Smile For Me, Ressler

46

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

My one and only Architect.

Tamara

"Tam, you have done a terrific job! You finished the 6-cycle chemotherapy and I've seen how bravely you fought! But our treatment seems to have failed. After running the tests, nakita namin that the disease is getting worse. And if we continue our treatment, it will just do you more harm rather than good. So, we, together with your family have opted to stop the treatment. And focus on the quality of the remaining days you have. May isa o dalawang buwan ka na lang natitira. We are very sorry."

I clearly remembered what the doctor said to Ressler that night. My friends and family cried their hearts out, but there's no tear that came out from my eyes. It's just that, I've already seen this coming. I'm at my end.

I glanced at Ressler who's driving beside me, and shifted my eyes to Ram who's sitting behind us together with Jezra.

Tiningnan ko lang rin ang sasakyan ni Zild na nasa likuran namin.

We're on our way to Vera City. Bibisitahin namin 'yong bagong bahay na pinapagawa namin ni Ressler near the seashore. Ipinangako niya kasi sa 'kin 'yon noon bago ako mag-take ng board exam. Sabi niya magpapagawa kaming dalawa ng bahay malapit sa seashore na kaming dalawa ang nag-design.

Pagdating namin sa site, inalalayan ako ni Ressler at Zild palabas ng sasakyan.

Nanatili lang kaming nakatayo sa labas ng ginagawang bahay. Siguro nasa anim na metro ng layo namin mula doon sa site dahil under construction pa 'yong bahay.

Napangiti na lang ako nang makita ko ang proseso no'ng construction.

"Ilang kuwarto nilagay niyo?" tanong ni Jezra na nakasabit ang kamay sa braso ko.

"Apat nilagay namin. Para open for relatives and friends," sagot ko.

"May design ka na for interior?" tanong ni Ressler kay Zild at tumango naman si Zild.

"I actually based the interior design sa mga hilig ni Tam. Hindi sa hilig mo," taas-kilay na sabi ni Zild at natawa ng mahina si Ressler.

"Unprofessional interior designer," pang-aasar ni Ressler kay Zild kaya pareho kaming natawa ni Jezra.

"Teka lang, check ko lang 'yong site," paalam sa 'min ni Ressler saka niya ipinahawak si Ram kay Zild.

"Nandiyan ba si Engineer Decoso?" tanong ni Jezra kay Ressler at agad na tumango si Ressler kaya hinayaan na namin siyang pumunta doon sa site.

"Suwerte si Ressler sa 'yo, Tam. Sobra," nakangiting sabi ni Jezra sa tabi ko.

"Paano mo naman nasabi?" tanong ko habang nakikipag-usap si Ressler doon sa mga construction workers at kay Engineer Decoso sa second floor.

"Zild told me everything. How you guys met. How you waited for Ressler. How you guys ended up together," nakangiting pagkukwento niya.

Napangiti ako nang malapad.

"So, you're spending time with Zild, huh. Glad to hear that," masayang sabi ko saka ako lumingon kay Zild.

"Yes? Ayaw mo na kay Ressler?" pang-aasar niya sa 'kin kaya napailing na lang ako. Kahit kailan talaga 'to.

"Thank you for loving Ressler, Jez," nakangiting sabi ko at agad na natigilan si Jezra.

"H-How did you know? I mean . . . Oh my God, Tam, don't get me wrong. It was one sided! I never told Ressler. Believe me, I have never done something stupid!" parang bata niyang sabi kaya walang tigil ang tawa ko.

"Kalma, Jezra. Alam ko naman 'yon. Ressler told me how good you are as a friend. No'ng time nga na hindi siya umuwi sa bahay namin dahil hinatid ka niya sa bahay niyo, kung ano-ano ang naisip ko. Hindi pa kasi kita kilala that time. Kaya akala ko, may something kayo. Akala ko, may nangyari sa inyo no'ng gabing sa bahay niyo siya natulog. Pero no'ng nagkaayos na kami ni Ressler, kinuwento niya sa 'kin na inabot na kayo ng umaga kakahanap sa Dad mo kaya hindi siya nakauwi sa 'min. I heard he has Alzheimer's. And I'm really sorry for judging you."

I know Ressler wasn't lying when he told me that story. Ressler never lied to me. I thought he did, a couple of times, but he never did. I just assumed a lot of things.

"But how did you know that I have feelings for him?" she asked, her voice soft.

"The day I saw you with him at the coffee shop, I saw how you looked at him, Jez. Your eyes were full of admiration. Your smile was genuine. And that night na pumunta ka sa ospital para kausapin ako about Ressler, doon ko mas napatunayan na mahal mo siya. The way you cleared his name, the way you begged me to give him a chance, you were sincere, Jez. You wanted him to be happy. You wanted us to be happy. And I saw sadness in your eyes when you were begging for his happiness. You didn't have to do that, but you still did. And I admired you for that," sambit ko.

I will never forget that night. Nakita ko talaga kung gaano kabuting tao si Jezra. Kaya nga magaan talaga agad ang loob ko sa kanya.

"I'm sorry, Jez. And thank you, for always choosing the right thing kahit anytime puwede mo namang piliing gumawa ng mali. Thank you, Jez. Thank you," sincere kong sabi saka ko siya niyakap.

Para kaming baliw na nagpunas ng luha dahil pareho kaming umiiyak sa tuwa. I never thought that Morales will be one of my greatest friends.

"Seriously, ladies? You're crying because of that guy?" singit ni Zild habang nakaturo kay Ressler. Natawa kami pareho ni Jezra. Bitter.

Napatingin kami kay Ram nang bigla niyang lapitan si Jezra at yakapin ito sa binti.

"Thank you, Tita Jez, for bringing back my mom and dad together," sambit niya kaya mas lalong naiyak si Jezra at lumuhod sa harap ni Ram.

"I love you, kid. Sana kasing cute mo 'yong maging baby ko," nakangiting sabi ni Jezra kay Ram saka niya ito hinalikan sa pisngi.

"Boyfriend nga wala ka, tapos baby agad gusto mo?" tumatawang sabi ni Zild kaya inirapan siya ni Jezra.

Palihim akong napangiti. Bagay sila.

Muli kong itinuon ang paningin ko kay Ressler na abalang makipag-usap kay Engineer Decoso.

Lumingon siya sa direksyon ko at saka siya ngumiti. Sinenyasan ko siya na bumaba na dito. Nag-promise kasi siya kay Ram na magsi-swimming sila ngayon.

Tumango siya sa 'kin saka siya bumaling ulit kay Engineer Decoso para magpaalam.

I'm glad I met him.

I never regret chasing him for so many years.

He's my one and only Architect Adam Ressler Morris.

Nakangiti siyang naglakad. Everything was perfect. Everything was going on too well, pero halos tumigil ang mundo ko nang bigla siyang mabagsakan ng mga semento mula sa third floor.