Back in Time [Completed]

EGGNOG

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"Bakit hindi mo sinabing pupunta dito sa bar si Lea?" Nagngangalaiting tanong ni Aga kay Vice habang kausap sa phone. Paglabas na paglabas niya sa Bar ay agad niyang tinawagan si Vice dahil ito lamang ang nakakaalam kung nasaan siya.

"Kanina pa kaya kita tinatawagan pero hindi mo sinasagot. Nag-aalala lang naman sayo yung asawa mo saka di ko naman inexpect na seseryosohin niya ang magpunta doon para makausap ka." Sagot naman ni Vice.

"Bakit mo ba kasi sinabi kung nasaan ako?"

"E ano bang masama? Nag-aalala din iyong tao at saka asawa mo iyon. Bigyan mo naman na kaunting pang-unawa."

"Nakita niya akong may kasamang ibang babae."

"Anong ginawa niya? Inaway yung babaeng kasama mo?" Curious na tanong ni Vice.

"Wala, kasi hindi ko siya pinansin. At saka mutual friend namin yun ni Shane."

"Ay grabe ka naman, Ags. Nag-eeffort na nga si Lea para magkaayos na kayo, iwas ka pa ng iwas. Daig mo pa ang babae kung magtampo."

"Aga!" He heard someone called from behind. He doesn't need to guess who that was because that voice is the most unforgettable one he has ever heard. Iisang tao lang ang nagmamay-ari ng boses na iyon.

He turned off his phone without saying goodbye to Vice and turned around to look at her.

He saw her take a few steps tentatively. She seems so unsure of herself and there is anxiety and fear in her eyes.

"I didn't know you still go to places like these, Lea. And I was even surprised you are acquainted with Dervy. Well, I heard you date lots of men, I wonder if Dervy is one of them." Mapangkutyang sabi niya. Kahit alam niyang walang katotohanan ang mga bintang niya, ay sinabi pa rin niya para masaktan ang damdamin ng asawa.

She vigorously shook her head, "I didn't date a lot of men and I only came here to see you. Can we talk, please?" Nagsusumamong sabi ni Lea.

"About what?" Parang nabobored na tanong niya. "I think wala na tayong dapat pag-usapan pa, because I'm not Aga, right? And even if I am, ang tanging pag-uusapan na lang natin ay arrangement regarding sa mga bata."

Hindi nakaimik si Lea. She never expected this kind of hostility.

"Kung iyon ang pag-uusapan natin, sa ibang araw na lang, may pupuntahan pa ako." He said then turned away.

"Wait." Natatarantang pigil ni Lea, "Gabi na, saan ka pa pupunta? You should go home dahil mukhang nakainom ka na." She said worriedly.

"Tss..Wow, concern, Lea? Hindi ba sinabi mo sa akin na hindi mo na ako mahal? Nagmakaawa pa ako na bigyan mo ako ng chance baka sakaling bumalik ang pagmamahal mo pero hindi ka pumayag kasi yung doktor ang gusto mo. Wag mo akong pakialaman dahil hindi wala na akong pakialam sayo."

Those words are like venom in her veins.

Her face shows the pain his words had caused but he ignored it. He doesn't know where he is getting his strength to stand here in front of her just watching her break and crumble.

"I'm sorry." She whispered. "For what I said. I didn't mean that.... Mahal kita. Ikaw lang ang tanging minahal ko."

And she was on the verge of tears when she is saying that.

And he believed her. Umaasa siya na totoo ang mga sinasabi ng asawa niya pero siguro masyado lang siyang mapride.

"Mahal mo ako? Bilang si Cody?" mapangkutyang turan niya.

Lea doesn't know how to answer that. How will she tell him that she fall in love with him 'again' the moment she saw him on the stretcher on that fateful night.

"Hindi ka makasagot? Mahal mo si Aga dahil asawa mo siya, Kaya sinasabi mo ngayon na mahal mo ako dahil naniniwala ka nang ako si Aga? O nainlove ka kay Cody? Which is which, Lea?"

Lea frowned, "Di ba iisang tao lang naman si Cody at Aga?" Patanong na sabi niya.

"See? Even you are questioning it. Hindi ka pa sigurado. You know what, Don't worry about me, ikaw ang dapat nang umuwi. Anong oras na, may mga anak kang iniwan sa bahay. Hindi ka dapat nagpupupunta sa mga lugar na ganito lalo pa at mag-isa ka."

With that, he left her standing in the parking area.

He went to his car and drove away. In his side mirror, he saw his wife still standing on where he left her.

Kung tutuusin, sobrang babaw ng pinag-aawayan nila. Tatlong taon na nga lang silang nagkahiwalay dahil sa isang pangyayaring hindi naman nila ginusto tapos ngayong nabigyan sila ng isang pagkakataon para magkasama ulit pero parang sinasayang lang nila.

'Shit!' He silently cursed.

'Ano ba Aga, this is your chance. Di ba, kahit noong si Cody ka pa ay pinangarap mo na siyang makasama? Pero bakit ngayong may dahilan ka na at may karapatan ka pa ay hindi mo naman sinusunggaban ang pagkakataon?'

Halos kalahating kilometro na ang nilakbay niya nang bigla niyang inaapakan ang preno at hinampas ang steering wheel.

He took deep breaths first before making a u-turn. He silently uttered a short prayer, asking that Lea would still be there... Waitinf for him..

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