A Bittersweet Girl (On-going)

Chapter 5

"Rey, are you alright?" I heard Mark asked from my back.

What the bull is happening? I sighed a deep breath and looked at Mark.

"I'm fine. I'm sorry but I need to go." I hurriedly walked to the waiting shed and flagged a taxi to home. Thanks for this kind taxi driver that drove me home safely, and didn't mind the tears in my eyes.

Oh Joe, what to do you want? Why?

Ibinagsak ko ang sarili ko sa kama ng nakarating ako sa bahay. As usual, wala na namang tao.

I need to call my best friend.

I dialed Janice phone number but her line is busy at this moment. Grabe. Ngayon pa talaga?

Flashback

"Rey, if I come back, will you give me another chance?"

"Rey, if I come back, will you give me another chance?"

"Rey, if I come back, will you give me another chance?"

End of flashback

Para bang paulit ulit kong naririnig ang boses ni Joe kapag naaalaala ko ang text niya kanina. Hindi ko na siya maintindihan. Oo, mahal ko pa rin siya pero pambihira naman- dalawang taon ng nakakalipas tapos ngayon niya lang naisip na i-contact ako. What the heck!

I grabbed my pillow and covered my face as I shouted.

"You're unpredictable! I don't know you anymore! Arg!" I threw away my pillow.

I suddenly heard a ring from the door outside.

"Who's there?" I asked.

The ring didn't stop until I walked downstairs and opened the door.

"Joe?"

Naibagsak ko ang phone na hawak ko. Hindi ako makapag salita. Para bang tumigil ang ikot ng mundo ko, hindi ko na rin alam kung paano ako nakakahinga ngayon.

Naramdaman ko na lang ang masaganang pagpatak ng mga luha mula sa mata ko.

Bakit pa? Para saan?

"Rey..." He looked so damn. "I'm really sorry. I-"

Yan lang ang narinig kong salita mula sa kanya at bigla na lang ay nagdilim ang paningin ko.

---

I slowly opened my eyes, then closed them again when I heard the very familiar voice of a man. I never mistook to recognize his voice.

Tears spread again on my face. Kailan ba ako titigil kakaiyak? May paraan ba para matuyuan ako ng iluluha? Masakit naman na ang mata ko.

"Tito, I'm really sorry. I was so damned that I didn't realize it would cause much pain to Rey. Pero pagbalibaliktarin man ang mundo, mahal ko po talaga siya at hindi iyon nawala o nabawasan. Please, give me a chance to make it to your daughter. Please..."

I don't know if what I heard is right, but I heard a crock from his voice. Is he crying. Geez.

"I'm sorry, Joe. Pero hindi ko hawak ang desisyon ng anak ko sa lahat ng pagkakataon. Speak with her if you want." Dad replied. I can feel the sarcasm on his voice. Is he upset?

Of course he is. He saw how I got broke from the sudden vanishment of Joe without leaving me a word.

I heard the sound from the door. Maybe one of them left.

Nagtaasan ang mga balahibo sa katawan ko ng naramdaman ko ang malamig na kamay na pumatong sa kanang kamay ko. Is this Joe? Parang hindi naman ganito ang kamay ni Dad.

"Rey, I don't know what to say to explain. But one thing that I want to tell is I love you."

I held my breath. Hindi ko alam paano ako nakaka survive sa pagpigil ng luha ko ngayon.

"I'm not sure if you are hearing me now. Whether it is yes or not, I'll explain pa rin." He paused as he squeezed my hand. "Do you still remember the moment when you accepted me as your boyfriend? That was the greatest blessing I received from my whole life, you are my greatest blessing, Rachelle. And I feel stupid for leaving you alone. I'm sorry. I became envious from all of your family friends. Successful sila at maganda ang background. Ako, wala akong maipagmalaki sa tuwing kaharap ko sila sa mga family reunion or gathering niyo. Isang araw, I heard your cousin saying that she doesn't want anyone from her family live miserable. Ayaw niya na may maghirap sa kanila kasi you all deserve a confortable life, at hindi ko kayang ibigay yon. Ni hindi ko nga kayang mag enroll sa ekwelahan na pinapasukan mo ngayon e." He let go of my hand and caress my face. "I know you're not sleeping anymore-"He wept away the tears around my eyes. "But I'll still take this as an opportunity to explain. Nung napanood ko ang interview mo with Mark, at narinig ko mismo mula sayo na papakinggan mo ako ay nagkaroon ako ng pag asa. Pero katulad nga ng sinabi mo ay depende pa rin. Pero gusto ko pa rin na malaman mo na mahal kita."

He kiss my forehead.

"Mahal na mahal kita..." He whispered.

I heard him clearing his voice. "Aalis na ako para makapag pahinga kana. Don't worry about me. I'll be okay."

Naramdaman kong tumayo siya mula sa tabi ko. Pero bago pa man siya makahakbang ay agad ko ng hinawakan ang kamay niya ng pagka higpit.

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang maaaring mangyari, pero bahala na.

I looked at him and saw the shock on his eyes.

To be continued...