(EulBert Story) Across the Sea

Chapter 21

Eula

"Hija, how are you? You passed out. Mabuti nalang at nakita ka ni Jun. What happened?"
sunod sunod na tanong ni dad sa akin nang magising ako.

The image of my father worrying about me is heartbreaking. He probably didn't know it's effect on me now that my memories are back.

"Dad..." I asked for his attention "I missed you" I voiced, loosing my control, crying a bucket of tears in front of him.

The old man studied my face, trying to understand what's happening until he get it. He went near me, kissed my forehead and said, "My Julia..."

It felt good being with him. It wiped away my worries, as if whatever happened hasn't really happened. Para akong bumalik sa pagiging bata na nasabik sa yakap ng isang ama. No one dared to talk. We just let our hearts feel the joy of being with each other.

Dad and I were on that scene when a man entered the room.

"Eula..." he called, looking at me, perplexed.

Dad stood still in front of my bed , as if he's protecting me from Albert.

"It's okay, dad. We need to talk" I assured him and gave him a signal that I need to face Albert alone.

He sighed with disagreement but he listened.

"Sa labas lang ako kung kailangan mo ako" he voiced before walking out the room.

Inukopa ni Albert and upuan sa tabi ng kama kung saan nakaupo ang Dad kanina.

"W-what happened?" now he sounded concern

nakakapanibago

"Anong nangyari sa kamay mo?" I did not care to answer his question. His cuts on his fist made me wonder.

With his head bow down he replied, "I met with Oliver"

I was shocked and dazed. It appears to be the best time to make things clear. "There's really a right time for everything" I silently said

"Are you fine?"

"Never been better, Albert." I answered with a hint of sarcasm "Are you finally happy to hear the truth?"

He shook his head. There was a long moment of silence and all I see is his regret.

"Euls..." that term of endearment hits different now

I closed my eyes and breath deeply
"It's okay. I understand. That's what I've learned in the island. To accept the things I can no longer change"

"I'm very sorry..." he said sincerely

"Albert, I'm happy to see that you're now ready to listen on my side of the story. You're calm now. Mas gwapo ka kapag hindi ka galit sakin." I joked, hoping to make things lighter

"Alam kong nasaktan kita" he glanced at me and reached for my hand.
In that instant, my heart leaped in pain.

"Yeah. You're causing me pain, up until now. You're causing me pain by just sitting in front of me, by holding my hand." I managed to croak out.

Inipon ko muna lahat ng lakas ng loob ko bago ako muling nagsalita. I know I should not go into battle, unprepared.

"Al, I wish this also happened five years ago. I wish I woke up in a comma with you by my side - caring for me. Mas kailangan kita noon. Noong nagising ako I had to take a therapy to function and no one was there to support me but my nurses. Then Oliver came."

I try to hold back my tears as I started reminiscing those memories in front of him.

"I remember, I was so happy. At last, after months of trying to survive alone hindi na ako mag-isa. I thought he would stay by my side, at least when I fully recover. I thought he's someone who'll take care of me. Someone who's not afraid to loose me. It was supposed to be the beginning of a new life, but it happened to be the beginning of misery." I said in a weak voice, almost whispering.

"Hindi ako nakaramdam ng kahit ano tuwing kasama ko si Oliver... Pero pinilit ko. Sinubukan ko dahil kung siya ang asawa ko, it's wrong to feel empty with him because I vow to love him with the rest of my life. I've only lived that five years of my life with rejections and betrayal. I know he's cheating. Alam kong may iba siyang pamilya, alam ko pero hinayaan ko. He's happy with them and I have no place in his life. But, I have nowhere to go... so I stayed. I stayed kahit mahirap, kahit nakakababa ng tingin sa sarili."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know na ganoon ang pinagdaanan mo" Albert said, putting pressure on my hand. Squeezing it as if it comforts me.

"Of course hindi mo alam... hindi mo alam dahil hindi mo naman ako hinanap. Albert, you promised to take care of me whatever happens. You vow to cherish me and stay right by my side. Anong nangyari, bakit hindi mo tinupad?"

"I've spent years of my life in that island hoping that someone will come and claim me. Like I'm a woman worth to be cherished and worth to be taken care of. Pero wala. Hanggang sa natutunan ko ng tanggapin lahat. At noong okay na ako, sanay na ako , dumating ka ulit. You came in that place and given me something I haven't felt in a long time.
Ilang beses kong pinigilan kasi akala ko mali. Natakot ako. Pero pinaglaban kita sa kabila ng takot at pag-aalinlangan. I thought, it's okay to be happy even just for a while, than to be okay my whole life. I once again trusted my life with you, at binigo mo ulit ako sa pangalawang pagkakataon. Ang sakit maiwan sa ere. Ang sakit nang hindi ka ipinaglaban ng taong pinili mong pagkatiwalaan."

Albert's left hand reached for my cheek while the other is stroking my hand. His shoulders were shaking as tears started to stream down.
"I want to hug you. I want to ease the pain I'd caused pero natatakot akong kapag lumapit ako sayo mas lalo kitang masaktan."

I smiled bitterly. I was sobbing and we were both shattered in front of each other

"I thought we'll win life's battles together? Bakit hinayaan mo 'kong lumaban mag-isa?"

"I'm sorry, Eula. I'm sorry dahil bumitaw ako"

Silence. Nothing comes out except our tears and sobs that echoed on the entire room.

"I'm grateful for all those experiences that made me braver. Albert, someday our wounds will heal at babalikan natin lahat ng ito - wala ng bigat sa puso at bukas sa pagpapatawad. Pero hindi pa ngayon. I'm at the stage of finding ways on how to deal with this pain. Mas mahirap pa 'to kesa sa pinagdaanan ko sa isla. Honestly, if not for Ellie, I will choose to continue my life being Lianna... ang sakit kasing maging si Eula kasama ka. Ang sakit mong mahalin."

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry too, but I need to save whatever it is that's left of me. Please help me. I want to take a quest to search for peace and happiness. I need time for personal healing. Palayain mo muna ako, Albert."

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hello. I made a vid for this kaso ayaw ma-upload sa YouTube . It's on IG TV hehe I'll post the link here kung bet niyo lang tho medyo sabaw 💓 sayang lang po kasi . Patawad 😌