The Probability of You and Me

TPoYaM 2

She was a classmate of mine. She was a rival, a competitor. And I considered her as my enemy.

I was not that happy when we finished college. I got the highest rank but she got number one in the board exams while I got on the second.

I hired her. Minana ko ang company ng parents ko. At first, gusto ko lang na pagurin sya. Gusto ko na sumuko sya sa pinili nya. Pero nagkamali ako.

——

“Sorry. It's just that, I really like you, wait no, I love you Van.”

“You know what my answer is. You go back to work Elle. May site ka pang bibisitahin kasama si Engr. Lucas.”

——

She accidentally blurted her feelings and I'm not that concerned back then. I turned her down and the day after that, hindi na sya nagpakita pa sa akin. Sumunod pa ang mga araw na wala na sya. I even checked her on their house, pero wala na raw nakatira doon.

Regrets flooded me. Late kong na-realize ang nararamdaman ko sa kanya.

Nagulat ako ng makita ko sya sa sinehan ng mall. I thought she was joking when she asked me if who I am. But I saw her pained expression. Even her brother's name, nalimutan nya. Doon ako kinabahan at natakot. What really happened to her?

It took me a week to have a courage. Hinanap ko kung nasaan na sya nakatira.

“Teka lang Ivan, tatawagin ko lang sya.” Tumaas ang Mama nya at narinig ko pa ang mga katok nito sa pinto ni Helena.

“Bababa na raw sya.” Ngumiti ako at tumango. Hinainan nya ako ng juice at cookies. “Bakit ka nga pala nandito hijo?”

“To tell you the truth Tita, nagkita kami sa mall last week. And she didn't recognize me, I was curious. I have unanswered questions na kayo lang po ang makakasagot.” Ngumiti ang ginang sa akin.

“She had an accident. She was calling me, hindi nya napansin ang nawalan na ng kontrol na truck. Rinig na rinig ko kung paano bumangga ang sasakyan nya. She was rushed at the hospital. Two months din syang coma, Ivan. Akala namin hindi na sya magigising. Nawalan na kami ng pag-asa. Pero bumalik sya.” Bumuntong hininga syang muli. “Okay naman nung una hijo. Balik kami sa normal. Pero habang tumatagal napapansin namin ang pagbabago nya. Lagi syang nakakalimot. Minsan moody at bigla na lang iiyak. Nawawala sya ng matagal tapos babalik sya after some hours at sasabihin nyang naligaw daw sya. We had her consulted. Ang lumabas sa findings na may dementia sya, her brain was affected. Six months din syang nag-therapy. It was painful to see her on that state.”

“Hinanap ko kayo Tita sa dati nyong bahay. Nawala po kasi sya, and you do know na sa firm ko po sya nagta-trabaho.”

“Pasensya ka na hijo. Wala namang may gusto ng nangyari. Tignan mo nga si Helena, mukhang nalimutan nya na ang sinabi ko. Yung pinto na pink sa dulo ng hallway.” Umakyat ako sa second floor. Pagpasok ko pa lang sa kwarto nya, pakiramdam ko kinilabutan na ako.

It felt so lonely. 

“Kamusta?” I asked.

“Ikaw si?” Pakiramdam ko dinurog ang puso ko. Nakangiti sya habang tinatanong ako kung sino ba ako.

Nagpakilala ako. Nag-usap kami tungkol sa mga bagay-bagay.

I didn't expect I'd lose my self control. I hugged her and kissed her forehead.

For the first time, I feel complete. I feel like I'm finally home. She hugged me back and I sighed contentedly.

Sinabi ko sa kanya ang mga salitang gusto kong malaman nya.

I left my picture and stick it on her wall. With the caption, my boyfriend, Ivan. Itinabi ko sa picture ng kapatid nyang si David.

Inaraw araw ko ang pagbisita sa kanya. I even paid for her therapy expenses. Unti-unting nagiging okay si Elle.

“Tita, Tito, can I have your blessing po?”

“Are you sure about this?” Tanong sa akin ng Papa nya.

”Opo. Kailangan ko rin po ng support nyo. Na-ready ko na po lahat.”

“Ikaw ang bahala hijo. Please make my daughter happy.” Tumango ako sa Mama nya.

“Saan tayo pupunta, Ivan?” Natatawa nyang tanong.

“Secret?” I grinned. Naka-cover ang mata nya. Today is the day I'll propose to her.

Nandoon na ang family namin sa garden ng bahay ba pinagawa ko para sa amin ni Elle. It may be weird and fast, but I know in myself that I'll spend the rest of my life with her.

I removed her blindfold and kneeled in front of her. Bakas ang gulat sa mga mata nya. It started to water and she's laughing while looking at me.

“Helena, baby, I know it's quite fast but please, I have never been this sure for the entire twenty four years of my life, ngayon lang. Please spend your habangbuhay with me, let us grow old together until our last breath. Will you marry me?” Tahimik lang na nanonood ang pamilya namin.

“Yes, I would love to, Van.” She laughingly gave me her hand and I happily slid the ring on her finger. Nagpalakpakan ang mga kapamilya namin. They congratulated us.

Maganda ang naging takbo ng mga sumunod na linggo.

But happiness seemed to be running out of the menu, because the third following week after my proposal, a new problem arised.

She was diagnosed to have a tumor on the brain. Hindi ko alam kung pinaglalaruan ba kami ng Tadhana o kung ano. It pained me, big time. She needs to undergo an operation, ASAP.

“Wag kang bibitaw ha?" I held her hand and kissed it.

“Iiwan ba naman kita?” She laughingly amswered.

“Sinasabi ko lang naman. I'm making sure you'll not leave me hanging, again. Two years kang nawala sa buhay ko Elle.”

“Yes naman, nalampasan nga natin yung unang trial, ito pa kaya?” Ngumiti ako at hinalikan sya sa labi. Hinatid na sya sa E.R. at ako maang na nakatingin lang sa pintuan nito. Nag-aabang kung ano ang mangyayari sa operasyon nya.

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Sinulat ko to kasi biglang sumulpot sa utak ko. Naiiyak pa ako. Haha. Para akong baliw habang tina-type ko yung chapter 1. At dahil short story lang sya, 3 chapters lang to talaga.

tin♥