Chapter 31

I still have two hours to go. Hindi sa pag-alis ng London, but by meeting Connagh today. I still have a day before I left the country and I'll spend it with Connagh. I have no idea what would happen, but I'm sure he won't let me leave without settling what happened before.

"Matatapos mo ba 'to ngayong araw, Kiers?" tanong ni tita.

Tumango naman ako. "I need to or else, I'll be leaving some of my stuff here."

"Oooh! Meron ka bang iiwan sa akin? Alam mo na 'yong mga hindi mo naman ginagamit."

"We'll finish this today at kung meron man, I'll give it to you, tita."

"Naks! Thank you agad, pamangks!"

"No worries, tita." Aniko sabay hugot ng malalim na hininga.

"At para saan naman 'yang pagbuntong-hininga mo?" tanong niya. "Ah! Alam ko na! Ano namang pinangangambahan mo ngayon? Hindi ka naman siguro ki-kidnap-in ni Connagh, 'di ba?"

Umiling naman ko. "No. Bakit naman niya gagawin 'yon? Bakit din naman ako magpapa-kidnap, right? I believe he just want to settle everything with me before I left the country. You know, we've been through worse and set it all aside and kept everything professionally. You know what, I'm still impress on how he handle the situation, but he never reached out to me right after I ignore his calls and messages."

"Kasi baka na-feel niyang hindi mo na talaga need makipag-usap sa kanya?" tanong ni tita. "He tried calling you, messaging you tapos wala ka man lang response sa kanya. Syempre ang natural instinct niyan, he should stop calling you and bothering you. And what happened in the office ba? Back to normal naman kayong dalawa, right?"

"Normal, but not normal-normal, you know what I mean, tita?"

Tumango naman si tita. "Yes, gets ko naman. Pero kung hindi pa rin pala bumalik sa dati, why didn't you reach out to him?"

I sighed. "I don't know why I didn't do that. Maybe because I was a little afraid of his reaction? And I must admit, I tried to act as normal as can be sa office. Honestly, I wanted to talk to him, pero feeling ko ayaw na rin niyang pag-usapan 'yon."

"E 'di, para kayong tangang dalawa. Naghihintayan lang ba kayo kung sino sa inyo ang unang makikipag-usap? O masyado lang ma-pride ang isa sa inyo at hihintayin na lang kung sino ang unang sumuko? Is that how you wanna make it happen, pamangks?"

Napahugot ako ng malalim na hininga sa sinabi niya saka umiling. "Hindi naman sa gano'n. I just don't want to burn when the situation was too hot pa. I know I'll just end up hurting myself for that. The space that grew between us helps us to focus more on what we should do and not with other things that's not our priority."

"And this is the time na to settle everything. Ano nang gagawin mo?"

I shrugged off. "Then do what is right, right?"

Umiling siya. "Ewan ko sa 'yo, pamangks. Kung ano sa tingin mo ang tama, e 'di 'yon ang sundin mo. Alam mo naman na kulelat din ako sa lovelife, 'di ba? Ikaw 'tong may dalawang boylet na lumalapit sa 'yo, and I'm not blaming you for that. Sa ganda mo ba naman. Sinong hindi magkakagusto sa 'yo? Basta, kung ano man ang mangyari sa inyong dalawa ni Connagh. 'Wag kang iiyak, okay?"

Natawa naman ako ng bahagya sa binigay niyang advice sa akin. "Bakit naman ako iiyak? Hindi naman ako mukhang iiyak kapag nakausap ko siya."

Napangisi naman si tita. "Pupusta ako, 50 pounds, bet?"

"Hmm..." I crossed my arms and squinted my eyes to her request. "Papayag ako sa 50 pounds pero wala ng damit?"

"Hoy! Pamangks! Ang daya naman!" aniya.

Natawa na lang din naman ako. "So, anong bet mo? 50 pounds or free clothes?"

Natawa naman ako sa reaksyon ni tita dahil pinag-iisipan niya talaga ng mabuti ang isasagot sa akin.

"Pwede ba both?" She scrunched her face. Umiling naman ako. She pouted. "Ang daya naman. Sige, do'n na lang ako sa 50 pounds pero sayang kasi 'yong damit mo. More than 300 pounds din worth ng iba, 'di ba? Pwede ko pang ibenta."

"Tita, ano ka ba! Sige na nga, I'll still give you some of my clothes and we'll still bet for 50 pounds, alright?" I suggested. Lumawak naman ang ngiti sa labi niya at nakuha ko na ang gusto niyang iparating sa akin. "So, you'll have to pay me if I win, right?"

