Nick
Everything is strange ever since I came back from HongKong. I went on a vacation trying to distract myself.
I thought my absence will give them time to get back together. But it didn't turn out that way.I have no idea that someone is plotting something against Gabby. Kinidnap siya and I don't know why. We didn't want to make it known to the public. Migz, Xavier and I agreed about it for Gabby's well being.
What surprised me is Gabby's reaction at the hospital everytime she see Xavier. It was unusual, he saved her but Gabby seemed to be afraid of him.
He took the courage and asked me to look after Gabby until she's totally fine.
Hindi na niya kailangan makiusap, gagawin ko iyon.
...
Nakasalubong ko si Gabby pero she didn't even noticed me dahil siguro sa nagmamadali siya. I followed her, unto she reached the ladies room.
I could hear her crying inside, I wanted to console her pero nakaka hiyang pasukin ko siya sa loob ng CR. I waited until she comes out.
Nagulat siya nang makita niya ako. Her eyes are red and almost puffy. This girl she acts tough but I know she's really hurt.
Muntik niya na akong iwasan, but I grab her hand at hinila ko siya. I'm frustrated I wanted to know why is she crying. I took her to my office nang makarating kami doon ay saka ko siya binitawan at hinarap. I sighed, and looked at her.
"Gabby tell me what's wrong," I asked her.
She looked at me but didn't speak, she doesn't want to talk about it.
"I can't believe the both of you," pag-singhal ko.
Naupo ako sa sofa at nayuko at napasabunot sa buhok ko.
Did I do the right thing?
... Flash Back...
Nagulat ako nang makita ko si Xavier sa hallway papuntang meeting room. I didn't expect this, at di ko pa rin inakala na ganun ang magiging reaksyon ni Gabby. She froze, her eyes was full of longing, a bit scared, nervous at di ko na maipaliwanag pa. I held her hands as if to make her calm. We held hands during the whole meeting.
I really want to punch him, but I don't want to make a scene.
I know he still affects her, it never left. Alam kong kahit ako ang nasa tabi ni Gabby never did I had a chance to hold her heart. I know it's Xavier always.
Three years I've been staying on her side. I was there everytime she needs me. I know I'm an important person for her but I wanted more. I also know she couldn't give it to me.
When I thought I already had a chance. He came back, I knew someday he will pero umasa na kapag nangyari yun wala nang nararamdaman si Gabby para sa kanya. I also know that he have his reasons for leaving. Pero kahit ano pang dahilan niya, he still chose to leave and break Gabby's heart.
Balak ko lang ay ihatid siya sa kwarto niya. We were sitting on her bed facing each other.
"Nick do you really love me?" she asked.
"I do, when I started loving you I never stopped," I said as I deeply looking at her eyes.
It's true, I love her.
I was surprised when she suddenly reach for my lips.
What is happening? Did something happened?
I couldn't even think straight. My body started to react because of what she did.
Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili Ko. I started kissing her passionately, and she just let me in.
I could taste sweetness and alcohol at the same time. She started answering my lips and felt her arms around my neck. We were both kissing like hungry lions. I pulled her closer as my lips travelled to her neck.
I stopped when I saw drops of liquid flowing from her chin. I look at her and she was in tears. Then I realize there is something wrong. I was taken aback and immediately put distance between us.
"Why are you crying?" tanong ko sa kanya.
"I'm sorry," she said in between her sobs.
Tinakpan niya ng mga palad niya ang ka yang mukha.
Is she sorry because she can't reciprocate my love?
I knew it, she doesn't need to say anything. I just hugged her tightly. I did until she calmed down.
"Nick, sorry, I'm really... " she pleaded.
I stopped her.
"You don't have to, it's okay." I just patted her head.
"I'll be fine," I assured her.
I smiled bitterly as I was leaving their house.
Nabasted ako, for the second time.
They said if you really love that person, learn to wait. Maybe you're not meant to be together today, but meant to be in the future.
I felt like a fool believing that.
I guess it's not stupidity if I believe that if you really love that person you to let them go.
I swallowed the lump on my throat, trying not to cry. Mas masakit pala kapag umasa kang mamahalin ka niya kahit alam mong iba ang tinitibok ng puso niya. I was willing to fill the gap that Xavier left but still she couldn't love me more than she loves him.
Why does she have to choose the person who made her cry?
I was reaching for my car when I saw a figure of a man standing in front of his house. It was him, the guy I envy the most. He was there intently looking at me. I stared at him, nagseselos ba siya dahil nakita niya akong lumabas ng bahay nila Gabby?
Wait? Are they neighbors now? They just live across the street?
