White Lies

Too Late

"Ags oh. "

A glass of amber liquid is dropped in front of him.

"Thanks Chard ah."

He took a sip and was anticipating the burn of the scotch on his throat but he felt nothing, so he drank it bottoms up.

"Ags, dahan-dahan. Masakit sa ulo yan kinaumagahan."

"May mas sasakit pa ba dito sa nararamdaman ko Chard?"

Lea's voice came repeating on his head. Married.

"Putang-ina." Aga wiped off his face as he handed Richard his empty glass.

"That bad huh?" Chard took his glass to refill.

Aga gulped it again as if he's just drinking water. "Minsan na nga lang magkagusto ng todo, dun pa talaga sa taong imposibleng maging akin."

"Woah-ho! Wait. Wait lang! Sino ba yan? Ang daming babae sa buhay mo eh."

"Ulol. Magiging babaero lang ako kapag dumami si Lea."

"Kay Lea mo sabihin yan hindi sa akin. Ano ba kasing problema? Napanood ko nga pilot episode ng The Voice eh. May pa I WANT YOU pa kayong nalalaman."

"Feel na feel ko yun Chard, ang saya-saya ko tapos alam mo yung siya lang yung tinitignan ko, yung kung paano ang reaction nya sa ginawa ko, asang-asa ako eh. Yun pala kay Lea, its just a gimmick lang for the fans."

"Pano mo naman nasabi, malay mo naman. Grabe kaya kayong dalawa, yung tinginan nyo pa lang may something na. Kahit walang dialogue, yung mga asaran nyong dalawa, kilig na kilig ang mga tao, as in click pa rin kahit antagal niyong nawala sa on-screen."

"Nag-click nga hindi naman pwede madevelop."

"Ang sad boy naman neto. Lasing ka na ata Ags eh. Alam mo ang babae parang kape yan, kapag pinabayaan mo, lalamig talaga. Give it sometime, its been what ten years ba? Its been long time, wait for it to brew."

"Chard, I was very patient with her. Pinaulanan ko siya ng pagmamahal at atensyon pero anong ginawa nya? Nagpayong siya! Tang-ina."

Richard was astonished of Aga's words. He feels bad for his friend right now.

"Ags, binasted ka ba ni Lea? Or baka you are reading it wrong lang. Try to talk to her again. Kung may tampuhan kayong dalawa, palipasin mo muna init ng ulo."

"Chard, nasa point na ko ng buhay ko na kapag may dumating pipilayan ko na para hindi na umalis. Eh ang kaso na late na naman ako."

"Alam mo Ags, tip ko sayo para hindi ka na ma late: Huwag ka na pumasok. Ang dami mong hugot! Ibaon mo muna kasi."

--

Dawn was shocked looking at a very wasted Aga lying on the couch of Chard's apartment.

"Eh ayaw papigil eh, okay na yan hon, kesa sa labas pakabasag yan, atleast safe siya dito."

"Ano ba nangyari? Jusko naman Aga."

"Eh kanina pa nagd-drama yan, nakatulugan na niya pagiyak niya. Nag break ba sila ni Lea?"

"Hindi pa nga sila, may paiyak iyak na, ano to rehearsals? Aga! Hoy Aga! Bumangon ka diyan, doon ka sa taas na kwarto mahiga."

"Hon hayaan mo na siya diyan sa sofa."

"Hindi nga pwede.. kasama ko si Lea!"

"Ano?!"

As if on cue the doorbell rang.

"Iakyat mo na si Aga, ako na magliligpit dito."

--

Dawn was catching her breath as she opened the door for Lea.

"Ang tagaaal. Oh bakit humahangos ka? Don't tell me nag quickie pa kayo."

"Grabe ka. Galing ako sa taas kasi-- masama pakiramdam ni Chard, oo, nakainom- nakainom na ng gamot."

"Aw. Poor Richard. You know what I can go now, look after him muna kaya."

"No. No. Okay lang, nakainom na ng gamot, matutulog na yun. Sabi ko rin kasi huwag na bumaba, baka mahawaan ka, may concert ka pa naman."

"You sure about this?"

"Yes. Sit. Anong gusto mo wine?"

"Coffee na lang, magd-drive pa ko eh."

--

"Thanks dear." said Lea as she took the cup of coffee from Dawn.

"Okay talk. Now."

"You might want to sit first."

"Now I am scared. Lea ano to?"

Dawn put down her coffee and sat beside her friend, worriness clouding her as she took one of Lea's hand.

Lea closed her eyes and take a deep breath. As she opened her eyes, she looked directly at Dawn.

It is now or never.

"I told Aga I am married."

"You what?!"

---

Thoughts? 🤯