One-Shot Stories (Compilation)

7th Story

"Who Are You?"

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"Hanggang kailan mo kayang magtiis? Hanggang kailan mo kayang makita na hawak-hawak siya ng iba?" I nod my head ng tinanong ako ni Sam ng ganito. Everyone has been asking me the same question over and over again. And my answer would always be,

"Hanggang sa nakikita ko siyang masaya, I'll be happy also." I tried to smile admist the pain that I am feeling. Halos 2 years ng ganito ang aking nararamdaman. I have to stand by this pain and I was left with no choice. Ayokong tuluyan siyang mawala sa akin kaya ako pumayag sa ganitong set up. I have to pretend that I am okay, na tanggap ko, kahit ang totoo at sobrang sakit. Wala ng mas sasakit pa na makita ang babaeng pinakamamahal mo na masaya sa piling ng iba.

Me and Betty had been together since high school. She is my first and I am sure that she will be my last. We have each other both during our up and downs. We promised to support each other as long as para sa ikabubuti namin ito pareho. Our close friends will label us as "The perfect couple", they believe na sobrang perfect match namin ni Betty. I found her noong mga panahong nawalan na ako ng confidence sa sarili ko. She became my light that lift me up during those struggle times of my life. I just can't lose her. Hindi ako papayag at hindi ko hahayaang mangyari iyon.

It was 2 years ago since I heard the news. Nasa Manila ako noon, studying for my pre-med. Agad akong bumalik sa probinsya ng mabalitaan kong naaksidente si Betty. She was drunk that time and I think it was my fault for we had a fight that night. Kami ang tipo ng couple na kapag nagaaway, we want to sort things out agad. Hindi na namin pinapatagal pero ewan ko ba noong gabing iyon pareho kaming sabog and pagod kaya kung ano-ano ang nasabi namin sa isa't isa.

Sabi nina Tita noon, sobrang delikado daw ng kondisyon ni Betty. Sobra siyang napuruhan dahil sa aksidente. I kept on praying and praying. Sabi ko pa hindi ko kakayanin kung mawala siya. I would take whatever consequence basta mabuhay lang si Betty. Wag lang siya mawala sa akin.

Thankfully, Betty survived. God is really good. Nakayanan niya at nagising siya after 3 months of being in a comatose. I know that she will fight, ang strong niya kaya and she has proven it. Sobrang saya ko noong araw na yun. I really miss her and I want to say sorry to her.

I let out a sigh bago pumasok ng hospital room niya. Ang daming tao sa loob ng kwarto niya. Some of our friends are here. Agad silang pumunta dito noong nabalitaan nila na nagising na si Betty. Halos hindi ko makita ang mukha ni Betty dahil sa dami ng tao na nakatayo sa harap ng kama niya.

Sabay-sabay silang napalingon sa akin ng marinig nila ang tunog ng pagsara ng pintuan. I smiled at Tito Dan (Betty's father). Umusog sila konti ni Tita. Nagsimula na akong humakbang papalapit sa kama na kung saan nakahiga si Betty. Every step that I make, sobrang lakas ng kabog ng puso ko. I am excited to see her and at the same time, kinakabahan din ako.

A tear escaped my face ng sa wakas ay nasilayan ko na ang kanyang mukha. Although may nakabalot pang bandage sa kanyang ulo at medyo namumutla din ang kanyang labi, but damn she looks as beautiful as the first day I saw her. Napatingin ako sa katabi niya. Si Lance, her ex and I was surprised to see Betty's fingers intertwined with Lance's. Anong ibig sabihin nito?

"Who are you?" Tanong ni Betty sa akin ng nakangiti. What the hell is she talking about?

"Anak, hindi mo ba nakikilala si Harry?" Tanong ni Tito Dan. Kumunot ang noo ni Betty and it looks like nahihirapan siyang magisip. What the hell is going on? Prank ba to? Bakit? Bakit hindi man lang niya ako makilala?

"Anak, are you alright?" Nagaalalang sabi ni Tita. Napatingin naman ako kay Lance habang inaalalayan si Betty. Wtf!

"Mom, masakit ulo ko." Napaiyak na lang si Betty habang hawak-hawak ang kanyang ulo.