CHAPTER 26: Her Comfort

GABRIEL’s P.O.V.

After taking Claire home, I decided to call my bestfriend, badly wanting to tell her everything about what happened to me and to the girl that I like. Thankfully, she answered the online video chat.

I instantly smile after seeing her face even though I’m still in pain for what happened to me and Claire. Things are indeed complicated, I guess. I mean, if she’s not really meant to be for me then I guess I just have to accept it all by myself. Even though it will cause me too much pain... I still need to do it, and hopefully moved on with my own life.

“Hey!” Erevell greeted me in an enthusiastic way.

She’s still wearing a hospital gown, and as she tuck her hair strand behind her ear, I could see the dextrose attached to her hand. I frowned, thinking that she’s still in that place. Why? That was the one word that keep on bothering my mind ever since.

“Uhm, hello? Am I talking to someone here?” she asked sarcastically before laughing.

“Sorry... I’m just... Thinking about so many things.”

“Like what?”

I took a deep breath, scrutinizing her face if she’s ready to listen or not. I badly wanted to tell her how I really feel, for I know that it could lessen the burden in my chest.

“Can I tell you something?” I asked, seriously.

“Uhm... You can always tell me anything, duh.”

I smiled, hearing her soothing voice.

“Fine, fine. So here it goes. Remember Claire?”

“The girl that you like?” she asked, emphasizing the word “like.”

“Yeah.”

“Of course I remember her. So... Why?”

I sighed, before closing my eyes shut, remembering the touch of her lips as I kissed her earlier. It was a nice but a very painful feeling as well. Our first and last kiss. The only thing that I could hold on to even if I knew that she will never be mine. Because of that thought, I didn’t notice that I am now started to cry.

“Hey! Gab, are you okay? What happened?” Erevell shouted right in front of her camera.

“I’m... Fine, I guess. It’s just that... Why do things needs to be so complicated, Erevell? I mean, if the person we love will just do the same thing to us, then people wouldn’t get hurt...”

She chuckled for apparently no reason before answering me.

“I often asked that question to myself as well.”

I stared at her for a moment, confused.

“Why?”

“Nothing. What I mean by that is... That’s the way how life and love works. We can’t have everything that we want, I guess.”

“But... Why is that? I mean... Fate should let us love who we like to... You know, it’s a little bit unfair not to received the same thing as you had been given to that person...”

“I told you, fate could be cruel sometimes. Maybe... People are numb, I guess. They always like to put themselves in a critical situation just to test their limits... On how much they love that certain person. But love could not be measured, Gab. It’s all up to us. I mean, I’ll stay contented in who the universe is going to give me someday.”

I sighed, before nodding to myself. She’s indeed right. And maybe everything happens for a reason. If Claire is not the one for me, then maybe someday the universe would finally let me meet my soulmate. The one that would returned every single piece of love that I gave her.

“Thanks for the comfort, Erevell. I know I could always count on you.”

She smiled, and I did the same.

“Are you...” she trailed off, as if hesitating to ask me something.

“What?”

“Are you coming home?”

“Of course, I will. I have work. For now, maybe I’ll just enjoy another week or two here in the Philippines before I finally come back there.”

“A week or two? Sure, sure,” she stated, looking sad.

“Why? Is there a problem in that?”

She smiled bitterly, and I could see it in her eyes. She then shook her head several times, before coughing.

“Are you alright?”

“Uhm, yeah. I just... I think I need to take a rest now.”

“Oh, sure. I forget that you’re still recovering. Sorry about that. I’ve taken too much of your time now. Good night, Erevell. I’ll see you soon.”

“Yeah... I hope so.”

I wanted to ask her the reason behind those last words, but she already dropped the call. I sighed, before going back to my bed. It’s been a long and a very tiring day. Maybe I should take a rest too.

So I did lay down on my bed, thinking about everything that happened to me here... Maybe, just maybe, Claire and I wasn’t really meant for each other. Though I can’t do anything about it, I should be happy for her and respect her decision no matter what it is. While thinking, I haven’t noticed that I’m slowly sinking into a deep sleep.

Days and weeks had passed. I’m getting ready for my trip to Singapore now. Only a few days from this current time, I’ll be back home again. I will see Mom, and specially Erevell. I couldn’t deny the fact that I am missing her so much while I’m still in this country.

It’s time to finally bid my farewells in here. Claire and I haven’t talk to each other since the day that I finally got my closure. But surprisingly, I’m not that sad nor disappointed about it anymore. I already accepted the truth, and I hope that that truth will make her happy someday. I hope Darren finally saw her worth, for she’s indeed a precious gem to anyone.

While packing my things up, my phone vibrated, and I instantly stopped what I’m currently doing just to answer the call from the unknown number. I took a deep breath, clearing my throat while feeling nervous for apparently no reason.

“Hello?”

“Is this Gabriel Elizar?” Now I’m pretty sure that the owner of this voice is a man.

“Yeah, it’s me. Why? And how did you know my number?”

“From our high school year book.”

I stopped for a moment, thinking who this person might me. Year book? Is that mean that he’s one of my batch mates?

“Who’s this?” I finally asked.

“It’s Elijah. Elijah Ramirez.”

My eyes instantly widen, hearing his name. I was about to say something when he cut me off, starting another conversation that really caught my full attention.

“I need your help. Claire needs your help.”

“What?!” I feel nervous, knowing that maybe something bad happened to her. “What happened to Claire? Is she alright?” I asked him those series of questions.

“Just came to the address of the place that I texted you. This is important. It’s your only chance to correct every misunderstanding that you’ve caused to all of us.”

I shuddered as I heard his statement. Every misunderstanding... I don’t know why, but I feel really guilty after he said that to me. Maybe he’s right, I caused to much trouble to everyone. I guess it’s time for me to correct things up. I need to clean the mess that I have caused just like what he said.

So I decided to follow his instructions, driving through the road that will take me to his given address. Until I finally arrived, and there, I saw the man who called me earlier, sitting on the bench nearby the coffee shop. It was Elijah.

“Hey,” I greeted him, but he remained stoic.

“Can I ask you a favor?” he suddenly asked, making me feel anxious.

“Well, it depends. What is it?”

“Please talk to Darren.”

That’s when my system was completely invaded by fear and nervous. Why would I ever talk to that guy?

“It was for Claire,” he stated, as if he could read my mind.

Well I guess everything changes right after I heard that name. If it was for Claire, I’ll do anything and everything.