Ako'y Kasama Mo (Ongoing)

35 - Ikatlong Linggo: Marangal na Katangahan

A/N: Ang kabantang 34b na naging 35, bow.

Balik tanaw pa rin:

Pasikat pa lang ang araw pero pakiramdam ni Ricardo e palubog na sa bigat ng nararamdaman.

Oo, sabay silang nag-umpisang maglakad ni Doc Stacy pero maya-maya ay nauuna na siya. Wala silang kibuan dahil wala naman talaga siyang pakialam kung anuman ang narinig ng kasamahang doktora.

Gusto na lang niyang matapos ang huling barangay, makabalik sa bayan, magfile ng report, umuwi at magkulong sa kuwarto. Gusto na lang niyang matapos ang araw na 'to. Period.

'Yun e kung makakatulog siya.

Napatigil siya nang magsalita si Doc Stacy. "I didn't know Chris is getting married. Kailan? Can I congratulate him or is this a secret?"

"Secret." Wala siya sa mood makipag-usap kahit sabihan pa siyang walang-modo.

Another awkward moment.

Hinabol siya ni Doc Stacy para sabayan sa paglalakad. "Pardon me for asking, but are you two always like that?"

"Can we not talk about it?"

"No, since I don't know if this will be my last appearance in your life, I might as well confess."

Glad that she's finally getting the message, tumigil si Ricardo at hinarap ang doktora. "For whatever it's worth, I'm listening, Doc Stacy."

"There was no mouse. Walang daga sa banyo."

No, not that. "What the hell! Ano, ginawa mo lang 'yon para tuluyan kaming mag-away?"

"Far from the truth. Hear me out. First, I needed to do that so I can get out of that damn 'banyo' or be trapped inside until you two finish making each other jealous."

Wait there's more. "Second, so that you'll know na buhay pa 'ko."

"Correction, I did not ignore you earlier."

"I'm not yet done talking, Richard. What I mean to say is buhay pa 'ko at may kasama pa kayo na nasa loob lang ng banyo. Because the minute you start talking to her, everything and everyone disappears. Kahit nagtitinginan lang kayo, nag-uusap o nag-aaway, it's only you and her in your own bubble."

Hindi nakasagot Ricardo, napatiim-bagang lang at hindi makapaniwala sa naririnig.

Still she pressed on. "Curious lang ako, Richard. Please indulge my whim. Did you really plan to court me as what Chris shared?"

Nagulat man sa tanong, alam ni Ricardo na hindi madali para kay Stacy ang tinatanong, kahit pa nagpipilit itong maging kalmado. She derserves the truth.

"Yes, but that was in the past."

"Should I be thankful na at least pinag-isipan at pinagplanuhan mo?"

"Puwede bang kalimutan mo na lang? It will be better for you that way."

Isang mapait na ngiti ang sinagot ni Doc Stacy sabay ismid. "I can choose to fight for you and who knows, I might win. You see, I like you. A lot. Nagkamali lang akong magpaligaw nung nainip akong maghintay."

Bago pa siya makasagot, tinuloy ni Doc Stacy ang kanina pa niya gustong sabihin. "But the question, Richard is, will it be worth it? Don't worry, ako na rin sasagot sa tanong ko. It will not work out. You know why?"

Tiningnan lang niya ang doktora, nasa mga mata niya ang sagot.

"Your eyes don't lie and I know. I know in my heart that you'll never love me the way you love her. I get it, I will always be just a part of your plans. A goal to reach. Nasa isip pero parating magiging kulang sa puso."