One-Shot Stories (Compilation)

11th Story

            “Kung mahal mo, bakit mo pinakawalan?”
I was having this interview with someone I randomly met at a coffee shop. She approached me and asked me if she can ask me random questions which I gladly accepted. She said she is just trying to sort things and she wants to know the opinion of others.

Accidentally, the interview was about love which I find a little bit awkward, but I still decided to continue. I thought that I could help this lady in sorting things about probably her love life and I can also help myself. I know I am not okay. Maybe, I am distracted but I still think of him and the event that happened.

I took a deep breath before answering her question. Our conversation gets more serious and deeper as we go on. She was sitting in front of me holding her pen on her right hand. She was staring me the whole time I am answering which made me blush and avoid her gazes.

            “We need to let each other go, because we know we arenʼt meant for each other. Alam mo iyong kahit araw-araw mong hingin, araw-araw mong ipagdasal, araw-araw kang umasa na sana hindi na lang ganoon ang mangyari, still wala kang magagawa. What is meant to happen will happen. Our destiny was written in the stars and hindi na iyon mabubura kailanman.” I answered and smiled. I can still feel the sudden ache of my heart. Kailan ko kaya mararamdaman yung wala ng sakit sa tuwing ang usapan ay siya or related sa kanya?

            “But you tried to work things out, right?” she asked. Have we tried? Was our efforts to keep the relationship enough? Maybe it wasnʼt dahil kung naging enough iyon it wouldnʼt end this way. Funny dahil kahit iyon ang nangyari hindi ako galit. I was hurt, but I was never been angry. I was disappointed, but I realized nageffort ako at lumaban ako dahil sobra ko siyang mahal to the point that I chose him a couple of times even if I know I would end up in pain. Loving him and feeling his love will cure all the pain in me.

            “Yes, I tried. We tried to work things so bad, but tulad ng sinabi ko mahirap kung sitwasyon at tadhana na mismo ang nagsasabing hindi pwede. Itʼs like going to a battle where in you didnʼt have an idea whoʼd be your opponent or you know pero alam mong una pa lang talo ka na.” I answered with full honesty.

The lady I am talking to just keep on nodding her head while writing her insights about what Iʼve said on her notebook. I noticed the star necklace sheʼs wearing. It looked nice on her.

            “I like your necklace.” Napahawak siya rito matapos kong sabihin iyon.

            “Thanks. Bigay lang sa akin.” she answered. “I also like your bracelet. Bagay saʼyo. Is Luna your name?” she added. Napatingin ako sa left wrist ko na kung saan nakasuot ang bracelet. I havenʼt removed this since then. Itʼs the only thing that reminds me of him since he is the one who gave me this. He knows how I love the moon. I was once his Luna.

            “Yes. My name is Luna,” she nodded and continued writing.

A few seconds passed before she spoke again.

            “Last question, Ms. Luna.” Maayos akong umupo at hinintay ang huling tanong niya. “If you can say something to the person you loved so much even after what happened, what would be it?”

I was shocked by her question and it made me think deeply. Ano pa nga ba ang nais kong sabihin? Ano pa ang hindi ko nasabi? Mayroon pa ba?

I was about to answer when her phone rang. She looked at me like she was apologizing for the interruption so I smiled and told her that itʼs okay.

            “Babe? Yeah. Nasa labas ka na? Teka, Iʼm on an interview pa. Wait for me.” She automatically dropped the call.

Tumayo siya at kinuha ang mga gamit niya.

            “Iʼm sorry, Ms. Luna but I have to go. My boyfriend is already waiting for me outside. Okay naman na iyong interview. Thank you so much for doing this kahit ngayon lang tayo nagkakilala. Ang bait niyo po sobra.” she said. “By the way, my name is Stella. It was nice meeting you po.”

            “Itʼs an honour, Stella. Nice meeting you too. Ingat kayo,” I told her.

Agad siyang tumalikod sa akin at lumabas na ng coffee shop. Nakita ko kung paano siya tumigil sa tapat ng isang kotse. Maybe it is her boyfriendʼs car. My hands began to shake at muntik ko ng mabitawan ang hawak kong mug sa sunod kong nakita.

Him. It was him. It was him with Stella. So sheʼs his new girl?

Pilit akong ngumiti kay Stella ng muli siyang sumulyap sa akin para magwave. Sa pagalis ng kanilang sasakyan, unti-unting tumulo ang aking mga luha.

Kung mayroon man akong nais sabihin sa taong lubusan kong mahal,

            “Masaya ako na masaya ka na. Sa kaunting oras na nakasama at nakausap ko si Stella, alam kong mabait siya. Maaalagaan ka niya. I wish you all the best, love. I want you to be happy even if that happiness no longer includes me. I am once your Luna but you are now with your star. You are now with Stella.”