We were living in a fairytale love story. I feel like I am a princess saved by my prince charming. It feels like I am a princess living my best life with my prince, but that was I thought all along.
We were High School sweethearts. He courted me at the age of 15 and answered yes after a year. He's the best boyfriend. He's been my food buddy, my study buddy, a shoulder to cry on and lastly the person who gave me warm hugs during cold nights.
We stayed together until we finished college and found a stable job and even decided to live together on the same roof. Life has been so wonderful to us not until the worst happened.
The past few weeks, he went home drunk. Whenever I ask him what's his problem, he will just answer me with, "wala to Mahal, nagkasiyahan lang."
Weeks had turned into months. Then I noticed the big changes on his body. He lose weight. I confronted him and he confessed something.
"Mahal, si Papa kasi niloko si Mama. Nahuli ko siya one time na may kasamang babae. As expected 'di niya inamin na babae niya yun. Halos magka-edad lang kayo matanda lang siya ng kunting taon. Hanggang nahuli ko sila mismo sa bahay namin na naghahalikan. Nung una kinumbinsi ko sarili ko na baka namalikmata lang pero nung tumawag si Kate na umiiyak kasi daw hihiwalayan ni Papa si Mama du'n ako naubos."
Tila nagulantang ako sa sinabi ni Aga. I never expect this is happening especially to their family. I used to idolize their family since I am a product of a sinful act at di ko nakilala tatay ko.
Minsan talaga dumating sa point na may nangyayari na hindi natin inaasahan. May mga bagay na hindi natin makontrol. Gigising tayo na marami nang nagbago.
The next months after that talk, madalas na nakikita ko na tulala si Aga, sinusubsob ang sarili sa trabaho at unti unting namamayat.
We seldom talk dahil inuumaga siya sa labas at kung may oras man na mag-usap ay palaging bad timing.
Until he talked to me one night. Noong una excited na excited ako kasi baka bumabawi na siya sa akin, pinupunan niya yung panahong 'di kami nagkakabonding. But things didn't work out accordingly.
"Lea let's end this" pagsisimula niya. Tila naistatwa ako sa kinatatayuan ko at mistulang nabingi.
"What is it again babe?" I asked him while tears are escaping my eyes.
"I'm sorry, I can't continue this anymore. Hindi na ako masaya. I got someone pregnant at kailangan ko siyang panagutan."
Para akong nabingi, hindi ako makapagsalita o makagalaw man lang. He got someone pregnant, seriously?! I was confused. All along bakit hindi ko napansin yun, bakit hindi ko napansin na unti-unting bumibitaw na siya sa akin. Oo naging bulag ako sa posibilidad na anytime bibitaw siya at maiiwan ako.
"Babe, p'wede mo naman panagutan yung baby nang hindi mo ko iniiwan. I can accept the baby please just please don't leave me honey."
He left with no words. I was left crying, begging him not to leave me.
—
Four years after I am back with an extra luggage. Wala naman sana akong balak bumalik kung hindi lang sa isang pabor ng isa kong kaibigan."Lei!! Been a long time. I like your hair ha, may pinapagandahan ka sis?" He, I mean she said with a little bit of quirkiness.
"It's been four years anukaba. Naka-move on na 'ko. Saka likas na maganda talaga ako" I answered while giggling.
I just miss these people and this country a lot, yes a lot. Kahit papano naman, this is my home.
—
"Hi! Alone?" I was startled by that husky yet sexy (I'm just kidding) voice."Oh hi! Been a long time Aga!" I tried to sound cheerful yet courageous.
"Yeah it is. 'Di mo pa sinasagot tanong ko."
"Ah sorry. Yeah I'm alone, happy and contented. You?"
"I'm with my daughter. Kinuha siyang flower girl ni Dawn. Imagine parang dati lang inis na inis ang dalawang yan sa isa't isa tapos ngayon mag-asawa na."
"Yeah, unplanned things are the best. Minsan kasi hindi umaayon sa plano ang lahat."
Natahimik siya sa tinuran ko at piniling huwag na lang magsalita. A few seconds may lumapit na batang babae sa kanya na I assume na daughter niya.
"Daddy, up up."
Binuhat niya ang bata. He is a good father, really.
"Nasa'n asawa mo?" I asked out of nowhere.
Nginitian niya lang ako bago ibinigay ang bata kay Vice.
"Wala, iniwan niya kami pagkatapos niyang ipanganak si Bea. Sumama siya sa ibang lalaki. Hindi naman kami naging masaya kasi hindi niya naman ako minahal at hindi naman kami kinasal."
So all along hindi sila mag-asawa. Hindi naman sila nagtagal. So what's the point of leaving me in the first place.
"Lea if I will ask you again to be with me, to accept me again, will you answer yes?"
"No." Agad akong sumagot. Sigurado na akong hindi ko na siya babalikan. Tatanggapin oo pero bilang kaibigan na lang. Masaya na ako sa buhay ko ngayon.
"Aga buntis din ako that time, ilang beses akong nakiusap sayo na huwag mo kong iwan pero di ka nakinig. You deprived my own child to be with her father. Pero nakita ko naman na masaya ka at naging mabuti kang ama. Kakayanin mo yan. You will find someone na makakasama mo at dadamayan ka just like how I found mine. I am two years married, having my second child and living my best life and I hope you find yours too."
I left him standing there with a sign of astonishment on his face.
I know Aga was one of the best thing that happened to me. But maybe I may be his prologue but will never be his epilogue.
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