Run After Her

11

Calyx Kheifer Huscaro

"So, what's your plan?" Tanong ni Vien sa'kin habang nakahiga siya sa kama niya.

"Nothing. Wala na 'kong magagawa. Did I loved her too late?"

Ngumiti naman siya. "No, you didn't loved her too late. But, you confessed too late. Remember? When we're still in our Senior Year in High School? Monthsary natin, but you were with her. Binabantayan mo siya sa Hospital. Ilang beses kitang tinignan, pinagmasdan, ilang beses rin akong nangapa. Because it feels like there's something wrong and lagi kang galit kay Kourtney. I'm a Star Cheerleader, while she's in the Volleyball team. Every time na may game sila and cheer kami, laging magkasama sa iisang court. Kapag tapos na kami sa cheer, kasabay lagi ang break time ng Volleyball Team. You were there for me but sa kanya ka lang naka focus."

"I realised that time that you really loved her, but she's too young for love and pain. Kaya hindi mo siya niligawan. I knew that after a month or two that we broke up pumunta ka sa America. You stayed with her. You were in love with your youngest bestfriend but hindi 'yon naging hadlang para mahalin mo siya. You're too brave. She loves you so much, Kheifer. Kaya hindi ko alam kung bakit pinakawalan mo siya." Tawa-tawa nitong sabi, wala sa mukha mata ang lungkot pero halatang masaya ito.

"Do you know na kahit ako yung nasa tabi mo lagi, I was the first person who became happy when I knew that she's pregnant with your child. I was so shocked but I was too happy that time na nakalimutan kong mahal kita, na dapat akong masaktan. But no, because instead of being hurt. I was happy. Kasi alam ko, you'll be happy with her."

"I just want to be with you. Alam kong babalik si Kourtney 2 months ago pa dito sa Pilipinas, but I kept it from you kasi alam kong hindi ka nanaman mapapakali. Gusto kong makita ko sa sariling mga mata ko kung ga'no kayo kaclose magkaibigan at kung ga'no ka kasaya sakanya. Hindi madali, oo masakit pero wala naman akong magagawa. It's been 12 years every since nagkakakilala ta'yo. You've known her for almost 17+ years kaya wala akong laban." Nakangiti pa din siya sa'kin.

"Kaya alam mo? Kung ako sa'yo, 'wag kang torpe. Tell her that you love her. Explain your side. 'Wag mo siyang pakawalan. I'll help you get her back. Kung gusto mo ako pa ang mag-explain sakanya ng lahat-lahat, sumaya ka lang ulit Kheifer. Hindi madali toh sainyong dalawa. I can't stress her because she's still pregnant but I know that I owe her an explanation." Ngumiti ito ulit.

"Can I ask you something?" Tumingin ako sa mga mata niya.

"What is it?"

"Why didn't you pursue your dream to be a Lawyer?" Out of topic na tanong ko kaya hindi agad nakasagot si Vien.

"Dahil sa'yo. Nag-model ako kasi I was envious of Kourtney. She's the queen of the school. She's so smart, kind, pretty, she's a heiress and she's always the hottest model in rankings. I envy her, so I pursued my second choice and that's to be an international model. Look where I'am now. I'm successful." Nagmamalaking sabi niya.

Well, she's right. She's successful now.

"Why are you doing all of these, Vien? You hate her, didn't you?" Natawa naman ito ng sarkastiko sa sinabi ko.

"Ganyan ba talaga tingin mo sa'kin? But, yeah. I hated her. HATED. That was before, kasi akala ko aagawin ka niya sa'kin. But I was wrong, it was you who liked her. It was you na nagmamake ng effort para lang makasama siya. She pushed away. Pero ikaw, you're always there for her."

She pushed me away. Oo. But I can't let her go, because she's my bestfriend.

"Remember when she was kidnapped? You ran away from me, para lang hanapin si Kourtney. She's so lucky to have you. We're both lucky to have you and known you. You're a good man. Kami lang talaga ang nakakasakit sa'yo and nagpapahirap sa'yo."