My Perfect Stranger

-The Truth Must Be Told-

Nakita ko si Gonzales na nilapitan si Bricks and I could tell it from here na nagtatalo sila. Kaya, I quickly went down the stage and went near them as fast as I can. I'm halfway running para makapunta kaagad sa place nila.

"Narinig mo yun. Umalis ka na muna. Hindi sinasabi ni Anna kay kuya Keith ang mga nangyayari sa inyo, Pinagtatakpan ka niya. Pati na rin sa akin. Kaya tol, umalis ka na lang." I heard Gonzales.

"Huwag! Let me speak to him. We need to talk." I cut them off at napalingon silang lahat sa akin.

"Anna..." Bricks trailed as he look at me.

"Let's get out of here first." I told him.

"Pero, Anna...." Gonzales held my hand to stop me.

"No Daryl, I need to talk to him. Like you, I wanted to know the truth. It's okay I'll be fine." I assured him.

He heaves a sigh. Wala na rin siyang nagawa.

We walked out of the Circuit, he offered to take me out on a restaurant but I don't wanna go anywhere. Instead, we stayed inside his car where it all began. No one is talking at the moment. Nakatingin lang kami sa labas for minutes.

"I thought you wanna talk to me?" I broke the silence, looks like he won't talk unless I started it.

"Sorry....."

"Sorry? Sorry for what? Are you saying sorry for not talking or because there is something you have done that you needed to apologize for?" I already led him to the subject.

He still didn't talk. I got irritated and almost yelled at him. "Come on, Bricks! What now? You said you wanted to talk to me but you're not speaking. God! Just please explain to me everything that I need to know...." I faced him so that I could see his reaction. "....or do you want me to do the talking and go into details, every fucking moment that you were seemed so spaced out during were together and you seemed that you don't fucking care at all?" I was friggin furious already. I can't help it.

I continued. "...You forgot that we'll have a dinner last Monday..." He looked at me and it appears like he suddenly remember it. "...after that you haven't called me or text me. You rarely go in our house anymore. You were always giving me an excuse about your thesis when you couldn't make it on our dates or when you've forgotten something. I let that pass because I wanted to understand you, Bricks. I guess I wanted to keep you somehow, because I know deep inside that there is something wrong with us. I couldn't accept the fact that you're slowly drifting away. I don't want to set you free." I wanted to cry but I told myself that he won't see me crying. I hate to be weak in front of anyone.

"Sorry..."

"For Pete's sake Bricks, speak up! Don't just say sorry. I wanted to know why you are treating me this way!!"

"I'm so sorry, Anna."

"Si Marielle."

"Huh? What?" He was taken aback. Gusto ko sanang marinig sa kanya mismo kung bakit siya nag-kaganun but alam kong nahihirapan siyang I-admit.

Song starts to play here: All At Once by Whitney Houston

"I know that you're going out with her again. Matagal ko ng alam. I just keep on shaking that thought off of my mind. Like what I said, I'm trying to understand you. Iniisip ko na hindi naman talaga maiiwasan yun dahil nga classmate mo siya and may pinagsamahan kayo for years. Baka friendly date lang yun when I saw the two of you in a restaurant. I once went to your school on our ninth monthsary. I wanted to surprise you but I'm the one who's been surprised instead with what I saw. I saw you smiling, Bricks. What hurt me the most is that, you were with her when you were wearing that kind of smile. I haven't seen you smile like that. You seemed so very happy with her around..." God! Tears, please don't let me down. I don't wanna cry anymore.

My voice is now breaking "....I accidentally found your other simcard on the floor, when we were once out on a date. Ayoko sanang tignan yung laman, I wanted to throw that away because I'm afraid to know what's inside. But I felt the urge to looked into it and saw all your exchanged messages with each other. Grabe, Bricks! You don't know what kind of pain you've inflicted in me that moment. I haven't told anyone about anything that is happening between us, not even Daryl. Yes, they know that we are having a problem but that's all they know, may problema tayo. Can't you see it, Bricks? I love you so much that even if it slowly kills me inside, I'll still try to understand you and cover you up from them if necessary. I've been through hell, Bricks."

I stopped for a while to see his reaction. His eyes are beginning to swell because of tears. God! Give me strength to say this.

"It took me a while to realize everything. Sobrang tanga ko na pala talaga. Grade A stupidity. I'm so fed up. I somehow feel that I already run out of reasons to continue what I feel for you...." I said heavily.

"No, no, no, please don't say that. Please, just give me another chance to vindicate myself. One chance to make things right. " he begged and held my hand.

"I'm too broken to hold on, Bricks. I don't know if I could do this anymore."

"No, Anna. Please. I know I've been a total jerk. I took you for granted. I inflicted too much pain in you but I don't wanna lose you this way. I mean, I don't wanna lose you at all. I love you believe it or not. The reason that I didn't call you or even text you these past few days is because I'm thinking of what to do. Daryl saw me last Monday with Marielle...." Alam na ni Gonzales? Shit! Lalo tuloy akong naiiyak.

"...He punched me in my face and it finally hit me. It took me one punch just to realize my mistake and I wanted to rectify it. I'm one hell of a moron with what I've done to you. Slap or hit me all you want, you could curse me too just don't break up with me. I can't take it, Anna. I can't. Please, one chance is all I'm asking."

"Second chances are for people who deserves
it. Do you think you belong with those people?" I asked him. Maybe, if I hear his answer it'll change my mind.

It took him a few seconds to answer "I think everyone deserves it and that includes me."

I sigh "Then prove it."