I let her go. For the second time, I let her go.
This is what fills Aly's head everyday since she let Den go. That was 4 months, 2 weeks, and 5 days ago to be exact.
That time, Aly thought of talking to Den and ask her to wait until things end between her and Bang. But then, her moralities and principles took over her.
That's just a sick thing to do. Besides, I know Den wouldn't approve of that. Ilang beses kong pinaramdam na mahal ko siya, but still pinagtulakan niya pa din ako kay Bang. She also left me once again. Aly told herself.
Bang is out of the hospital already. Aly has stayed beside her in her journey towards recovery.
Bang was there when Aly thought she'd never love again. Aly wanted to reciprocate that even if it means losing her own happiness. That is the right and fair thing to do. Aly thought.
Bang and Aly never talked about Den. They just continued where they left off before the accident. Nonetheless, both of them know that they are never the same.
Bang has been a bit of a paranoid. She's always checking on Aly. She also became mindful of Aly's phone, emails, and social media accounts.
Aly has tried her best to get things back between her and Bang. But no matter what she does, she felt that she had already lost Bang's trust. Still, she tries.
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Alyssa is driving her way to a restaurant -- the place where she wanted her proposal to Bang to happen before the accident. This time, it was Bang who invited her.
Upon alighting her vehicle, sinalubong agad si Aly ng girlfriend niya.
"There you are," greeted Bang. She planted a kiss on Aly's cheek.
"Hi, hon. Anong meron? Bakit bigla-biglaan itong dinner na ito?" Aly asked.
"Wala lang. I just realized something. Basta, I'll tell you later. Let's go," yaya ni Bang.
They walked hand in hand to the restaurant. Bang brought her to the rooftop. Aly saw that there is only a table for two set in place. The area is surrounded with lights and romantic music fills the air. This is exactly the same set-up that's waiting for her and Bang bago sila naaksidente.
"Come on. I know you're starving," sabi ni Bang habang hatak si Aly.
Aly assisted Bang to her seat before taking her own place. The waiter started serving the food. Aly was surprised to see that the food in front of her is exactly the same menu she asked the management before to prepare for her planned proposal.
"Remember what you told me in the car dati? Tama ka nga. The food is great here," said Bang while eating the last pieces of her food.
"I'm glad you liked it. How did you find out about this place?" Aly asked.
"I asked Gretch if she has any idea kung saan mo dapat ako dadalhin noon. And ito nga yung sinabi niya," answered Bang.
Medyo kinabahan si Aly. She's hoping right now that Gretch didn't tell Bang about the proposal.
"Ah, okay," Aly said just to end the conversation.
They had finished their food when Bang said, "Sayang yung music. Let's dance."
Aly agreed and they are dancing now to the slow music.
While dancing, Bang started a conversation. "Hon, I'm sorry."
"Sorry for what?" tanong ni Aly.
"I'm sorry because I know I've changed. I'm sorry if I'm this paranoid girlfriend na lagi ka na lang pinaghihinalaan. But I want you to know that I'm trying," answered Bang.
"It's okay. Pero it would be better if you trust me," said Aly.
"I do. It's just that I still couldn't forget eveything."
Both of them know what that "everything" means. Hindi na lang sumagot si Aly para hindi na humaba pa.
Bang waited for a moment before saying, "I want to forget kung ano mang nangyaring hindi maganda. That's why I brought you here."
"I want us to continue where we left off at ito iyon. Let's pretend that the accident never happened," continued Bang.
Silence ensued again. Aly didn't feel like talking.
Bang cleared her throat first and then said, "When I came here to this restaurant, I immediately talked to the management and asked if a certain Alyssa Valdez made a reservation before."
She knows. Aly thought. She's preparing herself now.
"They said 'yes' and even elaborated on your big plan that time. Nakakatawa nga kasi some even said sorry na hindi natuloy," said Bang smiling.
Hindi pa din nagsasalita si Aly. Nakatingin lang siya kay Bang.
"I want to erase all doubts in our relationship and I think this is the solution," sabi ni Bang. She stopped dancing but still held Aly's hands.
"I'm sorry if I can't wait anymore. Ang bagal mo e. So, ako na magtutuloy," Bang said, still smiling.
"Let's move on from the past. Let's forget everything and just be happy again. Hon, I love you and I want to be with you forever. Please, marry me?"
Unintentionally, napabitaw si Aly.
Bang knew what was coming but still she tried to push it. "I'm sorry. I don't have the ring. I suppose you have it."
"Bang." Iyon lang ang kayang sabihin ni Aly.
Bang looked away. Tears are rolling down her face. Niyakap siya ni Aly.
"I'm sorry, Bang," Aly said crying.
Yes, Aly's trying to fix their relationship. Just almost a year ago, she was so ready to spend her life with this girl in front of her. But the tables have turned. Bang is now asking the question and she just couldn't get herself to say yes. Both Aly's heart and mind have finally agreed on one thing.
Bang kept on crying. Aly didn't let go of her.
A few minutes later, nagsalita na si Bang. "You don't say sorry for loving someone. Alam ko Aly. Siya pa rin. Si Dennise pa rin."
Aly just mouthed the word sorry kasi hirap na siya sa pag-iyak niya.
"Don't be. What you did for me is more than enough," sabi ni Bang ng may ngiti sa kanyang mga labi.
Bang held Aly's face. "You stayed when you could have left me. You chose to be with me kahit ang hirap ng sitwasyon ko when you could have chosen to be happy with her."
"But I guess hanggang doon na lang talaga ang kaya mong ibigay. Still, thank you, hon. Thank you," said Bang.
"You have given me some of the best days of my life and I will be forever grateful. Ito lang siguro ang maigaganti ko. I now release you from this relationship. You are free, Aly." Bang's happy to do this but it still hurt her to say those words. Napaiyak ulit siya.
Aly kept on crying. One part of her is happy but the other is hurting for Bang and her family na alam niyang masasaktan din.
"If you're thinking about my family, don't worry. They know about my 'make-or-break plan'. I told them everything and I told them to be ready with whatever our decision will be," explained Bang.
Bang continued, "Remember what I told you before the accident? Uulitin ko. Just so you know, I trust your choices. So, go! Chase your happiness."
Both of them are smiling now.
"Also, you could now turn your back on me without saying that you love me," pahabol ni Bang.
"But never forget that you will always be dear to me. Thank you so much, Bang. Thank you," said Aly. She gave Bang a light kiss and embraced her.
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Aly is now at the airport. When she heard the announcement to board, a thought entered her mind.
This time Dennise, no more running.
She walked to the boarding area with a big smile on her face.
