Isang Duwag, Isang Bulag
From: Him
-Let's cancel our meeting Cath.
My shoulders slumped in an instant after reading his text message. Sobrang excited ko pa naman din. Nakasakay na ko ng taxi eh. After a few months of not seeing him, finally makikita ko na rin siya. Kaso hindi pa rin pala.
"Manong, U-turn tayo. Kenny Rogers na lang po tayo."
The driver nodded. Kakatingin ko pa lang sa labas nang marinig kong magbeep ang phone ko. I unlocked it and saw that I received a text message. Akala ko text lang galing sa network na gamit ko but I was surprised that it was from Mark again. I was smiling from ear to ear. Naisip ko, baka naisipan niyang bawiin yung sinabi niya. Na baka nagbibiro lang siya at tuloy naman pala talaga kami. "Manong, sorry. Starbucks tayo."
Buti na lang hindi pa nakaka-U-turn si manong. Actually malapit na. Pero buti na lang talaga umabot ako. I was smiling from ear to ear when I tapped that message icon. Excited pa akong mabasa ang text niya.
But I should have known better.
A tear fell from my eyes when I read his message. I was gasping for air when I felt that my heart became unfunctional. Parang bigla itong tumigil. I was biting my lower lip to stop my sobs from escaping. At pakiramdam ko, sa bawat hikbi na pinipigilan kong lumabas, nakakadagdag sa sakit na nararamdaman ko.
From: Him
-Siya pa rin Cath
Bakit, Mark? Bakit siya pa rin? Ako itong laging nandito. Ako itong hindi ka iniwan. Ako itong tumulong sa'yo para bumangon. Pero bakit siya pa rin? Tinulungan na kitang buuin ulit ang nasira mong puso, Mark. When everyone else left, I stayed. I freaking stayed!
The next message from him didn't helped at all. Pakiramdam ko, naaawa siya sakin dahil sa text niyang yon.
From: Him
-Sorry
The word "Sorry" is painful itself. It didn't helped in lifting my mood at all. Umasa ako na sana, kahit konti, nabawasan yung sakit. Pero hindi. Lalo lang akong nasaktan sa sorry niya.
"Manong, stop on the first bar you'll see."
I saw him sighed. Nakukulitan na siguro to sakin dahil sa pabago bago kong isip. "Sige po."
-----
"Isang vodka," I ordered as I sat by the counter. Nang bigyan ako ng isang baso ng vodka, sinamaan ko ng tingin yung bartender. "Give me a bottle, stupid."
"Sorry po." Umalis ito sa harap ko at kumuha ng isang bote ng vodka. Binayaran ko naman iyon agad. I took the bottle and the shot glass. Naupo ako sa unahan, malapit sa stage. Kakatapos lang kumanta nung isang banda. May bago nang umaakyat sa stage. Halos lahat sila lalaki, dadalawa ang babae. Mukhang pianist yung isa at yung isa ay guitarist at vocalist. May isang lalaki na on vocals lang. May pagka-petite ito. May dalawa pang guitarist tapos isang drummer.
"Good evening po," the petite one said while the others were preparing their instruments. "Kami nga pala ang Juanders."
Ang lakas namang maka-pinoy ng pangalan ng banda nila.
"Ang kakantahin namin ngayong gabi ay sarili naming composition."
The guitarists started playing the intro of the song. The tune was catchy. "Para to sa mga taong na-friendzoned."
Ouch. Are you freaking kidding me right now? Nananadya ba kayo?
"Para sa mga nagmamahal ng taong bulag kasi hindi nila makita-kita ang pagmamahal mo sa kanya."
