Aoki Ciel Carreon's fling for almost a year, Jillian Therese Robredo, suddenly left her. Without a notice, at that. A year later, Aoki Ciel Carreon meets Janine Patricia Robredo, Jillian's older sister, but she is unaware of their connection.
I won...
"Where are you, Aki? Are you still going on my — sorry, our birthday?"
Today is my twin brother's and I birthday. Everything is set already. The party is located in NOBU. Callisto rented a big private dining room kasi roon. And when I say that he rented a big private dining room? It's literally fucking big! Sayang lang at hindi ako makakapunta dahil nagkasakit ako.
"I'm really sorry, brother!" Sabi ko mula sa kabilang linya. Tumawag kasi si Callisto sa akin, asking if makakapunta ako. "I can't go kasi, eh... Nagkasakit ako bigla. And it's getting worse, kaya hindi ako matutuloy."
[What? Why? I'll cancel the party now.] Siraulo talaga ito! [Punta ako d'yan.]
Nag panic ako sa sinabi niya. Napatayo ako bigla sa kinahihigaan ko at napaupo. If Callisto wants to do it? He'll fuking do it! "What? No! No, don't cancel the party because of me! Are you crazy? Kahit wala ako d'yan ay dapat mo 'yang ituloy."
[I'm nothing without you, Aki.] Napatigil siya saglit. [They can manage naman na wala 'yung celebrants.]
No, it's the other way around. Ako ang wala kung wala ka.
"Gaga! Ano pang sense ng birthday party kung wala 'yung kahit isa sa celebrants?!" Angal ko. "D'yan ka lang, 'wag na 'wag kang pupunta dito, Cal, ha? Sinasabi ko talaga sa'yo!"
[What do you want me to do, Aki?] Bakas iyong galit ng pananalita niya, kaya natakot ako. [You have a fucking fever, and you were supposed to be here too. Plus! Mag isa ka lang! Sino ang mag a-alaga sa'yo?]
"Ako!" Tugon ko agad. "Ako ang mag a-alaga sa sarili ko, Callisto. Kaya don't you fucking dare cancel the party because of this fucking fever kasi hindi ko 'yan magugustuhan..."
As much as I love to live, ayokong makasira o maka-istorbo sa buhay ng ibang tao. I don't want to be a burden for them. Callisto needs to enjoy his life kahit paminsan minsan.
[Aki... ang tigas ng ulo mo. Hindi mo kaya ang mag isa –]
I cut him short. "Kaya ko at kinakaya ko. Mula noon hanggang ngayon ay mag isa lang naman ako, 'di ba? Kaya ko mag isa, Callisto. Kinakaya ko."
I heard him sigh in defeat. [Fine... you win.] Huminto siya dahil may kinausap siya saglit. I waited for him hanggang sa matapos ang kausap niya. I can't hear them very well. Ang hangin. [But!]
"But what?" Ano na naman plano nitong lalaking ito.
[There's someone who wants to take care of you.]
Kumunot ang noo ko. "I don't..." Fuck, nahihilo bigla ako. What is this? Ganito ba ang mag ka-lagnat? Pucha naman! Required bang mahirapan sa paghinga? "I'm sorry but I'll drop the call na. Don't you dare! Come here, Cal. I'm telling you..."
I didn't finish what I was going to say when the walls around me started to sway. The last thing I saw before the darkness consumed me completely was... nothing. Maybe... Maybe Callisto is right.
Hindi ko kaya ang mag isa.
But what choice do I have?
I... only have myself.
I only have the blue sky above me.
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