Clarity (A SANDRO MARCOS FANFICTION)

60. Wish

And for the nth time, Sandro cried. He was trying to stop, I think, but he couldn't.

I didn't know what to do or say. I never thought my words would wound him that swiftly.

He looked at me, still in tears.

"I am so sorry Airi. For everything I did. For everything I am. Truth to be told, it wasn't the only reason why I drifted," I felt like I knew what he was gonna say the moment he spoke those words.

"I did not cheat. I wish it was that way but it still is. It wasn't physically but emotionally. She was there. Unconsiously she was filling the gap I was longing. Slowly, she was growing on me that got me so confused. I knew you were the one but I needed someone who existed in front of me to make me feel what I am missing," He paused to look at me. I pursed my lips, nudging him to continue.

"On the times you were crying your heart out towards Simon, I was busy enjoying her point of view on Economics. You were drinking alcohol everyday while I was in a deep conversation with her about Karl Marx over coffee," He wiped his tears. "It's so hard to look at someone and see an image of you towards them. I felt guilty but I didn't want to break it off between us. Moreover, I didn't want any closure. I wanted a home I can run back into despite of what I have done."

"That's a lot of audacity Sandro. Sobrang kapal ng mukha mo. You're too selfish." I managed to say.

He looked at me. "I am sorry Airi but I love you." He said.

I didn't want the kind of love he has for me. He was showing me a different kind of love. Selfish. Possessive. Mad.

"I love you truly," He continued. "In all honesty. In all parallel universe or whatever dimension we exist. I love you madly that I would wish he would hurt you so deep that you would run back to me and I wouldn't mind mending what he has broke. I love you deeply. So deeply that I am so desperate for redemption."

"You're crazy."

"I love you so damn much Airi." He said in an exhaspirated tone.

I shook my head. "I don't want it," I stood up, looking at him. "I should go. Alis na ako."

"Do you love him? Mahal mo ba siya?" I stopped on my tracks, not looking back. "Do you love Vinny? It took us months to finally admit it. Was it the same with Vinny?" He asked, desperate.

I walked away.

VINNY

"Do you love him?"

Airi just looked at him and walked away.

I felt a hole inside my chest. And it kinda hurt.

Sandro watched her walk away then walked away too. I leaned by the post I was in. It wasn't my intention to eavesdrop. I wanted to surprise Airi but I was surprised instead. I sighed and went back to my car with the coffee I was supposed to give her.

I leaned for a while, trying to calm down after what I saw and heard.

Im not expecting Airi to fall right away but how she reacted made me feel weak. Nakakapanghina. It felt like liking someone who doesn't feel the same. I do not want to comfort myself into thinking there was something just because we share a bond.

My phone rang, interrupting my thoughts. It was Airi. I picked it up.

"Hey." I managed to say.

"Pick me up." She replied over the phone. "Get me out of here." It sounded like a command.

"Okay. Im in front of the hotel to be honest."

Airi dropped the call without saying anything. Minutes later, I saw her getting out with her bag.

I got out the car to meet her. She saw me right away and ran to me then embraced me. Startled. That's what I felt.

"You okay?" I asked.

"Hmm."

"Where should we go?" I asked her.

"Tagaytay. Kung san nag-date sina tita at tito. Nainggit ako. Tayo din." She mumbled.

I laughed at how cute she was and forgot my worries.

"Whatever you like, Airi." I told her.

"Para kanino yung kape?" She asked, looking at the coffee between us.

I scratched my head. "I kinda wanted to surprise you but I saw you talking to Sandro just a while back. Im sorry. I didn't mean to eavesdrop."

I admitted immediately.

She smiled. "No biggie."

---
"-and the client was like, I want to add guests on my list and I was like okay. I can adjust to that tapos mamaya na naman may request siya," Airi ranted. "Nakakaputangina."

I laughed. Hard. We were hanging out by the road side. Yung kita ang Taal.

"So you walked out."

She rolled her eyes. "Ginagawa akong tanga dun eh. I understand na client siya. I have to provide him the service he deserves pero yung late requests tapos sa kalagitnaan ng event like what theeee fuuuuuck. Ugh Vinny. Para sa akin ba 'to?" She sighed, frustrated.

I laughed even more. "Relax Airi. Breath," She inhaled and exhaled. I handed her the coffee we bought by the local coffee shop nearby. "Inom ka ulit kape."

She looked at me and finally laughed. "Gagi. Second coffee na natin 'to."

"Then I'll enjoy palpitating with you." I winked.

Airi smiled and finally stared at the Taal scenery in front of us. "Ang ganda pala dito."

"I know."

There was a moment of complete silence between us. The sound of the crickets. The crisp of air touching our skin. It was as if it was some sort of split second where the universe told me it was the right time.

I looked at her, her innocence flashing right before my eyes. She took out her phone to take a photo of the majestic view in front of us.

"I love you."

Airi's mouth parted, looking at me in shock. I smiled.

"I love you under no false pretense. It wasn't love at first sight because clearly we weren't in our best selves or the second because we were drunk. It was just one day, I saw you the nth time and saw myself with you, growing with you. Building a home with you. The og Ferdinand has his own Imelda. Bonget have his Louise. Vinny wishes to have his own Airi too,"

I realized I was in tears. Realized how I love this woman so much.

"I love you Airi. I really do."

---

Hello! Im so sorry for ze late update. Love you all. 🫶