The Way It Was - Abridged (Complete)

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From The Author: Excited to announce The Way It Was will be available in print with print-exclusive Epilogue. You can preorder your copy at Whimsical Books PH. Kindly send a message to their FB page in case you are interested. Thank you. 

Maligayang Araw ng mga Puso! 

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Now

MAIGI NA lang at malapit na ako sa bahay nang magsimulang pumatak ang ulan. Tinakbo ko na ang natitirang distansya. Pagpasok ko sa gate ay napansin ko si Roarke na nakaupo sa may terrace. Abala siya sa phone niya pero nag-angat siya ng paningin nang marinig ang langitngit ng gate. Tumakbo ako patungo sa terrace at parang tiyempo na bumagsak talaga ang ulan. Naupo ako sa tabi ni Roarke.

He looked well-rested. Habang nagtatagal ay mas umaaliwalas ang mukha niya. Mas nagiging maayos ang kulay niya. Hindi ko maiwasan na pagmasdan talaga siya. He had changed so much over the years. I knew he would always be gorgeous but he was aging like a fine wine. I knew it was due to how he took care of himself over the years.

Nginitian niya ako. "What?"

Ibinigay ko sa kanya ang brown paper bag. "Turon. Basically fried bananas and jackfruit. It's good but if you hate it, give it back and I'll eat it."

Inilabas niya ang isang piraso at dinala sa bibig. Hindi naman niya ibinalik sa akin ang pagkain. Binuksan ko ang bitbit ko na maliit na plastic bag. Naroon ang dalawang piraso ng pinipig ice cream stick.

Ibinigay ko sa kanya ang isa. Mas lumawak ang ngiti niya habang pinapanood ako sa pagkain ko ng ice cream stick. Parang gusto kong mahiya na hindi ko malaman.

Wala na lang muna akong sinabi at pinanood ang ulan. Tahimik din na pinanood ni Roarke ang ulan habang kumakain.

"This is nice," aniya kapagkuwan.

Tumingin ako sa kanya at natagpuan kong nakatingin na siya sa akin. "What is? The rain?"

"Being with you like this."

"Yeah. It is nice. I never thought you'd be in my space. This is a very different world, Roarke."

"Do you love it here?"

"Very."

"After... Is this the place you went after..."

"No. Rehab first."

"Oh."

"Coming here was an impulsive decision. I came here thinking I'd just be here for a few months. I'd spend time with Lolo while I figure out if I really wanna go back to med school. Mom believes I can still go back. Looking back now, I really didn't wanna go back. I know that, I just can't acknowledge it or say it out loud because my family still expects me to bounce back. But I really didn't wanna be a doctor. I couldn't be a doctor. But then what will I be? What will I do? What's the purpose of my life then? All my life, that was the goal. Be a doctor.

"It took a while but I found what I wanna be and what I wanna do, and I decided to stay in this small town. I don't wanna leave. This is where I'm supposed to be."

"I didn't think you'd be here. I thought you're somewhere in the States."

"Being a doctor?"

Ngumiti siya.

"I'm not the woman you thought I'd be."

"Am I the man you thought I'd be?"

Mabilis akong tumango. Ngumiti ako nang matamis. "I'm a fan obviously. I have all your records, multiple copies in multiple formats. Yes, some are collectibles. I make my brother crazy because I put the purchases on his name and address. Sometimes, I'd beg him to personally go to a concert just to buy some stuff for me. I told you, I'd always be your fan."