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"Daddy, are you coming with me at school?" tanong ko kay Dad.

We're currently eating breakfast and I am slightly in a hurry. It's our recognition day today and I am at rank one. I am the happiest when I saw my name on the bulletin board, right at the top part.

"Of course, honey. I wouldn't be absent during your recognition day. Have you already asked your Mom if she's coming with us?" aniya.

I pursed my lips. "Haven't yet. She's too busy. I don't want to disturb her from work."

He sighed. He caressed my cheek with the back of his hand as he smiled at me a bit.

"Your Mom might be very busy but she wouldn't miss your recognition day. You know your Mom, honey. Kahit gaano pa iyon ka-busy, gagawa at gagawa iyon ng paraan para makapunta sa recognition day mo," he said.

I smiled a bit. "I know. It's just that, I don't want to interrupt her, Dad. Ayos lang naman po sa akin na hindi siya makapunta kasi busy naman po siya. Tsaka, isang araw lang naman po itong recognition day ko. And besides, she's still going to see my awards when I get home."

"Exactly, honey. Isang araw lang naman iyon kaya mahalagang nandoon kami ng Mom mo."

I smiled. I am really lucky to have them in my life. There are a lot of kids out there who were not lucky with their parents. That's why I am thankful to God for giving me my parents.

"Thank you, Daddy. I am so lucky to have you and Mom," I said.

"And we are so lucky to have you, honey," aniya.

I smiled. "Should I go to Mom's office and ask her if she's coming?" tanong ko.

He nodded. "Mabuti pa nga. I'll just wait for you in the living room. But before anything else, why don't you finish your food first?"

I nodded. "Alright."

As soon as I was done eating, I immediately ran upstairs. Agad akong pumasok sa opisina ni Mom. Naabutan ko siyang nakaharap sa laptop niya at nagtitipa. I am pretty sure it's about their business.

"Mom?" I called her softly.

Agad naman niya akong nilingon. "Yes, honey?"

"Uhm... are you coming with us? It's our recognition day. I would want you to be there. But if you're busy, it's alright."

Agad na nanlaki ang mga mata niya. Mabilis siyang napatayo mula sa upuan niya.

"Oh my God! I almost forgot! It's your recognition day!" Mabilis siyang tumakbo papasok sa walk-in-closet niyang nasa opisina. "Teka lang! Magbibihis lang ako! Go and prepare. Hintayin niyo na lang ako sa living room!"

Napangiti ako. "Yes, Mom!"

Tumakbo ako papunta sa kwarto ko saka agad na nagbihis. As soon as I was finished, I received a message from Simour with a photo on it.

Napangiti ako nang makitang nasa banyo siya, nag-to-toothbrush. May mga bula pa sa paligid ng bibig niya at wala siyang suot na pang-itaas.

He's really the sweetest. He would often send me pictures of himself every morning. Iyon palagi ang naaabutan ko.

Nang maging handa na kaming lahat ay agad kaming pumunta sa paaralan. Zek and Rhyth immediately ran towards me. Nagmano muna sila kay Dad at Mom bago nila ako hinila para pumunta sa ginawang booth at bumili kami ng pagkain.

"Congratulations, Primm!" saad ni Zek sa akin. "Rank one ka ulit! Ang galing!"

I smiled. "Well, congratulations to you too, Zek. Rank two ka. And of course you too, Rhyth for being on rank four."

"Thanks. Hindi ko inasahan iyon," sabi ni Rhyth. "Masyado akong naging busy nitong mga nakaraang araw na nakakalimutan ko na ang mga gawain sa school."

"So, sino ang aakyat sayo mamaya, Primm? Dad mo or Mom mo?" tanong ni Zek.

Nagkibit-balikat ako. "I don't know. Baka silang dalawa."

Nang magsimula na ang recognition ay agad na unang tinawag ang pangalan ko. I smiled wide as I listened carefully to the MC.

"Rank one in Elementary Education, Primmly Athena Corpuz!"

Agad na lumapit sa akin si Dad. I immediately hugged his arm while Mom clapped her hands as she signaled us to walk up the stage.

"What about you, Mom?" I asked.

"Ako na ang kukuha ng picture sa inyo. Come on, go," aniya.

Agad kaming tumango ni Dad saka umakyat sa stage. We had a few handshakes with the teachers and the school head as they gave me my medals and a certificate.

