I stood up as I saw Elvis walking towards me. Mabilis ko siyang sinalubong ng yakap sabay punas ng aking luha.
"God! What happened, Sab?"
Mukha akong ewan, alam ko. Mabuti at memorized ko ang number niya. I called him using a payphone. Wala ang bag ko at ang cellphone ko, kahit ang wallet ko. Naiwan sa bar kagabi nang bigla akong hablutin ni Gene pauwi.
Tulog si Gene nang iwanan ko siya. Damn, hirap na hirap akong umalis at iwan siya, physically and emotionally.
I feel so sore na kahit ang driver ng taxing sinakyan ko ay nagtataka habang nakatingin sa akin pagbaba ko ng sasakyan. Of course, kumuha ako ng perang pamasahe mula sa wallet ni Gene. I know it's wrong kasi pagnanakaw iyon but I need to do that. Kailangan kong makaalis nang hindi niya nalalaman.
"Elvis, help me please."
Ayoko nang makita o mapalapit pa kay Gene. Hangga't kaya ko siyang iwasan, gagawin ko.
I hurriedly called Elvis and he immediately came as soon as he heard me sobbed over the phone. He cancelled his appointment at kaagad akong pinuntahan sa Laguna. It's Saturday kaya hindi masyadong traffic at mabilis siyang nakarating ng restaurant na kinaroroonan ko.
People are looking at us. I'm wearing an oversized long sleeve and I know I looked miserable right now.
"Let's get out of here."
Sumunod ako kay Elvis sa sasakyan nito. Dumiretso kami sa apartment ko at doon ay napaiyak agad ako pagkapasok na pagkapasok palang namin ng bahay.
Sa gitna ng hikbi ay naikwento ko sa kanya ang nangyari kagabi. Lahat, kahit ang nangyari sa aming dalawa ni Gene. Alam kong may alam si Elvis kung saan ako nanggaling pagkakita palang niya sa suot ko. Malabong maging akin ang damit na ito. Tahimik lang si Elvis habang nagkukwento ako.
"What should I do, Elvis? Hindi ko alam kung paano siya iiwasan. I don't know what to do anymore."
Elvis carressed my back. Rinig ko ang malalim nitong buntonghininga habang ginagawa iyon.
"I don't know, Sab. Hindi ko din kasi alam kung ano ang dapat na gawin sa sitwasyon mo ngayon. I couldn't tell what exactly should we do since Gene and I are not yet in good terms. She's still mad at me."
I wiped my tears and held his hand.
"I have one thing to confess. I'm sorry, may kasalanan ako sayo Elvis. I used your name as an excuse. I told Gene that we'll get married."
He automatically face palmed upon hearing what I said. I know I was impulsive, I didn't think of Elvis' reaction as I blurted out those words. All I know is I need Gene to think that I never loved her and I'll still be marrying Elvis.
"I'm sorry, Elvis."
He sighed in defeat. Nangyari na ang nangyari at hindi ko na maibabalik pa ang lahat.
"It's okay, Sab. I know Mia will understand. What do you plan to do now? Mas lalong magagalit sa akin si Gene. Anyways, given na rin naman kasi agad ang galit niya sa akin. Guess I could nothing about it."
"I'm really sorry for putting you into this. There's nothing else I can do. Will you help me, Elvis? Kahit sandali lang. Hanggang makahanap ulit ako ng ibang trabaho at lugar na malayo sa kanya."
I don't have any choice left. I need to be far from her. I need to keep my distance. Kasi alam kong hindi ko mapipigilan ang sarili kong emosyon kapag malapit siya sa akin.
"Okay. Ako na muna ang bahala kina Mommy in case umabot sa kanila ito. Pero Sab, hindi solusyon sa lahat ng oras ang paglayo. She will still find you, we know that."
"I know. I'll just cross the bridge when I get there. Kasi hindi ko pa alam kung anong gagawin ko ngayon."
Napailing nalang si Elvis sa sagot ko. Hindi pa ako nakapagpalit ng damit nang marinig namin ang sunod-sunod na busina sa labas ng aking apartment.
"Let me get it."
Bago ko pa mapigilan si Elvis ay nakatayo na ito at nabuksan na ang pinto ng aking maliit na apartment.
"What are you doing here?"
Galit na galit si Gene habang nakakuyom ang kamao at nakatingin kay Elvis. She then looked at me with a baleful stare.
"I should be asking you that question, Gene. What are you doing in front of my girlfriend's apartment?"
Nagulat din ako sa angas na pinakita ni Elvis. Seconds passed at nakita ko nalang na nakahiga na ito sa sahig after Gene's fist landed on his face.
"Elvis!"
Napasigaw ako sa gulat at agad na tumayo para damayan ang lalaki. I can hear Gene's rugged breath beside me.
"Gene, please! Please leave us!"
"No! You'll come with me, Sabrina. You won't be marrying that asshole!"
Paika-ikang bumangon si Elvis habang sapo ang pangang natamaan ng suntok ni Gene. I immediately covered him with my body as I saw Gene's about to throw him another punch.
"Stop it, Gene! Ano ba!"
"Fck you, Elvis! What, you're a coward now?"
Agad kong pinigilan si Elvis nang makita kong susugod din siya kay Gene. For goodness sake, magkapatid silang dalawa!
"Elvis, please. Ate mo siya."
Gene looked disgusted as hell upon hearing what I've said. Si Elvis naman ay napailing lang sa tabi ko.
"Leave us alone, Gene. Leave Sabrina alone."
Gene balled her fist as she glared at her brother. She then looked at me with her pleading eyes.
"Sab, come with me please. I'll give you everything. Just be with me. Please."
No matter how Gene tried to look strong, I know she's really hurting inside. I know she'll be hurt more if I'll choose to be with her.
Magkakagulo ang lahat. Si Dad, ang Mama Luisa niya. Ang pamilya naming lahat. Alam kong masisira ang pamilyang inaalagaan ni Gene oras na piliin kong sumama sa kanya. Alam kong masisira din kaming dalawa ni Dad oras na sumama ako kay Gene at may gawin siyang masama dito. I'll die if another Mijares will fall in Dad's hands.
I'll surely die.
Malungkot akong umiling sa kanya saka ngumiti ng mapait. Ito ang dapat kong piliin. Ito ang dapat kong gawin.
"We're over, Gene. We can't be together. We just can't. I'm sorry. I'm choosing Elvis."
Pinunasan ko ang luhang tumulo mula sa aking mga mata.
I'm choosing you, Gene. That's why I'm doing this.
Tiningnan niya ako ng matiim habang ang mga kamao ay nakakuyom parin. Ang nakikiusap na mata ay napalitan ng malamig na tingin. She looked at me with a blank and expressionless face.
"I hope you'll be happy."
Napapikit ako ng mata as Gene turned her back on me and walked away. Elvis tapped my shoulders and I hugged him as Gene was out of our sight anymore.
I hope you'll be happy, Gene. I'm not the one for you. I'll destroy you, I know. This is the best.
