The Inverse

- 8

AGNES'S POV

Halos hindi ko maidilat yung mga mata kong kagabi pa namumugto. Namamanhid na yung braso kong hinihigaan ni Pat. How I wished that there's more than 24 hours in a day. I wish that for a moment, sana tumigil ang oras. I looked at Pat. She was still sleeping soundly in my arms.

We used to be like this. Waking up to each other's smiles and sharing breakfast together. But today, I am waking up to the realization that she's soon slipping away. I kissed her in the forehead. She stirred but she just inched closer to me. I smiled. Wag muna Pat. Matulog ka muna mahal.

Sinabi niyang mahal niya pa rin ako kagabi. But I know that it was all because we were both pretending. Or at least she was. Wala namang halong pretentions yung pagmamahal ko para sa kanya. She then woke up.

"Good morning."sabi niya then she smiled at me. Pucha naman talaga Pat. Paano ba kita bibitawan kung ganyan ka? She then rolled over to the other side of the bed and stretched.

"Natulog ka ba?"she asked worriedly. I nodded. It was actually the best sleep I've ever had since we broke up.

"Shit. I need to get ready."sabi niya tapos nagmamadali na siyang lumabas ng kwarto. I just stayed there in bed. I guess, time's up.

I stood up and prepared breakfast for her. Exactly the same way when I would do this for her before. Scrambled eggs, bacon, fried rice, and her favorite cup of coffee. Paglabas niya ng cr, she was smiling at me and when she saw that breakfast was ready, she sat down. Nakabalot pa rin sa towel yung buhok niya, exactly as how she'd look like each day habang inaantay niyang matuyo. Everything that's in front of me right now is exactly as how it was before. The only difference, is the ring around Pat's finger that is reminding me of the cold reality between us.

"What are you staring at?"sabi ni Pat.

"Wala."sabi ko sa kanya and then I forced a smile.

"Let's eat?"dagdag ko. She nodded.

After naming kumain, she prepared her things at nagready na para sa work niya. Soon after, nasa kotse na kaming dalawa and we were now on our way to her office. I took my shot and I held Pat's hand while I'm driving. I smiled cause she didn't pull it away.

When we got to their building, nagpark lang ako sa dating parking space ko. I used to park here everyday while waiting for her.

"Pat."

"Yeah?"

"Thank you. For giving me my last day with you." She just smiled. But it was a painful smile. A farewell smile even. Inalis na rin niya yung seatbelt niya.

"Goodbye Agnes."sabi niya then she opened the door.

"Pat."sabi ko as I held her arm.

"Yes?"

"Please tell Coelli I'm sorry." She nodded then she closed the door behind her. Sinundan ko lang siya ng tingin as she made her way towards my side. Sumignal siya na ibaba ko yung bintana.

"Agnes."

"Hm?"

"I meant everything."sabi niya then she walked away.