ARRRRRGHHHHHH!
Bright Vachirawit Castro screamed and was hitting the punching bag so hard it almost trampled off its place. His face was of pure concentration—brows furrowed, lips pouting, and his eyes practically spoke of fury.
His voice echoed and bounced off the walls of the almost-empty gym at his condo, which was a good thing because he could holler all he wanted.
"Mother fucker!" He yelled again as he took another shot, this time with much force. He kept picturing that son of a bitch of a guy whom his girlfriend of three years had left him for. Well, ex-girlfriend.
"Hoy Vachichi, pang-ilang punching bag na yang nasira mo, maawa ka naman. Di kaya yan papalag."
Bright heard his best friend Win Metawin Ocampo said. He was sitting cross-legged on the floor, working on a presentation that was due first thing in the morning.
"Why don't you join me?" He told his friend as he swung his arm for another shot.
"No thanks. Baka ako pa masuntok mo eh may presentation pa ako bukas."
Bright didn't hear Win anymore as he kept on punching and kicking the bag, his sweat spattering everywhere. He screamed as he went for one final blow, and the poor bag was almost worn-out.
Win just shook his head.
Bright heaved out a long, deep sigh as he slumped down beside Win. He leaned his head backward against the wall, his eyes closed, trying to catch his breath.
Win watched his best friend, a tinge of pain pinching his heart. He hated seeing Bright this way.
"Kaya pa?" He asked.
Bright nodded, his eyes still closed.
Bright thought he was the happiest man alive that day, because he was so ready to commit and spend the rest of his life with Anne Gallardo. They have been together for exactly three years today, and he was going to propose.
He had Win help him set up the proposal at that Starbucks Café where they first met. Their orders always seem to get mixed up, and so they both took it as a cue to finally introduce themselves and get to know one another.
They dated for a few months, and it did not take long before they finally became a couple. Everyone who knew them thought they really looked good together, so happy and in love, and won't be surprised if they end up getting married.
Bright couldn't contain his excitement that morning, thinking that it was going to be a very romantic proposal. The barista was to call out their names for their orders, and once they're at the counter, he'll pop the question.
Only that didn't happen. Instead, Anne pulled Bright in a corner, and she was crying.
"Hey what's going on? Why are you crying? I haven't even said anything yet." He asked with a nervous laugh as he held and caressed her shoulders.
Anne just looked at him as tears rolled down her cheeks.
Bright was confused. What's happening?
"Anne?"
"I'm so sorry, Bright. I can't do this anymore," she whispered.
"What are you saying?"
"I'm not in love with you anymore."
It was like his heart was hit by a ton of bricks. What the fuck?
"Anne baby..."
"T-there's someone else," she stammered. "I've been seeing him for a year now, and I have fallen for him."
Putang ina. Isang taon na akong ginagago ng inakala ko'ng pinaka-mamahal ko? Isang malaking PUTANG INA.
Bright couldn't even look at her anymore.
"Bright I'm so, so sorry. Sana mapatawad mo a—"
He didn't even bother to let her finish. Had had to get out of there.
A tear escaped from Bright's eyes as he recalled what just happened and tried to calm himself down. He then looked at Win.
"Don't get me wrong ha. I mean, you and Anne have become close na rin," he started to ask. "Did you know about that asshole?"
Win shook his head and raised his hand to swear. "Honestly, I had no idea. Otherwise I wouldn't have let you propose."
Bright nodded. Oo nga naman. Win is the last person who would allow anything—or anyone for that matter—that will hurt him. He is his best friend, after all.
Bright noticed that his friend was still concentrating on his work.
"Ba't di mo sinabi na may presentation ka pala bukas, sana di na kita inabala."
Win raised a brow at him. "Weh? Di mo talaga ako kukulitin para samahan kita after what happened?" He asked sarcastically.
Bright let out a small smile. He then reached out to ruffle Win's hair.
"Thank you ha for always, always being here for me."
Win looked at Bright and his heart went out to him. He knew he was hurting and was only trying to put on a brave front. He reached out to wipe the tears off his cheek.
"Tama na yan. She doesn't deserve your tears," Win said, likewise ruffling Bright's hair. "We'll take this a day at a time, okay?"
Bright smiled. Win seems to know the right thing to say to make him feel better, even if he's feeling the crappiest right now.
"Pa hug nga Tawinwin."
Win moved away. "Ewww pawis. No."
Bright chuckled.
"Sya, sya mag shower na para makapag dinner na tayo. I'm starving."
Bright nodded, then he pulled himself up and slowly dragged his way to the shower room.
"Sana kaya tonight 'no?" Win called out after him.
Win leaned his head on the wall, deeply sighing, as he watched Bright walk into the shower room. He couldn't believe that someone could hurt Bright like that.
Tang inang babae yun akala mo anghel eh may mala-demonyong kulo pala. The nerve na saktan niya si Bright ng ganyan. Nakakagigil. Pa-isang sampal lang po, Lord.
Win's thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of his phone, his friend Julia calling.
"San ka badet?" Julia asked as soon as he picked up.
"Where do you think?"
Julia sighed. "Hmm. Kamusta lolo mo?"
"He's hurting Jules. Pero alam mo yun, nag tatapang-tapangan?"
"O eh ikaw, kamusta ka? Nagdiriwang ka na ba?" she kidded.
Win snorted. "Gaga. I won't wish that to happen even to my greatest enemy. Pero baka masampal ko siya pag nakita ko siya."
Julia chuckled. "Kalma. I was just kidding," she said. "Pero gentle reminder lang ha, magiging clingy na naman yang si Vachirawit. Don't overthink. Bawal ang marupok."
Win hurled a bitter laugh. "Don't worry friend, I know my place."
Everybody knows how Win is so in love with his best friend.
Everybody, except Bright.
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