March 1988
"Helga, natanggap ako sa US Navy."
Once Miggy had said the words, the words that Helga had feared so much since he brought up the idea of joining the US Military, she felt like her heart was stabbed a million times.
It can't happen. It can't be. "Hindi mo tinanggap di ba?" Helga asked, hoping. Hoping too much.
When Miggy didn't answer, she had to insist. "Hindi mo tatanggapin di ba? Accepted na tayo sa Ateneo Migoy. Yun naman ang plano natin di ba? We're going to start our dreams there? Kaya nga ako hindi sumama kayna Mama at Papa so we can be together."
Miggy still didn't respond. He didn't have any idea to explain himself. Not to Helga.
Finally, Helga broke down. She couldn't help it any longer. "Tell me Miguel! Tell me you didn't accept it!"
Helga balled her eyes out, repetitively hitting Miggy on his chest. "Tell me... Tell me... Tell me...."
Miggy hugged her tight. Tight like he wouldn't let her go.
He tilted up her face and kissed her on the tip of her nose before he kissed her on her lips.
"I accepted it."
Helga pushed herself away from Miggy and walked out.
That was the last time he's seen and heard of Miguel Salvador.
...
This is my fiancee Wendy.
My fiancee Wendy
My fiancee Wendy
Helga couldn't help but give in to her tears. The last and the most recent time she cried is all because of one man.
The man who broke her heart. She didn't realize somebody came in the bathroom until she heard her say her name.
"Helga?" She looked someone who looked familiar yet really different.
Then she realized it was Stella. Her brother's best friend and one of the nicest people Helga has ever met.
"Ate Stella?"
Before asking what was wrong with Helga, Stella just hugged her tight. Like when her parents found out about her relationship with Miggy, Stella was there to comfort her.
"Shh.. Tahan na."
Stella was the sister Helga never had. Since her parents always traveled abroad and her brother had his own life, Stella was her elder sister. Like her brother, Helga told Stella her secrets, her miseries and her happy moments. Stella was always there for her. For some reason, she wished her brother had ended up with Stella but they've always been just friends.
Helga was also the only person who knows that Stella was once madly in love with Raffy, her brother.
"He's engaged Ate..." Helga didn't have to say his name. Stella already knew.
"Hindi ko alam engaged na pala sya dun sa giraffe," Stella continued caressing her back,
Helga laughed. "Ate! Na-shock lang talaga ako. I mean, who am I to react this way? We've been over twenty years ago," She wiped her eyes.
"You'll be okay. Look at you now, look at how far you've become!"
Helga decided to change the topic. "No ate, look at you! For a second, hindi kita nakilala."
Helga almost forgot Stella laughs really loud. "Bakit? Hindi na ba ugly duckling?"
Helga smacked Stella's arm. "Ano ka ba ate? That's not what I meant. Nakakapanibago lang at hindi mo na sinusuot ang gigantic mong glasses! Have you seen kuya yet?"
"Yes. We went in together. Naiwan sya sa labas kasi naharang sya ni Samuel at nung iba nya pang ka team mate sa volleyball."'
Helga did a fake laugh. "Married yet? I shouldn't have asked. I'm sure you are."
Stella pouted teasingly, "Bakit? Muka na ba akong gorangers?"
They both laughed. This is what both Stella and Helga missed. Their bonding moments when they were still in high school.
"Hindi. I meant, sino ba namang lalaki ang hindi gugustong magpakasal sa tulad mo? Para kang dyosa. I'm sure Kuya was speechless nung makita ka,"
Stella smiled, "Nagsalita ang hindi parang dyosa. And to answer your question, nope, I'm still single."
"Are you serious?! Yabang mo," Helga couldn't believe it. From what she could remember, Stella has changed so much. She was already beautiful back in high school but she didn't want to execute it. Now, Stella is stunning. She is aging so well.
"I mean, I've had boyfriends. Some proposed for marriage. But I haven't found... you know... the one."
"Oh yes, I've heard you moved to the US para dun mag-college. What do you do there?"
"Oh, I work for Harper's Bazaar."
"The magazine?!" Helga asked, shocked. Stella only nodded.
"So... Is there any possible chance na baka si kuya na ang perfect man for you?"
Stella blushed. She literally did blush. She didn't see that one coming.
And Stella felt like a teenager.
"Ano ka ba, friends lang kami ni Raffy. Yun lang yun."
However, Helga wasn't satisfied. "Oh well, sabi mo yan. I'll just hope and pray."
Sana nga. Sana it's not too late. Stella thought to herself before they came out of the rest room.
...
