Off Limits, Love

18

The next day, I woke up feeling nervous. I don't know why though. I did a quick exercise before eating. After that, I cooked waffles.

I ate alone, my parents were still asleep. I asked a helper to eat with me. Matagal na siya rito, always the one who's taking care of the house.

"Ayos lang po talaga sayo, Ma'am?" Nahihiyang niyang tanong.

"Opo, Manang." I gave her a little smiled and nodded. Inabot ko na sa kanya ang waffles na niluto ko, she's old already, matagal na siya rito.

I can see how nervously she took a bite, my brows furrowed, "Is something's bothering you?" I asked.

"Wala naman po." She looked at me and smiled. I continued eating, after that I went to shower and to prepare myself.

I was wearing a black tank top partnered with high waisted shorts. I also put some of my ankle boots. I drove to Robinsons Manila, doon kasi kami magkikita.

I'm waiting here sa loob ng Starbucks, medyo maaga pa kaya wala pang masyadong tao, mamaya na lang ako mag-oorder pagdating niya.

I scrolled through my phone's gallery, wala lang just looking at some photos. Konti lang ang photos dahil hindi naman ako palapicture. Puro picture lang nina Elora at Talia other than that wala na.

I got a text from Sienna, saying that she's on her way, I just sent her a 'okay' and waited.

I've never imagined that I'll talk to her again. After what happened, ayoko na sila ulit makita at makausap but I think everything changed.
Few more minutes and I saw her pushing the glass door papasok.

She walked towards me, "Hi! Order muna ako. Anong gusto mo?" she gave me a smile and asked.

"Kung ano rin yun sayo." aniya, she nodded and went towards to the counter, ordering. I examined her head to toe, she really looks like an actress. Naghihintay lang siya sa waiting counter to get our drinks.

Our drinks were ready pero nagpapicture muna sa kanya ang isa sa staff, she gave them a quick smile at bumalik na ulit sa harap ko at umupo.

"Here's your drink! Sorry kung ayaw mo nyan, sabihin mo lang at bibili ako ulit." She said as she hands me out the drink, it was a Matcha Green Tea Latte, which I don't like.

"It's okay." I sipped on the drink, trying hard not to make a face.

"Uhh, how's life?" she asked. I put my drink on the table and nilapit ko ang mukha ko sa kanya.

"Let's get straight to the point. Ano ba ang sasabihin mo?" ayoko na makipagplastikan at magpaligoy ligoy pa.

She took a sip first, "Are you sure you want me to say it here?"

"Yes."

"Gaius didn't really cheat on you. We knew you were there." Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay, I don't know if I should believe her, ang daming evidence and she admitted it before.

"We? What do you mean?" I asked, getting confused. So, they knew I was there?

"He's someone, someone special to me. It's not Gaius, I swear to God." she said, tinuro niya pa ang taas, I remained silent, letting her continue.

"Your father asked us to fake it and do it, I didn't want to do it at first but he threatened me that he'll make my image look so bad in the industry that no agency and network would want me. Kahit doctor lang ang tatay mo, ang lakas at dami pa rin ng koneksyon niya sa mga tao. Alam mo namang kakasimula ko pa lang ng career ko noon, hawak niya rin sa leeg ang tita mo na manager ko. I had no choice, but to choose." She looked down feeling guilty.

"My parents doesn't support me, you know that from the start. Kapag pinili ko ang friendship natin, I would lose my dream and our friendship aswell, kilala ko na si tito Zildan, he would always make a way para masunod ang gusto niya, kapag hindi mo sinunod, gagawa rin siya ng paraan para masira ka and if that happened to me, itatakwil na siguro ako lalo ng parents ko."

"That's why I chose my career, para kahit konti may.. may matira sa akin." Her voice broke, I can see the tears forming around the corners of her eyes, "I'm sorry."

I didn't know what to say, I'm trying my best to still keep a straight face but I'm on the verge of crying. I swallowed the lump on my throat.

"I understand. Don't worry, I already forgave you, matagal na." I gave her a small smile, we both remained silent, just drinking our drinks.

I couldn't take it anymore, I wanted to shout out her, I wanted to tell her how much it damaged me, not only me but the people around me and to my future relationships. I couldn't trust someone the same again. But on the other side, I understand her. I put myself in her shoes, maybe, I'll choose my career too.

"I have to go somewhere, thank you for meeting me here." I lied, wala naman talaga akong pupuntahan. I stood up at kinuha ko na ang drink ko.

Palabas na sana ako nang makalimutan ko na hindi ko pa siya nababayaran, agad akong bumalik ulit at may kinuha ako sa purse ko, it was a 50% coupon.

"Uh, I forgot to pay you. Ito na lang ang bayad ko, I don't have any cash. Avail any services you want at our clinic and may discount kang 50%, just show this to my staff." I said as I handed her the coupon.

I drove my car away, hindi ko alam kung saan ako patungo, paikot ikot lang ako. I stopped by first, I want to go tito Gabe's grave.

I texted Talia since baka alam niya kung saang sementeryo, and she did knew where. I quickly drove my car to the location she sent but first I went to buy flowers and a candle.

I'm here at the cementery, trying to find tito Gabe's grave, damn! Asan ba kasi yun?

Christian Gabe J. Lopez

I put the flowers beside his grave and lit up a candle for him. I just stared at his name for a few minutes. I sat on the grass, "Hi tito Gabe."

"I'm sorry for what my father did," I touched his name on the gravestone, "Ang dami kong atraso sa pamilya niyo."

"First, It's ny fault that I recommended my dad to be your doctor, hindi nga kayo nagbabayad pero buhay mo naman pala ang kapalit.. Second, ako ang may kasalanan kung bakit nasaktan si Gaius when even you told me na alagaan ko siya, it's all my fault. Third, I accused your son that he was cheating on me, I should have asked him before para hindi ako nagsuffer, para nakamove on ako kagad. I even slapped him 2 months ago for that fake reason and I'm sorry for that." I bit my lower lip to stop myself from tearing up,

"Kanina ko lang po kasi nalaman eh, peace po tayo dyan." I jokingly said to lighten up my mood.

"It's all my fault, your death is my fault, your son's sadness is my fault, these trust issues that I have.. it is also my fault. I feel bad for blaming Gaius and Sienna when in the first place, it was all my fault." Tears started streaming down my face. I cried for minutes, until I recovered.

"I'm sorry for everything." I said like he would hear me. I wiped my tears off using my handkerchief. I was about to walk away his grave when I saw someone hiding behind a tree.

What the hell? Is someone spying on me?

I brought out my pepper spray and taser, I always bring this wherever I go for emergency just like this.

I slowly and quietly walk towards the tree, not making a single sound.

"Are you spying on me?!" I was about to spray and use the taser on the person when he suddenly faced me.

"Gaius?!"

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05/20/20

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