"Hindi. Ikaw lang maglalabas ng pera. Alam mo naman taghirap ako ngayon."

"Tita! Napakadaya!" I grunted, rolling my eyes. "Sige na nga. Aalis na rin ako bukas, so payag na ako." Parang nagwagi naman si tita sa sinabi ko. Patalon-talon pa itong lumapit sa akin at niyakap ako. "Tita! Parang baliw. Waging-wagi, ah?"

She laughed. "Alam mo ma-mimiss kita."

I feel saddened when she mentioned that. "Ma-mimiss din kita, tita. You're one of the closest people na malalapitan ko kaagad. And you're there for me everytime I called you. Kahit na minsan busy ka sa trabaho ko, you'll give enough time to talk to me and I really appreciate it."

"Of course, saka sinabihan din ako ng mama mo na bantayan kita at 'wag pababayaan so I'm here with you, as always naman. Ano ka ba! Do you want to be emotional pa ba at hindi na natin matatapos 'tong pagliligpit ng mga gamit mo."

"Tama ka, tita. We should go back packing my things. Baka hindi ko pa maayos lahat at hindi ko pa makita si Connagh ngayon."

Bumalik naman kaming dalawa ni tita sa pag-aayos ng mga gamit ko. Namo-moblema talaga ko kung paano pagkakasyahin ang iba kong mga damit. Since Connagh gave me some of stuff, mas nadagdagan ang mga gamit ko that's why I decided to give some of it to tita. Though pinili ko pa rin naman iyong mga damit na memorable sa akin.

"Tita, I have a question." Tanong ko nang kunin ko ang pile of dresses na ibinigay sa akin ni Connagh. Tiningnan naman niya ako. "Do you think I should give these clothes back to Connagh?"

"Bakit mo naman naisip 'yan?"

I shrugged off. "Hindi 'ko sure... naisip ko lang. These aren't really mine. Connagh gave me these clothes and it was owned by his dead ex-girlfriend. Sorry, Rebecca for speaking about you, but this is also important for me. So, let's get back to it. Ibibigay ko ba o hindi?"

"Sa akin mo na lang ibigay. Mga bet ko pa naman."

"Hindi bagay sa 'to, tita. Hindi rin siguro fit sa 'yo 'to."

Hinampas naman niya ako sa braso ko. "Grabe ka naman sa akin! Pero kung ako sa 'yo, para sure ay dalhin mo na lang din 'yan. Kapag hindi niya tinanggap, e 'di sa'yo na 'yan. Keep it para may remembrance ka niya."

"Remembrance ni Rebecca? I didn't even meet her."

"Ay gusto mo bang ma-meet na siya ngayon?"

"Tita naman! May pangarap pa ako sa buhay 'no."

"Sabi ko nga, kaya nga sundin mo na lang din ang advice ko. Magpa-deliver na nga lang tayo ng food. Bigla akong nagutom."

Kinuha ko naman ang phone ko at um-order kami ng delivery foods. Bumalik naman kami sa pag-aayos ng mga gamit ko. Mabuti na lang ay wala akong binili na sobrang lalaking material dahil hindi ko alam kung paano ko iuuwi sa Pinas 'yon. gaya nga ng sabi ni tita, she'll keep it o kaya naman i-balikbayan box ko na lang para hindi masayang 'yon. Though I have no other big stuff naman so I really have nothing to worry about.

When we finally secured my luggage and the box where I put some o my stuff. Sakto rin naman nang dumating na ang food delivery ay kumain na kaming dalawa. Mabuti na lamang ay pumayag ang amo ni tita na bumisita at tulungan ako ngayong araw. Mabait daw naman si talaga ang amo niya, munti lang mademonyohan ni Amanda.

And speaking of Amanda, binalita rin sa akin ni tita na narinig niya raw sa mga kamag-anak ng amo niya na pinag-uusapan si Amanda. They were just talking how Amanda wasn't able to finish her internship because to my surprise, she's pregnant and was hiding from her family kaya pala hindi na rin pumapasok sa company. Now that it makes sense, maybe she'll knew now her mistakes and how not to do it again.

After we finished our meal, I started preparing to meet Connagh in a moment later. I took a shower, pick a simple dress that's not resembled his ex-girlfriend. I tried to be simpler than ever because I won't be meeting to impress him or make him like me again.

Before we left my room, tita told me something that I should do. Iba 'yon sa mga sinabi niya sa akin kanina and I thought, it could really help me kaya nang bumiyahe na ako papunta sa meeting place namin, I keep her advice in mind.

