Sa pag-iikot ko para hanapin si Dos, halos hindi tumigil sa pag-iingay ang cellphone ko. Salitan ang tawag ng tatlo kong kaibigan na hindi ko sinasagot. Paulit-ulit. Para bang hindi sila titigil hangga't hindi ko sinasagot. Siguro dahil nag-aalala na silang lahat, lalo't kanina pa ako nagpaalam na pupunta lang sa banyo.
Because they didn't stop calling, I finally answered Rein's call while walking down the hallway. As I walked, I noticed I was getting close to the pool area. I could see it through the hotel's glass wall, it was already dark outside, but the place still looked stunning under the lights.
"Rein, I'm sorry. Babalik din ako agad—"
[Where the hell are you?!] seryosong tanong nito mula sa kabilang linya.
"May hinahanap lang ako—" natigilan ako sa pagsasalita at sa paglalakad nang mapansin ko ang pamilyar na likod ng isang lalaki na nakatayo sa may pool.
[Mifi, listen. You need to go back. We have something to tell you. This is urgent—]
"I'll hang up, Rein. Call you later," sagot ko habang hindi ko inaalis ang tingin ko sa lalaking nasa labas, kahit may salamin na namamagitan sa amin.
[But Mifi, you need to know this—]
Hindi ko na pinatapos pa si Rein. Agad kong tinapos ang tawag at in-off ko na rin ang phone ko nang makita kong tumatawag pa rin sila.
Whatever they needed to say could wait. But what I needed to say to Dos... I couldn't hold it in any longer.
I walked slowly toward the entrance of the pool area, planning to approach him. But just as I stepped in, I froze.
A woman was hugging him. She had been right in front of him all along, I just didn't notice because his body was blocking my view.
My brows furrowed as my pace slowed even more.
"I love you, babe. Everyday..." malambing na tinig ni Dos. Napahinto ako sa paghakbang. Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko, parang biglang may humigpit doon.
Bakit... ang sakit?
"Everyday?" tanong ng babae.
Bakit parang... pamilyar ang boses?
"Yeah... everyday, babe. Why? You're still doubting my love? You're hurting my feelings," sabi ni Dos. Kita kong bahagyang nakayuko siya, tila nakatingin ito nang malambing sa mga mata ng babae.
"Hmmm... of course not! I know how much you love me. Patay na patay ka kaya sa 'kin." Sabay silang natawa.
Kinabahan ako. Pilit kong inaalala kung saan ko nga ba narinig ang boses na iyon.
"Ako lang ba? I think we were mutual back then. Kaya nga kinuha kita noon as secretary, para araw-araw kitang makita. At para madali rin sa 'kin na ligawan ka."
"Asus! Paraparaan ka naman pala! Masyado kang in love sa 'kin, ikaw ha!"
Hindi ko namalayan na namumuo na pala ang luha sa mga mata ko. Nanlalabo na ang paningin ko.
"Gano'n talaga. By the way, I'm excited for our wedding, babe."
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko.
W-wedding? Ikakasal siya?
"Same here, babe. Ilang buwan na lang, be patient. Okay?"
"Yes, babe."
"I love you, my Aldous Delwyn Heisenberg..."
"I love you more, my soon-to-be wife... Millandae Lia Smith Heisenberg."
Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig. Hindi ako makagalaw kahit gusto ko nang tumakbo. I couldn't speak. Only my tears betrayed how much pain I was feeling right then.
BINABASA MO ANG
The Price Of A Sinner
General FictionMifi grew up believing she was her parents' only child, until the truth shattered everything. A stepsister she never wanted. A family who gave their love and attention to someone else. From that day, resentment took root in her heart. Then came him...
