i rubbed my face in annoyance after putting my phone inside my pocket.

i shouted into the air and punched the metal railings. i stayed in the balcony for a while to calm myself down but nothing seems to work anyway.

i sat down on the chair and crumpled my fingers in my hair.

i felt the corners of my eyes heat up and before i knew it, hot tears started trickling down my cheeks. my sobs grew harder until i felt someone touch my shoulders.

i didn't have to open my eyes to know that it was paulo. he went down on one knee infront of me to match my eye level. then he held my hands... and i continued bursting into tears until i leaned my forehead on his shoulder.

paulo cupped my face, making me look into his eyes. he gently wiped my tears away and smiled.

i bowed my head low.

for three years, God knows kung gaano ako nahirapang i-ahon yung sarili from the pain of justin's leaving. kahit sobrang sakit, kahit hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit, pinilit kong tanggapin na wala na sa'kin si justin.

then at some point, i stopped crying. i stopped thinking about him. i stopped worrying kung okay lang ba siya o kung masaya ba siya...

at nagawa ko. nagawa ko siyang bitawan.

pero... bakit kasi kailangan mo pang bumalik, justin? bakit...?