Don't fall for his words.

Tita had to go back to Richmond while I'm heading to Primrose Hill. It's an hour ride. Hindi ko alam kung bakit doon napili ni Connagh na magkita kami. The place is located in the borough of Camdem and there are results that many celebrities just lived round the area, but I'm not interested to see them now. I'm more interested to settle this to Connagh before I leave London. Where all my dreams come true.

Kahit matagal ang biyahe, I kept myself accompanied with music. Hindi ko na sinubukang matulog just like the last time I did when we went to Manchester. And this would be the last time or not that I would be able to see this place. So as much as possible, I would take my time because who knows when will I be back here.

Not that long when I finally reached the Regent's Park or mostly known as the Primrose Hill. The temperature today is warm. It is getting warm now in London since summer season is coming. Nalalayo pa rin ang summer dito kumpara sa Pilipinas. It's still chilly habang sa Pilipinas ay halos maligo ka na sa sobrang pawis. But this is different. It's making me feel okay.

I message Connagh that I'm already at the location he was talking about. Mabilis naman siyang nag-reply sa akin at nandito na rin daw siya. I just need to look for him around. Nagbigay naman siya ng palatandaan kung saan ko siya makikita, but I feel like the trees are all alike kaya minabuti kong tawagan na lamang siya para idirekta niya ako.

I got him on call and then I described him where I was going and then he directed me until I saw him sitting on the bed with on an outlooking view of the city. I dropped the call and walked towards his direction. As I reached him, I sat next him. We're the only ones around and it was so quiet. We could only hear the car noises just not far from us.

"Hi," simpleng pagbati ko.

His hands are pocketed inside his trench coat. He glance at me, nodded his head. "Hi."

It was a long quite moment when I spoke again. "So... what is this all about?"

He took a deep breath. Umayos din naman siya sa kanyang pagkakaupo. "I just wanna talk with you personally and settle everything with you."

"Alright," I said. "I'm all for it."

"You are?" he question with a furrowed brows.

I nodded. "Yes. That's why I'm here because I don't want to leave the country without settling what happened between us. I know it's not easy and all."

"Yeah, it wasn't," he sighed. "But let's get to the point why we're here. I apologize for everything I've done wrong with you. I tried making up with you, but I thought it's too late and you don't want any of it anymore. I stepped back and never bothered you. And I thought I would be okay when I let that happen. You see me in the office. We talked and discussed a few things, but I also wanted to talk with you to what happened between us. I know I did nothing wrong. I even asked myself why did I do wrong to deserve this? Does she hate me now? Do you hate me, Kiersten?"

I made a little laugh. "No? Why would I hate you? Well, sort of on that day you punched Berk, but I know you didn't start the fight so I had a fault of pushing you away without listening to you. I pushed you away until we're no longer bound to talk. But I also believe you did nothing wrong and you don't deserve this. I hated myself for not talking to you."

"I guess, we just needed some space to do that again and now here were are."

"Yeah, but now we're doing it." Ngiwi ko pa.

"So, you're not mad at me?"

I shook my head. "I'm not mad at you. Not anymore when I realize it's not your fault to begin with. You're just someone who wanted me to experience a life here in London. And yes, you make me feel like a princess sometimes with all the efforts and expensive things you gave to him. Just to those things, I was so grateful that I've met you. That maybe they were right. I don't really need a prince at all. Someone like you was enough to make it happen. But things change and limitations occurred. You know what I mean..."

He nodded. "Yeah... that's why I'm not taking any efforts of taking you out because let's be honest, I'm your boss and you're my intern. People always have to say with that kind of thing."

"I agree. I've said that as well. And that's not wrong."

"Do you like me Kiersten?"

I wasn't surprised when he asked that question. I nodded at him. "Yes... I like you."

"Like. That's not a past tense. What does that mean, Kiersten?"

I chuckled. "I might still probably like you, but maybe that's just where it goes now. I like because of your personality and who you are as a person. You make me feel valid most of the time. That's why I like about you. But you know, it won't be hard for you to find someone you will love. Rebecca might be hoping for you to meet your special someone, right?"

"But she's leaving tomorrow..."

"What did you whisper?" I asked. Umiling naman siya.

"Nothing. I wasn't talking of anything. Anyway, what about you and Berk? You're leaving tomorrow? What's going on between the two of you now?"

