"Kanina ka pa?" Napatingin ako sa nagsalita. Lumiwanag yung mukha ko nung nakita ko sya. When our eyes met, para bang lahat nawala and sya lang nakikita ko.
"Hindi naman. Tsaka kahit naman matagal ka, hihintayin kita eh." Sagot ko. Umupo sya sa tabi ko sabay hampas sa braso ko ng mahina.
"Bakit ka na naman nandito Colet?" Tanong nya.
"Masama ba? Tsaka pasalamat ka nga pinupuntahan pa kita eh." Katwiran ko.
"Kamusta ka sa work? Don't tell me marami ka na naman sinusungitan?" Natawa ako sa sinabi nya. Kilalang kilala nya talaga ako.
I own a business. She's actually the one who encouraged me do built one. Tinulungan nya din akong patakbuhin yung business ko kaya super thankful din ako sa kanya.
"Care to join me babe? Lakad lakad tayo." I stand up and offer my hand which she gladly took. We're walking hand in hand near the seaside. It's our anniversary and we love going to the beach.
Kahit hindi kami maligo sa dagat, enough na saming dalawa na magkasama kami, enjoying the view and our company.
"It's really beautiful, isn't it?" Sabi nya habang nakatitig sa sunset. The orange ray of sun shone her beautiful face. She looks ethereal as I watch her eyes lit up, full of admiration.
"Yes, it is." Sabi ko nakatingin parin sa kanya. Jhoana has a face na kahit ilang oras kong titigan, never kong pagsasawaan.
I've met many people in my life but Jhoana stand out. She's funny pero alam nya kung kailan magseryoso. She's well-spoken person and able to express herself. She's confident about herself and that is what I love about her. She's sweet and kind hearted.
"Baka naman matunaw ako nyan?" Pagbibiro nya sakin.
"Ang ganda mo Jho." I absentmindedly utter. I saw her smile at then turn her gaze away from me.
"Ewan ko sayo." Sagot nya pero hindi nya mapigilang hindi ngumiti.
Pinanood lang namin yung sunset hanggang sa maging dilim ang langit.
"Can I ask you something?" Tumingin ako sa kanya sa bigla nyang pagsasalita.
"Sure. Ano yun?"
"Mahirap ba?"
"Mahirap ang alin?"
"Mahirap bang i-let go ako? It's been a year baby. You have to stop. Stop hurting yourself."
Pagkasabi nya nun, biglang bumilis yung tibok ng puso ko then I watch her figure slowly fades away. Biglang bumagsak yung luhang namumuo sa mga mata ko.
All this time, I'm talking to myself.
All this time, I'm alone.
All this time, she's now just a memory.
"Colet, you're here again." Tumingin ako kay Aiah. She looks so worried. She must be looking for me.
"We're supposed to celebrate our third anniversary here. Sabi nya favourite nya tong beach na to." I smiled bitterly as I utter those words.
"She's gone Colet. Please stop hurting yourself. Hindi rin gugustuhin ni Jho na maging ganito ka." Unti-unting lumapit sakin si Aiah then niyakap nya ko. That's the time na hindi ko na napigilan yung sarili ko na umiyak at ilabas lahat ng sakit na kinikimkim ko.
"I miss her so much.. I fucking miss her."
Flashback
"Naalala mo yung beach na first na pinuntahan natin?" Jho asked. We're here sa bahay ni lolo ko kasi bakasyon naman. We decided na dito na lang magspent ng bakasyon namin.