Matapos isuot sa akin ni Dad ang medals ko ay napahalakhak ako nang marinig ang malakas na sigaw ni Simour mula sa ibaba.

"Akin iyan! That's my girl!" he shouted.

I felt my cheeks reddened when the crowd became wild. Mas lalong lumakas ang sigawan at ang tilian. Pati ang mga guro ay natatawa na rin.

Agad akong tinaasan ng kilay ni Dad. "Why are your cheeks reddening?"

"Daddy, hindi kaya!" Sinapo ko ang magkabilang pisngi ko.

"Pulang-pula ang pisngi mo. Wala namang nakakakilig sa sinabi ng lalaking iyon," aniya.

Tumawa ako saka niyakap siya. "Come on, magpicture na lang tayo, Daddy. Palagi mo na lang inaaway si Simour."

"Hindi ko siya inaaway. Naiinis ako sa kanya."

"See? He's a good guy-"

"Hindi halata."

"Look at the camera, Seleno!" sigaw ni Mommy.

Agad kaming napatingin sa gawi niya. Sa tabi niya ay si Simour na malawak ang ngiti at pumapalakpak habang pinapanood kami.

I smiled at him and he winked at me.

"Go, babe!" sigaw niya.

Mahina akong natawa nang magsigawan na naman ang mga kaibigan niya. Paulit-ulit na hinahampas ang balikat niya saka nagwi-whistle pa.

"'Go babe' daw!" sigaw ni Cladville. "Sana all!"

"Okay na!" ani Mom saka nag-thumbs-up.

Agad kaming bumaba ni Daddy sa stage. Sinalubong niya agad kami saka hinalikan ako sa noo. Si Dad naman ay humalik sa noo ni Mommy.

Lumapit na rin sina Simour sa amin. May ngising nilapitan niya si Dad.

"Mano po, Daddy."

Humagalpak ako ng tawa nang sumimangot si Daddy. Inis ang mukhang nilahad niya ang kamay para pagmanuhin si Simour. Pero nang dumapo ang kamay ni Dad sa noo niya ay mabilis itong kinatok ni Dad na ikina-aray niya.

Natatawang lumapit sa akin si Simour pero agad akong hinila ni Dad sa likod niya saka sinamaan ng tingin si Simour.

"Kakausapin ko lang, Dad," aniya.

"Hindi kita anak. Don't call me 'Dad'," asik ni Daddy.

Umasta siyang nasaktan saka sinapo ang dibdib niya. "Ang sakit no'n, Dad, ah."

Mahina akong natawa saka umalis sa likod ni Dad. I immediately walked towards Simour. He then wrapped his arms around me as he kissed my head.

"Congratulations, babe," bulong niya.

Ngumiti ako. "Thank you."

"And for best in sports, we give this certificates and medals to our dear varsity players who did their bestest to win the game for the school!" wika ng MC kasabay ng pagtatawag niya ng mga pangalan. "Simour Jeff Villegas, our former dirty player!"

Natawa ako sa sinabi ng MC. Siya naman ay napaungot at napairap.

"Bakit kasali ang 'dirty player'? Nagbago na nga ako, diba?" aniya.

I laughed and caressed his back. "Sige na. Kunin mo na ang medals mo."

Ngumuso siya saka mabilis na hinalikan ang noo ko. "Good luck mo ako."

"Good luck, Simour."

Agad siyang malawak na napangiti saka umakyat sa stage. Agad siyang sinalubong ng Mommy niya saka pansin ko ang mahinang pagpingot nito sa bewang niya. Pero sa halip na mainis ay tumawa pa siya saka inakbayan ang Mom niya.

Agad na isinuot sa kanya ng Mom niya ang medal niya. Syempre, sinamahan rin ng mga parents nila sina Clad, Eros at Evs at pati na rin ang iba pa'ng mga varsity players paakyat ng stage.

Nang bumaba na si Simour sa stage ay agad ko siyang sinubong.

"Diyan ka lang. Picture-ran kita," wika ko.

"Teka, sandali. Parang magulo yata ang buhok ko, ayusin mo nga, babe," aniya.

Bahagya siyang yumuko. Agad ko namang inayos ang buhok niya.

"Iyan, okay na. Tingin ka rito," sabi ko saka kinuhanan siya ng litrato.

