Boy Next Door (LeAga)

Choice

The evening breeze was already cold when Aga decided to walk outside, a glass of wine in hand, and settled himself at their garden. The air was scented with the fragrance of flowers around him.

He is in deep thoughts when his sister came. "You miss her?" Aga smiled slightly.

It's been months since that trip to Palawan. Right after publishing their article, Lea got promoted and was assigned to replace Trisha, who was heading to New York to settle down, as the Associate Editor of the publication. She became so busy they don't have time for each other.

"Who would not? Parang long distance relationship ang set up namin. Nahihirapan na ako." Aga admitted as he drank a part of the content of his glass.

He rarely sees her. He had to give up being her photographer for his company needed him. He even needs to be in Switzerland, for good, but managed to delay it multiple times for he is thinking about their relationship.

"When I'm free, she is but I have to understand that she's tired and needs to rest. Hindi ba pwedeng ako naman ang bigyan n'ya ng oras? Sometimes I regret letting her be in that field. Nagseselos ako sa mga nakakatrabaho at nakakasalumaha n'ya when doing interviews but must understand it's her job. Kailangan kong intindihin that it requires her more time now na -- ." He was stopped by Jazzle's sudden reaction. She laughed a bit. He looked at her and she smiled at him.

"I never had a problem with my schedule. My boyfriend and I never argued about me being busy all the time. I'm the EIC kuya, she's just my associate and yet –"

"Hey! We never argued –"

"But look at you now, you're hurt because she can't even spare time with you."

"Bakit? Ikaw ba anong ginagawa mo? Bakit hindi kayo nag-aaway ni Lee?" Aga asked her and waited for her answer. "I manage my time, Kuya. And unlike your girlfriend, I ask Lee kung masyado ko na bang napapabayaan ang relasyon namin." She answered emphasizing the phrase, unlike your girlfriend.

He drank the remaining wine in his glass and stared at nowhere.

"Your birthday is coming and there's no clear sign of her plans how to celebrate your special day. Ilang important events na ba ang na-miss n'ya? Did you guys celebrate your anniversary or she decided na unahin ang isang meeting over that? Ilang gatherings na ba s'ya absent? You know what kuya? I'm starting to believe she doesn't deserve all of this, your efforts, your love, you. She doesn't deserve you."

She doesn't deserve you.

She doesn't deserve you.

She doesn't deserve you.

"I love her." It's all that he managed to answer. "Does she? And seriously, Kuya? Sa hinaba-haba ng sinabi ko, yun lang naisagot mo? Probably because that's the only thing you've got. Yang pagmamahal mo na lang sa kanya ang pinanghahawakan mo. Now answer me, does she love you?"

Aga has found no answer for his sister's question. He does not doubt Lea's love for him but is he still one of her priorities? Is he still included in her future plans? Could she still picture herself walking down the aisle with him waiting for her? Because for Aga, Lea is still his priority, the future of his life, the dream come true of his everything and the wife of his future self. Does Lea feel the same?

"She would say yes." He looked at his sister confused. She smiled. "If you'll ask her, sasabihin n'ya mahal ka n'ya, na priority ka n'ya, na kasama ka pa rin sa mga future plans n'ya, but kuya, actions always prove why words mean nothing."

Aga just stared at her, pained expression now on his face. "Iba ang importante sa priority, kuya." Jazzle then stand; patted his cheek gently and smiled at him. "I want her to prove me, in any way, that she deserves you, that she will never choose anything, even if it is her career, over you." She started walking away but stopped mid-way.