Chapter 47
"I still don't get it." ani Patrick. Andito na kami sa condo ni Gino nun and we're waiting for Daryl to come. Nagyaya kasi si Gino na mag-dinner kami sa kanila.
"Ako din. Bakit ka pumayag?" pagtataka ni Maqui.
"Maybe she wants to forget the things that happened here." sagot naman ni Gino na abala sa kusina.
"So ikaw na si Julie?" sabay na tanong nina Maqui at Patrick. Natawa na lang si Gino saka nagkibit-balikat.
"Gino's right. I want to forget the things that happened here." sabi ko.
"But leaving the Philippines is not the solution, bes. Tatakasan mo ang problema?" she asked.
"I'm not running away Maq. I'm just going to start a new life there. Malay mo dun pala talaga ako dapat matagal na diba? I just want to be a better version of me. And if I stay here, I'll only remember every goddamn heartbreak I felt here. Kaya mabuti na rin sigurong umalis ako. Boomboom and I will live a simple life in New York kahit na kaming dalawa lang."
"Ewan ko sayo." Maqui said, exasperated. Naglakad siya papunta sa kitchen kung saan nandun si Gino at naghahanda ng pagkain. Tumingin naman ako kay Patrick na nagkibit-balikat lang.
"What did I miss?" sabi ng bagong dating na si Daryl.
"Ayan! Yang babaeng yan nagdecide lumipad papuntang New York. Hala bigyan mo na ng pakpak!" ani Maqui.
Daryl looked at me curiously and I just smiled at him.
"What is she talking about?" tanong niya pagkaupo sa couch na nasa tapat namin ni Patrick.
"You remember the offer I got from the office? Yung sa GQ." sabi ko na siyang tinanguan niya. "Well... I decided to accept it. I'll be leaving by the second week of April."
Saglit siyang natigilan. He just stared at me na parang new species ako ng kung ano. He was even rubbing his chin habang tumititig sa akin. A couple more minutes and he crossed his legs saka pumapalakpak.
"Are you sure about that?" he finally asked.
"Yes..."
"Bakit?"
"I want to start a new life." simpleng sagot ko.
"Sa tingin mo, kapag ba lumipad ka papuntang New York hindi malalaman ni Elmo yun?" he asked. He caught Maqui, Gino and Patrick's attention with his question. Sabay-sabay silang tumingin sa akin and waited for my answer.
"Dar, let's not talk about him." I said, trying to dismiss the topic.
"No, Jules. We'll talk about him. I want to know from you na kaya mo ginagawa ito para sa ikabubuti mo at ng anak ko at hindi para lang takasan ang problema at layuan siya. Because God knows you really can't get away from him, Julie." he said, matter-of-fact.
I looked at them one by one saka ako bumuntong-hininga.
"I'm doing this for my baby." I said finally. "Gusto kong bigyan ng magandang buhay ang anak ko and I want to give him the life I know he deserves."
"And by going to New York, your baby's life will be better?" Maqui asked.
"Yes. It would be better for the both of us. Maq, sabi mo sa akin dati na kung saan ako masaya susuportahan mo ko. Please guys, can you be happy for me? Kasi honestly ito na lang ang way na naiisip ko para makalimot eh. This is the only way I could think of na makakamove on ako. Na magiging maayos ako. Na mababalik ko yung dating Julie." I said. Nagsimula ng tumulo ang mga luha ko and Patrick immediately hugged me.
