My Other Half

19

Dinala ni Blaze si Patience sa isang japanese restaurant for lunch, wala masyadong tao sa loob. "I'm really glad that we are able to enjoy this lunch together," nakangiting wika ni Blaze. Hawak ang kamay ni Patience, dinala niya ito sa kanyang bibig and kissed them tenderly.

Hindi maiwasang mapangiti ni Patience, wishing that her hand was her lips. "Me too," she answered.

Tinutukoy nito si Luke, na walang tigil sa pagsulpot lalo na pagmagkasama sila. Interrupting their sweet moments na kinaiinis ni Blaze.

"You should eat sweetheart," he said.

"I would if you let go of my hand," she replied.

His grip tightened. "I feel like I'm gonna lose you if I let go."

She raised both of her hand and placed it in his cheek. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm here," she assured him.

She gave a quick kiss on his lips. Binitawan ni Patience ang kamay ni Blaze, akmang hahawakan na niya ang kutsara ay hinila ni Blaze ang braso niya palapit and kissed her lips. She moaned in response.

Their kiss became deeper, walang pakialam kung may nakatingin sa kanila sa loob ng restaurant.

She wanted more, but Blaze stopped kissing her and gazed at her eyes with sadness. "What's wrong?" she asked.

He caressed her lips. "I told you, I'm gonna lose you. He's here," he said.

Nagtatakang nakatingin si Patience sa nobyo. "Who's here?"

Hindi sumagot si Blaze.

Naramdaman ni Patience ang isang kamay sa kanyang braso at hinila siya nito patayo. "What the--"

Napatingin siya sa likod. "Oh my god. Lo...Louis?"

Halo-halong emotions ang nararamdaman niya. Pagtataka. Gulat. Lungkot. Hindi siya makapaniwala na nasa harapan niya si Louis. "Wh...what... you're... here?"

Bumalik ang tingin ni Patience kay Blaze. Nakatingin lamang ito sa kanya. "Blaze..." she whispered.

"Let's go babe." wika ni Louis.

"What? No..."

"Why? Siya ba ang pinili mo? You and I both know that you are only with him because of what he looks like, and he looks like me," Louis said.

This is not happening. No. No. I... I like him because.... because...

"Let's go." hinila siya ni Louis palabas ng restaurant.

"MOMMY, WAKE UP." Gising ni Louisa sa ina. "Mom!"

Napabalikwas ng bangon si Patience. Pakiramdam niya ay tumigil ang kanyang panghinga.

"Mommy are you okay? You were screaming," Louisa said.

She ran her hands through her hair at huminga ng malalim. "Yes baby, I was just having a bad dream."

Louisa looked at her mother with concern. "Do you want a hug?"

She opened her arms to her daughter. "Yes," and hugged her tightly.

Pagkatapos humiwalay si Louisa sa pagkayakap, she reached her the clock at her bedside. It's 6 am. "I should prepare for your school and work," aniya.

"Breakfast is ready mommy, hinanda ni Yaya. Maligo ka nalang po." wika ng anak bago tuluyang lumabas ng kanyang silid.

She stood up, went straight to the bathroom and stared at herself in the mirror. Did she really like Blaze because of what he represent? Because of what he looked like? Because of Louis?