Category: Fake Love

Category 13: Guilt

Peach finds herself sitting on the shore just as the sun was setting. If it were any other day she would be smiling, gazing awed at the waves of how beautiful the sea can be. In the past weeks, she learned that staring at the sea is calming. 

"JUDE! NOOOO!" 

Nilingon niya ang magkasintahang naglalaro sa dalampasigan. Iniisip niya kung sakali bang dumating ang panahong magiging kasing saya siya ni Leigh. Kung posible bang magkaroon din siya ng pagkakataong mag mahal at mahalin ng walang balakid. 

Kung darating ba ang araw na hindi niya na kailangang isipin kung anong sakit ang katumbas ng sayang mararanasan niya. Kung darating ba ang araw na malaya niyang matititigan ang taong mahal niya sa mga mata nito, at sa halip na luha ang matatanaw sa mga mata niya ay kaligayahan. 

"Mga batang 'to ang harot"

Nagulat siya sa biglaang tinig na narinig niya, nilingon ang katabi, at doon niya napansin na nakaupo pala sa tabi niya si Angela. Natatawa itong nakamasid kela Jude at Leigh na naglalaro pa rin sa dalampasigan. 
Kung pagmamasdang maigi makikita mo ang mga bakas nang pagkakakilanlan na magkapatid nga sila ni Romave. Pareho sila ng hugis ng ilong, straight nose katulad ni Scarlett Johansson na crush ni Andrew. Pareho din sila ng labi na ayon kay Joshua ay mala 'Taylor Swift'. Halos pareho din ang mga mata nila, ngunit... ang mga mata ni Angela ay masyadong malaya, hindi katulad ni Romave na kontrolado at walang ekspresyon. 

"You know, these two used to hate each other so much, well Jude used to hate Leigh so much"

Napakunot ng noo si Peach at binalik ang pansin sa dalawang naghaharutan. Nagtataka kung paano naging posibleng kamuhian ni Jude si Leigh samantalang masyado silang... captivated sa isa't-isa.

"They always fought, there was no day that they weren't arguing. Si Jude? Palaging nagsisimula ng away 'yan dati. Jude hated Leigh, then one day, he didn't"

Hindi kayang isipin ni Peach na parating nag-aaway ang dalawa dati, Jude handles Leigh with so much care. When he jokes around about Leigh's appearance he would always hug and kiss her afterwards, whispering I love you. (sana lahat)

"Nakakatawa lang kasi patay na patay si Leigh kay Jude dati, tapos ngayon si Jude na. Leigh fell faster but Jude fell harder. Sigh, young love"

Napangiti si Peach, totoo naman. Patay na patay talaga silang dalawa. She remembers how one time she asked Jude, "Jude? Paano mo nalaman na si Leigh na talaga?" Jude smiled and sighed "I've always had trouble remembering names. Hers somehow, I never forgot" 
Oh, to love and be loved to that extent. 

"Yung bobo kong kapatid ang nagtulak kay Jude na magising sa katangahan niya, kaya ayan may love story na ang dalawang tanga"

Romave. Of course it's Romave. The one who makes sure his friends are happy, but is he happy?

"I've never seen someone so in love than these two, well until a few days ago" 

Angela turned to her, Peach avoided her eyes. Her heart throbbing. Kalma. Kalma. 

"You know my brother dated Joshua right?" 

Oh. Sila ba 'yung tinutukoy niya? 
Peach cleared her throat, and nodded. Angela giggled at how nervous Peach looks. 

"My brother loved Joshua, but everyone knew it wasn't romantic. Even Joshua knew. My brother tried to believe he did, but you just can't force love. It doesn't work that way"

Paano niya naman hindi kayang mahalin si Joshua? Ang bait ni Joshua, ang gwapo pa. Peach is confused and deep down, the selfish part of her buried deep, is silently a tiny bit happy.