Little White of Secrets (Metro Series #2)

Chapter 25: Betrayal

Chapter 25

"Addie, anak, mahamog at mukhang uulan na. Gusto mo bang ligpitin ko na ang mga inihanda mo?" si Ate Celia sa pang-anim o mahigit na yata niyang balik at tanong sa'kin.

Humigpit ang hawak ko sa'king cellphone bago dinungaw iyon. He doesn't reply to my calls and messages anymore. Tinignan ko rin ang oras na maghahating gabi na.

Lumunok ako at pagod na nginitian si Ate Celia.

"Let's just wait a bit more, Ate. Sorry..." paumanhin ko sa mga taong hiningan ko ng tulong para lang mahanda ang isang surpresa na naisip kong gawin.

Tumango ito. "Sige, nandito lang kami ni Mang Arnel mo. Suutin mo na lang muna itong jacket para hindi ka magkasakit..." may pag-aalala sa boses ni Ate nang nilahad sa'kin ang bitbit niyang jacket ko.

"Thank you po..."

Ate Celia gave me this sad and concerned smile. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin.

"Hindi naman sa nanghihimasok ako anak pero dadating pa ba ang hinihintay mo?"

I couldn't look and answer her. Kahit kasi ako, hindi ko rin alam kung dadating pa ba siya. But he said he'll come and I hold on to that. To his words. Kahit may parte na sa'kin na nagsasabing wala na, hindi na.

"Dadating naman siguro, Ate..." sabi ko, pilit na pinapangiti ang mukha, pang-alo na rin sa sarili.

"Siya sige. Sa sasakyan na lang muna kami ha..." at iniwan ulit ako upang mapag-isa.

Yumuko ulit ako sa'king cellphone, tila ba mapapawi nito ang bigat na nararamdaman ko kapag makakita ako ng reply niya, kahit isa ngunit wala. Binasa ko ang halos sobrang sampung texts ko na kahit isa, walang naging sagot galing sa kanya. Hanggang ngayon.

I've been waiting here at the Legazpi park for almost six hours. Alas-sais palang ng gabi, handa at preparado na ang lahat ng gusto kong dapat sanang mangyari at gawin.

From the romantic lights and white table Ate Celia and Mang Arnel set those up, from the sweet fragrant of candles I personally carved and some petals of flowers I asked someone to bought it for me. I particularly asked to buy it from the known and popular flower shop near Bonifacio. And not to mention the different food I have made and baked only for him. Lahat 'yon, naka-ayos na. Lahat 'yon, handang-handa ko na.

Ako, handa na rin kanina pa. Ngayon, hindi ko na alam.

Napasulyap ako sa mga taong dumadaan sa malayong tapat 'ko. From where I am sitting across this table, there's this a straight way where both side of it has a wood fence envoloping by these yellow small bulbs. Iyon ang nagsisilbing liwanag patungo dito sa mesang bilog na nasa gitna. The fence also has some ribbons and flowers I personally put earlier this morning.

The midnight air blew and without delay, it stroke brickly on my cold and chilver skin. Dahan-dahan ko ring sinikop ang aking mahabang buhok na nagulo sa hampas ng pang-gabing hangin.

In the dark infront, I saw some happy couple walking with their intertwined hands. I also noticed some family with their kids and children but mostly during this hour at this place, kaunti na lang ang mga pamilyang nandito at halos ay mga magkasintahan na na kung hindi namamasyal, kumakain rin sa mesang paniguradong hinanda rin sa kanila ng boyfriend/girlfriend nila.

Gaya ng ginagawa ko ngayon. The only thing is, I prepared all of this thing without the label. Funny how I could say that to myself as if it is just nothing for me, huh.

I bitterly smiled to myself. Wala sa sarili kong nilagok ang wine na kanina pa nasa aking harapan. It was not really that strong but still, I closed my eyes so tight. So tight that maybe just to surpass the sudden twinging pain I am feeling as of the moment.