All or Nothing [Fin]

Twenty-seven

"I thought we'd be perfect, but I guess I was wrong.."

Napahagulgol si Ailee at hinabol ang lalaki at malakas na sinampal. "I thought you're different, but I guess I was wrong also.." Mula sa likod niya ay bumunot siya ng patalim na ikinalaki ng mata ng lalaking mahal niya.

"What are you going to do?!" Naghi-hysterical na sigaw ng lalaki sakanya. Bakas ang takot sa boses nito.

Napangisi siya at matalim na tinignan ito. "If I can't have you, then no one will!" sigaw niya at mabilis na sinaksak ang lalaki. Tumawa siya nang makitang nakahandusay ito sa sahig at kinakapusan na ng hininga.

Yumuko siya at hinalikan ito sa labi. "I love you.." bulong niya at mabilis na sinaksak ang sarili.

Sunod ay sumara nagdilim na ang buong paligid kasabay na pagsara ng mga naglalakihang kurtina at palakpakan ng mga manunuod.

Tumayo na sila ni Arnold na co-actor niya at gumitna kasama ng iba pang cast ng play. They stood in one line and smiled when the curtains opened again. Isa-isa silang pinakilala muli at sabay-sabay silang nag-bow bago umalis sa stage.

Maingay sila nang makarating sa backstage. Everyone's shrieking and calming theirselves because of relief and happiness. Sino ba ang hindi magiging masaya? Their shows were always sold out for the last two months that the administration had no choice but to extend it to another month. At ngayong gabi nga ang last show nila bago sila tumulak sa US para sa international shows nila.

Hindi niya lubos maisip na matagumpay ang unang play na pinagbibidahan pa niya. Sobra-sobrang blessing na ang natanggap niya dahil sa play na ito. Malakas na binati sila ng kanilang direktor at sinabing magkita nalang sa after party. She was not going though. She has some other plans.

"Hindi ka ba talaga sasama?" tanong sakanya ni Arnold.

Umiling siya at sinuot ang jacket niya. "Hindi talaga eh. Enjoy nalang kayo."

Napalingon siya sa kanyang likod nang may biglang tumikhim. She instantly smiled when she saw her boyfriend who looks handsome by the way with his suit and tie. Halata na kagagaling lang nito sa office. He told her that he will be running late since he had some Chinese investors coming to sign a very important deal. She understands naman, ang mas importante ay nandito ito ngayon.

She ran up to him and tackled him with a tight hug na maagap naman siya nitong nasalo. "You came!" masayang saad niya.

Narinig naman niya itong tumawa at maingat na ibinaba siya. "Of course. I wouldn't dare miss it. For my beatiful girlfriend. I am so proud of you." He handed her a bouquet of flowers and gave her a peck on the lips.

"Thank you. I'm super happy that you came. How's the deal? Did you get it?" tanong niya rito.

A smug smile formed on his face. "What do you think?"

Umismid nalang siya. Mayabang talaga ito. "Sabi ko nga eh. Dapat hindi na ako nagtanong. Let's go, nasa labas sila Mommy."

Palabas na sila nang pigilan siya ni Vaughn. "Wait." sabi nito tapos ay kinuha ang panyo nito sa bulsa at pinahid sa labi niya.

She just rolled her eyes while Vaughn is concentrating wiping her lips. "God, I really hate that fucking kissing scene." bulong nito.

Vaughn almost threw a fit on her first show when he saw the kissing scene at the end. Sumugod ito sa backstage at kwinelyuhan si Arnold that time. Mabuti nalang at napigilan niya ito. She got mad at him for being unreasonable and acted like that. Nahiya siya sa mga co-actors niya, kay Arnold at sa mga staffs that she almost quitted her role. Until one day, she saw Vaughn infront of all her co-workers, asking for forgiveness to what he has done.