"I heard that she basically ALMOST pulled your hair off." Ani ng aking kaibigan. Napatawa lang ako sa kanyang ekspresyon at tumango.
Kahapon lang nagkagulo sa loob ng ospital, and it is still fresh off of my mind. Umiling lang ako at tiningnan ang magkasintahan.
I won't lie that I'm jealous of their lives, but they deserve it. Ian deserves it, and Jen deserves it.
Bago lang rin umuwi si Jayron kasama ang kanyang girlfriend na si Mary Lyn, habang si Kyle naman ay umalis na pala ng bansa.
I got news that he was starting a new business at Switzerland, I'm finally relieved for him.
Kagabi lang rin na nagtext siya sa akin. He said that he is starting a new life in there, at sa totoo lang, masaya ako para sa kanya.
He might have struggles of moving on, but I'm sure he will get over it, sabay kaming mag-momove on sa isa't isa.
"Huy Diang! may masakit ba sayo? baka napano ka na ha?" Wika ni Jenshell habang kumakain ng Avocado. Haluh?! parang kaninang umaga pa siya kumakain ah?
"Hoy magtapat ka nga sa akin? may something na nangyayari sayo noh?" Panunukso ko. Ay taray! inirapan pa ako! lul! buntis talaga 'tong babaeng lukreshang!
"Shh! just act like you don't know." Bulong niya at ngumiti. Napangisi lang ako sa kanya at tumango.
"Ah! May ibibigay ako sayo!" Aniya at may kinuhang kahon sa ilalim ng kanilang cabinet. Tinaasan ko lang siya ng kilay at umiling. Naku po! baka mapano ang baby.
"Ilang months na ba yan?" Tanong ko. Napairap lang siya sa akin at ibinaba ang kahon.
"It's not that much Dia but, I want to give it to you as your birthday present." Mahinhin na aniya. Binuksan ko lang ang kahon at ngumiti.
Isang picture frame na may larawan namin ni Charles, galing kami sa Boracay noon eh, eto naman si Baks panay magselfie. Pag-uwi ko nga sa bahay eh punong puno na yung storage ng cellphone ko.
"Ahh...sorry at pinakialaman ko yung cellphone mo, wala kasi akong magawa, kaya yung nakita ko yan, naisip ko na lagyan nalang ng design." Salaysay niya sa akin. Niyakap ko lang siya at tumango.
I remember the picture that I've kept for so long, kaso nga lang, marami nang punit yung picture. And this gift is good as new.
Parang kailan lang yung kabataan naming dalawa.
For now, I've felt relief and happiness. Knowing on what he really feel. Kung ano ang nasa puso niya.
I don't have to pick a puzzle to solve it anymore, just hearing him say it made me contented.
****
Charles
"Pre, sigurado ka ba sa ginawa mo? baka itakwil ka ng Mama mo niyan?." Pagtatanong ni Denzel sa akin. Napairap lang ako sa kanya at tumango.
Nag-usap na rin kami ni Mama kahapon, her finding out on what Vanessa really is.
Alam ko naman na medyo warfreak si Mama, but I'll be sure to handle it.
I leaned on the fence while looking at the sunset. I smiled at myself. It's her birthday today..
"Pre. alis muna ako, may shift pa ako mamaya eh, baka pagalitan ako ni Boss neto." Pagpapaalam ni Denzel sa akin. Kumaway lang ako sa kanya at tumango.
Pag-alis ng aking kaibigan ay nabuo ang katahimikan sa paligid. It's almost 6:00 in the evening. And I can hear the faint music coming from her house.
I carassed my necklace tightly. I remember when she decided to drop her gift to me. I should not pushed her away. At ngayon mahihirapan nanaman ako para kunin muli ang kanyang puso.
I instantly regretted when I pushed her to the ground, she was so scared, so helpless.
I flinched when she screamed at me, begging me to go away. I was hurt, because she did'nt trust me.
But I think I did'nt trust her...
Her brother threatened me to leave the country, to leave her...
It's evening, and I'm preparing for my flight. I can hear her knocking continuosly, and hearing her voice crack made my heart drop.
Naririnig ko ang pagmamakaawa niya. But my pride took over. I can't see her vulnerable side. Hindi ko kaya.
Once I opened the door, I instantly saw the box, and I knew that inside that box is a beautiful part of her.
***
I always wear the necklace, paglipat ko sa Amerika, pag-aaral ko sa kolehiyo at sa medical school ko.
There's no second that I haven't thought of her. Kahit saang sulok ng classroom ay nakikita ko siya, parang nababaliw na ako eh.
My Mom would always encourage me to court someone. But I always refuse.
And in a coincidence that Me and Vanessa were in the same country and university.
We became friends, but that's just it, Kinaibigan ko lang siya dahil siya lang rin ang kilala ko doon.
Mahirap para sa akin na mag-adjust sa bagong unibersidad at sa bagong bansa. It's like I'm in a whole new world.
Sa isang iglap ay pinagkasundo na rin kami ni Vanessa. I can still remember her grin, while me, on the other hand was frowning.
Wala na rin akong magawa kung hindi sumang-ayon, para kay Mama.
She always invade my personal space, and out of nowhere, would kiss me.
I hated it.
I hated it because it was not her lips.
I can always taste her lips.
That chaste kiss we shared.
It was always permanent.
And after the years, I've became successful, and Doctor Vergara, needed my help, kahit tutol si Vanessa sa desisyon ko, I still pushed it. I knew the she knew of my intentions, and she's afraid.
I was surprised to see her again. But after years of our distance, I manage to give her a cold shoulder.
Naaalala ko pa yung mukha niya noong hinalikan ako ni Ness.
She was hurt.
and So am I.
I'm sorry...
Patawad, kasi duwag ako...
I thought that you are no different than other people.
And so that I limited my trust.
"Hello?" Tumibok lang ang aking puso nang narinig ko ang boses niya, na parang may sagabal sa aking lalamunan.
"H-Happy Birthday..."
I managed to croak out. There was a long silence before she answered again."Salamat Charles..." And there goes my heart again. I can imagine her, smiling at me.
"P-Pwede bang...p-pumunta ka d-dito..s-sa park..." Utal kong pahayag. Napabuntong hininga lang ang babae sa kabilang linya.
"Okay...I'll be there in a minute.." She finally said the hanged up.
I fidgeted my hands while waiting for her.
I really hope that she would like my gift..
BINABASA MO ANG
Be my Pretty Man (#1 of Guilberra Series)✔
Romance"Why would I want to learn to love you when you can't even catch me?" "Arghh! I'm so confused! It's all your fault! kung bakit ako nagkakaganito..Kaloka parang gusto kitang protektahan, kahit bakla ako, nabubuhayan yung pagkalalaki ko dahil sayo..sa...