"Ikaw naman," sabi niya saka kinuha mula sa akin ang camera.

I then posed and after a few clicks he gave me back my phone.

Nang makitang palapit na sa amin sina Clad, Evans at Eros ay agad akong napangiti.

"Congratulations to you!" wika ko.

Ngumiti si Evs sa akin. "Thanks, Primm. Congratulations rin sayo. Sana all, rank one."

Mahina akong natawa. "Thank you. And congratulations to you, Eros!" He's on rank three.

He smiled a bit and nodded. "Thanks."

"Ako, Primm? Hindi mo ako e-co-congratulate?" tanong ni Clad.

"Congratulations then."

"Bakit parang napipilitan ka yata, Primm?" aniya saka sinamaan ako ng tingin.

I laughed. "I am not! Nag-congratulate na ako kanina, ah!"

"So, saan tayo mamaya?" tanong ni Clad kina Simour.

I felt Simour's hand on the small of my back. I really love this gesture, it makes me feel so special and comfortable.

"Lalabas kayo mamaya?" tanong ni Eros. "Dad told you not to go out too much, Kuya. May lakad kayo."

Evs shrugged. "Kakausapin ko pa siya mamaya. Magpapaalam ako. Minsan lang naman ito, e."

Kumunot ang noo ni Eros. "Anong minsan? Palagi kayong lumalabas ng mga kaibigan mo. Mom is always worried about you."

"Don't worry, kapag hindi pumayag sina Mom at Dad, edi hindi ako sasama," wika ni Evs.

"Edi, hindi rin kami matutuloy kung hindi ka sasama," sabi ni Clad.

"Tsaka, baka hindi rin ako makasama sa lakad ninyo mamaya," sabi ni Simour.

Napalingon ako sa kanya. I raised my brows at him. "Why not? Busy ka?"

"Hindi. May lakad tayo mamaya, eh," sabi niya.

My face lit up. "Really? Bakit hindi ko iyan alam? You didn't tell me."

He caressed my back. "Para suprise."

"Anong gagawin natin later? Ipagpaalam mo ako kay Dad at Mom," sabi ko.

"Mag-s-stroll tayo. Ducati ko ang sasakyan natin," aniya.

Napapalakpak ako. Wala pa lang ang excited na ako.

"Ay ang galing! Hindi makakasama sa amin pero makakasama sa jowa!" ani Clad.

"Maghanap ka na rin ng jowa para may kasama ka ring maglakwatsa, Clad," ani Evs.

"Bakit ikaw? Huwag mong sabihing hindi ka na tutuloy dahil may isasama ka ring mag-stroll?"

Evs laughed. "Kung sana nga ay mayroon kaso wala. Sa bahay na lang ako mamaya. Hindi rin naman pala makakasama si Simour. Next time na lang tayo. Tsaka sigurado ako na hindi papayag si Dad. May usapan na kami, eh."

"Ano ba ang gagawin ninyo ng Dad mo, Evs?" I asked.

"Well... just some architectural things," aniya.

I nodded. "Oh... right."

"Ikaw, Ros? Wala ka ba'ng gagawin? Huwag mong sabihing sa bahay niyo ka lang mananatili buong gabi?" ani Simour.

"Sa bahay lang ako. Ayokong lumabas," aniya.

"Ano ba'ng mayroon sa bahay ninyo at ayaw mong iwan? Palagi ka na lang na nasa bahay ninyo, ah!" saad ni Clad.

"Paki mo?" Irap ni Eros.

Natawa ako saka napailing. My eyes caught Zek an Rhyth walking towards us.

Agad akong humiwalay kay Simour saka sinalubong sila. I went to hug them and congratulated them.

I admit, these two had filled something that's missing in me. I didn't know that it would be these girls that would actually make my life easier.

I am lucky with the people around me. From my parents, to my friends then to my boyfriend.

Yes, I may be unlucky in terms of my decisions- I had been harassed for chosing the wrong friends, but I am still lucky to find new ones and this time, they're all genuine.

People thought that I am a woman who just wouldn't learn some lessons. Even after being harassed, I am still trusting other people. I had traumas too, but I also believe that there are still a lot of good people in the world. Hindi lahat masama. Hindi lahat gagawan ako ng masama.

