Kean Point of View:
"So it's settled then. I'll take Xaiyi's to the abroad as soon as possible. I just really need your consent as her parents even though I can take her without that. And lastly, don't make decisions for her ever again-- or else. You'll regret it." Madiin at may halong galit kong babala sa mga ito.
Napatango ang mga ito. "Of course, Mr. Madrigal. Hindi din naman namin hangad na makitang masira ang buhay ng aming anak. We just thought that Xaiyi's will be happy by marrying Jayzi. In fact, they were childhood friends back then. It's just that, Mr. Sandoval feel to our precious Xaira and we actually feel sorry to our daughter Xaiyi. E kung sasaya lang din naman siya sayo at ang hangad mo lang ay maganda para sa kanya. Ipagkakatiwala nalang namin siya sa iyo." Medyo naiilang na tugon ni Mr. Villaranda.
I expressionlessly look at them. 'Ganoon ba talaga kadali sa kanilang ipamigay ang anak nila? They even want to control her for the sake of their images and company. Does Xaiyi deserve this kind of parents? This is pathetic.' I sighed of disbelief.
I stood up. "Okay then. I better get going now. There is no time to be waste. We need to go now." I poker facely said.
Tumayo ito at tumango. "Please do, Mr. Madrigal. Please take care of Xaiyi for us. It's our honor that you help our daughter in this state." He acted like he was sincere and honored.
Tumango lang din ako bilang tugon tiyaka umalis ng walang kahit anong salita. Magmukhang bastos man ako sa harap nila ay wala akong pakialam.
Nakalabas ako ng bahay ng mga Villaranda at saka tumungo sa aking sasakyan.
Agad kaming tumungo sa ospital para maayos ang lahat at agad nang makaalis.
Nakahanda na din ang sasakyan naming eroplano papuntang France pati na rin ang paglipat kay Xaiyi.
Nakarating kami ng ospital at agad akong nilapitan ng isa kong tauhan na pinaasikaso ko sa lahat.
"Maayos na po ang lahat sir." Saad nito.
"Magaling. Nasaan ngayon si Sandoval?" Kapagkuwan ay tanong ko.
"Umuwi po muna. Mukhang nagmamadali ito kanina."
"Ganoon ba? Hindi na mahalaga iyon. Wala nang oras. Kailangan na nating umalis." Walang kahit ano-ano ay utos ko rito.
"Masusunod po sir."
Pagkatapos ng usapang iyon ay nagtungo ako sa kwarto ni Xaiyi. Inaasikaso na ito ng mga doktor at nurse.
"Mr. Madrigal."
Napatingin ako sa taong tumawag sa akin. Si Ms. Aleja pala.
"Saan niyo po dadalhin si Ma'am Xaiyi?" Kapagkuwan ay tanong nito habang kunot-noong nakatingin sa mga taong inaasikaso si Xaiyi.
"Abroad. She need a high quality treatment. The medication here can't give her that. I can't just sit here without doing anything." Seryoso kong tugon.
"P-Paano po si sir Jayzi? Alam na po ba niya ito?"
Napuno na naman ng galit ang puso ko nang banggitin nito ang pangalan ng taong iyon.
"Does he deserve to know?" Taim baga kong tanong. Napayuko ito at hindi nakasagot. "You better shut your mouth about this matter, and never ever mention his name in front of me. I know that you know the reason why, Ms. Aleja."
Pagkatapos kong sabihin iyon ay lumapit na ako sa pwesto nila Xaiyi.
Ilang minuto lang ang lumipas ay maayos na ang lahat. Isinakay sa sasakyan si Xaiyi at agad kaming tumungo sa private plane na sasakyan namin papuntang France.
*******
Jayzi Point of View:
"Anong kailangan mo?" Walang emosyon kong tanong.
"Wala lang. Namiss kasi kita. Bawal ba?" Malandi niyang ani habang papalapit sa akin at hinawakan ang kaliwa kong braso.
"I don't have time for this, Xaira. What are you up to?" Seriousness occupied my tone.
"You know why I call you here, Jayzi. You are acting weird since I came back. Like as if you are just using me to make someone jealous. I know that I did something wrong but the heck, Jayzi! What the hell is happening to you?" Kumunot ang noo niyang tanong habang nakatingin ng deritsu sa mga mata ko.
Inalis ko ang kamay niyang nakahawak sa braso ko at tinitigan siya ng mabuti. "Do you really want to know what I'm thinking? You've left me, Xaira. What do you think I'll feel? Maging masaya? You know how much I love you because you've been with me for past 13 years. Yes, I feel in love with you without knowing that you actually lied to me." Huminga ako ng malalim at pinipilit na wag sumigaw but I can't help it. Galit ako. Galit na galit. "Alam ko na ang lahat. Alam ko na hindi ikaw ang batang babaeng nakasama ko noon but fvck! You've made me feel in love with you for God fvcking sake!"
Hindi ito nakapagsalita bagkos ay napahawak ito sa dibdib dahil sa sinabi ko. Gulat na gulat itong nakatingin sa akin at hindi alam ang gagawin.
"Alam mo bang naisipan kong gamitin ang kapatid mo para mawala ang galit at sakit na iniwan mo sakin noong nawala ka. I even torture her. I take her virginity, her dignity, or even our child. I actually killed our child because of you. I was lost because of loving you. I even hurt her without knowing that I was already in love with her." Puno ng galit at sakit ang nararamdaman ko ngayon.
"Y-You l-love h-her?" Utal-utal nitong tanong.
"Yes." Walang pakundangan kong tugon.
Napaatras ito kasabay ang pagtulo ng mga luha niya. "B-But you've promised me that you'll never liked or even love someone except me, Jayzi! You've promised me!" She shouted.
"And you've promised me that you'll never leave me but you did. You've been also lying to me for past 13 years. I even accepted you for everything, Xaira but you've never been contented. You've cheated, having some affairs and run with someone before our engagement party. Do you think, I didn't know? Do you really see me as a fool? And take me for granted?" Napasuklay ako ng buhok ko gamit ang mga daliri ko dahil sa inis at galit sa tuwing naalala ko iyon.
"I-I--." Napahagulhol ito habang pinipilit na magsalita. "I-I'm s-sorry, Jayz. I-I didn't mean it. I l-love you. *sob* Please, I-I'm begging you. Don't do t-this to me." Agad itong yumakap sa akin habang patuloy na humihingi ng tawad at umiiyak.
Napatingala ako dahil sa awang nararamdaman sa taong minahal ko. Pero mali ito. I already love someone else.
"Jayzi, please. I really love you. I'm sorry if I hurt you. I was so naive and didn't realize that. I'm sorry for leaving you. I'm sorry for everything. Please, don't leave me." She begged.
I heavily breathe and take her hands off me pero pilit niya parin akong niyayakap.
"I will never l-leave you again. I'll never hurt you again. J-just please-- don't push me away." She pressed herself on me. Begging and crying like an innocent child.
I really don't know what to do until I just found myself hugging her back.
I know that I don't love her anymore but I can't stand seeing her this way.
I'm sorry Xaiyi. Please wait for me. I'll clear everything up and I'll give my everything to you. Completely.
***********
07/10/2020