This Love

Chapter Twenty-Six- Resolved Issues and Hunted Pasts

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Chapter Twenty-Six- Resolved Issues and Hunted Pasts

There's a story behind everything. How one is scared of fire or afraid of holding knives. How one doesn't easily trust people. How one disapproves of violence.

How I became all of those.

I refused to be back to my anti-social self who would have run away to the sound of that voice. I was a cynic for a second there when I thought seeing someone from my past would be an issue for me to face.

Because most of the things about me has changed, I whirled around to the repeat of my old nickname.

"Madel, it really is you." she uttered in delight.

"Noemi." I recognized.

I studied the woman in front of me. She looked exactly as I remembered except for the grey on her hair and a few lines on her forehead. She looked more than her age which was only a couple of years older than me.

Looking at her made me ask if in the kind of life I had lived for the past five years, have I lived a better one than her? After everything that happened to us, is it possible things went better for me? It was easy for me to conclude that life's struggles have aged her too much.

A part of me wanted to say a quick hello and an even quicker goodbye. Noemi and I have known each other since we were little but she felt like a stranger to me. However, the inquisitive side of me won. I wanted to know what happened to her and to her brother after I ran away.

Yes, I was a stowaway. The day of my high school graduation, instead of marching up the stage, I took the ferry to Manila. With an old worn out duffel bag, two hundred pesos in my pocket and a lot of courage, I stepped in the city for the first time. It was the perfect time to escape from the life I've never wanted. Running away was my solution to forget about the pain and misery.

I found myself sitting inside a pancake place a couple of blocks from the club. Noemi settled across me and Michael was next to me holding my hand tight under the table.

Michael has invited Noemi for breakfast. Surprisingly, I insisted for her to come.

A waitress came and flicked her fake lashes as she sees Michael. I can't help but laugh. Who could blame her? I was sitting next to an eye-candy. Ignoring the flirty looks the waitress was giving, Michael ordered for all of us. He was politely being a snob. If that was even possible.

His phone rang. It was only five in the morning and he already receive business calls. He let go of my hand and slid off our booth to answer his phone. I watched him by the glass windows as he stepped outside.

I was supposed to be mad at him because he secretly paid my loans. He shouldn't have done that. And yet, I feel no irritation left in me. I couldn't stay mad at him anymore.

His brows furrowed after a minute telling it was a serious call.

Something must've happened. He had his mad face on and he looked like yelling. I wondered what was wrong.

"How have you been, Madel?" Noemi's voice caught my attention. Oh right. I almost forgot she was here. "I mean Madi. You look happy."

"I am." I turned to the glass window. Michael's frown vanished as he gave me an assuring smile and holding up his index finger.

"I can see why."

I wasn't sure if I wanted Noemi to get to know Michael now so I redirected our conversation. "How are you, Noemi? How's Noel? How long have you been in Manila?" I bombarded her with questions making her chuckle.