Can't

I took a deep breath before facing him. I looked down at the little red box it held.

“I just want to give this to you. My graduation gift for you. It’s a promise necklace…”

He opened the box.

It’s a heart necklace.

“I want to give this to you after the ceremony but I can’t wait anymore.”

“Did you like it?”

I pressed my lips together as I stared at the heart shaped pendant of the necklace.

“I know it’s cheesy but this is my heart …”

Tears pooled in my eyes. I hesitated to look at him.

“Magnus…” Please don’t say it …

I can’t hurt you.

“I love you Celiza.”

I cannot fight back the tears that rolled down my cheeks.

“Y-you don’t have to say anything Celiza. I just want you to know. I’m not going to pressure you into answering. I know our video is still out there but I will do anything for it to disappear so don “Don’t worry. I’ll promise everything’s gonna be okay.”

“Here, I’ll put it on you.”

“W-why?”

“Don’t you like it?”

I love it. I love everything about him.

“Don’t worry this is just a gift. I’m not asking you to be my girlfriend that fast. I just really want you to know what I feel towards—”

“Keep that necklace to yourself.”

“Why? Don’t you like the heart? It’s alright I’ll get you another. Do you like the moon or star?”

“Don’t bother with that, Magnus.”

“What do you mean?”

“Anything else you give I will not accept.”

“I just want to make you happy—”

“You can’t make me happy, Magnus. You will never make me happy with material gifts.”

“P-sorry. How about l-lunch? Let’s go out? M-my treat. That’s just the grad gift ---”

“I used you to pass my subject.”

“And you help me and I wanted to thank you ---”

“I thought you were smart Magnus? Why can’t you understand that I don’t love you?”

“I… I don’t even like you.”

“I just used you to graduate Magnus. I don’t like you. I did it with you cause I’m bored. Hooking up with a nerd like you spice up my bed experience.”

“That’s not true. You’re a virgin ---”

“And so? I was caught in the moment. I was having fun playing with you … And it’s over now, Magnus.”

“What do you mean? We’re okay yesterday. You’re pressured Celiza. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have confessed this early. There’s still an issue. I promise you will go through with it together right? W-we will . “

“Seriously? You bought me a cheap necklace?”

“Stop all this. You’re just pathetic. Do you really hope I’ll like you?

“Right, you just confessed your love to me a while ago. Your heart? I don’t want it. I don’t like you Magnus. I never will. Don’t daydream.”

“You’re a nerd. You’ll never fit in with a woman like me.”

“What are you waiting for? Don’t just stand there. Leave!”

He glanced at me, tears pooling in his eyes.

“Leave. You disgust me.”

I watched him walk away from me. I covered my mouth to stop from crying. I don’t want him to turn around and see me like this.

Please don’t look back at Magnus, leave me. Walk away from the person who hurt you. Save yourself from pain.

I pressed my lips together when he stop from where he was. I shook my head.

Please don’t.

I can’t, Magnus. I want to be with you so bad but I can’t. My sister needs me.

I turn my back before he can even see me crying.

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I ran in empty hallways.

I closed my eyes and cried harder as my knees met the cold floor.

I violently slapped the chest, hoping it would numb and I wouldn’t feel the pain.

“Celiza?”

“You’re just here. Get up! Hurry!”

I quickly wiped the tear from my cheek.

He frowned at me.

“B-why Mom?”

“Let’s go.” She said and dragged me out of the hallway.

“Mom, wait!” I said as we passed the venue. I tried to withdraw the wrist but I couldn’t.

“We’re leaving.”

I glared at Benue and turned my gaze back to Mom. “Why? H-the ceremony hasn’t started yet---”

“Your Dad had an accident!”

“Go Bliss to the operation room, Celiza.”

We just arrived at the hospital. Dad is currently being cared for by doctors and nurses in the emergency room.

Next was the emergency room.

Most were Dad’s co-workers in the factory. It is not yet certain what really happened but something exploded while they were inside and they were not exposed due to the speed of events, no one noticed either.

An explosion was heard in a shop so people came out of there and saw the factory on fire and then called the fire department and an ambulance.

Mom and I were both waiting outside the emergency room, she turned us on and was restless, it was a walk while I was barely able to think correctly.

I just stared at the emergency room door while sitting in the chair outside it. Dad was rushed to the hospital where Bliss was also.

“Go there, Celiza,” she said.

“But Mom p-how are you here? You’re not included.”

“Your Dad needs me here.”

“But Mom…”

“Your sister needs you Celiza. Her operation is about to start. Go there. I’ll be with you.”

I sighed and nodded.

Weakening and I can’t move. I can’t believe all this is happening.

Today is my graduation day. It supposed to be a happy day …

We must be having fun because I finally finished senior high school.