Unknown Man (Anonymous Series #1)

C17

C17

Monday. Pumasok ako kasama si Jake, Jake was mad at his parents too. Akala namin, hindi na matutuloy ang kasal, pero mali kami. They secretly pursue it and last Sunday night, we have press conference with the media. Binati nila kami at aabangan raw nila ang wedding of the year.

“Are you okay?” Jake asked me.

“Yeah, I'm fine.” But I didn't.

Atlas stopped sending me gifts and I feel like my day won't complete. I smiled, but I'm dying inside. Like a flower, I'm bloom because the owner watered me, take cared of me. But now, the owner is gone, I'm a dried flower. A flower that can't bloom, a flower that can't shine.

Habang naglalakad kami sa corridor, nasalubong namin si Marley na mugto ang mata. Nakatingin saaming tatlo ang mga estudyante, at gulat naman akong nakatingin kay Marley.

“S-So... it's true?” Marley asked.

“N-No, Marley. We can explain it to you–” alo ko agad at hahawakan ko sana ang kamay niya ng itulak niya ako.

“Hindi ikaw ang kausap ko.” galit na sabi niya at bumaling kay Jake. “A-Akala ko ba tayo? Jake, ano ba talagang meron saatin?” her voice almost cracked while asking Jake.

Nakatayo lang si Jake at nasa tabi niya ako na napaupo sa sahig dahil sa tulak ni Marley saakin.

“You really think we have a relationship, Marley?” Jake finally spoke up. Bumaling si Jake saakin at tinulungan akong tumayo.

“Akala ko, ikaw yung hinahanap ko. But, I was wrong. Sorry for hurting you. This is my fiancé, Chelsea. Please excuse us.” Jake said and pulled me out of the scene.

Nang nasa Infirmary kami ay kumuha siya ng bulak at alcohol para gamutin ang gasgas ko sa palad.

“Why did you hurt Marley, Jake?! Are you for real?” I shouted at him.

“Kaibigan ko siya, and you just hurt her! Gosh, I feel her pain Jake. We can explained it to her!”

“Hindi pa rin siya makikinig. Can't you see Chelsea, she's blinded by her anger. That's why our explanation can't enlightened her.” paliwanag niya at umupo sa tabi ko.

“Plus, hindi siya ang hinahanap ko.”

“Hindi siya ang girlfriend mo? You're still searching for your anonymous girlfriend?!”

“Yeah. That's why, I stop on what I'm doing with her.”

“You're unbelievable, Jake. Gosh. I feel sorry for your girlfriend, for sure she watch the news.”

Atlas. Ano kayang nararamdaman niya? Nasaktan rin ba siya ng makita niya ang balita? I bet his not. Orpheus was there for him, for sure Orpheus will be comforted him. Nakaramdam ako ng pait sa mga naiisip ko at tumayo na lamang.

“Pasok na ako, I have 4 classes to attend to. Kaya ko umuwi mag-isa. Take care.” paalam ko kay Jake at lumabas na ng infirmary.

My schoolmates congratulate me on my upcoming wedding. I give them a fake smile and just ignored their comments about it.

Dapat noong November ang kasal namin, pero nagbago. Jake's family was on dilemma. Malapit na sila sa bankruptcy but my parents helped them. Nagalit ako sakanila. Paano nilang nagawang tulungan sila Jake? Kakakilala lang namin sakanila, while Kylie's family, we know them for a long time. Pero nung bumagsak sila, hindi man lang nila binigyan ng lingon, o tulong.

“Bridesmaid ako ha.” si Kylie.

“I don't want to be married. I don't love him. Jake love someone else. We both know that this wedding if for business only, but we're just hurting. Our parents is the villain. They're the controller of our life, like we don't like to do it or that. But we're stuck on this situation! We're doomed.” malungkot kong sabi.

“What if you runaway?” Kylie suggested.

Agad ko siyang hinarap at hinila siya papuntang gazebo.

“Runaway? Like in the movies? Yung runaway bride ganun? Tapos early in the morning you're in the news. Gosh that's a pathetic decision, Kylie.” I said and sat beside her.

“What if, Atlas was a poor man? He's busy because he has job?” Kylie concluded.

Lalong sumakit ang ulo ko kakaisip sa mga gagawin at nangyayari. Ano bang dapat kong isipin? Should I go for runaway or find Atlas and be with him? Gosh, Chelsea! You hurted him. Malamang galit na siya sayo!

“Runaway is the best decision you have, Chelsea. Alam kong masakit sa part mo yun, kasi sanay ka na sa yaman. Sanay ka na magara ang buhay mo. Runaway means you're running away from the toxic people whose into you for a long time. Mabigat na desisyon, pero kung gusto mong makawala. Runaway na.” Kylie said and caress my shoulders.

Umaakyat na kaming muli sa room at PE time na namin. I opened my locker and my eyes watered on what I saw. A note...from him. Agad ko itong hinablot at binasa.

Note: This is my last note for you, darling. I can't stopped myself from making you a letter or note. That's why, please accept this jar. You can pick one at the time. Each day, you can pick a paper on it and read the message. This jar called, Atlas Love Jar, and I'm offering this to you. I hope you're not crying, darling. You're wedding is coming and I'm happy for you. Nagkasama man tayo sa maikling panahon, masaya na ako dun. I'm contented on what we have on the short time, and it was a memories to be treasured. My heart missing you, darling. But, this is you're happiness that's why I'm doing it. I'll do everything just to make you happy, baby. I love you.

My tears began to streamed on my face and I can't hear anything. I know that Kylie was panicking, but my heart was throbbing in pain. Agad akong tumayo at tumakbo papunta sa garden. It took me 5 minutes before I get there. My heart really not to failed me. I saw Atlas, sitting on the trunk of the Nara Tree. My tears won't stop falling while staring at him.

“A-Atlas...” I uttered.

Dahan dahan siyang lumingon saakin at nakaramdam ako ng panghihina. I slowly walking the distance we have and painfully smiled at him.

“I-I'm so sorry. Sorry Atlas.” I said while crying.

He stand up and I feel his hand wiping my tears, and he suddenly hugged me. I feel warmth. I feel home.

“Hush now darling, I hate seeing you crying over me. I want you to be happy.” he whispered.

But how can I be happy if my happiness was going to disappeared? How can I be happy if he's not with me?

“I wish your happiness and freedom, darling.” he added and faced me.

I can't looked at him. My eyes was full of sadness and pain and I don't want him to see me in that state. I feel that he's sliding something in my fingers and my eyes widened when I saw a ring. A ring with a diamond. A real diamond.

“W-Why are you giving this to me, Atlas?” naguguluhan kong tanong.

“If you're missing me, just look at the ring. Because probably I missing you too while you're looking at it.” aniya niya at hinaplos ito.

Lalo lang akong naiiyak dahil sa mga sinasabi niya. Now, he's stepping backward. Widening the distance between us. I badly want to run the distance but I cant. I cant even move in my place.

I just watched him, disappearing in the dark corner of the garden. I saw his eyes glimmers in dark.

Now I'm alone, crying he's now disappeared.