The One That I Love

Finale Chapter (Epilogue)

Vil P.O.V

Parang natigilan si Vil nang biglang bumukas ang projector na nakapatong sa mahabang conference table na nandun.

The screen was blank for a couple of seconds before a recording started playing there. And in it was the very person her heart was aching for ever since she walked out on him that night.

The very same man who made her heart beat way faster than normal. The man who broke it into pieces.

And, the only one who could put it back together. The man she Loved-her Imagination and Reality.

"Reed. . ."

Tumikhim pa ang binata mula sa screen.

"Ehem...uh...Hi?" Matipid na ngumiti ito.

"I...uh- I've tried this a hundred of times now and... I'm not sure if I can get it right this time. But, no harm in trying, Right? So here goes..."

He sighed.

"Vilma, I know I was a Jerk back then. I've hurt you and yet, I let you walk away. Just like that. B-but I-"

Inabot nito ang camera, saka iyon bahagyang ini-adjust bago muling nagsalita.

"Eight years ago, nagkaroon ng malaking problema ang pamilya namin. My dad made a really bad deal. Really bad investment."

"Naapektuhan niyon ng husto ang buhay namin dahil, well...my dad didn't take it so well. He became an alcoholic. Me, being in my last year of highschool, knew that I couldn't do anything about it-yet."

"Minsan tinanong mo ako kung bakit ako umalis ng bansa. A little clichéd, I know. But this is my Reality."

Saglit na natigilan si Reed.

He looked so much in pain that she could feel her heart going out to him.

"I went there to take back what they took from my father, Vil. I studied twice as hard, worked thrice as hard until I reached what I am today. I thought I had enough."

"Akala ko nakumpleto kona ang lahat sa buhay ko. I mean, I got my dad's company back and more. Then I came back. Here."

Damang-dama ni Vil ang unti-unting pag-ahon ng samu't saring damdamin sa puso niya nang diretsong tinignan nito ang camera.

It was as if he was staring directly at her through the lenses as he continued to pour his heart out.

"When I first met you again after a long time, I thought, "What the h*ck?" I mean, eight years and coincidentally, Ikaw agad ang nabangga ko- literally?"

"I don't know why but my supposedly short vacation, suddenly felt like. . .home. I should've walked away, you know?"

Saglit na natahimik ito bago unti-unting ngumiti na parang may naalala siyang Magandang pangyayari.

"I should've walked away but I couldn't. Wanna know why?"

Ramdam ni Vil ang pag-iinit ng sulok ng kanyang mata.

"Cause even after all the achievement, deep down, I know, I'm still longing for home. A home in this harsh reality. Happiness amidst all this. And being with you...felt like that. And I-"