IV - Juliana

                                    

                                          
Tanya's POV
                          
"I like you." There. Nasabi ko na.
                          
"What?!" He asked, shock was evident in his expression.
                          
"I like you, Keith. I'm not sure how and when it started but I like you. So much." I confessed.
                          
"Tanya, what are you saying?" He looks confused. I know na naiintindihan niya nag sinasabi ko. He just don't want to accept it. "Hindi 'to pwede."
                          
"Why, Kei-" Hindi ko na naituloy ang itatanong ko because he cut me off.
                          
"Because you are my best friend, Tanya. We are best friends."
                          
"Why, Keith?" I asked, my voice is shaking. "'Pag best friends ba, hindi na pwede?" Matapang na sabi ko.
                          
Napahilamos siya sa mukha nya. "Tanya, look, we are best friends. You are like a younger sister to me. It's not that you are not worth it but 'yun lang talaga ang tingin ko sa'yo."
                          
Tears started to pool in my eyes. Best friend? Younger sister? 'Yun lang ba talaga ang tingin ni Keith sa akin?
                          
"Tanya." Kitang-kita ko ang awa sa mga mata niya when he called my name.
                          
Awa? 'Yan lang ba talaga ang kaya niyang ibigay sa akin?
                          
"Keith, please?" Tumulo na ang mga luha ko. "Ako na lang. Don't you think it's too early to say that you don't feel the same for me? Give me a chance, Keith, and I'll help you realize that you like me, too."
                          
I pulled him into an embrace and cried in his chest. He hugged me back and I felt him caressing my back.
                          
"Shh... Tanya, tama na." Pagpapatahan niya sa akin. He held my arms tobreak free from my embrace. "But I'm sorry. Hindi talaga pwede."
                          
Lalo akong naiyak sa sinabi ni Keith. Bakit ba hindi pwede? Ganon nya ba kamahal yung Juliana na 'yon? I felt my knees weaken kaya napaupo ako sa sahig. He knelt para mapagtapat ang mukha naming.
                          
"Tanya, stop crying, please?"
                          
"Keith, hindi na ba talaga pwede? Wala ka ba talagang nararamdaman para sa akin? Even just a little?" I don't know why I'm still asking him even if I know that his answer will just hurt me more.
                          
"Tanya, I love you. You know that, right? But I can't give you the kind of love you're asking from me. I love you because you are my best friend." He said while holding my hand tightly. 
                          
Nakakainis! Bakit ba kasi nag-kita pa ulit sila ni Juliana?
                          
"Bakit nga, Keith? Ganon mo ba kamahal si Juliana?!" My voice raised. "Talaga bang mas mahalaga na siya sa'yo. Why? magaling ba siyang lumandi? What did she do for you to be crazy about her?"
                          
"Tanya, enough!" Nagulat ako dahil napa-sigaw na rin siya. "Hindi ako nilandi ni Juliana. I loved her because of what she is! I fell hard for her because of her soul. Kaya 'wag mo naman siyang pagsalitaan ng ganyan."
                          
Natahimik ako dahil sa gulat. We've been best friends since we were young and we already had our fair share of arguments pero ngayon niya lang yata ako nasigawan ng ganito. He noticed na nagulat ako sa ginawa niya so he tried to console me again.
                          
"Look, Tanya, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to shou-"
                          
He tried to take my hand but I swatted his hand away. He sighed exasperatedly. "Tanya, I'm sorry. Ayokong sigawan ka and I don't want to get mad at you. Pero hindi ko rin naman kayang tanggapin na pinagsasalitaan mo ng ganon ang girlfriend ko."
                          
I was stunned because of what I've heard. 
                          
"Girlfriend, Keith?" I asked. Malinaw naman sa akin ang lahat. I just can't accept it.