourself, Kels."

Tumango ako.

Olive and I talked for almost a day, at halos gabi na no'ng umuwi siya. I was then left alone again, wondering about some things she said.

Should I really talk to him before leaving? Would that be a good idea?

"Anak, Georgia, one of your friends, is outside. She said she wants to talk to you, sandali lang naman daw. Should we let her in?" Mom asked around seven in the evening, agad akong napatayo sa gulat.

Georgia is here? It must be important.

"Yes, mom. I'll talk to her, gusto ko rin siyang makausap."

Tumango si mom. "Okay, I'll tell the guards."