Saabreena
Tears started to flow once again. Ilang beses ko ng pinilit ang sarili ko na huwag umiyak, pero umiiyak pa rin ako. It’s been a week since that incident happened, pero clear pa rin sa utak ko ang lahat ng narinig ko.
Matagal ko na ring hindi nabisita si Annika. Since that time Jeric started courting me, nawalan na ako ng time for Annika. And so I decided to visit her that day.
“I heard everything that you said about her. But I did not understand – I did not even dare to understand those.” I hear the person say. “Pero ngayon, naiintindihan ko na… Yung sinabi mo sa akin dati na si Saab is a living witness for hope, I think you’re right.”
Nakatalikod siya habang naka-upo. But even though hindi ko nakikita ang mukha niya. Kilala ko yung likod niya. Lalo naman ang boses niya. Napangiti ako.
He spoke once again. “She’s indeed my hope. She gives hope to everyone.”
I smiled to myself. I don’t know why but it felt so good hearing those words from him.
The sky darkened as the wind blew. I looked up. Parang uulan.
“I thank you for giving her to me Annika.” I heard him say. “Thank you so much.”
I shifted my gaze to him.
“ Hindi naman ako kumanta ngayon ah. Ba’t parang uulan?” he said then chuckled.
I was about to take a step to him when he spoke. “Annika. Should I tell her the truth?”
“Should I tell her about us?” he asked.
My eyes widened and my jaw dropped. I did not even notice that the bouquet I was holding fell down as the thunder roared. Raindrops started falling from the sky, along with the tears from my eyes.
He turned back. He’s shocked to see me. “Saab..”
He immediately stood up and tried to get near me.
My thoughts were cut off when I heard him shout. “Saab! Please kausapin mo ako!!!!”
I shifted my gaze to Sari and hugged her tightly. Tears continued to fall down from my eyes. I tried to shrug away the thought of his presence, pero sigaw pa rin siya ng sigaw.
“Saab please!! Talk to me!” sigaw niya.
As much as I want to talk to him, hindi ko pa rin kaya. Nasasaktan ako. Nasaktan ako sa nalaman ko. He could have just loved me because he knew I have Annika’s heart. Malamang, si Annika pa rin ang mahal niya at hindi ako.
“Sari, baby..” I mumbled. “I’m sorry.”
“Saab please!!!!” Jeric called again.
I heaved out a sigh before I stood up from my bed with Sari. Lumabas ako ng kwarto at nakita si Manang na aligaga.
“Ms. Saab…” she called.
I went down the stairs and gave her an assuring smile. “Manang, balik na kayo sa kusina. Ako na ang bahala.”
She looked hesitant, but then she just nodded afterwards and went back to the kitchen. I faced door and sighed once again.
Again, I hugged Sari and kissed her. “Kailangan kitang isa-uli sa dad—kay Jeric.”
“I’m sorry Sari.” I sobbed.
I wiped my tears before I twisted the door knob. I gathered all my guts before I went out the house. Nakita ko si Mang Jun na pinapaki-usapan si Jeric na umalis na, pero nagmamatigas pa rin siya. But when he saw me, he shoved away Mang Jun’s hand and immediately rushed in the vicinity.