"What did you do to her?" tanong niya.
Did he saw us? I had an idea I guess it's time to have my little revenge.
"What do you think two people do inside a room?" I answered him with a smirk on my face.
Tutal inis na siya. Why don't I piss him more?
This guy is a real possessive one, I smirked at him. I was just fooling around. I saw his jaw tensed and clenched his fist.
Did he believed that?
Okay, that's not a good joke.
"You!" sigaw niya sa akin at sinugod ako.
I don't want any bruise on my face right now. My heart is already broken, I couldn't let my face be broken too. But it's too late he taking long stride towards me. He harshly grabbed me at my collar. Natawa ako sa pag suntok niya sa panga ko.
Gumanti ako sinuntok ko rin siya na naging dahilan ng pagsubsob niya sa lupa , gusto ko siyang gulpihin. But I can't do that, magmumukha akong talunan and besides wala naman magbabago. Kahit basagin ko ang mukha ng gagong ito. Siya pa rin ang mahal ni Gabby.
Para akong tanga, tinulungan Ko rin siyang tumayo.
"Let's have a drink." Di siya makapaniwala sa sinabi ko.
"What the fuck do you want?" tanong niya.
"I want to know why you came back," seryosong sabi.
Bago pa siya makatanggi ay pumasok nako sa bahay niya. Dumiretso na din ako sa kusina at kumuha ng whiskey sa cabinet niya. Feel at home ako, ang kapal ng mukha ko.
Habang siya ay nakakunot noong pinapanood lang ako.
"Do you have ice cubes in the fridge?" tanong Ko.
"Yes," nagtataka pa rin na sagot niya.
Dinala ko ang mga iyo papunta sa sala at pinatong sa maliit na mesa at umupo. Nilagyan Ko ng yelo ang mga baso namin at sinalinan ng alak.
Umupo na din siya sa tapat ko at masinsinang tumingin sa akin.
"What is this about?" tanong niya.
"Let's talk about why you left,by the way sorry that I punched you. You deserve it though."
"I did punch you to, but I won't say sorry. You got into my nerves."
"Did you really believe that something happened between me and Gabby?" tanong ko.
"No, I just got mad because I know you're lying," sabi niya.
Natawa ako sa sinabi niya.
"We did kiss though, we could've done it if you just didn't cross her mind," sabi ko saka lumagok sa baso.
"What?" tanong niya.
"She loves you, and I just can't get you out of her heart," pag-amin ko.
"Do you think so?" alangang tanong niya.
"Di ko alam kung anong ginawa mo sa kanyang gago ka, you left for more than three years. I have time to steal her heart but didn't succeed. Her heart beats for you, only you." Saka ko uminom ulit sa baso.
"But she seemed so distant," aniya.
"She loves you, she wants to know your reason for leaving," sabi ko.
"I was diagnosed with cancer of the blood, and it was stage three when I found out about it," sabi niya nang walang kagatol-gatol.
I was astounded by what he said.
"Gago! Di nga? Ikaw may cancer ka? Sa itsura mong 'yan?" Di ako maniniwala sa sinabi niya. He's too healthy to be sick.
"I know that's how you will react," sabi niya.
Tinipa niya ang cellphone niya at tsaka inabot sa akin. Isang lalaking nakakalbo na ang nakita ko sa picture, pikit na nakangiti, malalim na mata at lubog na pisngi, almost skin and bones.
"That was me during my medication," sabi niya.
"Do you think she can handle me with that state? Could she handle seeing me suffering," sabi niya.
"She loves you, and I know she will never give up on you," I reasoned.
"What if I died while she was taking care of me? Her guilt will eat her, she'll be blaming herself for my death. I can't do that to her, I'd rather leave and be hated than to stay and let her suffer through my death," simula niya.
"I'm scared that she'll remember the miserable instead of the real me," sabi niya.
I do understand how he feels.
"But you lived," still arguing with him.
"Yes I did, wanting to see her smile again made me live," aniya.
"Why didn't you told anyone? Why did you suffer alone? I'm still your friend," sabi ko naman.
Bakit nga ba wala siyang pinagsabihan.
"I couldn't tell you because I know that you will hesitate taking advances on her? You'll be thinking that I need her more than you do. If I die you're the only person I could trust who will love and take care of her. I don't want you to pity me and give up on her."
"What if she fell for and you lived, won't you regret it?" tanong ko.
"As long as I know that I don't have a chance to take her back, I'll accept defeat. I told you I just want to see her smile again. Even if I'm not the reason behind it anymore."
I couldn't say anything. Masyado siyang advance mag-isip I know he thought about it. He thought about his death too much and forgot that he could survive.
