The (not so) Sweet Serendipity

16.3

The night before the dinner. I was smart enough to not ask my family whether Meng was really going to be there. You know how they are. But I did find myself actually hoping that she was, I haven't actually seen her in person for two years now, cause you know she's been visiting me in my sleep. And I just really want to see her. Maybe seeing her in person will bring my sanity back.

On the way there, of course, pag tritripan ako ng pamilya ko. Am I that obvious na. I couldn't help it.

"Bat parang excited na kinakabahan ka, anak? Mamamanhikan ba tayo?" My dad teases. He thinks he's so funny.

"Oo nga Kuya, relax ka lang. Pinagpapawisan ka na o." Ako naman si punas then I saw Riza shake her head laughing at me.

Then my mom, unusually joins in on the teasing but not this time. "Pinagtitripan niyo pa si Richard, eh alam na natin di makakarating si Menggay. Baka umaasa yan na andun."

Ay... Wala pala siya. Wala nakong pake kung nahalata nila na nalungkot ako at nadisappoint. I had to see her. I couldn't stop myself anymore, "Hindi po ba siya uuwi this year? Wala rin po ba siya sa reunion?"

"Nako iho, hindi ko pa alam. Pero matagal pa naman yung reunion ninyo. Dadating yun dun."

Hindi nako sumagot. I just wanted to get this dinner over with, go home and sleep because surely in my dreams, she will be there.

When we got there, it was tita who opened the door for us. And well, imagine my surprise when I saw Meng who was coming towards me all smiles with matching beso pa at hug. Tangina. Good one, mom. Hindi tuloy ako nakapag ready, feeling ko tuloy ang awkward awkward ko. Wala, natameme lang ako. I just glared at my mom, oh and she couldn't stop laughing alright. Yep, joke's on me.

She looks good. Well, she's always look so good. Actually, she looks great. It's like she's glowing. Oh, blooming is the word. Well, I'm happy for her. She and her guy must really make each other happy. He's treating her well, I suppose. O, bakit ka nagiging protective diyan?

During dinner, I honestly couldn't focus kasi katabi ko siya, naaamoy ko siya, and ang bango niya ha, tapos hinawakan niya pa kamay ko from time to time. She would look at me, smile at me, even acknowledge me, and call me Chard. Lakas ng tama mo, brad. The little things that I missed. Do I still have feelings for her? Of course you do, si Menggay yan eh. Pero matagal nang tapos ang usapang 'to diba?

Tapos ayun na nga yung kahihiyan ko please. Hiyang hiya ako. Gusto kong mag laho na lang bigla. Tangina, nagmamarunong ka kasi. Bakit hindi updated mga tao? Sobrang luma na ng balitang dumating sakin.

Bakit ang tanga ko. Wala na pala siyang boyfriend. Magsi6 months na. Bakit 'di ko alam yun? Joke's on me again. Bakit kaya sila nagbreak? Bakit mukhang okay naman siya? Ang tanga ko talaga, nakakabad trip. Pwede kasing kausapin mo na lang yung tao eh!

I was silent sa car on the way home, and they let me. Knowing my parents, I think they know something's up but they leave me alone to my thoughts.

That night I couldn't sleep...

I think I know now the answer to all the questions I've been having all these months. I know now how wrong my decisions were, it's time, ang tagal ko nang naging duwag. I have to talk to Menggay. But before that, I have to end things with Louise, bahala na.