Game Of Destiny

Prologue

"How is she?" I rushed to the hospital from the hospital I worked in when I heard the news. It's been a decade and I can't wait to finally see her again.

Pag dating ko sa hospital ay sinalubong ako ng isang babaeng matagal ko na ring hindi nakita. "Bagsak ang katawan niya gawa ng therapy," pagpapaliwanag niya habang naglalakad kami sa pasilyo ng hospital papunta sa kuwarto ng taong hinintay ko nang matagal na panahon. Masyadong mabigat ang emosyon, at 'di ko alam kung kakayanin ko ba'ng makita sya ulit sa paraang nagpagunaw na ng mundo ko noon. "Sorry for what happened ten years ago. Sorry for what I did that ruined both of you," I saw tears falling from her eyes.

"Here tita," I handed her my handkerchief, and that's when I realized that I'm still wearing my lab gown. "Wipe your tears first before we enter. For sure Zariyah won't like it when she sees your eyes swollen again because of crying. And about what happened ten years ago, I already forgive you tita," she gives me a tight hug before she opens the door.

"Pumasok ka na Ijo. Ikaw ang inaantay no'n," she tapped my back before I stepped inside.

"Zariyah..." my voice suddenly cracked when I saw her peacefully lying on the bed.

I grab the stool and sit beside her hospital bed. It's been ten years but you're still the most gorgeous masterpiece I've ever seen. I suddenly felt my tears continue to fall down.

"How can love be so cruel?" I whispered. It's the exact same thing I said after she left exactly ten years ago.

I wiped away my tears when I saw her open her eyes. "L-Luke? W-what are you doing here?" I helped her to sit.

"I'm visiting my Adi." she gave me a smile before tears started to fall down from her eyes. "Bakit ka umiiyak? 'Di ka ba masayang makita ako?" I joked trying to stop myself from crying.

"No. I'm happy. I really am. It's just after ten years, I didn't expect to see you here."

"Yeah, it's been ten years but I'm still waiting for you. And I will keep waiting for you even if it hurts."

"Adi...sorry," her voice cracked.

"Shh. You don't have to say sorry, okay? Hindi mo ginusto yung mga nangyari," I caressed her hair. "You're still a cry baby," pinisil ko ang pisngi niya at natawa naman kami pareho.

"Why? Why did you come back? If all I do is to hurt you and cause you pain?"

"Why are you asking that? Of course, for you."

"You don't need to. You deserved better, Luke," I put my hands on her face and wiped her tears.

"Yeah, I do deserve better. But I don't want to be with someone else except you. That's why I'll do everything to make you better."

"But-"

"Love!" I saw a man standing in the door while holding a bouquet of tulips with a wide smile on his face. He looked at me first before he walked toward us. "How are you feeling?" He placed the tulips at the top of the table beside Zariyah before he leaned to her and kissed her forehead.

"I'm fine," he smiled at her before he looked at me. Tumayo ako at tumikhim.

"Doc, how is she?" WTF?!

"Uhm, sorry? I'm not her doctor," he chuckles

"Oh, sorry my bad. I thought you're her new doctor? Doc. Veria, right? The famous cardiologist among the town, who miraculously saved a five-year old child, dying from a heart failure. I heard a lot about you," he sarcastically said before he offered his hand in front of me. "Engineer Morin, Ms. Villafuerte's fiancé."

"You're her fiancé?" I clenched my jaw.

"Yes. Any problem with that doc?" He smiled at me sarcastically. I want to punch him in the face. FUCK YOU! Your smile doesn't suit you!

"Nothing." I accepted his hand and then tightly squeezed it. "Doctor Veria. Nice to meet you."

"Ouch" he whispered.

"Okay ka lang?" I asked

"Yeah, why wouldn't I?"

"Because I'm here? Threatened huh."

"Love," sabay kaming napalingon kay Zariyah nang mag-salita siya. "Can you buy me food? I'm hungry."

"Ako na," prisinta ko.

"No, you stay here. I need to talk to you," tumingin siya kay Dion na parang nag-mamakaawa.

"Okay fine." he walked out the door procrastinating.

"Luke.." she starts to cry again.

"I understand Zariyah, I understand. Ako lang 'tong iniisip na baka may pag-asa pa pagkatapos ng sampung taon. It's not your fault, Zariyah. No one wants this to happen. And after all, I was never yours to begin with."

"Love is indeed cruel." narinig ko ang mahinang pag-tawa niya.

"Yeah it is." we both laugh

"Do you believe in love?" she asked

"I still don't."

"Why?" she curiously asked.

"I still don't believe in love because I still don't have you. If dreaming is the only way to be with you, then I'll never open my eyes again," I smiled bitterly and looked at her. "If God gives us a chance to meet again in the afterlife, and if ever we fall in love again. Let's never tell the world. Hmm? The world tends to ruin beautiful things, so let it be our little secret."

Lumapit ako sa kanya at niyakap siya. " 'Wag na 'wag ka lang niya sasaktan, dahil 'di ako magdadalawang isip na kunin ka ulit. And before I leave, I want to ask for a favor, is that okay?"

"Hmm, go ahead"

"Hayaan mo 'kong mahalin ka ng paulit-ulit kahit wala nang tayo at meron ng bago, dahil choice ko 'yon. Kahit sa malayuan, at kahit sa masakit na paraan kakayanin ko. I promised myself, I would never fall in love unless it's you, I fall in love with."

"I'll go ahead, may duty pa 'ko. Bibisitahin na lang ulit kita dito." tumango lang siya at nginitian ako.

Palabas na ako ng pintuan nang bigla siyang mag-salita. "I guess we never really move on after all those years. You did great to reach your dreams, and I am proud of you Doc!" I smiled at her before I closed the door. And that's when I broke down.

"Coffee?" inangat ko ang ulo ko at nakita ko si Dion na naglahad ng kape sa harap ko.

"Thanks," I accepted the coffee and he sat beside me.

"Take care of her, please?"

"'Wag ka mag-alala dahil aalagaan ko siya kahit hindi mo sabihin sa'kin."

"You're so lucky to have her," I laugh bitterly.

"Maybe? But you're the one who's more lucky," napalingon ako sa sinabi niyang 'yon.

"May I know why?"

"Dahil kahit ako ang kasama niya sa humigit limang taong wala ka, ikaw at ikaw pa rin ang laman ng isip at puso niya. Nang bumalik ang alaala niya, wala na siyang ibang bukambibig kundi ikaw, kahit hanggang sa panaginip niya eh ikaw yung hinahanap niya eh. Love is indeed unfair. Tama nga siguro sila 'no? Na 'Love can leave a memory that no one can steal'"

"But it can also leave a pain that no one can heal," dugtong ko. He smiled at me before he stood.

"Just because you always heal, doesn't mean you deserve pain. Remember that, Doc. Let's grab a drink sometimes, alam mo na kung sa'n ako makikita."

"That would be great, I'll see you when I see you," he waved at me and smiled before he said goodbye.