A Love To Remember

28.

Bada's Pov

“Saan ka pupunta?” Iris approached me, grabbing my wrist.

“Makikipagkita ako kay Audrey.” I responded, pushing her hands away.

“Siya ulit? Akala ko ba okay na tayo ha? You came back to me, right? Bakit hanggang ngayon si Audrey pa rin hinahanap mo?!” and here we go again.

What she's saying is true. I came back to her but it was because of her mother. After we graduated, I moved out and live in my own while doing some part time jobs to fulfill my needs. I stayed away from them while finding Audrey.

The last time I saw her was during our graduation and the next day, I went to their house but I found out they were no longer there. She left me without giving me signs and goodbye—she completely disappeared.

“Iris, tumigil kana.”

“No, I won't stop! Bada, you are being unfair.” and then she cries like she always does.

“Kailan pa naging unfair piliin yung sarili ha? The past few years, I've been with you kasi natatakot akong may gawin ka sa sarili mo tapos sa huli ako pa rin masama?” I laughed and stared at her.

“Bada...”

“I introduced you as my girlfriend kahit hindi naman talaga. I even made up some stories para lang pagandahin 'yang pangalan mo. I did everything for you pero enough is enough.” I added.

“Ano bang sinasabi mo?”

“Remember the day you tried to kill yourself? Your mom called me and she begged. Ang sabi niya you need me kaya ano? I listened to her kasi nahihirapan na siya to handle you and halos lumuhod na siya sa harapan ko para lang bumalik sayo. I did it for your mom, Iris.” I confessed.

Masyado na akong mabait, naaabuso at naiipit sakanila. Now that I found Audrey, I will do the right thing and be with her just like I promised.

“Hindi 'yan totoo! You love me, right? You promised to marry me when we were kids.” mangiyak ngiyak niyang sabi at hinawakan mga kamay ko.

“Yes, when we were kids and obviously clueless and innocent. Iris, everything has changed. Are you really expecting me to stick with that promise? Please naman!” I responded and feeling frustrated. She always brings that up at pagod na pagod na akong magpaliwanag sakanya.

Gustong gusto kong magmakaawa sakanya na pakawalan na niya ako para magawa ko na yung gusto kong gawin. Ako kasi yung naiipit at nahihirapan saaming dalawa. I tried naman na mahalin siya pero hindi talaga, hindi ko kaya.

I know she needs help from me pero paano naman ako? Paano kung mawala ulit si Audrey? Ilang taon ko siyang hinanap at matagal kong hinintay na dumating yung araw na 'to. I can't lose her again—never again.

“Iris, gusto kong maging masaya and ever since na bumalik ka, nawala yung saya ko. I never felt happy again.” I softly said and my tears started to fall.

“.....”

“I did everything for you kasi you need me pero paano naman ako? Paano naman yung gusto ko? Hindi pa ba enough lahat ng ginawa ko sayo? Iris, I love Audrey and I don't want to lose her again.” I added.

Ayoko siyang saktan pero kailangan. Ito kasi yung hindi ko nagawa before kaya nawala si Audrey saakin pero ngayon lalaban ako; ipaglalaban ko na siya.

“Ganyan mo ba talaga siya kamahal?” she weakly said, biting her lips and I nodded.

“Yes. I waited for this moment and I want to grab this opportunity before it's too late. I want her to feel me, to feel my love so please let me go.” I held her hand tightly as if my life depends on it because it really is.

“Mahal kita, Bada.”

“At lagi kong tatandaan yun, Iris. Alam kong sobrang mo lang akong mahal kaya nagagawa mo yung mga ganitong bagay at pinapatawad na kita.” I paused and wiped off her tears.

“But please let me go and let me be happy with the person I truly love.”

—

After my conversation with Iris, I went out and met Audrey. Everything went well and we made up. Iris apologized to me and set me free from her. Although hindi pa rin ako sure if genuine ba yun, bahala na basta ang mahalaga nakita ko na si Audrey.

I'll just deal with Iris if she does something bad or if she crosses the line again. I will never let her ruin us—not this time.

“Good afternoon, Ma'am.” bati ng waiter saakin at nginitian ko lang siya. I roamed my eyes around and spotted her, our eyes finally met.

Audrey looks beautiful and halatang mas lalo siyang nagshine. I've missed her a lot, walang araw na hindi ko siya namiss at hindi ako tumigil na hanapin siya. I did try my best to find her pero I had to stop kasi wala talaga akong idea where she was na kahit mga close friends niya na kaklase namin ayaw sabihin saakin.

As I walked closer and approached her table, halatang gulat na gulat siya at naguguluhan sa nangyayari.

“Sorry kung pinaghintay ka. Medyo traffic kasi eh.” I said and sat in front of her, smiling.

“Pinagsasasabi mo? Hindi naman ikaw yung pinunta ko—” I pulled out my phone and showed the email I've received from her which made her surprised and quiet.

“It's good to see you again, Audrey.” I smiled, still staring at her.

“Celine Perez? Ikaw yun?” naguguluhan niyang tanong.

“I've sent you 3 emails para sure akong makakatrabaho kita. Alam ko kasing idedecline mo yung offer ko kaya gumawa ako ng ibang way. Look, it really works kasi nasa harapan na kita ngayon.” I explained, leaning my back against the chair while my eyes on her.

“Ano bang pumasok dyan utak mo at ginugulo mo ulit ako ha?! Stop this shit!”

“Gusto ko lang bumawi sayo at itama lahat, Audrey.” I seriously said and she got caught off guard.

“Tumigil ka nga! Alam mo ayan mahirap sayo eh akala mo kasi madadala mo pa ako sa paganyan ganyan mo.” Audrey started yelling at me kaya yung iba nasa loob, napapatingin na saamin.

“I won't. I will never let you go.” I firmly said and held her hand, asking her to stay.

“Don't ever touch me again! You really think na mapapatawad kita after what you did to me? You are so pathetic.” She coldly said and shoved my hand away.

I deserve it, I deserve those words but it doesn't mean that I'll easily give up.

“I am.”

“I don't want to see you again! You really love messing with me, huh? Stay away from me and don't ever bother me again.” Audrey furiously said as she picked up her things and left me.