"Will you tell her this? I know she will understand," I asked him.
"Should I tell her?" he was unsure.
"Oo naman, you should tell her. Look, I'll be taking a week vacation. I guess that's enough time to mend your broken hearts. I won't interfere."
Sinalinan kong muli ang baso ko tsaka uminom. Pagkatapos ay tumayo na ako.
"But understanding my situation that time, doesn't mean she'll welcome me back on her life."
"There are no guarantees when it comes to love."
.. End...
Everything is a mess, hindi ko rin alam bakit ko pinaproblema ang relasyon nilang dalawa. I just want to see them happy, they both deserve it. I don't wanna play cupid, but I will still do it. I was just frustrated because my plan didn't work.
"I was sexually assaulted when I got kidnapped," garalgal na sabi ni Gabby. Halatang pinipigilan niyang maiyak muli. Napatingala ako sa kanya, hindi ko nagawang makapagsalita sa narinig ko. I didn't know that something like that happened to her.
"Paano ko siya haharapin, kung ang dumi-dumi na ng tingin ko sa sarili ko," basag ang boses na sabi niya.
"But you love him."
Yes I know it, kahit masakit.
"But I don't think I still deserve him." Tuluyan na siyang umiyak muli.
Tumayo at niyakap siya. Seeing her like this kills me. Her thinking that she's not worthy to be loved shatters me.
"You're always worthy to be loved, always," I whispered to her.
"I just asked him to pretend we didn't know each other," kwento niya.
I'll do everything to find who did that to her. Kung sino man siyang hinayupak siya manghihiram siya ng mukha sa ipis. Nang mahimasmasan Siya ay sinamahan ko Siya papunta sa office niya.
"Ihahatid kita pauwi, wait for me," sabi ko sa kanya.
Tinanguan niya ako bilang tugon. On the same day I went to Xavier's office.
I overheard him talking on the phone. Di masyado rumhistro sa akin ang mga sinabi niya pero dinig ko ang pagtaas ng boses niya. Kumatok muna ako, baka bigla siyang manuntok.
"Come in," sabi niya.
Saka ako pumasok sa loob ng opisina niya. Tila di niya inasahan ang pagdating ko dahil bakas ang gulat sa mata niya.
"What do you need?" Tanong niya at casual na naupo sa swivel chair niya.
" I need to know what happened with Gabby nang makidnap siya," sabi ko.
Tumingin siya sa baba tila nag-dadalawang isip na magkwento.
"I saw her lying on the floor," he started.
"and her shirt was ripped," dama ko ang galit sa boses niya.
"I was just in time before he could take her I'm sure of it," sabi niya.
"Nakapag-usap na ba kayo?" I asked him.
"I tried but, just earlier today she told me to pretend I don't know her and she walked out on me."
"Gagawin mo ba 'yun?" I asked, alam ko na ang magiging sagot. I just need to hear it from him.
"Of course not, but I need to find those culprit and make them pay for it."
"We will find them, for Gabby's sake," I told him.
Tumango siya bilang pag-sang-ayon.
"I overheard you awhile ago, mukhang may pinapagalitan ka?" tanong ko, curious lang. Nabigla siya sa tanong ko.
Am I not supposed to hear anything?
"I'm taking care of it," sagot niya.
"Sure, I'll get going then," pagpapaalam ko.
Kung ayaw niya sabihin, di ko na siya pipilitin.
...
Gaya nang napag-usapan namin ni Gabby ay hinatid ko siya pauwi sa kanila.
Tahimik lang kami habang nasa kotse pauwi pag dating namin Sa tapat ng bahay nila ay may nakaparadang sasakyan.
I could feel the un-easiness of Gabby. I open the door for her at sinamahan ko siya papasok sa bahay nila.
Pag-bukas niya ng pintuan ay bumungad sa amin ang Dalawang medyo may edad ng babae at lalake.
"Gabriela!" tawag ng matandang babae sa kanya at nagmamadaling naglakad palapit sa amin, saka niyakap si Gabby.
"Ma?" takang tanong niya sa babae.
"Ako nga."
"Kelan pa kayo umuwi ni papa?" tanong ni Gabby at yumakap na din.
Napatingin ako sa mama niya. Kung mama niya ito ibig sabihin papa niya ang nakaupo sa sofa. Napatingin naman ako sa papa niya na, diretso ang tingin sa akin.
"I miss you so much," sabi nito sa kanya.
"I miss you too Ma," sagot naman ni Gabby. Saka sila naghiwalay at na baling naman ang tingin nito sa akin.
