"I don't understand why I'm still friends with you schmucks!" I spat out bitterly as I sat on the other end of the bench. Miko was sitting on the other end, then Charles was in between us.

We were all facing the overlooking view of the Taal Volcano. We decided to take our "meeting" outside the clubhouse since this space felt more personal and peaceful.

"Come on, Cha! I was just being a good friend! I couldn't bear seeing the two of you fight this long!" Charles said while he put his left arm around me and his right arm around Miko. He pulled both of us closer to him that Miko's head and mine nearly collided with one another.

It turned out that Charles had been communicating with Miko all along for the duration of our whole trip. Nice.

Neither Miko and I said something. To be honest, this was the longest fight we've had. Normally, we would raise the white flag a day or two later.

This was a different case though.

"In about five seconds, I am going to leave the two of you alone to talk. So, are you guys ready?"

Well, I was going to protest but then I remembered I was thinking of talking anyway. So I might as well get it over with now. I gave him a small nod. Charles patted me and Miko at the back before he stood up and went back inside the lobby.

I suddenly felt chills as soon as there was a gap between Miko and I. Both literally and figuratively. I've never felt this distant to him before.

"I'm sorry." We said in chorus as we turned to look at each other.

Somehow, the tension seemed to have died down a little. We both let out a soft laugh.

"Sabi ko na eh, di mo talaga ako matitiis." Miko teased as he moved closer to me.

"Don't be too kampante. You're not yet forgiven." I said as I lightly pushed him back, trying to hold my giggles.

"Look, I know it was a surprise to you. Well to all of you. But I just got really excited to share it with you guys." He started explaining. "I actually wanted to tell it to you first but..."

He trailed off and I could feel my heart racing up again.

"But what?"

"But I knew how busy you were with your work."

I rolled my eyes at him. "Still you could have tried to Skype with me or something. We live in a technological world now, Miko. Didn't we use to email each other?"

"Yea, that was until you stopped replying to my messages."

I gave him a confused look then it dawned on me. A lot of projects started to come up that I barely had the time to keep in touch with my friends. That was mid-2011.

"I saw and heard that you were really making a name for yourself here. I also knew that you've been career-oriented ever since. Kaya I understood din naman."

I felt a pang of guilt. I saw a few of his emails back then but I failed to get back at them. Until eventually, I never did, and he never messaged me since then.

But still...

"You could have messaged me again and again until I replied."

Miko laughed. "It could get tiring too, you know. Lalo na kapag walang reply." He stuck his tongue out at me.

"Oo na. Sorry na! Sige na." I said half-jokingly though I was actually finally admitting my defeat. "Pero why don't you make a Facebook account na kasi? It's easier to keep in touch that way."

"You know I don't do Facebook, Chanel." Miko rolled his eyes at me.

"Ewan ko sayo. It's 2014 already but ganyan ka pa rin mag-isip. Talo ka pa ni Lola Techie."

Lola Techie was a famous household name way back in 2009 for a series of internet commercials. She's way more technologically advanced than Miko.

"Facebook is just too...crowded. It's like everyone's prying on your life."

"Dami mong excuses." I told him teasingly as I crossed my arms.

"So am I forgiven?" Miko's eyes circled as that of a puppy's eyes would go when it's begging for food.

Actually, I already have. But I was enjoying messing with him so I raised an eyebrow at him and gave him the best resting bitch face expression I could muster.

Miko sighed and put an arm over my shoulder. "You know it's been really hard and lonely in London, especially when I just flew in. I was not really in my best state then. I was homesick as hell. There were no family and no best friends na makukulit. No Charles to take care off. No Daddy David. No Mommy Cassandra. And most of all, no you."

Silence filled in between us. I looked down on my crisscrossed feet on the ground.

"That's why I felt really sad when we didn't talk as much na. I just missed those days when we would talk endlessly on the phone every night over the most random things. Tapos whenever you're PMS-ing and you're craving for kwek-kwek and isaw, we would go to Aling Tikay's food stall just so you can satisfy your cravings."

"Cos if I didn't satisfy them, I would usually go on beast mode."

We both giggled at the memories.

"And you know I'd do anything. Wag ka lang mag-beast mode."

The laughing had stopped slowly and the atmosphere was getting serious again. It was the perfect time to voice out my thoughts.

"You know, the reason why I reacted negatively about the news was because..."

I realized that I loved you all this time, and I hated myself for turning you down three years ago. Add the fact that I made you promise to never bring it up again.

"Because...?"

"Because you didn't even bother telling me beforehand! You know wedding preparations take a lot of time and effort. And you of all people should know how I hate receiving short notices."

"But we still have a month, right?"

"In the world of events organizing, one month is considered short. It's like cramming for a Physics test the next day."

"I'm sorry, okay?"

I gave him a look of scrutiny, and I could really see in his doe-shaped eyes how apologetic he was. I couldn't help but feel a bit guilty about how I acted towards him.

It wasn't his fault entirely anyway. I couldn't blame him for his choices, considering that I was the one who turned him down in the first place.

Kaya magdusa ka, Chanel. Face the consequences of your actions.

"So, I guess this girl's really the one, huh?" I asked with what I felt was an awkward smile.

I had to try and smile at least just so I could mask the pain that I was feeling within.

He just smiled at me, and placed his palm at the back of my hand.

"Oh, ano na? You just got engaged tapos cat got your tongue na ang peg?"

That girl must be really something to make Miko this speechless.

"When am I gonna meet her?" I asked, trying to sound as normal as I could.

Miko's eyes perked up, making them freakishly larger than usual.

"So, pumapayag ka na?"

"Oo na. Dali na. Bago pa magbago isip ko." I said while rolling my eyes.

I was about to say something else when I suddenly felt a pair of arms hugging me tightly.

"Thank you thank you thank you!!" Miko was exclaiming with joy.

"Miko...I...can't...breathe!" I tried to say in between breaths.

"Sorry!" Miko then pulled away but still had his hands on my arms.

"So, kalian na nga?"

"Very soon."

"How soon?"

"This coming Wednesday." Miko said with a grin.

Wednesday. Okay, that's like only 4 days away from now.

Universe, please don't let the days pass by too quickly.

-----

Hello hello everyone! :D Kung Hei Fat Choi! Gong Xi Fa Cai!

It's been a long time since the last update. Hehe. 

It's only now that I got the inspiration to write again. (Let's hope magtuloy-tuloy na.)

Anyway, so I guess we're going to hear wedding bells ringing soon. ;) Who's ready to meet Jamie in the next chapter?

Haha!  Tell me your thoughts in the comment box lang. Para lalo ako ma-motivate magsulat. :)) Chos!

I'll see you guys in the next update! :)

- Lis

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