Bits and Pieces

T W O

love isn't meant for the blind; set at the time when they broke up

She stood rigid, her eyes seeming hollow. This wasn't the first time; in fact, she had seen it herself once. She knew it was meaningless, nothing more than just a passing fling. When he denied her accusations, she didn't believe him, but when he said he loved her, she knew it was true.

This time the call came from a close friend. He claims he spotted Richard at a bar with a tall blonde. It was funny, really. He said if it weren't for the hair, she and the woman could've passed as twins. If it weren't the looks Richard was looking for, then what was it exactly? Clearly he isn't content.

It was too much already. She had waited, waited for so long. Two years she stood by him. Two years he lied to her.

Two years she loved him, knowing that by doing so, she'll only ever get hurt.

Love really is blind. She was so blinded by everything he could give to her, that she forgot that he was everything that was hurting her too- the person making her feel like less than the person she was. Often times, right after when loyal friends would tell her stories of his unfaithfulness, she would ask herself why- why can't he just be happy enough being with her.

That day she waited. She sat on the little love seat made for two set up in their living room. It had always been the chair wherein they would just sit together, sometimes in silence, just enjoying each other's presence.

She sat there, and waited.

//

It was past midnight when he came.

"Oh, love. Ba't gising ka pa?"

"Wala lang. Na miss lang kita," she said convincingly. She loved to pretend. And right now, she was pretending to be the perfect girl- the kind that isn't too jealous when her man comes in late, the kind that doesn't doubt when he's out with friends, the kind that isn't too clingy and would always give him space. She was none of that, of course. She just really loved to pretend.

"Sige, akyat ka na sa kwarto. Dalhan nalang kita ng pagkain," she says while standing from her seat and making her way to the kitchen.

As she passes him, he takes a hold of her arm, and kisses her cheek. "Salamat, ha. Ang sweet mo naman, love." he says as he caressed her face gently, smiling cheekily. Dawn forced out a smile of her own and freed herself from his hold.

"Umakyat ka na. Susunod nalang ako."

//

She came in quietly with a tray of his favorite food. He was already lying on the bed, dressed in his evening wear. He sat up as she entered saying, "Wow. Thank you, love, ha. Pwede pa subo?"

She kept her head down low, and set the tray down on the side table. She took her seat right beside him on the bed. Richard moved close to her, invading her personal space. He put one arm at her side, trapping her against the bed's headboard. He held her face in his hand and brushed away the hair covering her face.

He kissed her forehead, then the tip of her nose, and lastly her lips. It was almost like a ghost of a kiss- a chaste one. He kept his face near her, their noses touching. His eyes were closed, but hers were open.

He kissed her again, this time more passionate, more needy. She didn't respond. Richard pulled back, a look of concern written all over his face.