I wanted to stop the time. Like literally stopped it but I knew I couldn’t. No matter how badly I crave for it to happen, I just couldn’t.
“I will talk to Zeo and Dad”
“Do you want me to come with you?”, Gino asked. We were both at the car. Babalik na kami sa Maynila dahil kailangan na naming magtrabaho. He was called last night because there was something urgent. Gusto ko sanang mang-usisa kung ano dahil mukhang nag-aalala sya doon pero hindi ko na ipinilit. I didn’t have to worry. That was what he said. I knew it was next to impossible not to worry but I had my complete faith in him.
“Kaya ko na. Gusto ko ding makausap talaga si Zeo ng kami lang. He’s been a good friend to me”
He was looking straight ahead of us on the road. Nakagilid ako ng upo para mapagmasdan sya. I wanted to stare at him as long as I could.
Gusto ko syang titigan hangga’t kaya ko. Hangga’t pwede. Baka ito na iyong huli, ayokong magsisi. We could never really tell what’s going to happen so better yet make the most of it and aside from that, I was really enjoying the view of him.
“I know. Halata naman”, ayan na naman ang serysoso nyang tono. Balot ng iba pang emosyon. Jealous again, perhaps?
Hindi ko talaga mapaniwalaan na ganito sya lalo na kapag nagseselos. Ito ang napansin ko, madalas ay kumikibot ang kanyang mata at gumagalaw rin ang panga bago magsalita.
“Come on. Don’t be jealous, Gino. Ang sabi ko, magkaibigan lang kami. And he’s still my fiancé, you know”
Humigpit ang pagkakahawak nya sa manibela. Pinipigilan kong tumawa ng malakas dahil baka ihagis na nya ako mula dito sa bintana palabas ng kotse.
Ilang beses syang huminga ng malalim na wari’y kinakilma ang sarili bago nagsalitang muli.
“See? How can I not be jealous of him? You call him your fiance’”
Umusog ako palapit sa kanya. “Because it’s true”
“Then what am I?”
“Hmm…”, kunwari ay nag-iisip ako. I was just teasing him. Ang gwapo nya kasing mapikon at magalit.
“Talagang pinag-iisipan mo pa”, Gino smirked humorlessly. Doon na ako natawa sa kanya. This side of him was refreshing. Parang ang dali –dali nyang abutin hindi tulad noon.
“You’re my boyfriend then!”, hayag ko nang may pagmamalaki.
“Tssss…”, pagsusungit nya.
“Hindi ba? Eh kung ganoon, ano kita? Kabit?!?” I exaggerately exclaimed. Biglaan syang nagpreno at halos masubsob ako sa dashboard kung hindi lang nya iniharang ang kanyang braso. Sisigawan kung sana sya pero hindi ko naituloy nang nahalata ko na ang purong inis sa kanyang mukha at napalitan naman agad ng disgusto na para bang hindi sya makapaniwala sa narinig mula sa akin.
“Really, Cresia?”, he growled.
“I’m just kidding!. Kaya ang sarap mong asarin eh kasi ang bilis mong mapikon”, pinisil ko ang kanyang pisngi na agad naman nyang iniiwas at nagpatuloy na ulit sa pagmamaneho.
“So ayun nga. I will talk to Zeo alone. No need to go with me. Baka suntukin mo pa”, I giggled happily. I’ve never been this happy. We were almost like all the other normal couples out there.
“Saan kayo mag-uusap? Do it on your office. Mas secured ka doon. I’ll get you once you are done”
Pumayag ako doon. Iyon ang huli naming usap. And like the normal couples, we kissed and said ‘I love you’s’ before we parted ways for the day.
Inspired akong nagtrabaho buong maghapon. I waited for Gino’s text o call but it never came except for one which reminded me to eat on time and another ‘I love you’. It was enough for me. Ayokong maging demanding. Sa mga meeting, maganda rin ang mood ko. Naapprove ko ang lahat ng mga projects at ang iba ay for review na lang.
“Let’s meet later? Dito sa office?”
“I can’t go there now. I already made a reservation at the restaurant near there. Hindi ako makakakain mamaya sa shoot kaya kumain na tayo ng dinner o may balak kayo ni…”, Zeo asked.
“Wala naman kaming plano. Sundo lang. Sige. No need to come here and get me. Dyan ako magpapahatid sa driver”
“Bring your bodyguards, please”
“Your crazy fans?”
He sighed. “Nope. It’s for your safety”
“Why is everyone freaking out at my safety? Relax, okay?”, tinawanan ko sya. Minsan talaga, masyado na silang OA. Halos hindi na nga ako makahinga at makakilos ng maayos sa dami ng securities. Mabuti na lang at medyo maluwag na ngayon at nabawasan sila.
“See you”
“Yeah, papunta na rin ako. See you”
Nag-retouch ako bago umalis sa office. Nakahanda na ang sasakyan, driver at mga bodyguards ko paglabas ko ng opisina.
“Let’s go”
Inside my head, I was rehearsing my prepared explanation to Zeo. I knew he would understand. Alam kong papaya syang tapusin na ang engagement naming. Ni hindi nya ako pinagbawalan nang malaman nyang kasama ko si Gino nitong nakaraan pero bilang respeto sa kanya at sa pagkakaibigan namin, gusto kong pag-usapan namin ito nang maayos.
And about Mr. Gonzales, his father, I’ll do something about it. Hindi ako pwedeng magpamanipula sa kanya.
I wanted to be happy with Gino. If he was willing to take the risk then I would gladly do it, too. I wanted to be married to him and build a family.
I texted Gino about my meeting with Zeo. Hindi sya nagreply, marahil ay busy pa sa trabaho. There was a pang of hurt inside of me whenever he didn’t reply but I understand. He was not that kind of guy. Hindi sya katulad ng mga past boyfriends ko. Hindi sya mahilig magtext.
“What’s that?”, tanong ko nang tumigil ang sasakyan gayong sigurado naman ako na wala pa kami sa sadyang lugar.
“May banggaan po yata, Ma’am”, sagot ng driver. Sumilip ako at medyo maraming tao ang nakikiusisa. Without any warning, a gunshot from somewhere was heard. Sobrang lapit nito. Nagkagulo ang mga taong nasa kumpulan. Nagsisigawan at nagtatakbuhan.
Nanlaki ang mata ko nang makita ko ang ilang tao na bumagsak sa sahig dahil sa tama ng bala. Walang habas na pinagbabaril ng isang lalaki ang mga tao doon. He was shouting something.
“M-Manong! Let’s go!”, sigaw ko. I was panicking. Lalo pa nang bumaling sa amin ang lalaking may baril. Pakiramdam ko’y sa akin mismo sya nakatingin kahit na alam ko namang tinted ang kotse. Itinutok nya ang baril sa amin at tumagos ang bala sa unahan ng kotse.
“AHHH!!!”. I screamed so loud and closed my eyes.
Gino…
I prayed.
