The Cheating Game

30

30

I put my sunglasses on when I went to the coast. Sobrang init kaya naman nagpa-request ako ng maliit na tent sa aking sun lounger. Kakaahon ko lang mula sa dagat ngunit gusto na ulit maligo.

I was wrong when I said Palawan isn't home.

Siguro may malaking factor ang lugar para sa 'kin. Kaya naman nakaugalian ko nang magpunta rito tuwing bakasyon. I would request a one week leave just to be here. Laguna is still great but I miss the waves.

Bumuntong-hininga ako at sinuot ang robe sa katawan ko. I was just wearing swimsuit but I was still not comfortable with it.

Nahiga na ako sa sun lounger at kinuha ang cellphone para tumingin ng mga email.

"Oh my gosh, Mayumi, is that you?!"

Kunot-noo kong kinilala ang babaeng papunta sa 'kin. I gasped when I noticed that it was Sophie! Napatayo ako at siya naman ay tumili habang tumakbo palapit sa 'kin.

"Ikaw nga!" aniya.

"Sophie!"

We immediately crushed into a big hug. Sobra ko siyang namiss! Nang kumalas ay tinanggal ko ang sunglass para mas maaninag siya.

Sophie still looked sophisticated. Mas gumanda siya. Her hair was now dyed brown.

"How long has it been?" aniya. "5 years?"

"Yup. 5 years."

"Kumusta ka na? Ang tagal mo namang 'di nagparamdam! Nakakainis ka, ha."

Natawa ako. "Ayos lang naman. Ikaw? Kumusta na, Attorney."

She flipped her hair. "I'm perfectly fine. Akalain mo, dito lang pala tayo magkikita sa Palawan!"

She requested for another sun lounger from the resort. Bumili na rin siya ng mga pagkain. Panay ang kuwentuhan namin sa mga nangyaring ganap sa mga buhay namin.

Sophie's now working at a law firm in Makati. She works as a criminal lawyer. Masyado raw siyang na-stress kaya nag-leave na muna siya para magbakasyon.

"Hindi ako makapaniwalang naghiwalay kayo ni Joshua," saad ko.

"Expected naman na 'yun. Dapat nga mas magulat ako sa buhay mo. I mean, oh my gosh! I never thought you lived here pala. And now, you're staying in Laguna. Kaya pala wala na akong narinig mula sa 'yo."

Mahina lamang akong natawa.

"And, hey, I like your new hair! Short na short, ha. Kagaya ng pasensya ko."

After a few catch-ups, we fell silent and watched how the sky turned into orange. The sun started to set... and it was beautiful. Sunsets are really the highlight of my day especially here in Palawan.

"I'm doing great now," mahinang sabi ni Sophie. "I still can't believe Joshua's married to someone else."

Tumingin ako sa kanya.

"I mean, it's not surprising at all. He insisted to stay in Vattiera Law Firm. I am also happy. Nakita ko rin ang wife niya. She's beautiful. Very beautiful. From a family of lawyers."

"Bakit ka malungkot?" tanong ko.

"Maybe I was guilty? Joshua's a great friend to me. I'm also thankful that we remained like that even after the split. Siguro naiinggit lang ako."

I looked at the setting sun again. It was so breathtaking.

"I'm honestly happy that he's married. He invited me to the wedding but I didn't come. Siguro bilang respeto na rin. His wife doesn't seem so friendly towards me."