Regrets In The End [Completed]

Chapter sixteen

It's been a week after that day in La Union. Simula ng magdesisyon si Stan na umuron na rin sa kasal, hindi na niya ito nakausap pa. Inihatid siya ng driver nito pabalik ng Maynila and her life resumed to how it was before. 

Pumasok siya ulit sa shop. Umuuwi sa bahay nila pagkatapos. Ang pagkakaiba nga lang ngayon ay para siyang babasaging kristal kung ituring ng mga magulang at kaibigan. Simula ng i-announce ni Stan na hindi na nila itutuloy ang kasal, everyone treated her like a fragile child.

"Good morning, partner!" masayang bati ni Sairha at inabutan siya ng kape mula sa tapat na coffee shop. 

"Salamat," she muttered. 

"There's a wedding that we have to supply for this coming month. Mukhang mahirap 'yong pinapahanap nilang bulaklak. Hindi kasi in season."

"Try it overseas. Belgium might have those. I can call our suppliers from there," suggestion niya sa kaibigan. 

Umiling si Sairha. "I'll do it! You relax and chill there."

Naubos na ang pasensya niya. "Sairha! Why have you been treating me like this lately?"

Nagulat ito sa outburst niya bigla. "Ha?"

"Kayong lahat! Para akong batang nagkasakit na hindi pwedeng mapagod. I hate being treated like I'm some helpless kid. I'm fine, okay?" A lie.

Tinitigan lang siya ni Sairha. "I... I'm sorry, Tishka. It's just that we're worried you might be feeling-"

"I'm okay! So what if the wedding isn't pushing through. It's what I wanted, right? I want to cut him off of my life because of what he did. Alam nating pareho that he cheated on me. Hindi alam nina Mama at Papa but you of all people know the truth. So, please. Don't treat me like I'm grieving over his loss, because I'm not," she declared.

"Okay! Fine!" sagot ni Sairha. Inabot sa kanya ang isang folder. "This wedding project is yours."

"Thanks," she said. 

"Flowers came for you this morning, by the way," Sairha announced and handed her a bouquet of tulips. 

Could it be from Stan? Dali-dali niyang hinanap ang card na kasama ng mga bulaklak. 

Fancy a dinner date tonight? -A

"It's from Ashton," sagot ni Sairha. 

"Oh," she exclaimed disappointedly. 

"So, makikipag-date ka ba sa kanya?" 

Tiningnan niya lang ang kaibigan. Matapos ay tumango. "What's there to lose? He's a good man and he's always been there for me."

"Girl, huwag mo sanang gagamiting panakip butas, ha? Sayang, eh. Gwapo pa naman."

Natawa lang ito sa payo ng kaibigan. "Ano ka ba? Moved on nga nga ako kay Stan, di ba? I am finally free from that demon!" She said and laughed.

Sairha was looking at her, still unconvinced. "Okay, sinabi mo, eh."

Her friend left her alone and she went to her desk to put down the flowers and check out the latest project.

***

Alas-sais y media na ng hapon ng dumating si Ashton sa shop to pick her up. Umaliwalas ang mukha ni Tishka ng makita ang binata. She doesn't know why pero magaan ang pakiramdam niya dito. 

"Hello to the most beautiful flower in the room," bati ni Ash ng pabiro.

"Hay nako, ang bolero mo talaga."

"Is it a busy day?" Medyo magulo ang table ni Tishka dahil sa dami ng mga orders na inaayos niya. 

Napangiti na lang siya. "Sandy, Beth, aalis na ako," paalam niya sa dalawang helpers niya. Nakauna ng umalis si Sairha kanina dahil may family dinner daw ito. "Tara!"

"I reserved in this restaurant that I know you'll love. Nandoon 'yong mga paborito mong seafood."

Nagningning ang mga mata niya sa narinig. "YES!"

***

The restaurant was tucked away in a residential village. It was a quaint Spanish house na trinansform into a restaurant. Ngayon lang siya nakapunta doon  pero sigurado siyang masarap ang mga pagkain doon.

The waiter led them to a secluded table in a corner with candlelight. The place is really romantic. Lahat ng ibang mga kumakain doon ay couples.

Ash pulled out a chair for her and she sat down. "This place is nice," she commented and smiled at Ash. Siguro she just needs some time at mafo-fall din siya para sa binata. She's made up her mind na kakalimutan na si Stan and start anew. Gusto niyang ibigay na ang puso sa tamang lalaki. 

"It's my friend's place. This is his gradparents' house na ni-renovate nila to be a restaurant. The concept is good," kwento nito.

"Yeah it is." 

"What a conincidence!" bati ng isang baritonong boses sa likod niya. She saw Ash stiffened when that voice arrived.

"Stan," malamig na bati ni Ash. 

She hasn't turned around yet pero nanigas siya sa kinauupuan ng malaman kung sino ang nakatayo sa likod niya.

"Ashton, I'm sorry I needed to follow you here because I need to discuss something with you about work. Hinahanap kita sa office pero maaga ka daw umalis. Unusual for you. Pero seeing you here, I understand now," sabi nito.

Tishka still hasn't turned around pero alam niyang alam ni Stan na siya ang nakaupo sa tapat ni Ash. 

"I'm quite busy, Stan. We can talk about work tomorrow."

"Who's this beautiful lady you have here?" Stan asked, mockingly.

She turned around to greet him finally. "Hi, Stan. How are you?"

"Oh, if it isn't my beautiful ex-fiancée throttling around with her kept man," he insultingly stated.

"Stan, stop," Ashton warned him. "Don't you dare insult her."

"Oh, before I forget, we have something to discuss, Tishka," Stan announced and grabbed her right arm. 

Nagulat siya ng hinila siya nito patayo. "What the-"

Ashton stood up, too. "Stan, leave us," he calmyly warned.

"Tishka, come with me please," Stan begged her. He held her arm tighter this time. 

Her heart was thumping loudly. Natatakot siya na baka naririnig na rin ito ni Ashton. Just being near this man excites him. Kahit na ilang beses niyang sinabi sa sarili niyang ayaw na niya dito, hindi pa rin nawala ang nararamdaman niya para dito.

"What are we gonna talk about?" she asked Stan. 

He searched her eyes, looking for a hint of compassion. "We need to talk about us."

***

WHAAAT? Hahahahaha. Ang gulo talagang kausap ni Stan. OH WELL. Please vote and follow me for more updates. Comment your queries and concerns!!!