I took a deep breath and let it go. "He actually proposed yesterday. Not to marry me, but to his girlfriend. And I rejected him because I thought if I say yes now and I'm back in the Philippines, it would be hard for us to continue our relationship. Even though he promised he'll visit the country and I thought it's not enough to have a strong foundation for our relationship. I had to say no 'cause I can't hurt him anymore."

"You're not hurting him..."

"I believe I do. Maybe he was right all along. I'm always with you and you gave me a lot of expensive stuff. I'm hurting him that way. And I don't want to hurt him if that's what he think I was doing."

"What you did is selfless, Kiersten," Connagh said. "You did it right. Though Berkeley and I never got to talk with each other, but if someday soon, I'll settle it with him."

"Sure you guys do that." Ngisi ko pa.

"Are you free until six?" he asked, changing the topic.

Tumango naman ako. "Yes, why?"

"Do you want to come with me?"

I squinted my eyes. "And where could that be?"

"To experience London for one last time?" His smile grew on his face. "Are you up for it?"

I smiled and immediately nodded with him. "Of course."

"Let's go now."

We left the park and headed to where he parked his car. When we got into his car and settled inside, he drove elsewhere. Hindi ko naman alam kung saan kami pupunta but if this is the last moment we'll do in London, then I'll make the most of it. First, we headed to the London Tower Bridge and I've never been in this place since the moment I came here.

Hindi naman ako mapakali. I was so amazed. I've been in London for a couple of months at hindi man lang ako nakapunta rito. We've been in the Westminster Bridge, but we never got to be in this place. Dumaan lamang kami ni Connagh ro'n and I knew I might be crazy for having this kind of reaction. Hindi ko naman maikaiila dahil kung noon ay sa mga movies o kaya naman pictures ko lang nakikita ang London Bridge—we even played it no'ng mga bata pa kami—and now we're here and I couldn't be happier because I can totally say that it was a dream achieved.

I may never met the royals, just like what I said, this won't be the last time I'll be here.

And I thought it was over when Connagh drove passed the bridge and headed to the Westminster Bridge where he said. "Do you want to see the city from above?"

I was curious when he asked that, but it got a little clearer when we finally got into the place. He was referring to the London Eye and I held back because I'm also a little afraid of heights, but Connagh assured me that it'll be fine kaya pumayag ako. Though wala na akong kawala nang sabihin niya sa akin na nai-book na niya pala ang tickets namin a few weeks ago. So he's been planning this all along.

When it was our time to board the gondola, I was freaking nervous that's why I was holding Connagh's hand tightly. Hindi ko binitiwan ang kamay niya kahit nasa loob na kami. At nang magsimula na itong umandar ay mas dumikit pa ako sa kanya dahil natatakot talaga ko, but as soon as we're getting high and higher and have a sight of the city and then when we're finally on top ay pinipilit ko namang kumalma. And then we saw the sun setting down. It was beautiful. The sky's turning orange to dark and as we headed down, the city lights opened and it's more wonderful.

"This was crazy," I said when we stepped out of the gondola.

Connagh chuckled. "Wasn't it?"

I nodded. "Yeah... thank you though. I didn't expect this."

"Even though you haven't got anywhere in London, you've seen it from there above, right?"

I nodded, agreeing. "Yup. It was so wonderful."

"So, you'll be back?"

I took a deep breath. "Let's hope for it."

Then his phone received a call so he has to answer it quickly. Sinagot naman niya iyon nang mabilisan at agad niya rin akong binalikan.

"Work?" I asked.

He shook his head. "Oh, mum just called. They're already waiting for me. They're in my flat now and we'll be having dinner altogether in a moment."

"Oh, wow! That's great! Enjoy your time with them."

"Yeah... I wished we could have more time."

"This is not the end, Connagh. We may probably see in the future. We may not know that, but there's always possibility, right?"

He nodded. "I absolutely agree. So? Congratulations again! I hope you'll do great on your first job finally with a degree. I hope the best for you and your success. Thanks for letting me know you, Kiersten. Thanks for everything."

"I should be the one saying that, but you're welcome. But yeah, thank you for everything. But this won't be the last time. This won't be the end. Take care, Connagh. You know I love you."

He smiled. "Yeah, I love you, too, Kiersten. Until we meet again."

I nodded. "Yup. Until we meet again."

And on that moment, I realized it's really hard to fall in love with someone else because there are things that are complicated to what they seem to be. But, it's funny how it brought us to may crazy rides and emotions. But I won't forget my time here in London. The time I fall in love with someone else.

***

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy this chapter! Let me know your thoughts! I would appreciate it so much!

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