Hook, Line & Sinker

Chapter 40

Chapter 40: "Love is looking into his eyes and forgetting about the world around you. It's feeling his kiss hours after he's gone. It's remembering how he smells like and loving his scent more than anyone else's. It's seeing perfection when he's standing beside you, and realizing every moment he's not with you is a minute too long."

"Para ka naman timang, pare. Kumain ka nga," ani Duke at nilagyan ng maraming beef ang plato ko. After class, nagyaya sila ni David na kumain. Ally chose this korean restaurant. "Papangit ka niyan. Baka hindi ka na balikan ni Shin kapag umalis yon sige ka. Marami pa man din magagandang kana doon."

I glared at him. "Gusto mo na bang mabasted agad ni Aya? Sabihin mo lang."

"Ikaw naman, pare, nagbibiro lang ako. Sa ganda mong iyan? Hindi ka ipagpapalit ni Shin sa kahit na kanino."

"What are you scared of, Tam?" seryosong tanong ni David.

I sighed. "I don't know. Maybe I'm scared that he'll forget about me? He'll stay there for a long time. Paano kung.."

"Your husband loves you, and I don't think he's the type who cheats. Kung iyon ang ikinakatakot mo. Kung si Duke pwede pa."

"Ulol. Loyal ako!"

"Am I selfish for not wanting him to go?"

"We understand how you feel, Tam," Ally said. "But honestly, if I were him, I would grab that once in a lifetime opportunity. Just imagine, he was offered a scholarship in a prestigious school. Plus, he gets to have his internship in a well known hospital there. He doesn't even need to spend a dime. Lahat covered na. Not like he can't afford it if it's not. But gosh! Sure ball na yung future niyo. To think that he didn't even apply for it. He was recommended by Dr. Perez himself."

"Dr. Perez? Sino yon? Sikat ba iyon?" kunot ang noong tanong ni Duke.

Ally rolled her eyes. "Hell, yes! Everyone wants to be associated with him because of how good he is in the medical field. Shin helped him with his research, and he was quite impressed with him. And the rest is history. You should be proud of your husband, Tam. Everyone is talking about him and his brilliance."

"I am proud of him. It's just that.." I breathed out.

Alam ko na mahal niya ako pero hindi ko maalis na matakot sa pag-alis niya. Inihatid nila ako sa bahay ni Pops after. Dalawang araw na akong dito nag-i-stay. I just don't wanna go home yet and see him. 

"Nak." Pops sat down beside me. "Masaya ako na nandito ka ulit sa bahay. But don't you think it's time for you to go home and talk to your husband?"

"Para saan, Pops? Aalis din naman siya. Hindi ba mas okay na ngayon pa lang sinasanay ko na iyong sarili ko na hindi siya kasama?"

He let out a heavy sigh. "Hindi naman porket aalis siya ay hindi na babalik."

"Ilang taon siyang mawawala, Pops. Paano ko kakayanin na mabuhay na hindi siya kasama ng ganon katagal? Sinanay niya ako na lagi siyang nandiyan sa tabi ko tapos iiwan niya lang ako bigla." I bit my lower lip as my eyes started to well up.

Tears rolled down my cheeks. "I don't want him to leave. Pwede naman na dito na lang niya tuparin iyong mga pangarap niya diba? Iyong magkasama kami. Hindi ko naman siya pipigilan sa mga gusto niyang gawin. Pero gusto ko dito lang siya, Pops."

"Nak, a healthy relationship sometimes needs space." Tumingin ako sa kanya. "Space to get to know yourself more, do things on your own in order for you to grow as a person. You shouldn't limit each other."