Unreachable Zacharius

16

Chapter 16

The moment the door closed, the unbearable pain on my chest settled in. Yumuyugyog ang balikat na napaupo ako sa kama habang tulalang hinahayaang bumuhos ang mga luhang kanina ko pa hindi mapigilan. How many times do I have to experience this kind of pain for me to realize that we can never happen? Kailan ako mamamanhid? When will I learn my lesson? This. This foolishness is slowly killing me. Kailan? Kailan ako matututo?

I thought everything will come out well if I take the risk and have a leapt of faith. It was all my fault. I loved him too much that I lost myself.

I wiped my tears away with the back of my hand. Dinungaw ko ang envelope na hawak at mapait na ngumiti. I slowly took the printed paper inside the envelope. I wasn't shocked when I saw his signature. I inhaled and exhaled. Just a few strokes and everything's done, Amber. Let him go. Start anew. You don't deserve this.

I heaved a deep breath and without double-thinking, I signed it. Dalawang patak ng luha ang nahulog sa papel.

Kaagad ko iyong ipinasok sa envelope at itinabi. I glanced at my finger and played with my ring. Maybe it's time to take it off. Gumapang ako at padapang humiga sa kama. Pinaglaruan ko ang suot na singsing. Pumikit ako ng mariin. Kasabay ng pag-agos ng mga luha ang pagbabalik-tanaw ko sa nakaraan.

Ang pamilya namin ay malapit sa mga Gray. Miminsang bumibisita kami sa mansion ng mga ito at ganoon rin naman sila sa amin. I was close with tita Leandra and tito Alejandro but not with the entire family. According to what I heard, Zach moved in to the states with Senyora Mercedes and Senyor Frederico, tito Alejandro's parents, when he finished kinder garten. Ang alam ko ay noon pa ang huling bisita nito sa Pilipinas. I can't remember it because I was so young back then.

"Your son is naturally stubborn, Alejandro. H'wag ka nang magtaka dahil ganoon ka rin naman noon." Inirapan ni tita Leandra ang seryosong asawa.

Nagtawanan ang mga matatanda sa lamesa. They're talking about their son again. Ngumuso ako at tahimik na sumubo ng salad. Usually, they visit and spend a day or two here. Ngayon ay uuwi rin sila kaagad. Sinadya lang kami upang imbitahan sa birthday at welcome party ng anak. Bukas na iyon at binilhan pa ako ng gown ni tita Leandra. I am not interested. At all. I don't want to go but it's hard to resist her.

"I wasn't as stubborn as your son when I was on his age, Leandra. Pinagbigyan ko ng maaga sa pagkakaroon ng sariling condominium kaya ayan at maagang natutong mapag-isa. It was a good thing that he learned how to be independent at a young age but I don't like how he ignores us. Especially my commands." Ani tito Alejandro.

Napalunok ako sa lalim at kaseryosohan ng boses nito. Kung si tita Leandra ay may magaang aura ay kabaliktaran naman nito ang asawa.

"Zacharius is old enough, Alejandro, and he's going home with Latin honors! Hayaan mo na ang anak natin. Our son is an independent and adventurous man. And it is a good thing. Right, Catherine? Francisco?" Baling ni tita kay mom and dad.

"I understand Alejandro, Leandra. Dapat ay bumibisita siya dito kahit isang beses sa isang buwan lang. This is where you live. Isa pa, he will eventually take over on handling your company." Ani dad, propesyonal ang tono.

Nagpatuloy sila sa pag-uusap at parehong topic lang iyon. They were specifically talking about Zach's adventures. Rinig ko ay namomroblema daw ang grandparents nito dahil hindi daw sila nito binibisita madalas. Tahimik lang akong nakikinig hanggang sa inilabas ang cake na panghimagas. I asked for a slice even though i'm already so full. Paborito ko kasi at gusto kong tikman.