"Cheers?" I was totally caught off guard when Von passed me a glass of wine. I flashed him a quick, unexpected smile, took the glass from his hand, and lifted it up for a toast. " I'm happy you're okay Love, mas gusto ko na palagi kitang nakikitang nakangiti"
"Thank you Von, for bieng my strength. Without you, I don't know what would have happened to me"
I felt the the warmth of his body as he wrapped his arms around me from behind. Gusto ko sana syang itulak palayo kase wala ako sa mood, pero baka mag tampo siya sakin, ewan ko ba. I haven't fully recovered yet. The pain that is hidden in my heart persists.
If I could control my emotions, I would eliminate the pain i am experiencing right now. I want my life return to it's usual state. But how can I achieve that? I am still dealing with the trauma, and despite putting on a mask of bieng okay, deep down, I know i am not.
After we finished drink wine, nagpaalam ako sakaniya na pupunta muna ako sa banyo, hindi ako naiihi or what, I just want to escape from him.
As I was walking down the hallway, I bumped into muffy and notice that's she seemed intoxicated. I simply shook my head as i continue to walk pass her. However, before I could blpass by, she unexpectedly grabbed my hand and pulled me closer. Nadala ako dahil sa lakas ng hatak niya sakin, I felt the urge to call for help, but I found myself unable to do so, instead, I lifted my head and look at her confidently, not wanting her to think that I was vulnerable.
Hinila niya ako papasok dito sa loob ng kwarto niya at sinarado.
"What now?" Naiiritang tanong ko sakaniya
"Aliana, please listen to me, alam ko na galit ka sakin dahil sa nagawa ko fast days ago, nagawa ko yun cause I'm still longing for you. I love you Aliana and i can't accept it na ikakasal ka sa kapatid ko"
"You know what Wise? I never imagined na hahantong tayo sa ganito. Pagkatapos nang ginawa mo may lakas loob ka pang humarap sakin at tanungin ako kung bakit si Von pa ang pakakasalan ko? Ang kapal ng mukha mo!"
" You don't love me anymore? Please i-set aside mo kuna yung galit mo. sagutin mo ako ng maayos"
I let out a sight and walk towards the single couch. Umupo ako dito at sumunod naman siya. I don't talk to someone who's drunk, kaso mukhang mas nailalabas niya ang totoong nararamdaman niya kapag nakainom siya. So why not?
"Are you really interested knowing my answer to your question?"
She nodded as she looked into my eyes.
"Wise, I decided to breakup with you because I was not longer Inlove with you, despite your kindness and affection towards me, it wasn't enough to sustain out connection. I'm so tired to pretend that I love you even though I know to myself i don't, hindi mo deserve ang ganon, kaya habang maaga pa nakitapag hiwalay na ako sayo"
Tears were flowing down her face as she moved closer to me and held my hand. I allowed her to do so, understanding the pain she was going through, with mirrored the pain she was going through, wich mirrored my own. It hurts to see her in such agony, knowing that the choices we made in the past is now effecting our future and causing us both pain.
I am not living my own and will be soon getting married and starting a family. All I ask is for her to accept this reality.
"Wise, I understand your pain. if you still love me, I'm telling you set me free, let's prioritize our own happiness. I am willing to forgive you, it's time of us to move forward. You are a person who possesses kindness, love and compassion. Any woman would be lucky to love and beloved by you. If you find happiness, I will genuinely be happy for you too. So let's put an end to it here"
Wise remained silent, but tears flowed down her face as he knelt in front of me, holding onto my hand. I gently wiped away the tears that had formed in the corners of my own eyes, and then i pulled her into my arms. It was a moment of acceptance and closure. Without any anger or bitterness, I embraced her wholeheartedly, aiming to bring comfort to both of us
"Wise, you deserve a woman who can return the love and care that you give. Don't settle for anything less than what you deserve. Keep your heart open and trust that the right person will come into your life when the time is right."
I stood up and walked through the door without looking back, pero rinig ko ang paghagulgol niya ng iyak. I felt a sense of relief after our conversation, as it lightened the burden I had been carrying. Sana ito na ang huli, at kung magkakausap pa kami I want everything to be neutral and peaceful. susubukan ko parin ang sarili ko na gumanti sakaniya, because I want to live a normal and peaceful life with Von by my side.
I opened the door to exit, but my mouth fell open in surprise. Von standing in front of me. Paano niya nalaman na nandito ako?
"I -im looking for you, nandito kalang pala. What are you doing here?" Tanong no Von. hindi ako makapagsalita. I gripped the edge of my clothes to calm myself pero bago pa ako makapagsalita naramdaman ko na may nakatayo sa likod ko.
"Von, I actually called Aliana here to show somet. I had planned to give you both a gift for your wedding pero hindi kasi ako magaling pagdatiny sa pagbibigay ng regalo, so I told Aliana to decide" Wise explained.
Napatingin ako sa mukha ni Von. halatang hindi siya convinced sa sinabi ni Wise. Walang sali salita ay hinawakan ni Von ang kamay ko saka kami umalis. Habang palayo kami sa kwarto ni Wise, nilingon ko siya, nakatayo pa rin sya doon at mapait siyang ngumiti saakin.
