One More Chance by Jaycelle Rodriguez

Chapter 119: Parting time

~~~| remember the days when you're here with me. Those laughters and tears we shared for years. Mem'ries

that we had for so long, it'sand you. Now you're gone away, you leftall alone. Go on, do what you want,

but please don't leaveyou'll break my heart.

Hey, what should | do, babe I'm missing you? Please don't disappear these are the words that you should

hear~~~

-Rockstar-

sok AK

| don't know how long | have been crying silently on the terrace until | felt a soft pair of arm embracedfrom

behind and | don't have to ask who it was. | know it's Jack.

She didn't speak, nor uttered a single word. She just tightened her hug as | started to cry again.

"Haist... when do you plan to stop crying?" She asked after a few minutes huggingfrom behind. "My hands

are getting numb, you know."

| couldn't help but chuckled as | wiped my tears.

"Finally!" She exclaimed, getting the other chair and sat down across my seat.

| looked at her, trying to smile but it turned out into sobs.

"Sam..." She took my hand that was resting on top of the table.

"Aren't you going to askwhat happened?" | asked her sniffing, but to my surprise, she shook her head.

"Nope, | don't have to because, judging from the amount of tears you shed and just by looking how miserable

you are right now, | guess | already knew what happened."

| wiped my cheeks, pouting and fell into silence.

"So, what are your plans now?"

"I don't know." | shrugged. "Honestly, I'm confused and scared at the stime."

"You're confused---well, | kinda get it, but scared? What are you scared of?"

"Have you ever loved two people at the stime? Have you ever had to choose which of them you love more

and leave the other? What if you make a wrong choice and in the end, you'll realize that the one you truly love is

the one you didn't choose? Will you go back to the one you left or be forced to be happy with the person you

chose?"

"Whoa!" She exclaimed in shock, repeatedly blinking her eyes. "I'm not sure what to say but---my answer to your

first question is no. | haven't fallen in love yet, what more for two people at the stime---jeez!"

"Jack, I'm serious! I'm having a hard tdeciding."

She stared atbut then chuckled after a while.

"Fine." She sighed. "But letask you first, what are you really afraid of, that you'll make a wrong choice?

Decision? Why, does the feelings you have for them the same? If no, then why are you having a hard time?"

I don't know how long I fell into silence.

"You know what, | think you're no longer confused. Do you know what to call on what you feel right now? Guilty.

You're being guilty of the situation and not confused, especially that you had to let go of David because of the

feelings you still have for Luke." "Yeah, | guess you're right. I'm guilty and it's so hard to bear. | feel guilty so I'm

having a hard tchoosing and because | feel like what Luke did toin the past, I'm doing it now to David."

"Hey, you're not like Luke and it's a different story!"

"No, itis, Jack. | never really moved on and | feel like | just used David to forget him. And you're right when you

toldthat I'm just being drawn away by the things that David was giving me, those things that Luke hadn't

givenback then."

"If that so, then what stopping you from following your heart's desire?"

"I don't know." | shrugged. "Maybe I'm not yet ready."

"Well, if | happened to be in that situation, | think | won't choose either one of them."

"Huh? But why?" | frowned as | got confused by what she said.

"Hmm... | won't choose either one of them because this time, | would choose myself."

My frown got deeper as | lost for words. It seemed that | understand what she said but | don't.

"What | mean to say is that | will choose myself. This time, it'sfirst who I'll give a chance and priority and not

him, not them, not other people but for myself. Do you get it?"

| shook my head, biting my bottom lip.

"Haist!" She huffed, rolling her eyes.

"If you choose David, you're not going to be fair and true to yourself because you know that your heart truly

desires is Luke, but if you choose Luke, you will continue being guilty because you let go of the man who treated

you like a queen and loved you more than himself. Plus, if you choose Luke, you can't be sure if the past won't

bother you any more, especially that you haven't moved on and haven't forgiven him for what he did and not to

mention, you can't even sure if the love you have is sweeter the second taround."

She shrugged, staring atas she waited for my reaction, but | gave none.

"So since you're confused about your feelings and not sure of your decision, why don't you give yourself time?

Tto think... tto

velvet

decide... tto choose... tto be free

fora

a while... and tto be yourself again. Because it's

been

a

long since you think of yourself and not other people. It's also been a long tsince you smiled carefreely like a

child without

thinking 'men' in your life."

She underlined the word men that madesmile and think of the point she was emphasizing.

| sighed and stared at her with a genuine smile. | somehow realized she has a point. Well, she always has, it's

just that I'm always being stubborn. Why don't | give myself this ta chance, a chance to decide and move

on? Maybe there's nothing wrong if | put myself first.

"So?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

But | returned her question.

"So, what do | do now?"

"Huh?" Her jaws suddenly dropped. "Haha... that's what | was asking you earlier, how dare you returned that

question to me?"

"Jack...?"

"Hmmp!" She huffed playfully, but then took my hands when she turned serious. "I know a place... a certain

place for someone like you. It's a place where you can find peace and happiness." But my eyebrows knitted as |

looked at her.

"Oh, peace and happiness? Is that heaven---ouch!" | haven't even finished my question when she slapped my

arm.

"Silly! What the hell are you thinking? Of course, it's not heaven because | won't let you die in depression!"

And | couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction. It's such a great relief having a best friend like her whom | can

share and trust everything in my life.

"Then what kind of place is that?"

"Hmm... it's a secret for now. You'll find out when we get there and | would also like to introduce you to someone

who | promise would be a great help to you."

| frowned.

"So, what you waiting for---let's go!" She was about to get up, but | grabbed her arm.

"Wait, what about my therapy session?"

"Oh, tsk. tsk. don't worry about it. The doctor didn't say you can't miss the therapy session, did he? Because |

couldn't remember, besides, the therapist is on a day off, so no one would help you today." "Uhuh... and who told

you that the therapist is on a day off? | know their day off is every Saturday and Sunday only and if ever, there

would be a reliever if they have an emergency."

"Haist! Who do you believe more, the therapist or me, your best friend?"

"Of course---"

"Besides, why do you have a lot of questions? Are you going withor not?"

"Tss! The impatient Jackeline Augustine!"

"What? What are you waiting for---Christmas eve? New year's eve---"

"Fine!" | interrupted her, rolling my eyes.

| heard her laughing even when | turned around the electric wheelchair.