Secret Love (COMPLETED)

Chapter 20

AKI WENT TO THE BALCONY. She needs air, she thinks.

Mayamaya ay naramdaman niyang may yumakap sa baywang niya mula sa likuran. Kahit na hindi siya lumingon ay alam niyang si Franco iyon.

"Baby, malamig dito. Let's go back inside," anito. Ipinatong nito ang baba balikat niya.

Tumingin siya ng diretso. Humigpit ang hawak nito sa baywang niya at saka hinalikan siya sa ibabaw ng ulo. She just stood still.

"When did you find out?" tanong niya.

"A month a go. I was really about to tell you that day on, but Win begged me not to. Siya daw ang magsasabi sayo, waiting for the right timing. So, I just let her do what she wants. Are you mad at me?" anito sa malumanay na boses.

Napapikit siya. Bakit siya magagalit rito kung ganyang tono ang ginagamit nito sa kanya? "No."

Pinaharap siya nito rito. But she just lower her head, avoiding his eyes. Ginagap nito ang baba niya at dahan-dahang iniangat ang mukha niya. Her pure brown eyes met his chocolate brown eyes.

"I'm sorry."

Aki sigh. "No. Alwina's right. Hindi dapat ako magalit sayo. And, I'm not. Siguro, nadala lang ako ng emosyon ko kaya hindi kita sinasagot."

Franco smile and hug her. "I know Alwina can get through with this. I told her na hindi natin siya iiwanan."

"Yeah, she needs us. More than ever."

"Na touch naman ako don."

Sabay silang napalingon. Alwina was there, standing with both hands on her waist and shaking her head. Natawa sila ni Franco nang sumimangot ito.

"I hate to interrupt you, lovebirds, but dinner's ready, so tama na muna yan at kumain na tayo," anito.

Bumitaw siya kay Franco at saka niyakap si Alwina.

"Ang higpit, bes."

"Sorry. Are you okay? Are you feeling something?" sunud-sunod na tanong niya.

Alwina laugh. "Come on, as you can see okay pa po ako. Kaya tara na at baka lumamig ang mga niluto ko."

Franco smile and nod. Hinila naman siya ni Alwina at dinala sa dining area.

"WHAT DID THE DOCTOR say? Are you having chemotheraphy?" sunud-sunod na tanong ni Aki kay Alwina.

Alwina laugh. "Yeah. And hoping na sana effective siya."

"Does he knows?" Franco asked.

Sandaling natigilan si Alwina. She sigh before answering. "No. And no plans to tell."

"Who's who?" Aki ask in curiosity.

"Draymond."

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya. "D-Draymond? As in-"

"Yup, as in Draymond Lewis. That guy from USA."

"Oh my gosh. So you mean naging kayo ng Amboy na yun? Paano? Since when?"

Natawa si Franco at Alwina. "Daig mo pa ang media sa kakatanong mo, bes ha. Well, since we graduated highschool, and after you become a member of f-gen. Franco on the other hand knew only a month ago."

"So, paano kayo nagbreak? Kasi naman, playboy yun eh," aniya at kumunot ang noo.

"Well, he changed. Our relationship lasted for 5 years. Until I was diagnosed with brain tumor, I-I broke up with him," Alwina said and sigh.

"What?" halos sabay na tanong nila ni Franco.

"Win, you should not have done that."

"I-I don't want to see him hurt. Kaya nga ayokong sabihin sa inyo eh. Kasi, kasi alam ko na mangyayari ito."

Ginagap niya ang kamay ni Alwina. "Bes, hindi pwedeng hindi niya malaman. You've been together for 5 years, ang haba na nun tapos ganun-ganun na lang yun dahil lang sa sakit mo? Hindi ka naman pwedeng magisa lalo na ngayon."

"I dont know, bes. I feel like, like it was best for me, for the both of us. Mas gusto ko siyang masaya kaya, kaya ayun," she replied with a sad smile.

"Pero mahal mo pa?" Franco ask.

Napatingin ito kay Franco. She sigh and smile sadly again. "I do. So much that I choose to let him go."

"I love you too, Alwina."

Sabay silang napalingon sa nagsalita. Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Aki habang napasinghap naman si Alwina. Lumakad si Draymond sa direksyon ni Alwina. Lumuhod ito nang nasa harap na ito ni Alwina. Her friend just stare at the lad with her mouth half wide open. Natahimik naman si Aki at hindi alam ang nangyayari.

"H-how did you-"

"I'm sorry, Win. I called him."

Napatingin sila kay Franco. Draymond smile and Franco did the same.

"Best friend kita, but Draymond is also my friend. I think he suffered enough sa kakahanap sayo, sorry, but I chose to help him," ani Franco.

Napailing si Alwina. "I dont b-believe this."

Draymond cupped Alwina's face. Her friend just look at him with eyes covered with tears. Pinahiran naman iyon ng una gamit ang mga hinlalalki nito.

"Honey, I don't understand why you broke up with me just because you're sick. I mean, I was so frustrated when you left me in the US. I've searched everywhere for you here. Until then, I saw Franco. He told me that he was going here so I drove here as fast as I can when he sent the address. And for the record, I won't leave you just because you're sick, you need me, now more than ever," mahaba nitong sabi.

Napakagat-labi naman si Alwina. But tears were still flowing from her eyes.

"I'm s-sorry, Dray. I-I just can't tell you that time b-because I-I dont want you to be upset about it."

"For 5 years, honey, I always treasure you as if you were a diamond. Do you think I'll leave just because of that freakin' tumor? Nah, of course not. Mahal kita, and you know how much," wika ni Draymond.

Lihim na napangiti si Aki dahil sa slang ng pagbigkas nito. Natawa naman si Alwina at ganoon din si Franco.

"Dude, you should practice more," Franco said and smile. Napangiti rin siya.

"Okay, fine. Since you're here, you'll join us. And by the way, in case you didn't remember, this is Aki," pakilala ni Alwina sa kanya.

She extended her hand and he did the same. "Its nice to meet you, Draymond. Actually, I've known you since highschool."

"Oh really? So we're schoolmates. That's why you look familiar. Pleasure to meet you," Draymond said and took her hand.

"She's Franco's girl, hon," Alwina barged in.

"Ooh, okay. So you do have one now, dude. Great."

Natawa si Franco. Umupo na sa tabi ni Alwina si Draymond at saka kumain na rin. They chat for almost 2 hours. Kapansin-pansin ang pagiging sweet ni Draymond kay Alwina and Aki is happy to see her friend smiling. Nagtagal pa sila doon ni Franco ng isang oras bago sila nagpaalam sa dalawa. Draymond is staying kaya kampante si Aki at Franco.