His Wedding Planner (MNEBACP's Sequel)

Summary Of Memories

Forty Three: Summary Of Memories

You can run, but can never hide.

You can deny, but can never keep something for a long time.

Loving Ken taught me a lot of lesson.

That feelings can't be kept.

No matter how you try. No matter how you hide. No matter how you deny it to yourself. The world would just give you another reason to realize what you should have said and shown when you were still having chances.

I meant well when I walked away from him. Because I know everything was just never meant for the both of us. Maybe the world just gave us a little taste of happiness we were looking for. Maybe it was just all about that and nothing else. Maybe it was really meant to end in such a chaotic way. Where it all left us broken and empty. Where we lost our path along the way.

Maybe it was just all about that.

A love that meant to end.

"It was hard..."

He broke the silence while I stay stilled gazing up on the stary sky. I wanted to keep my silence. Natatakot ako sa mga maaaring masabi ko. Things I'm not supposed to say just because I feel like I should. I did it once, but look where it got me.

"It was hard when I've heard the news that you went to Barcelona again. For good."

Naramdaman ko ang pagbaling niya sa akin. And I'm so afraid to stare back at him. Kasi baka may masabi na naman akong hindi ko dapat sabihin. Kasi isang tingin niya lang, pakiramdam ko mauubos na naman ulit ako.

"The world left me with no choice, Valentine... Five years ago, I was left with no choice."

Wala sa sariling nagbaba ako ng tingin sa kanya. What does he mean by that?

"Your parents and my parents were college friends before..."

What?

"They were just like us. Just like our circle of friends. Your mom and my dad... they used to have a thing."

Tulala kong tinitigan si Ken. Ni hindi ko na kayang sundan ang mga sinasabi niya.

"Tita Lucia liked my dad, but she fell for Tito Edward. My dad is that typical bad boy while Tito Edward used to be their Campus' acting Student Council's President. I admit, Tito Edward has a better traits than my dad back in their college years. Maybe that's the reason your mom fell for him. I thought Dad was cool with that, that's when Mom came in the picture. Naging sila ni mommy pero laging na'kay Tita Lucia ang atensyon niya. Mommy knew how much Dad liked your Mom back then... but Dad said he started liking my Mom as well."

Tumigil sa pagkwento si Ken. He stayed silent for a brief moment and all I can hear was his heavy breathing. I couldn't even imagine a story like this. It was just like a bomb thrown at me, without me seeing it coming.

"When he found out I was dating you, he got mad. Maybe something about us reminded him about what happened back then. He was thinking that the same thing will happen to me-and forced me to like someone else instead..."

Oh my god. I feel like everything's already making sense now.

"He introduced me to Krystal. One of his business partner's daughter that happened to be on the same school with ours. But it did not work out for him kaya inutusan niya si Krystal na i-set up ka. I know you would never do that to me, Valentine, but I was brainwashed. And then you came back. Totally new. Totally cold. Alam kong babalik ka, Valentine. Pero hindi ko alam na pati pala iyong nararamdaman ko para sayo, babalik din katulad ng pagbabalik mo. I tried pursuing you. Because I'm dying to have you back. I've realized things I should have the first place before I totally lost you. And when dad found out again about us, he got mad again..."

I almost scoff. Ang judgemental naman pala ng Daddy niya, or should I say bitter?

"He manipulated things again. Para ihiwalay ako sa'yo. That's when he asked me to book a flight going to States, pretending he's badly sick and he needed me there. I had no choice, Tin. I can't send Aika there instead. I can't sacrifice her studies just watching over dad. So I had to leave kahit na kakabalikan lang natin no'n. When I got there, that's when we talked. He told me that I need to leave you. That truth is, he's not sick. Believe me, Tin. Muntik ko nang makalimutan na tatay ko siya. Muntik ko siyang suntukin dahil do'n. I left you here for the lies he fed me up. That's when I knew that your mom's sick..."

When Ken mentioned my mom, doon lang tuluyang bumuhos ang luha ko. Bakit kailangang kasali si Mommy sa kuwento ni Ken? It made me even more confused.

"And your parents asked for my father's help... Tita Lucia doesn't want to spend all of your savings just for her treatment session. Valentine, lubog na sa utang sina Tito Ed at Tita Lucia noong lumapit sila kay Dad, and Dad... Dad took advantage of it. He offered to lend a money, in one condition...", matamlay akong tinitigan ni Ken.

Pakiramdam ko ay mas lalo lang akong nanghina.

"I have to leave you for good in return. My Dad's crazy, Valentine. He was so adamant to separate our ways. You were his reminder of his painful heartbreak. Natakot siyang baka mangyari din sa akin ang nangyari sa kanya dati. And if only I can give my own life just to save your mom, I immediately would. At kahit masakit mang isipin, you can always replace me with whomever you want, but Moms are irreplaceable, Tin. And even though I know that my decision would tear you apart -- us apart, pumayag ako sa ginusto ng tatay ko..."

I bursted into tears and I suddenly felt his broad arms wrapping me in his embrace. Hindi ko alam kung saan ako mismo naiiyak. Dahil ba sa pinagdaanan ng parents ko? O dahil na sa sakripisyong ginawa ni Ken? I would never understand how hard it was for him because I was never on his shoe. But I appreciate what he's done. Even if it would mean breaking my heart. Even if it would lead me to hating him not until this night. I would never know nor understand. But it brought me hope I never knew I still have deep inside.

***

Author's Note: I'm gonna be less busy for the next three days. Hopefully, I can do another more update still within this week! 😌 Happy third of July, sweethearts!