Thanks for the Last Night

Kabanata 15: Tumigil Ang Mundo Ko

Kabanata 15: Tumigil Ang Mundo Ko

 

Hindi ko lubusang maisip na yayakapin ako ni Justine sa mga oras na ito. Bumalik kami sa apartment niyang wala na si Beatrice. Dinala niya ako sa bubong ng apartment niya. Inalalayan niya pa akong umakyat dito. Malamig ang yero, pero nagiging mainit dahil katabi ko siya.

            “I’m afraid to lose you. Hindi na kita iiwan, Lyka,” bulong niya sa akin. Bumitaw siya sa pagkakayakap at pinunasan ang mata kong babad na sa luha. “Tell me everything, pati ‘yung masasakit na bagay,” dugtong niya.

            “Justine, for the past three years, I’ve been working as an agent. As an agent, we’re required to stalk some couples and destroy their relationship. I was with different men because of that job. You and Beatrice was my latest target. Dahil sa trabaho ko kaya nakita ulit kita. I never intended to do it. Wala akong choice. Akala ko, makakalimutan na kita ng tuluyan, pero hindi pala. Akala ko kapag tapos na ang mission ko, maiiwanan kita, pero hindi pala ganoon kadali iyon,” sabi ko.

            “Tell me more,” he said.

            “Sa loob ng ilang linggong nagkasama at nagkita tayo, parang nanumbalik lahat ng feelings na iniwan ko sa’yo noon. Justine, kung alam mo lang, ikaw ang dahilan kung bakit ako nagpakalugmok sa ganitong trabaho, pero kahit ganoon, masaya ako. Nakakatuwa, dahil sa trabahong ito, nagkita ulit tayo.”

            “Salamat pala sa work mong ‘yan, Lyka.” He smiled.

            “Isa pa, sinubukan kong iwasan ka, pero hindi ko pa rin kinaya. Natakot ako sa posibilidad na iiwan ako. Nang natakot ako, at tsaka ko lang naisip na mahal pa rin talaga kita. Na kahit anong tanggi ko sa nararamdaman ko, mahal pa rin kita at kahit ilang taon pa ang lumipas, walang nagbago doon.”

            “I’m sorry for ruining your life, Lyka. Let me tell me my story.”

            “Sure.”

            “It was last day when Beatrice sent me your pictures. You were with different men. There was also this video wherein you kissed a guy inside his room. Then, a girl came in the scene and slapped that man. I was definitely pissed. I thought that you were one of those whores who just give everything to a man. But then, I didn’t believe everything I saw. I believed in you. I knew that you had something better in mind than Beatrice. At that moment, I realized that it hurts to see you with someone. That’s why I decided to chase you. I didn’t have any second thoughts. All I wanted right now is you.”

“I don’t deserve your love, Justine.”

“I love you together with your past, and your flaws.”

“I’m no greater than any other whores that you can meet. You can never understand me.”

“I believe in you, Lyka. Please believe me. All I wanted you to do is to be honest with me. I know that the path in building forever is close to being impossible. But, I don’t care. What matters most is I am already with you.”

“Nakakainis. ‘Wag na tayong magbatuhan ng cheesy lines.”

“Teka, sino nga ba ang customer na nag-utos sa’yo para paghiwalayin kami?”

“Si Mrs. Dela Cruz,” sagot ko.

“You mean, Celestina Dela Cruz?”

“Yes, do you know her?”

“Nakalimutan mo na ata ang pangalan ng Lola ko, Lyka.”

“Is she… Really?”

“Kahit kailan talaga, nakakatawa si lola. Kahit kailan, ikaw pa rin ang manok niya,” pagkasabi nito, inilapit niya ako sa kanya. Hawak niya ang braso ko. Pareho kaming nakatingin ngayon sa langit, at sa mga bituin na nandito. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam.

Isinandal ko ang sarili ko sa kanya. Malamig man ang yerong tinutuntungan naming, wala namang tatalo sa init ng pagmamahal ko sa kanya. Alam kong corny pakinggan, pero lahat naman ng in-love na tao nagiging corny.

“Akalain mo ‘yon, after three years ng pagiging childish natin, ngayon lang tayo magkakabalikan?” sabi ko.

“’Di ko inakala. By the way, bakit mo pala ako tinawagan? Sorry hindi ko sinagot lahat ng message mo.”

“Nakatanggap kasi ako ng free vacation packages to Palawan. I want to share those with you,” I smiled.

“Saan na ‘yun?” tanong niya.

“Hindi ko na lang siguro kukuhanin. Ibabalik ko na lang sa kanila kasabay ng pag-alis ko bilang agent. Ayoko nang maging panira ng forever ng ibang tao, dahil ayokong gawin rin ng iba yo’n sa akin,” ngumiti ako at mas lalo pang sumandal sa kanya.

“I will never ask that from you, Lyka, but if that’s you’re wish, it’s fine with me.” Nang sabihin niya iyon, hinawakan niya ang dalawang balikat ko at inihiarap sa kanya. He kissed me on my forehead as he told me “I love you” many times.

“Thanks for this night, Justine,” I said.

“Thank you for the future nights that you will spend with me,” he said.