This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead or actual events is purely coincidental.

The story includes a critical scene that may elicit a reaction from the reader. Graphic references to topics such as sexual harassment, self-harm, crime, strong language, bullying, and so on may include in that material. Please read at your own risk.
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Prologue
Karl

"Dude, you look so wasted."

I looked at Sirius as he said those words. Sirius is my friend since I started college. He witnessed all of my shits during those college days...the aftereffects of letting her go.

He went to my side and look at the bottle of beer on the floor. "Naglasing ka na naman. Dahil ba bumalik na sya?" he asked, staring deeply at my eyes.

I smirked before closing my eyes. Nararamdaman ko na kasi na naluluha na naman ako. "Sort of," I answered only.

Napailing na lamang si Sirius sa akin. He just helped me clean my mess here at my condo. After cleaning, I just watched him sit on my sofa while I lay down on my bed.

"I heard she already has a boyfriend."

I groaned as Sirius said those words. I could feel the pain rushing back to my heart again. I could feel the tears forming in my eyes. I sighed heavily to stop myself from crying.

I heard Sirius sigh. "Go on. You can cry," but I didn't so he shook his head and decided to stand up. "Fine, sa labas muna ako. I know you prefer crying alone."

But even though he already left...I can't still cry. I want to be strong. I want to be a man. I want to stop myself from feeling sad ... until I heard in my mind – those words she used to say to me before.

"Love, it's okay to cry. Men have emotions also. There's nothing wrong with being sad, okay?"

Tears burst immediately. The emotions I tried hard to contain in myself suddenly leak. The memories we shared together suddenly appeared in my head like I was having some stupid flashbacks.

I gripped the ring. The ring that I was about to give her before. The ring that I was so excited to offer her. "I didn't want to let go of you...but I needed to."