Nasapo ko ang noo ko sa diagnosis ng doctor kay George.
Post-traumatic Amnesia. It is an injury to the brain caused by trauma to the head.
Napatingin ako kay George at nakita itong nanonood ng isa sa mga paborito nyang teleserye na natapos na nyang panoorin nung nakaraang buwan, she claimed na hindi nya pa napapanood ang teleseryeng iyon.
"Can you call Valerie for me, Love? I couldn't find her number on my phone." sabi nito sa akin habang tutok na tutok sa pinapanood.
How can I explain this to Belle without her getting hurt?
George will recall her memories eventually, but it may last for months in rare cases.
Sana ay hindi tumagal ang pagkawala ng alaala nya. Belle is hurting.
Ang tanging naalala ni George ay ang sexcapedes nya with Valerie, some Mobboss' wife George dared to screw.
And all she can talk and ask about is Valerie.
Hindi nya maalala ang mga kasunod na nangyari sa amin nang panahong yun. Hindi nya maalala na kinakatok na nya si kamatayan dahil nahuli sila ng asawa ni Valerie, and that heck of a mob boss wants her head off and dead.
I have to play my part. George can't get tangled with Valerie again. She'll resent herself when she regains her memories.
George used me to cover her dirt, para hindi sya maikasal sa kung sino man ang pipiliin sa kanya ng mga magulang nya at magawa nya ang mga gusto nya noon. I was fine with it dahil it had its perks, and she's my best friend. Paano ko magagawang pabayaan sya?
"You and I are set to marry, George. How can you be so unfaithful?" ani ko.
Kita ko ang pagtaas ng kilay nito at ang mapaglarong ngisi sa labi nito. "Oh? Didn't know you were taking this seriously."
"Well, now you know, George. Be faithful to me or marry the old hag they wanna set up with you."
Kita ko ang pagseryoso sa mukha niya. "Ballet."
She only calls me by my first name whenever she's serious and won't take sh-it from me.
"A lot have happened, George. Marry me or marry someone else. If you can't be faithful, then I'll be taking my leave." tumayo ako and was about to walk towards the door, nang bigla nalang itong bumukas at pumasok si Tito Zhang and his secretary.
"Josephina," agad na iniyuko ko ang ulo ko bilang pagbigay galang sa kanya. Napatingin ito sa likod ko, kay George. "Daiyu, how are you feeling?"
"Why are you here?" galit na tanong nito kay Tito Zhang.
"Daiyu," may pagbabanta sa boses ni Tito Zhang.
"What? You're gonna marry me off to someone who can pass as my Tzufu?" sarcastic na tanong nito kay Tito.
Rinig ko ang pagbuntong hininga ni Tito Zhang. May ibinulong ito sa secretary nya at sunod non ay iniyuko ng secretary nya ang ulo nya habang nakatingin sa akin bilang pagbigay galang bago tumalikod at lumabas ng kwarto.
"You were the one who wanted Josephina as your fiancée, Daiyu. Your Tzufu was against it given the fact that you are both girls, but you begged to have her as your wife because you love her." naglakad ito palapit sa gawi ni George at umupo sa upuang katabi lang ng hospital bed. "But now, it seems like you have a change of heart?"
Hindi nakasagot si George at nakayuko lang. If she gives a wrong answer now, hindi ko na sya matutulungan.
Napabuntong hininga ako. "Tito Zhang," agad naman na nilingon ako nito. "George is suffering from post-traumatic amnesia, she just woke up yesterday. She's still figuring things out, but please know that George is not trying to deceive you or the family."
"Hmm," kita kong mukhang napaisip si Tito Zhang sa sinabi ko. "Okay. I will trust you, Josephina." ngumiti ito sa akin bago bumaling kay George. "Looks like your fiancée is on your side, Daiyu." tumayo si Tito Zhang at nakapamulsang naglakad patungo sa pinto. "I'll come back later, I have to meet someone. Take care of George will you, simpua?"
Ngumiti ako dito. "I will, Tito Zhang."
Nang makaalis na si Tito Zhang ay agad na napatingin ako kay George at nakita itong nakatitig sa akin.
"What are you looking at?" agad na tanong ko sa kanya bago umupo sa couch.
"You seem....different."
"Wala kang maalala, George. Gaya ng sabi ko na maraming nangyari pagkatapos ng mga naalala mong pangyayari. Believe me, you'll thank the heavens that I love you."
"Gusto mo ba talagang maikasal sa akin? You do know that I can't give you anything. Mahal ko si Valerie, ibinigay ko na lahat sa kanya."
I was caught off guard by what she just said, but I was able to collect myself.
"Ayaw kong maikasal sayo, George. I don't want an unfaithful wife like you. But," sinalubong ko ang mga mata nya. "Someone is waiting for you to recall your memories and marry her. You're not in love with Valerie anymore, George."
"I will never love anyone else, Josephina. If it's not her, then it's no one. I only want Valerie."
"Then you want death, George. You wanna bring death knocking on your family's door."
"...hindi ka naman ganyan, Josephina. Sinusuportahan mo ako palagi. What changed?"
Umiling ako sa kanya. "Nothing changed, George. I am still willing to die for you, I am still willing to marry you even with the consequences waiting ahead. I am still willing to act and deceive everyone just to keep you breathing. You are my best friend, after all."
"Then...marry me. Marry me right here and right now."
Agad na umiling ako. "No."
"And you say you are willing to do everything for me?"
"Papakasalanan kita, George. But not with Valerie in the picture." agad na sabi ko.
"Are you...what the hell?" tumawa ito. "Pumayag kang magpakasal sa akin so that I can be with Valerie, Josephina. Bakit nag iba na?"
"Trust me, George. Hindi mo alam ang mga sinasabi mo." sumusukong sabi ko.
"I know I love Valerie. Mahal na mahal ko sya. Alam mo naman yun diba?"
Pero si Belle na ang mahal mo, George. I am sure of it.
Napapikit nalang ako ng mariin at tumango. George can't be stressed hindi iyon ikakaganda ng kalagayan nya.
I pray to God na sana bumalik na ang alaala nya. Mahirap makipagtalo sa George na puro Valerie ang nasa isip.
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