The Man I Chose To Let Go (Under Editing)

Chapter 7: Best

January 2022

Eric Santiago got engaged with Cam Salvador.

Iyon ang nakita niya sa newsfeed kinabukasan. Camilla posted a photo of her arms wrapped on Fred's shoulder yet the photo was focused on her finger so her face is kind of blur yet obviously smiling so wide.

Ang daming nag-like, nagcomment and react. Of course, maging siya ay nagreact din.

It's been 3 days after the big event pero sila pa rin ang nasa newsfeed niya. Ganoon sila ka-famous ngayon.

Speaking of famous, nadatnan niya ang buong opisina na may lobo at banner with greetings for them.

As expected, sabay ang dalawa na pumasok. Magkahawak ang kamay at malawak ang ngiti sa isa't isa.

"Friend, unsolicited advice. Ipasa mo na iyang letter." Ani Vicky na nasa tabi na pala niya, kasabay niyang nakikipalak-pak, "Hindi dahil ayaw na kita rito pero ako ang nahuhurt para sa 'yo, friend."

She smirked, "Gaga." Tumalikod na siya at kinuha ang make-up kit. "CR lang ako,"

She headed towards the comfort room and locked herself on the last cubicle. She took out her face powder and pat some of it on her cheeks.

Sunod naman niyang nilagay ay lipstick. She sighed and smiled on herself in the little piece of mirror, until she felt a tiny drop fall from above.

Napa-angat siya ng tingin only to realize that the droplets came from her own eyes. When she began to acknowledge it, tuluyan na siyang lumuha.

Yes, she is inlove with Frederico Santiago Jr. She is  inlove with the man too high she can never reach, so near yet so far.

She is inlove with the man she chose to let go, even though he wasn't hers to hold on with.

Letting go without confessing to him is the greatest gift she could give to the both of them.

Kailan nga ba niya minahal ang isang Frederico Santiago Jr.?  She didn't know, too. Walang eksaktong araw o pangyayari.

Her love for him wasn't swift. She didn't become infatuated. She loved him as a friend first. She appreciated his existence. Fred made her feel all kinds of emotions - anger, sadness, joy, fear but never disgust.

When did she acknowledge it? When Fred almost proposed to Sabrina. Both of them were friends, too. Matapang lang sila at sinubukan maging magnobyo.

They were perfect until Fred chose Sydney. Look at them now, parang walang pinagsamahan. Hindi niya gustong matulad sa dalawang iyon.

Amanda collected herself and went back to her work. As usual, puno ng tawanan ang opisina ni Fred dahil madalas sila magtawanan ni Camilla ngayon.

He looked so happy.

"Hindi pala siya ang ang seloso," Nagulat siya sa sinabi ni Samuel, "Ikaw pala."

"Ha?"

"Hatdong!" Samuel giggled, inilapit nito ang swivel chair sa kanya, "Gusto mo earphones? Masakit kasi sa tainga ano?"

"Tigilan mo nga ako"

"Pasok dito," Turo nito sa kaliwang tainga, "Labas rito" at kanang tainga. "Hindi pasok rito, diretso rito " turo nito sa dibdib.

"Naipasa mo ba ba yung proposal para sa online orientation?" Pagiiba niya ng topic.

Tumango naman ito, "Aba! Syempre." He proudly said, "Alam mo, ang sugat na hindi nirerecognize, hindi gagaling." Bumalik na ito sa table niya.

Punyeta din nito ni Samuel. Sorry, ha? Hindi naman siya pala mura pero kaiiyak nga lang niya sa cubicle tapos gusto pa siya paiyakin ulit.

Kaya naman binuksan niya ang sariling email at binasa ang application form na binigay ng kapatid papunta ng Switzerland.

She opened her Facebook and checked if online ang asawa ni Kuya Hugo.

Ate Eleni, busy ka?

In just a few seconds nakita niyang typing na ito. Ate Eleni is a restaurant owner, doon nito nakilala ang kapatid niya. She's half Filipina and half Swiss.

Hi, Amy. What's up?

Ate, paano ulit itong application? Should I just fill this up and send?

Wow! Are you decided to join us?

Kung hindi ngayon, kailan pa? This would be the perfect opportunity because Fred doesn't need her now. Magandang humanap na rin siya ng pwedeng pumalit sa posisyon niya para ma-train pa.

Yes, Ate. I guess it's about time. What should I do? May need pa ba bukod sa requirements?

Wala na, Amy. Iyan na lang naman ang pinaka-kulang mo. Just let me know if you sent it!

She filled up the form and read the last part once again. Pinagiisipan kung isesend na ang application.

Your Kuya's will be thrilled to know you'll join us soon. Akala nila aabot ka pa ng isang taon diyan magisa once nandito na sina Mama at Papa.

Hindi na niya siguro kaya ang isang taon. Her family is all that she has. Kung nasaan ang mga ito ay doon din siya.

Gusto ko rin pala sana Ate na magsend na ng applications para sa work.

Huwag mong problemahin, Amy. You have a good community here and based sa kwento ng mga Kuya mo ay hindi ka naman maarte sa trabaho.

Talaga ba? Haha. Samantalang dati palagi akong inaasar na tamad. Anyway, thank you Ate.

No worries, Amy. I'm excited to see you in person! Let me know if you need anything.

She looked over his office. Stained glass wall lang ang pagitan nila. She could somehow hear them, and all she could hear were laughter.

Naalala niya tuloy kung paano sila unang nagkakilala nitong si Fred. It was funny to look back, she's in High School that time at ang kambal niyang kapatid ay kaklase nito.

Silas and Lucas are fraternal twins. Tinatawag niya lang na Dico si Silas dahil mas nauna itong pinanaganak.

He was born December 31st, samantalang si Lucas ay January 1st. Segundo lang ang pagitan pero magkaiba na sila ng birthday.

Fred celebrated his New Year with her family that time. Nasa ibang bansa kasi ang magulang at ayaw nitong sumama, and he didn't regret it as he said.

That day was just full of laughter for them. At sana maulit iyon nang magkakasama silang pamilya.

"Oh, January 1 na diyan dito birthday ko pa rin." They are in a video call, si Silas ang nagsasalita, "Sana sa susunod kong birthday, nandito ka na Amanda."

She went back to her senses and sighed.

Okay na ito. She should leave. Gusto niya rin tuparin ang wish ng mga kapatid. Matagal na rin silang hindi nagkikita-kita.

She pressed the button and closed her eyes. Nang idilat niya ay nabasa na niya ang status.

Sent.

Maybe it's for the best.