His Promises

Chapter 5

Still Ara David's POV

Natigilan ako. Kahit ilang beses nang naputol ang communication namin ay hindi ko binanggit pa ang pangalan niya kay Madison. Nagpapanggap akong hindi ako apektado sa pagkawala niya. Wala rin namang magagawa si Madison kahit sabihin ko pa ang problema ko. Mas gusto ko pang sarilihin ang nararamdaman ko dahil ayaw kong pag isipin pa si Madison.

"You are quiet. Remember, silence means 'yes'." Sabi pa ni Madison.

Hindi ako pwede umiwas sa tanong niya. Kahit magsinungaling ako, siguradong mahahalata niya.

Huminga muna ako ng malalim bago ako sumagot. "Yes, from then until now, I still love him."

"I know that. I see it with your eyes. Since he came back from Philippines, the flash has disappeared from your eyes. You had three boyfriends but Felip was still the only man in your life."

"Madison, sorry if I didn't tell you. I don't know how to say it."

"You know, there are things that no need to express but just to hide it. You're my best friend so I know you. You do not need to speak for me to understand. That's why I did everything for you to forget him. But you really want him."

"I'm really really sorry. Your effort was wasted to forget him."

"Why are you so sorry? You did nothing wrong. All you have to do is think about how you can get what you want."

"What do you mean?" Sabi ko.

"Do what your heart dictates. Because, maybe, he came back here to come back with you. To fulfill his promises to you. I think he's ready to apologize to you. Listen to him. Listen to his explanation."

"Thanks for the wonderful advice, bestie." Natatawang sabi ko.

"It's just now. I do not want you to grow old being single."

"I was afraid that he might not remember his promises to me. We don't have committment when he left the country. I might be disappoint when I talk to him."

"There is nothing wrong if you try. If he ever says that you don't have expect anything from him, that's fine. Atleast, you had a closure."

"I'm scared to trust again."

"When you trust someone, you also give them a chance to cheat you, so you should be prepared to be hurt when you give your trust."

"All right, let me think first." Sabi ko na lang.

"Hi! Honey!" Narinig kong sigaw ni Eric mula sa di kalayuan. Kalong nito ang dalawa nilang anak.

Nakangiting kumaway si Madison sa mag-ama niya.

Hindi ko ikakailang naiinggit ako kay Madison. Wala na siyang hihilingin pa dahil nasa mga kamay na niya ang kaligayahang hinahangad niya; sina Eric, Ericson at Erica.

Ganon din ang pinapangarap kong buhay. Nais kong magkaroon ng mabuting asawa at cute na mga anak. Alam kong simpleng pangarap na iyon ay magiging masaya na ako at kontento na sa buhay.

"We're looking for you a while ago." Sabi ni Eric nang tuluyan siyang lumapit sa kanila.

"Sure, Honey." Sagot niya pagkatapos ay bumaling siya sa akin. "Do you want to join?"

Umiling ako kasabay ng pilit na ngiti.

"Are you sure, Ara?" Tanong sa akin ni Eric.

"Yes, take care always." Sabi ko.

"Okay, bestie." Wika ni Madison.

Magkahawak kamay sila. Nainggit ako. Naiwan akong punong puno ng katanungan ang isip.

Maya't maya ay lumibot ako sa restaurant. Malayo palang ay natatanaw ko sina Chelsea at Stephen na magkahawak ang kamay. Filipino sila. Sa Philippines sila ipinanganak at sa US sila lumaki. Kaklase ko sila noong high school. Third year high school pa lamang ay nagkaroon sila ng relasyon. Dalawang taon na silang kasal at limang buwan nang buntis si Chelsea.

"Ara, you're here." Bungad sa akin ni Stephen.

"What are you doing here, Ara?" Tanong sa akin ni Chelsea.

"Uhhm.. Nothing. I'm just bored. So I can go around." I said.

They nodded.

"There's a big change in this resort." Sabi ni Stephen.

"Is Felip really the owner of this resort?" Tanong ni Chelsea kay Stephen.

Bigla akong natigilan muli.

"Yes. Felip is the owner of this resort." Stephen.

"I think, medyo lumaki itong resort." Sabi ko.

"Anong medyo? Lumaki talaga." Sabi ni Stephen.

"We're doing our honeymoon here, isn't it Babe?" Wika ni Chelsea sabay yakap niya kay Stephen. Hinalikan naman siya ni Stephen sa pisngi.

Natawa ako kaunti. "Your eldest baby is not yet come out, then, you are going to have a honeymoon again." Sabi ko.

"When are you get married?"

"Musta na pala kayo ni Felip? Still fine?"

Hindi ako makapagsalita. Alam ko sa sarili kong hindi ako komportable kapag pinag uusapan si Felip. Hindi ako komportable kapag naririnig ang pangalan niya. Dahil noong bumalik siya sa Pilipinas ay hindi ko pa binanggit ang pangalan niya.

Napairap ako. At nagpaalam ako sa kanila. "Sige guys. I'm leaving."

"Where are you going?" Tanong sa akin ni Chelsea.

"I just go around." Sabi ko sabay alis.

Nilibot ko ang buong resort. Ang laki nga talaga ng pinagbago.

Pumunta ako ng garden. Nakakita ako ng napakagandang bulaklak. Pinitas ko iyon and then isang pamilyar na boses ang narinig ko. "Maganda ba? Nagustuhan mo ba?"