"So, lalabas ba tayo mamaya?" tanong ni Zek sa akin.

I smiled. "Hindi ako pwede, eh. Lalabas kami ni Simour. Next time?"

Napaungot siya. "Aw... sige na nga. Next time na lang."

Later that day, Simour fetched me from our house. Nagpaalam na rin siya kay Dad at Mom na mag-s-stroll kami. At first, I thought Dad would disagree, but I was surprised when he said 'yes'.

We rode on his big bike and just roamed around the area. We would stop at some fast food chain or on some street food stool and eat.

As of the moment, we're both eating balut while talking about the future. Not our future but each other's future.

"So, what do you want to do after college?" tanong ko sa kanya. "Business rin? Like your Dad?"

I am sitting on his big bike, while he's leaning on it.

He shrugged. "Hindi ko pa alam, eh. I am not into business. Kaya nga hindi business ang kinuha ko, eh. Wala pa kasi talaga akong ibang plano maliban sa yumaman."

"Well, iyan naman talaga ang gusto ng lahat, eh. Ang magkapera tsaka yumaman."

He nodded. "Ikaw ba? Talagang education ang kukunin mo? Sa talino mong iyan?"

I smiled. "I'm not smart, Simour. Masipag lang ako. Tsaka, wala namang mali kung education ang kinuha ko ngayon, ah. Being a teacher is the most important job in the world. Without it, walang students, walang makakapagtapos, walang architect, walang lawyer, walang doctors, walang police, walang presidents."

Mahina siyang natawa. "Tinanong lang kita. Hindi ko sinabing makikipag-debate ako sayo. Talo na agad ako, Ma'am."

Tumawa ako. The night breeze blew my hair, touching my skin. It's nice strolling at night times like this. I find peace with the noise of the balut vendors shouting 'balut', the night lights twinkling like stars, the noises of the vehicles settling home and the laughter of a family inside a home.

At nights like this, I feel like wars didn't happened at all. As if there were no bullets being wasted. No lives being sacrificed.

"I love nights like this," wika ko sa kanya habang sarap na sarap sa kinakain kong balut.

"Why?"

"I find peace in it," sagot ko.

He nodded. "I find peace with you though."

Tumawa ako saka mahinang hinampas ang balikat niya. "I am serious. I am not up to banat-banat."

"I am not banat-banat, I am serious-serious." Tumatawa niyang sabi.

Napailing ako. His laughter could really take my worries away. Just like the night, he could bring peace in me.

"'Pagka-graduate ko maiiwan pa pala kita sa college, 'no?" aniya.

I nodded. "Yeah. I'm way younger than you."

Napakamot siya sa ulo niya. Naningkit ang mga mata niya saka napakagat-labi siya.

"Dapat pala ibagsak ko lahat ng subjects ko para hindi ako maka-graduate agad. Maiiwan kita dito, eh!"

"Silly! Ang daming students na gustong-gusto nang pumasa para makatulong sa parents nila. Ang daming students na nagpupursigeng makatapos ng pag-aaral para makahanap na ng trabaho. Maraming students ang nagsakripisyo ng malaking halaga ng pera para sa pag-aaral nila tapos ikaw ibabagsak mo ang subjects mo para lang sa akin?" I shook my head. "Never ever do that. Maraming tao ang naghihirap para lang makapag-aral. Kaya ikaw, be thankful that your parents could suffice your needs. Magpasalamat ka at ipagpatuloy mo ang pag-aaral mo."

Napaungot siya sa sinabi ko. Napapikit siya ng mariin saka napatingala bago natawa.

"Sabi ko nga hindi na ako magsasalita, Ma'am. Lagi mo na lang akong dine-debate!"

Natawa na rin ako. Hindi ko napansin na ang seryoso ko na pala.

I pursed my lips. "Am I really that boring to be with?"

His laughter faded. "Ha? Bakit ka naman umabot diyan?"

I shrugged. "I just feel like I am a boring person. Like... I couldn't get a joke at all. Sineseryoso ko ang mga bagay-bagay. And I think that's what finds me really boring."

"Porque seryoso, boring na agad?" aniya. "Ang dami ko nga'ng natututunan sayo, eh. Sa dami hindi ko na maalala ang iba."

Tumawa ako. "Pero hindi ako boring? Kasi feeling ko sinasabi mo lang iyan to console me."

