My T.O.T.G.A. (The One That Got Away)

Chapter 18

The ego is a fascinating monster.

- Alanis Morisette

***

"Is it true?"

Tanong ni Veron kay Wade nang maiwan na lamang silang dalawa.

Tumango ito ng marahan.

"So, you're twins, huh?" she asked sarcastically na animo'y sinusukat ang katotohanan sa bawat salitang binitiwan ni Wade sa kaniya kanina.

"Fraternal." sagot nito.

"And all these four years na nawala ka. You didn't even bother to tell me? Or at least tried to?" sumbat ni Veron.

Hindi kumibo si Wade. Napatungo ito sa sobrang guilt.

"Di ba sabi mo dati, 'cards on the table' tayo?" sabi niya rito.

"Veron..."he pleaded.

"Nasa'n na iyon, Wade? Do you not love me enough for me to deserve to know the truth? Have I known , have you ever thought...even for just a moment, that you could have spared me from four years of misery thinking she was your other woman?"

Nagsimulang pumatak ang mga luha niya. Tuloy tuloy ang daloy na parang hindi na matatapos.

Nag-flashback sa utak niya ang mga gabing iyak siya ng iyak dahil miss na miss na niya si Wade. Ang mga araw na dapat ay anniversary nilang dalawa na ilang taon din niyang mag-isang ginugunita. Ang sobra sobrang pagtangis ng puso niya at walang sawang pagkanlong ng mga alaala nila despite of everything that he has done. And the sad and painful truth na minamahal pa rin niya ito sa kabila ng lahat.

"It's complicated, Veronica. It's so hard to explain." tugon ni Wade.

"It's complicated? So hard to explain? Is that it?"

"We lost everything, Wade! Up to the last cent. People back home hated my family, blaming us for someone else's fault. My dad has cancer and he is dying. What could be more complicated?" buong hinanakit na sabi niya rito.

"Veronica, hindi ko gustong masaktan ka. I was just trying to protect her. Please...I didn't mean to hurt you. Patawarin mo'ko." pagsusumamo ni Wade, trying to hold her hand. His eyes are starting to well up, too.

"You were trying to protect her? How? By hurting me? Ganun ba?" sumbat niya dito.

"You and your damn excuses! I've had enough of it."

"Hinanap kita. Para akong tanga na umaasang magpaparamdam ka. Sinayang ko lang ang apat na taon sa wala. Those four gloomy years of my life...all wasted for nothing. You just made look like a fool!" patuloy niya trying to speak in between sobs.

"Veronica, please forgive me." pakiusap ni Wade.

"Please, let's start again. I want to make it right this time. I don't want to hurt you anymore. Please give me another chance to prove it..." tumayo ito and attempted to hug her pero pumiglas siya.

"No!" she shouted. "Don't touch me."

"Veron...please..." maluha-luhang pakiusap ni Wade sa kaniya.

"Leave me alone." she said.

"Veronica..." patuloy na pagsusumamo nito.

"Leave me alone!" sigaw ni Veronica dito.

Andrei then came rushing as soon as he heard Veron shout.

Lumapit ito sa kaniya, inilabas ang panyo nito sa bulsa saka pinahid ang mga luha niya.