Two: ‘her letter’
HER POV
It’s been exactly 5 months since Marco started courting me. Yes, he is. I said ‘no’ several times but I fail. He’s believing that I would fall for him, but I didn’t. Believe me I tried many times Pero walang nag-bago, sa kanya pa rin ako tunay nag-mamahal.
And now I am currently here walking on the hallway to give my letter for him. For the last time.
“Uhm..Robert pwede ka ‘bang makausap?” Sabi ‘ko at tumango lang ito. Pumunta kami sa may mga benches. This time kailangan ‘kong maging matapang sa harap nya. I need to. “Bakit ka pa uupo? Hindi naman ito matagal, may ibibigay lang ako sayo.” Nagulat naman siya sa asal ‘ko, well he needs to dahil nag-bago siya, mag-babago na rin ako.
“Bak—“ I cut him off. “Wag ka ‘nang mag-taka. O sana naman matuwa ka na kahit sa sulat lang.” Inabot ‘ko sa kanya yung sulat ‘ko at humakbang na palayo. Pero may nakalimutan pala akong sabihin sa kanya, kaya lumingon ako ulit sa kanya.
“Sa muli nating pag-kikita Robert…..paalam..” Ngumiti ako at saka na ako umalis.
I know I have to do this, masyado na akong nasaktan at kailangan ‘ko muna mag-pahinga. Kailangan munang mag-pahinga ni puso.
Sana sa muli naming pag-kikita sana mag-bago na siya.
Ang sunod ‘ko naman pinuntahan ay si Marco, I need to make him stop because I’m leaving. I’m leaving for good.
******
“Emerald bakit? Anong problema? Wa—“ I cut him off para matapos na ‘to.
“I’m leaving…for good..and I would just like to say na salamat sa lahat ng efforts na binigay mo sakin. Thank you so much for being my handkerchief. Kaya nandito ako. nandito to make you stop courting me. I know it’s hard pero…you need to let me go…” And I hug him. Maya-maya may mga hikbi akong naririnig. Hayyy Marco.
“I love you….I love you so damn so much Emerald. Just please don’t go…please..” I hug him tight. “I know but, you have to let me go..Marco..” After that puro hikbi na lang nya ang mga naririnig ‘ko.
“Can you please stay? Why’d you have to go? Nandito naman ako…patuloy ang pag-mamahal ‘ko sayo..” Sabi nya. “But, I had to. Sobrang sakit na kase eh. Pagod na ako at kailangan ‘ko muna mag-pahinga. Sa tamang oras babalik ako pero hindi na tulad noon. At siguro sa tamang-oras na yun baka nahanap mo na yung tao para sayo..” Sabi ‘ko and tap his back.
“Bakit ka napagod? May hindi ba ako nalalaman?” Sabi nya at kumalas na sa yakap. Ako naman napayuko lang. I know wala na akong takas.
“M-may n-narinig lang ako. Sobrang sakit…sobrang sakit dito o.” Sabi ‘ko sabaya turo sa puso ‘ko. Sumuko ako alam ‘ko. Pero kailangan eh. Tapos na ang laban. Tinapos ‘ko na.
“Kaya ako na ang tumapos…tinapos ‘ko na yung laban..” I said and wipe my tears. “Sshhh. Please stop. Nasasaktan rin ako kapag nasasaktan ka rin.” He said and hug tight. “I love you Emerald Therese…always and forever..” He said and kiss my forehead.
We ended up saying goodbye to each other.
I know that Marco will find his girl.
And it’s not me, it’s not going to be me.
HIS POV
I was so shocked when she left me. Damn! Ba’t ako kinakabahan? Feeling ‘ko may hindi magandang mangyayari. I know masyado ‘ko na siyang nasaktan. Sandyang wala talaga akong nararamdaman sa kanya.
But when the news spread around the campus that Marco is courting Emerald. Aaminin ‘ko I got hurt I didn’t know kung bakit. Basta simula nun. Naging mahalaga na siya sakin.
I open the letter she gave me earlier…
Dear Robert,
From the day that we met I fell in love with you already. I never thought that you became my best friend…we we’re happy back then…until the friendship and the happiness is gone. I was really hurt from the day you changed. Maraming nagulat at maraming nalugkot. Pero kahit ganon ka, Minahal pa rin kita, pero sumuko rin ako. Dahil napagod na ako. This is my final words to you before I leave. Yes, I’m leaving…for good. Kailangan ‘ko munang mag-pahinga..kailangan munang mag-pahinga ni puso.
Robert kung mag-mamahal ka, sana mahalin mo yung taong pinapahalagahan ka. Treat her right and make her special. That’s the least you can do to make me happy.
Lastly, I hope you’ll be happy.
Friendship is over now..Bert..
Goodbye..Robert…until we meet….again..
Truly yours,
Emerald Therese.
