I Have Loved You

IHLY 1

"I blessed the day that I was born for you...," kasabay ng pagtapos namin ni Elmo ng huling linya ng kantang Born For You ay ang pagtatapos din ng una naming serye. Ito na ang wakas.

Niyakap nya ako at hinalikan sa noo. Napakawarming ng pagyakap nya sakin. I felt the love, joy and the sorrow at the same time. Mamimiss ko sya. Super. 

Ilang months din kami nagkasama, nagkatrabaho at napakarami na naming experience together. It was a blessing to meet him. I'm really hoping na magkatrabaho pa kami and I hope our friendship will not end here. Sobra akong masasayang if it will end just here. But I know Elmo too well even just for a short time, compared to others, lang kami nagkasama. We built a strong foundation sa friendship namin, di to basta-bastang matitibag.

Sabay kaming bumitaw sa pagkayakap at kasabay rin nito ang pagbuhos ng mga confetti sa buong stage. Napaka-surreal. 

Natapos na nga ang show at nandito kami ngayon sa backstage, nag-aayos na sa pag-uwi.

"Hi Jea. Can I talk to you?" Kabadong tanong ni Elmo.

"Yes, of course."

Hinawakan nya ang kamay ko at lumabas kami sa tent. Nang-iinit ang kamay at pakiramdam ko. Kakaunti lang ang tao at halos lahat sila busy kaya walang nakapansin na nasa labas kami.

"About saan ba?" I asked curiously. Sabay bitaw ng paghawak kamay namin. 

"Uhm, I just want you to know that I enjoyed every moment we spend together. All the stories and joke we've shared. Yung memories, di ko sila malilimutan, they will always be treasured and will always be remembered," pagsisimula nya. Natatawa ako pero pinipigilan ko lang dahil ayoko naman masira yung moement nya kaya napapakagat-labi na lang ako. "I don't want to be too dramatic, pero I will really miss you, Janella. I don't know when will we have another project but I'm hoping that we'll be working on a next project and also the rest of my projects, if will be given a chance, is always with you," he confessed sincerely.

I was touched by what he said. It was the first time a man actually confronted me with what he is feeling working with me. I was listening attentively with every word he speaks that I can tell it's all honesty and heartfelt. This man is so pure.

"Elmo, it was really nice to hear that from you. Me too, I'm so blessed to work with you. Sabi mo nga, sana tayo uli magktrabaho, I'm hoping for that too and I'll pray for that. But right now, habang wala pang offer, I hope that this friendship will not end here, sana friends pa din tayo even the show just ended,"  I expressed honestly.

"Of course! It won't end there. It's not going to happen. Not now, not ever,"  he jested and we both giggled.

"Moe! Jea!" Tita Gidget was calling for our names.

"Uy tara na! Kailangan na yata natin makaalis asap," pag-alok ko kay Elmo.

"Tara!"

...

"Ate Gidg!" sabay naming pagtawag kay ate Gidget. Napatingin tuloy kami sa isa't-isa.

"Oy, oy, oy! Kayong dalawa ha! San kayo galing?" Pang-aasar nyang tanong.

"Dyan lang sa labas ng tent," sagot naman ni Moe.

"Anong ginawa nyo, ha?" tanong pa ni ate na tila di nakumbinsi sa sagot ni Elmo.

"Nag-usap lang," sagot uli ni Moe.

"Sure?" paniniguradong muli ni ate Gidget.

"Oo nga ate! Kulit mo! Diba Jea we just had a talk outside?" tanong naman sakin ni Moe. He needs back-up na siguro.

"Yes ate. Stop being suspicious. Clear your mind oh!" I assured her.

"Magbihis na kayo pupunta pa tayo sa after party eh," utos nya samin.

Nagbihis na kami ni Moe and when we're done umalis na kami ng magkahiwalay ang sasakyan. Ngayon pa lang namimiss ko na sya.

...

Nakarating na kami dito sa venue. Surprisingly, magkasabay na magkasabay ang pagdating namin ni Moe. Destiny talga, oh.

Dahil sabay nga kaming dumating, sabay na din kaming pumasok sa loob ng resto, ang dilim.

Sobrang dilim ng paligid kaya napa-open pa si Moe ng flashlight nya sa phone.

Hindi namin inaasahan ang nakita namin pagbukas namin ng pintuan. Nakakagulat.

...