My heart ached for him-it was more than just sympathy.
Hindi ako makapaniwala na ang lalaking katabi ko ngayon, na ikinuwento lahat sa akin ang mga nangyari noon, ay alalang-alala pa rin sa lahat ng kamalasang pinagdaanan niya. At hindi ko rin inaasahang hanggang ngayon, hindi niya pa rin kinalimutan ang mga pangako naming dalawa, mga pangakong sa isang iglap lang ay nalimutan ko.
I found myself wiping the tears that had fallen from my eyes as he finished telling me everything.
"So... you've been remembering all of those nightmares, until now." My voice suddenly became low, almost a whisper maybe because of the guilt that I wasn't even able to remember him, not even once.
"It haunts me every day, Azalea. Hindi ako pinipigilan ng utak ko na malaman kung ano nga ba talaga ang mga nangyari, because I know something's wrong, the connections, the mysteries, and the truth I want to uncover... it haunts me."
And so do my thoughts, I've been thinking that there's really something behind all of this.
"That's why I kept our promise. I looked for you... and now I found you, Azalea."
Napatingin ako kay Felix, at hindi ko talaga inaasahan na kababata ko pala siya noon, at hanggang ngayon ay hindi niya kinalimutan ang pangako namin sa isa't isa.
Happy... and at the same time, I felt regret.
Nakokonsensya ako dahil nalimutan ko siya. Alam kong masakit para sa kaniya na ang babaeng kaharap niya ngayon ay wala man lang ni katiting na ala-ala.
"Felix, I'm sorry... I'm sorry because I can't remember you. But that doesn't mean I don't trust what you've said because it was accurate. The accidents really happened and... I feel so sorry for letting you search for me all these years."
"Hindi, Azalea. You have nothing to apologize for-"
"Still... hearing all those stories from you made me feel ashamed. I'm sorry... I'm really sorry."
I hugged him-intentionally-even though I couldn't remember him in my mind, my heart knew him. I felt it. My heart told me that I knew him.
Naramdaman kong yumakap siya pabalik sa akin, at kusa ko siyang niyakap nang mas mahigpit.
There was something I really wanted to tell him, and so I did. I told him the three words I truly meant.
"I miss you..."
Gumalaw si Felix, pero sa paraang mas lalong paglapit sa akin at paghigpit ng yakap.
"I miss you... so much, Azalea. So much..." His voice faded as he leaned his head on my shoulder.
Seconds later, I heard him sobbing.
"F-Felix... are you crying?" Kakalas sana ako sa pagkakayakap nang marinig ko ang hikbi niya pero hindi ko nagawa nang pigilan niya ako.
"Ssshh... just let me hug you for another minute, please..."
I stiffened at his words. I nodded slightly and let him hug me longer.
"S-Sure... just cry... and just hug me. I'll let you."
"Thank you..."
Niyakap ko siyang muli habang muli kong narinig ang hikbi niya.
He was really crying. I couldn't see his face, but I could picture it clearly with those longing eyes.
He really missed me that much.
**************
"Here, kailangan mong kumain para bumalik ang lakas mo. Hindi na rin ba masakit ang ulo mo?"
As far as I remember, Felix has asked me that question three times in the last half hour.
"Medyo kumikirot pa rin."
"Sabihin mo lang sa akin kung hindi mo na kaya ang sakit. I'll call the doctor."
Tumango ako bilang sagot bago muling humiga sa kama. Felix was currently fixing my bed and as I stared at his face, I remember that night when he saved me at the bar. When he risked his life, facing a sharp knife and long batons.
I thought he was just a random guy who happened to be there, but I was wrong. He was looking for me and when he found me, he opened his arms to protect me.
Thank you for not giving up on me, Felix.
Nabalik ako sa huwisyo nang marinig ko ang ringtone mula sa aking bag.
Kinuha iyon ni Felix at iniabot sa akin.
"It's Shan, he's my friend," sabi ko kay Felix bago sinagot ang tawag.
"Shan, napatawag ka?"
["Azalea, nahanap ko na rin."]
Oh, I almost forgot, the footage he promised!
"R-Really? Kung ganoon, pwede mo bang i-send sa akin, Shan? I really need it right now."
["Actually... I sent it just now to your email."]
Para akong sinampal ng biyaya, ang ganda ng timing ni Shan!
"Thank you so much, Shan. I'll never forget this, never!"
Pangiting tinapos ko ang tawag habang si Felix ay walang ideya na nakaupo lamang sa tabi ko.
"Felix,"
"Yes?"
"Do you have data?"
"I have. Why?"
"We have something to watch right now."
Halos mag-iisang minuto ko nang tinititigan ang mukha ng lalaking nasa screen. Presko pa sa alaala ko ang lahat ng kademonyohang ginawa niya. From spiking my drink to planning to kill me.
But thanks to Felix, that didn't happen.
"So, that's him."
"Oo. At alam kong hindi lang siya, narinig ko siyang may katawagan noon. Parang isang grupo talaga ang may planong patayin ako."
"Give me your phone for a moment."
Kaagad ko itong iniabot kay Felix. Nakita kong sinend niya sa kaniyang phone ang video bago niya ito ibinalik.
"Anong gagawin mo sa footage?"
"I will access his information-everything. Maybe in that way, we'll find out who's really behind all of this."
Tumango ako. This footage was a huge piece in discovering the truth behind everything.
But for now... I need to rest. My head is spinning again.
Tinulungan ako ni Felix na muling humiga sa kama. Ilang sandali lang, nakaramdam na ako ng antok.
"I'll just sleep for a bit, Felix..."
"Sure. I'll be by your side, don't worry."
I felt his hand holding mine. He wasn't letting go, so I gripped it tighter.
Maybe in that way, I can sleep safer and sound.
YOU ARE READING
That Playgirl's Karma
Mystery / ThrillerShe played with hearts like toys until karma played back. Azalea Louise Gutierrez, known as the campus playgirl, never expected her charm would lead her into chaos. After breaking up with Ryle Santiago, her ex becomes the victim of a shocking campus...
