Part 1 || Goodbye
It's not so early in the morning when I woke up from the freezing breeze tickling my skin. We must've left the hotel window open last night. I moved a bit and felt Elijah's arms wrapped around me even tighter. I looked up to him and was greeted by the most precious smile.
"Good morning baby", he greeted.
"Good morning, I think we left off the window open last night. It's cold." I replied giving him a questioning look.
"It's so early baby, can we stay in bed for a while?" reklamo niya na parang batang pinagkaitan ng oras na makapaglaro.
Pinagbigyan ko na lamang siya dahil tinatamad pa rin naman akong bumangon. After a while of cuddling, we decided to get up and get dressed.
"Baby gusto mo bang mamasyal muna bago tayo bumalik ng Pilipinas?" he asked and and I agreed excitedly.
I wore an off shoulder crop top and a shorts like I usually wear.
"What are you wearing?" tanong niya sabay tingin sa katawan ko mula ulo hanggang paa. "Uh a crop top and a shorts" I answered. I swear I just want to laugh at his reaction right now but he seemed so serious.
"Change" his tone's marked with finality.
"What's wrong with this?" I asked trying to sound irritated.
"Klare mamamasyal tayo hindi tayo magpaparty. At tsaka you're showing too much skin. I don't want any other guys staring at my girl." He said out of frustration.
And so I changed into a simple knee dress instead and put on some flats.
"You look beautiful." He complimented after and gave me a kiss on the forehead. I've never felt so secured.
We are going to have our breakfast at the hotel restaurant downstairs before heading out. We are currently in one of the finest hotels in the world. We couldn't miss it for our lives.
"Good morning ma'am, sir!" bati ng babae na may sumisigaw na 'Le Marcelle' sa suot na umiporme.
I returned the greeting as we proceed inside. We were walking when a woman suddenly bumped into me. Naka body hugging dress siya at pulang-pula ang kanyang mga labi. Ang alahas na suot niya ay sumisigaw ng karangyaan. "Hey watch you-" naputol ang sasabin niya nang malingon niya si Elijah.
"Excuse m-" pinutol niya ang sasabihin ko at nagsalitang muli. This bitch!
"Elijah?! Oh my god Elijah! It's been so long!" she exclaimed as if it's the end of the world.
"Since we're all here na, why don't you two join me for breakfast?" she offered as if we've got another choice.
We sat on a round table near the window overlooking the Eiffel Tower. Kitang-kita ang kabuoan nito. Napangiti ako. Paris has always been my dream place to travel. And so here I am, with the person I love so much.
I've learned that this woman here is named Rita. She and Elijah had been friends when they were in the US. She looks young and pretty, I couldn't deny it. She is a surgeon in the Philippines and like us, she's also here for vacation. Iba ang tingin niya kay Elijah and I'm not pleased by how she's trying to flirt with my fiancée. Hindi magaan ang loob ko sa babaeng ito. I don't know why, but that's how I felt the moment I saw her.
"Klarey eat up baby." I was interrupted by my thoughts when Elijah spoke up. Napansin niya siguro na hindi ko masyadong ginagalaw ang pagkain ko.
"I'm just gonna get my phone in our room I left it in the bed side table. Be right back in a few. Don't go anywhere, aright?" Paalam niya.
I nod my head for an answer.
"Um, I guess I need to go too. Something came up, I'm sorry. Do you mind?" Rita said.
"Not at all." I replied trying to concentrate on the food.
10 minutes... 15 minutes... 30 minutes...
When I couldn't take it anymore, lumabas na ako ng reataurant at nagmartsa pabalik sa suite namin para tignan si Elijah. 18th floor. Nagsimula akong maglakad sa hagdan dahil wala pa ang elevator. Nang makarating na akong third floor ay may narinig akong mga boses kaya napahinto ako at nagtago ng konti.
"She doesn't need to know." boses ng babae.
"Yeah?" I know that voice too damn well.
Naestatwa ako sa kinatatayuan ko. No, this can't be. Sandaling katahimikan ang bumalot sa paligid. Nang nakabawi ay nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad at nakumpirma nga ang nasa isip ko. Fuck!
Tumambad sa akin ang magkadikit na katawan ni Elijah at Rita habang naghahalikan. They were kissing! What ?! Tears started flowing down my cheeks. Bigla akong nakaramdam ng galit at sakit. Para akong binagsakan ng langit sa nakita ko. Wala na akong kawala, I can't deny it na baka hindi totoo ang nakita ko dahil ako mismo ang nakasaksi sa ginawa nila.
Gustong-gusto kong magmura. Gustong-gusto ko silang sigawan. Gustong-gusto ko silang pag-untogin hanggang sa mamatay nalang sila pareho. Pero hindi ko magawa. Hindi ako makagalaw!
Umiiyak na ako sa kinatatayuan ko pero pinilit kong gumalaw at tumakbo pabalik sa baba at hinintay ang elevator tsaka nagmadaling pumasok sa kwarto. I packed all my things while wiping my damn tears that won't stop from falling. I've decided, uuwi na ako ngayon bahala siya sa buhay niya. Iiwan ko siya.
Goodbye Elijah.
Why does it have to be like this? Why is it that at one moment you were so happy and contented but after all that laughter you'd be wiping tears again?
Why it is that life loves to play a game in everyone's fate? Making you tremble, fight, cry and leaves you with nothing but pain. Life must've been having fun messing with what was already messed up.
I gave the room one final glance and left a note at the bedside table: 'Fuck You! –Klare'
