OPERATION: Make Alexandra Santiago Fall (TLS #1)

Chapter 23

CHAPTER 23

A L E X A N D R A

Napamulat ako sa aking mga mata and saw a familiar place. The Clinic.

"Alexandra! You're awake! Thank God!"

Nabigla ako nang yakapin ako ng lalaking nasa tabi ko. I smiled. Alexander.

I hugged him back, "I'm fine now, Kuya." I said, assuring him.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you from that assh*le. I'm sorry for not being your twin. I'm sorry." Paulit ulit nitong pagpa-umanhin. I can hear his voice cracking.

Napatawa ako habang naiiyak na din. I don't remember a picture of Alexander and me hugging, except when we were still small kids. I missed my twin..

"Hey.. Its not your fault, okay? No one knew that Collin's capable of doing such a thing.. No one knew that the Collin we are with is not anymore the same old Collin that we loved." I said while tears are slowly falling. He is not the Collin that I loved, not anymore..

Bumitaw si David sa yakap and looked at me. I saw his slightly red eyes.

I never really saw Alexander crying, nor looking weak. Not until now.

"I'm sorry, really. Kahit linigtas pa niya tayo mula sa kasiraan ng buhat natin, it doesn't remove the fact that what he did will always be unforgiveable." He said, with eyes filled with anger.

I touched his face and smiled, "Alexander, what he did may be something unforgetable and cruel. But remember what Mom said? No matter how bad others treat you, always learn to forgive them and to return them kindness." Napabuntong hininga ako.

"Kahit ako nagulat at natakot sa nangyari. It never came in my thoughts. It just.... Not him." It's so much different from the old Collin..

"I forgive him, kahit di pa niya hinihingi yun. Alam 'kong hindi niya sinasadya yun. He just got carried away from the anger. I can feel the sorrow and pain that he've been through para lang mabigyan tayo - ako ng kaligayahan. He sacrificed so much for me, yet unloving him is what I'm giving in return. If I was in his shoes, that will hurt me big time." I said habang inaalala ang mga mata ni Collin kanina na punong-puno ng sakit at pangungulila.

I'm sorry you need to experience so much pain because of me, Collin. I'm sorry..

"Kahit gaano pa kalaki ang utang na loob na - natin sakanya, he still have no rights to do that kind of thing to you!" Saad nito.

I smiled, "No. But I understand him. He deserves the forgiveness and second chance." I said.

Nagulat ako nung biglaan niyang hinampas ang table sa gilid. Napahawak agad ako sa dibdib ko.

"Lintek na deserve the forgiveness and second chance yan, Xandra! Alam mo ba kung gaano ka walangya ang ginawa niya sayo?! You were almost raped by him pero wala lang sayo?! What is wrong with you?!" Mahinang sigaw nito sakin.

Nakakunot ang noo nito at bakas na bakas ang galit sa mukha. Alexander..

"Xands, please.. Calm down. Baka may maka rinig pa. I don't want this to spread. Ayaw ko ng gulo." Diin 'kong pakiusap habang hinahawakan ang braso niya.

Nandilat ang mga mata nito at tinabig ang mga kamay ko, "So what kung malaman nila? Ha?! At least malalaman na nila kung gaano ka walang hiya yung gagong yun!" Galit nitong saad.

Napatingin ako sa likod at napalunok ng makita ang bukas na pintuan.

"Xands! I said calm down! Just - Let's just let him, please? Wag na natin ito palakihin. Kalimutan nalang natib na nangyari yun." Natataranta 'kong pakiusap ko sakanya.