Greed

26

Lia

Tinawagan ako ni Carlos na nagising na raw si Kyle kaya nagmamadali ako sa hospital.

"Kinakausap lang nila Mama," Carlos told me. "Umuwi na mga kapatid namin, mukhang napagod din sila."

Nag intay lang kami saglit sa labas. Gustong gusto ko na pumasok para makita si Kyle. Okay lang kaya siya? Hindi ko rin kasi inaalam ang kondisyon niya kasi hindi ko kayang tanggapin. Mabuti na na ganito lang kami, para bang kakagising lang niya sa mahimbing na tulog.

Nung lumabas iyong magulang ni Kyle, binati ako ni Tita. Medyo nagulat ako pero ngumiti ako sa kaniya. Sana napatawad na nila ako.

"He's looking for you," Tito told me.

Tumungo ako at agad na pumasok.

I saw Kyle with his usual smile. Ngayon ko lang din napansin na ang haba na ng buhok niya. "Did I make you worry?"

Ngumiti ako. "Hindi naman,"

"Sorry about that. But I hope you don't blame yourself." Umayos siya ng upo at may inabot sakin ni envelope. Ano to? "My lawyer will talk to you about the house. Sayo nakapangalan yun eh."

Binuksan ko iyong envelope at nanlaki ang mata ko. Iyon yung annulment papers namin.

"Kyle..."

"Matagal ko nang naasikaso yan. I knew you weren't going to fight with me, hindi ko lang tinatanggap kasi akala ko yung Lia na mahal ko ang pinakasalan ko. But I know I've lost her."

A sob escaped my mouth. Naiyak na naman ako. "Kyle, don't say that..."

"Sorry for dragging you along this marriage. I got confused, basta ang alam ko I wanted you beside me."

"Kyle, I feel the same naman. Kaya don't say that." Humagulgol ako. Hindi ko na napigilan. Is it really over?

"I know you feel the same. You wouldn't marry me if you didn't," He smiled to hide the pain. "But we were both confused. "But one thing I learned, you can't make people stay with mere love. Minsan hindi talaga enough na mahal lang..."

Sumikip ang puso ko nang marinig ko siyang humikbi. "We both tried, Liandra. I know we did. But this, we're bad for each other."

"Kyle," Lumapit ako sa kaniya at hinawakan ang kamay niya. Tinignan ko siya pero di niya ko matignan. "I know, I know... this is all my fault. If only I didn't chea--"

"It's not about cheating, Lia. We weren't happy anymore. I couldn't spend more time with you, let alone even prioritize you--"

"Kyle, that's not it. You were a good boyfriend, a good fiancé, and a good husband. Ako iyong may mali."

He laughed bitterly. "We were both at fault. But it's time to let go now."

Niyapos niya ko at naramdaman ko iyong panginginig ng braso niya.

Do I want this?

"Alam mo naman na ikaw lang ang mamahalin ko,"