Umiling siya. "Hindi. That's what I love about you. You're too pure, too innocent and fragile, too good to be true. Minsan naiisip ko kung deserve ko ba na maging boyfriend mo kasi parang kalokohan lang naman ang laman ng isipan ko, eh. Parang walang kaseryosohan."

Ako naman ngayon ang natawa sa sinabi niya. I never thought that he actually have worries about himself. Akala ko happy-happy lang siya. Akala ko walang problema sa kanya ang lahat ng ginagawa niya.

Now, I know that he have worries too.

"Well, that's what I love about you too," saad ko. "I mean... maybe that's why we clicked. Because we're too different."

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Paano tayo mag-k-click kung different tayong dalawa?"

"Alam mo iyong kasabihan ng mga matatanda, na kapag ang isang babae seryoso, isang lalaking happy-go-lucky ang nakatadhana para sa kanya. Kasi paano magiging balance ang relationship ninyo kung parehas kayong seryoso? Kung parehas kayong nagpapatawa? Right?"

Saglit siyang tila napaisap bago dahan-dahang tumango. Malawak siyang ngumiti sa akin. "Oo nga, 'no?! So, bagay tayo? Ang galing mo talaga, babe! Bilib na bilib na talaga ako sayo! Grabe!"

"So, dati hindi ka bilib sa akin?" I joked.

Tumawa siya. "Syempre, noon din. Kiss mo nga ako."

Umiling ako. "No. May balut pa ang bibig ko."

"Ayos iyon. Mas masarap," aniya.

We talked about a lot of things that night. We talked a lot that we didn't noticed the time. We just talk and talk, but it wasn't boring at all. Instead, I find it fun.

Night talks with someone you love really matters, it really is comfortable.

Sabi nila kapag mahal mo ang kausap mo, talagang mas magkakaroon ng sense ang mga bagay na pinag-uusapan ninyo. And I think that's true. Because everything really make sense to me just by talking to Simour.

When the clock strikes 12:00, we immediately went home.

"Balita ko, aalis raw si Villegas sa varsity team, ah." One morning, I heard this news from my schoolmates.

It was too intriguing that it made me stop from walking in the length of the hallway and listened to them for a moment.

"Bakit daw? Eh, kahit dirty player siya dati, magaling siyang manlalaro. Tsaka nagbago naman na siya, eh. Bakit pa siya aalis?" another said.

"Oo nga. Kung aalis siya siguradong kulang na ang team ng varsity natin. Saka siya na ang inaaasahan ng buong team ngayong nagseseryoso na siya sa laro," saad pa ng isa.

"Mukhang ipapadala raw kasi siya ng mga magulang niya sa ibang bansa. Doon pag-aaralin. Ang sabi-sabi, bumababa raw ang mga marka ni Villegas kaya nagalit ang Tatay niya. Ayon, ipapadala sa ibang bansa, doon pag-aaralin para magbago."

Agad na kumunot ang noo ko. Hindi pa katagalan simula no'ng napag-usapan namin ang tungkol sa pag-aaral. We already talked about it and I believed him when he told me he was just kidding about lowering his grades. Pero ano itong naririnig ko?

And what devastates me the most is the fact that his parents want him to go abroad to study. Alam kong napag-usapan na rin namin ang tungkol rito. Na mas uunahin pa rin ang pag-aaral bago ang relasyon namin.

Kasi ang relasyon, kung matitigil, pwede pa'ng balikan. O kung hindi man, makakahanap pa ng bago. Yes, it may sound so fiendish but that's the truth. Samantalang ang pag-aaral, kapag natigil ka ng isang taon man lang, malaking oras na ang nasayang mo. Malaking parte na ng pangarap mo ang nasira mo.

But hearing this now- that his parents want him to leave, I feel so confused. I don't want him to stop following his parent's orders just for me, however I also don't want him to leave.

And what hurts me the most is that he didn't tell me about this. Sana ay sinabihan niya man lang ako. Para naman hindi sa ibang tao ko malalaman.

"Edi, paano sila ni Corpuz niyan?" A girl asked.

"Baka naghiwalay na sila kaya pumayag si Villegas na pumunta ng ibang bansa," another one said.

I sighed. No, we didn't. But we might be.

