Summertime Regrets

29

FROM ME TO YOU
(FINAL CHAPTER)

***

At last, I realized how much I've grown up. I understand him for the first time. I finally felt how he felt when all I did was act immaturely around him. I assured him that everything was alright. I made my apology for leaving him with such a deep wound that ruined his dream.

"It was my choice, Ruth. You don't have to blame yourself."

"No, kahit gusto mo pang magpatuloy, the pain pulls you away from the thing you used to love. Just accept my apology, minsan lang 'to." Napamewang ako at huminto ng paglalakad para harapin siya.

Bahagya siyang napatawa dahil dito. I punched his chest softly and hugged him.

"Sorry, I made you wait." He hugged me and kissed the top of my head.

"You must thank me for waiting, not asking for forgiveness." I made a soft laugh which made him chuckle.

We ambled and didn't expect that we were now standing near the shore. He held my hand and guided me through the pavement.

"I already called Fia's father, sa paulit-ulit naming tawag ni Chester sa papa niya, finally tinanggap na niya si Fia. Hindi ko rin alam bakit hinayaan niyang maghirap ang anak niya. Fia was still sixteen."

Honestly, I could feel the same sympathy for Sofia as Dominic does.

"Let's just not think about her. Ano gusto mong gawin ngayon?" He put his arm around my shoulder. I felt protected.

"Wala, as long as kasama kita." I can't stop myself from smiling. Aminadong galit ako kanina sa kaniya, napalitan ng konsensya, at ngayon napalitan ng saya.

"Okay, let's sit."

I thought it was the end of us, but that night was just the beginning of us remaking memories. From that night, Fia was living peacefully under her father's parents' place, where no one can ever hit and beat her.

Dominic's time and attention were mine again. We spend each weekend together. He continued giving me the assurance he gave me years ago. And I was more careful with my actions and words to avoid hurting him.

I know Dominic is not good at communication when it comes to what he really felt. Magaling lang siya kapag ako ang magsasabi ng problema, he always told me to never keep a secret but he's keeping his pain all those times. Kaya ngayon, hindi na ako papayag na maghihirap siya mag-isa.

"Matagal-tagal na rin since last kong kumain ng tempura." Sinulyapan ko siya habang hawak-hawak ang tiyan ko.

"Matagal? Parang kahapon la--"

"Ah-ah. Hindi, maliit lang kinain ko kahapon." Hindi ko na siya pinatapos sa sinasabi niya at agad na hinatak papunta sa may tempurahan.

"Kapag talaga ikaw, masobrahan."

Nginisian ko na lang siya. Sabado at Linggo na lang kaya ako nakaka-kain ng ganito. Wala naman na siyang choice kun'di bumili na lang din para pareho kaming kumakain ng tempura at kwek-kwek habang naglalakad-lakad.

"Uh-- may nagt-training yata ng gabi." Turo ko sa covered court na nadaanan namin. Natikom agad ang bibig ko nang makita ang linalaro nila. "Ay, ano pala--"

"Futsal."

Tumango na lang ako nang unahan na niya ako sa sagot. I looked unto his eyes, it shows how he love the game. Mukhang gusto niyang maglaro.

Sabay kaming nagbaba ng tingin nang gumulong palabas at papunta sa 'min ang bola. Dominic stopped it from rolling using his feet. I could see how he smiled when the ball hit the side of his foot.