A Six-Word Story II

Chapter 5

Chapter 5: When you don't look back, the feeling fades away.

It had taken me a month before I finally told myself that what I was doing was useless. Because no matter what I did, I just kept on thinking about him and our memories. I couldn't keep on doing this to myself. I couldn't keep on running away.

"Really? Sasama ka talaga?" hindi makapaniwalang bulalas ni Tamara ng pumayag ako na sumama sa kanila sa isang music lounge. "Totoo yan ha?"

I chuckled. "Oo nga. I'm done with my designs anyway."

"Grabe ka. Isang buwan kang hindi nag-pakita sa amin."

"Ganon talaga ako kapag maraming tinatapos. I kind of turn into a hermit."

"Akala namin ni Missy umiiwas ka lang kasi..." She grimaced. "Alam mo na. Iniisip namin na baka affected ka pa rin kay Jeck."

Natigilan ako. Pero kaagad din nakabawi. "Of course not. I have been really busy with my designs."

Kinagabihan ay sinundo pa ako nina Tamara, Shin, Missy, at si Zeck na siyang nag-mamaneho. Earlier, I told him that they didn't have to fetch me but Missy and Tamara were adamant. They were thinking that I would not show up.

"Ano ba kasing meron? May okasyon ba?"

"Sasabihin mamaya ni DJ," sabi ni Tamara. "Surprise daw eh."

The music lounge was really nice. Sosyal ang lugar. Ang alam ko ay isa ito sa mga pag-aari ni Cliff. Sa may corner kami umupo. It turned out, DJ had already proposed to his girlfriend. We were happy for the newly engaged couple. They looked so in love. 

"Congrats, DJ!"

"Thank you, guys," he responded. 

Vash slung his arms around DJ's shoulders. "Lawyers are really smart. Ang galing mang-uto. Paano mo napa-oo ang girlfriend mo?"

The latter elbowed him. "Gago!"

Natawa na lang kami sa kanilang dalawa. Ipinakita pa nila sa amin ang kanilang engagement ring. As I was staring at it, a certain memory popped in my head. It was the time when Jeck proposed which I stupidly turned down. 

Siguro kung hindi ko tinanggihan ang alok niyang kasal ay baka masaya kami ngayon. Siguro may isang anak na rin kami. Hadn't I turned him down, he would have been still mine. Hindi sinasadyang napagawi ang tingin ko sa kanya. 

He had a big smile on his face: He was clearly happy for the newly engaged couple. There was no trace of bitterness on his face. Bahagya pa akong nagulat ng magawi ang tingin niya sa akin at mahuli akong nakatingin sa kanya. He raised his brows at me like he was asking if I was okay.

Tipid akong ngumiti sa kanya at tumango. He smiled and raised his bottle. I did the same. Kailan kaya ako magiging okay katulad niya?

We were having so much fun dissing DJ when a female singer was called on the stage to perform. I knew her. She was a good singer. Malamig ang boses niya. Binati niya ang mga audience. The first two songs she sang were love songs. But the third felt like it was written for me. 

"Ito pong susunod na kakantahin ko ay para sa mga taong may pinakawalan at gustong balikan. Pero hindi na pwede. Huli na ang lahat kasi siguro ay may mahal na siyang iba o dahil hindi ka na niya mahal. Minsan ang sarap pong umasa na baka pwede pa. Pero paano kung wala na talaga? Paano kung huli ka na talaga? Ipipilit mo pa ba? This song is for those people who have loved and lost."