choosing not to

he doesn't have to be a genius

may 16 2017

at crown tower room 1607

maine just checked-in and is now slouched on the bed with puffy eyes. she decided to call gelo and give him a heads up that she will be rebooking her ticket, she decided to go back to macau tomorrow rather than sunday.

"oh bakit? anong problema?"

and hello to you too mr. ledesma! problema agad? hindi ba pwedeng nangangamusta lang?

"cut the crap maine. what did he do this time?"

wala. i just called to inform you na ni-rebook ko na yung ticket ko. i'll fly back tomorrow kaya paki-sabi sa kapatid mo meet na lang nya ko dito sa hotel tomorrow around 11am pag check out ko so i can give back your car keys

"do i need to repeat myself young lady? ano ang ginawa ni richard? why are you even in a hotel?"

ano naman ang gagawin nung tao sa kin. we're friends naman na. stop overthinking. i'm perfectly fine.

what she does not know is that gelo's call waiting option has richard's number flashing. on the third time of richard's call he knew something went wrong.

"if you say so. so sang hotel ba?"

sa city of dreams, crown tower, i'll be checking out around 11am. if ever may ibang flight ang cathay na earlier bibili na lang ako ng ticket sa airport

"suit yourself miss 'she says she's perfectly fine'. by the way what's your room number?"

for what? pupuntahan mo ba ko? don't worry about my room maganda at mabilis yung f.o. na nagprocess ng check in ko.

"no i mean so i can ask my brother to come up para mapack mo yung pinabili ko sa kanya. that way hindi ka na bababa to fetch him"

gelo gave himself a small pat on his shoulder for coming up with a good excuse for asking her room details, at least she will not have any hint on his real agenda.

ah ok. grabe may padala ka pa talaga ha! but since you lend me your car dadalin ko lahat ng padala mo. just tell your brother it's 1607. sabihin mo wag masyado maaga ha. i'm planning to check some bars around COD tonight eh

"oh yeah because you're PERFECTLY FINE di ba? well just don't get too drunk baka mamaya hindi ka pa makabalik dito"

since he cannot answer richard's call he just decided to send him a message of her information and the number that she's using. he does not need to become a genius to put two and two together. maine suddenly on a hotel room and richard's non-stop calling. something happened that's for sure.

don't worry gelo. babalik ako jan. wala naman dahilan para hindi ako bumalik eh

"maine.... wala din namang dahilan para bumalik ka dito eh...."

dude not now.... i need my friend....

"sorry.... but i'm really hoping---"

na hindi na ko bumalik? na all's well that ends well between me and rj? well sorry to disappoint you... it's been two years.... he moved on... at least we had that closure.... siguro it's about time na rin for me to let go.... baka saka----

"mahal kita maine.... please.... don't go there.... kaya kitang mahalin hangga't sinasabi ng puso kong mahal kita without anything.... kaya pakiusap.... wag mo naman akong paasahin.... i can take the pain of knowing you will never love me back..... but i will not be prepared to be hurt on knowing we have a chance.... kasi wala.... so please.... don't go there"

"gelo...."

"i love you...."

i'm sorry gelo....

"don't drink too much ok? sige na i have to go..."

gelo....

"it's all good.... don't think about it....and don't wear any off-shoulder dress or shirt"

gelo.... sorry tala----

"ok na maine.... be safe...."

when she heard gelo hanged-up she softly whispered

i'm sorry gelo.... i'm sorry for always hurting you.... kung pwede lang.... kung kaya ko lang mandaya... kung kaya lang kitang dayain.... at least alam ko i'll make you happy.... at least even if my heart died long time ago i get to make yours live....