Hanggang Sa Huli

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Sangria

I believe that people needs to experience a heartbreak before they can change themselves. Ganoon ang nangyari sa akin matapos kong umalis ng Pilipinas at iwanan din si Chase ro’n nang mag-isa. I needed someone to hold in to, hindi ko kakayaning mabuhay at lampasan ang sakit ko kung wala si Chase sa aking tabi. That was the thing I said to myself.

And then that letter ruined it. I cannot believe that Chase can do that to me. Lumaban ako sa aking sakit. Nilabanan ko ‘yon kahit sobrang liit lamang ng porsyentong biyayaan ako ng ikatlong buhay. Nilaban ko ang lahat para bumalik sa aking tirahan— kay Chase.

I cannot confirm whether it was true or Mom was doing that. Wala akong anumang koneksyon sa Pilipinas, she threatened me na hindi na kami uuwi roon kapag kinausap ko pa rin si Chase kahit na nasa US ako. Hindi ko alam na gano’n pala siya kahigpit sa akin, nineteen years of my life was controlled by her. She didn’t even let Yohan visit me during my recovery, pinapunta lamang niya si Yohan last year noong napa-renew ko ang aking visa para makabalik ng Pinas.

“Where are we going ba, Yohan?” I asked him with irritation. “Jusko, I’m tired, ah! I wanna go to my condo, I need to sleep!” I’m sulking like a child.

Tinawanan niya lamang ako. “Just hold in, Seah, malapit na tayo. You won’t regret this, I promise.”

Suminghap na lamang ako at nanalig na makarating na kami sa kung ano man ang balak puntahan ni Yohan. I was in sixteen hour flight and here I am being dragged by this man to nowhere!

“Nandito na tayo,” masaya niyang sambit.

I rolled down the window of the car at sinipat ang labas. Why the heck Yohan brought me here? ‘Wag niyang sabihing magba-bar kami katanghaliang tapat?! He just drove here at one of the luxurious bar at BGC!

“Nasisiraan ka na ba? Magba-bar tayo katanghaliang tapat?” bulyaw ko sa kaniya.

“Chill. May imi-meet lang tayo, we are not here to drink.”

Pinagbuksan niya akong pinto ng kotse at lumabas ako roon. We headed to the bar and Yohan talked to one of the bouncer. The bouncer then escorted us sa may dulong bahagi ng bar na malapit lang sa dance floor, he encoded a pin sa may pintuan at bumukas iyon.

Pinauna niya akong pumasok sa loob ng VIP room. Nagulat ako nang may biglang pumutok na party popper sa aking harapan at naghiyawan sila. My eyes widened for a few seconds sa kung sino ang nakikita ko ngayon sa aking harapan.

“Welcome back, Seah!”

Leah was the one who popped the party popper and Quen handed me a bouquet of roses. My heart sank with happiness. I missed them... I miss our bonds in high school.

“I missed you, guys!” I immediately hugged them.

Hinigpitan ulit nila ako ng yakap. “Na-miss ka namin ng todo-todo, Seah,” ani Leah.

Quen tapped my shoulders. “Nagulat na lang kami noong sinabi ni Claude na wala ka raw sa bahay ninyo at nabalitaan na lang namin na umalis ka papuntang US para magpagamot kasi may sakit ka.”

Hearing that word stabbed my chest. He still has that impact on me.

Ngumiti na lamang ako. “I’m sorry for not telling you, guys. Biglaan din kasi ang mga pangyayari na ‘yon at kailangan din akong operahan agad para hindi lumala ang sakit ko.”