Sinubukan kong alisin sa isipan ko ang narinig sa araw na iyon. Ang kaso lang ay kahit saan pa ako mapunta, kahit saang parte pa ako ng paaralan magtago, talagang maririnig at maririnig ko ang tungkol sa pag-alis niya.

Sobrang nahihirapan ako. Hindi ako makapag-focus sa klase kahit anong pilit ko. But I do hope that this confusions are worth it.

"Okay ka lang?" Agad na bungad sa akin ni Zek nang magtanghalian na.

Of course, just like me, they heard the news. It spreads like wildfire, so who wouldn't know?

I sighed. "I'm not," I said with all honesty.

"Let me guess? You don't want him to leave? Just like on some cringe romantic novels and on some cringe romantic movies?" Tinaasan ako ng kilay ni Rhyth.

"Hey! It's not cringe!" Paglalaban ni Zek.

"Yes, it is, Zek. Don't fight me," ani Rhyth. She look at me. "So, ano nga? Hindi mo talaga siya paaalisin?"

"It's not like that, Rhyth," wika ko. "Yes, it's saddens me to know that he have to leave- that he must obey his parents... but I don't have a choice. There's a part of me that wants him to stay with me but I am not the one who holds his future. I am not even sure if I am going to be part of his future!"

Nahihirapan ako. Just by the thought of it... damn! Nasasaktan ako.

I look at them both with a troubled reaction. "What should I do?"

"Do what's right," sabi ni Zek. "There's nothing confusing when the choices are right and wrong, Primm. You're smart. Why are you in turmoil now? You already know the answer in the very first place."

Nasapo ko ang ulo ko sa sinabi niya. Yeah, right! Who am I kidding?! I know what's right and wrong but why does the wrong thing feels so right in the very moment?

"You know why I don't like to be attached?" saad ni Rhyth. Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kanya. She smiled at me. "Because love is a bitch."

"Hey!" ani Zek. "Bakit mo sinasali ang love dito? And love is not a bitch! Stop that, Rhyth! You're being so bitter! Are you broken, huh?"

"Do I look like broken to you?" aniya.

Napakurap kaming dalawa ni Zek saka napatingin sa kanya. Well, she doesn't look broken, specially with her pink hair clips, pink highlights on her hair and some pink bracelets, earrings and necklace.

"You don't," wika ko.

She shrugged proudly. "See?"

Napabuntong-hininga ako. "I guess, I should just talk to him."

Sabay silang tumango. "Yeah, you should," ani Zek. "Everything will be clear if you two talk."

I nodded. "Yeah." I do hope it would be.

After that, when it's time to go home, I waited for Simour outside the gate just like what I usually do. I wanted to talk to him and I wanted us to clear things out. I don't want to just rely on other people's words. They must have been mistaken or something.

Nang makitang papalabas na siya ay agad ko siyang nilapitan. Pansin kong wala siya sa moon at natatakot akong baka mas lalong mawala siya sa mood kapag nagtanong ako.

"Hey..." I greeted him softly.

Nag-angat siya ng tingin sa akin. He then tried to lift up a smile but it turned out very fake.

I smiled at him to reassure him that everything's going to be fine. And just by seeing him now, seeing his face, I already know that the rumors are true.

"So... can we talk?" I asked.

Tumango siya. "Sige."

Agad kaming pumasok sa sasakyan namin saka isinara ang pintuan. I am having second thoughts about confronting him but I know that this is what would fix us.

"Is it true?" I asked.

"Ang alin?" malalim ang boses na tanong niya.

"That you're going abroad to study," sabi ko.

Natahimik siya. Sumandal siya sa backseat. And I guess, it's a 'yes'.

"Do you want me to leave?" bulong niya sa akin.

Ako naman ngayon ang natahimik. Pagkatapos ng lahat na napag-usapan namin nina Zek at Rhyth, I have ascertained that nothing's more important than letting someone chase their dreams.

"Well, I-I-"

"I'll stay," he cut me off.

My eyes widened as I look at him. He can't just say that he'll stay! It's about me and his dreams!

"W-What?" Gulat kong tanong.

Nginitian niya ako. Lumapit siya sa akin saka hinalikan ng mabilis ang labi ko.

"I'll stay," he whispered. "...with you."

His decision seems final... and I'm guilty about it.

...

©️thorned_heartu