"And who is this handsome man?" tanong nito.
Doon na lipat ang tingin ko.
"Goodevening Ma'am, I'm Snickle Suarez, but I prefer to be called Nick." bati ko sabay ngiti.
"Goodevening, are you my future Son-in-law?" tanong nito sa akin.
Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa ni Gabby.
"Ma, kaibigan ko po siya," sagot ni Gabby.
"Are you still single? Do you like my daughter? Liligawan mo ba siya in the future?" sunod-sunod na tanong ng mama niya sa akin.
In the future, dalawang beses na akong na reject.
"Ma, nakakahiya," Impit na saway ni Gabby sa mama niya.
Sa loob ko ay natatawa ako sa sitwasyon ko. Kung di ko lang alam na mahal ni Gabby si Xavier ako pa mismo ang masasabi sa parents niya na boyfriend niya ako.
"Juana tama na 'yan," saway ng lalaki dito, huminto na ang mama ni Gabby sa pag tatanong.
"Ininterview mo na agad nang di mo man lang pinapaupo."
"Oo nga pala, tara mga anak maupo kayo." Pag-aaya ng mama ni Gabby sa amin.
Iyon naman ang ginawa namin ni Gabby, lumapit siya sa papa nito at niyakap. We were sitting next to each other and in front of us is her parents.
"Paano kayo nakapasok sa bahay? May susi kayo?" tanong ni Gabriela sa kanila.
"Andito ang kuya mo kanina," paliwanag ng mama niya.
"Ahh... "
"Hijo, kamusta naman kayo ni Gabriela?" tanong nito muli sa akin.
"We're good," sagot ko naman.
"Lagi mo ba siyang hinahatid pauwi?" tanong ulit nito.
"Madalas po," sagot kong muli.
"Sure ka ba na wala kang gusto sa anak ko?" Natawa ako kunwari, should I say I do?
"Ma," saway ulit ni Gabby sa mama niya.
Bigla naman bumukas ang pinto, it was Migz mag dala siyang mga grocery bags. I can also hear Goofy's soft barking.
Doon na din pumasok si Xavier na may hawak na isang grocery bag at ang isa naman ay gamit hawak ang tali ni Goofy. Napunta sa kanila ang atensyon namin. Napansin Ko si Gabby na napatingin kay Xavier ngunit agad din niyang inalis iyon.
"We're back," anito.
"Sino naman yang kasama mo?" tanong ng mama nila.
"Goodevening," bati ni Xavier sa kanya at bahagyang nayuko, he was not smiling,
"Ma si Xavier nga po pala," pa kilala ni Migz.
"Kapitbahay po ninyo," sabi ni Xavier.
Nagulat ako sa sinabi ni Xavier, kapitbahay ang pa kilala niya sa mga ito. What the Fuck! Future parents in law mo sila kung sakali.
Dun ko dun napansin na nakapambahay na siya at magulo ang buhok. Di lang iyon ang kinagulat ko, marunong pa pala siyang managalog.
"Migz, ako na magdadala niyan sa kusina, hawakan mo na lang si Goofy," prisinta nito.
"Okay," sagot naman ni Migz.
Nagpalit naman sila ng buhat saka nag-punta sa kusina si Xavier.
"He seem familiar in this house, baka kung sino lang pinapapasok mo dito. Babae ang kapatid mo Migz," pabulong na sabi nito.
What? Pinagkamalan ba ng mama nila na masamang tao si Xavier?
"Ma, kaibigan ko si Xavier he's a good person and Goofy likes him," paliwanag ni Migz.
Tahimik lang si Gabby. Parang ang awkward ng atmosphere. Ilang sandali pa ay lumabas na mula sa kusina si Xavier.
"Mauna na po ako," paalam niya sa amin.
" Mag-iingat ka Hijo," sabi bigla ng papa nila.
"Salamat po," sabi niya saka lumabas ng pinto.
Di ko kinakaya ang pagtatagalog ni Xavier. Nakasimangot naman ang mama ni Gabby sa papa nila.
"Mauna na rin po ako," paalam ko.
" Agad? Why don't you stay for dinner," offer ng mama ni Gabby.
"Baka may gagawin pa siya sa kanila," sabi ng tatay nila.
Ahh, okay I could feel it ayaw sa akin ng tatay ni Gabby at tila pinapahiwatig niya tumanggi ako.
"Sa susunod na lang po," tanggi ko at nginitian ko na lang ang mama nila.
"Sige sa susunod,ha." Pag suko nito.
Tumayo ako at nag paalam sa kanila. Napabuntong hininga ako nang makalapit ako sa kotse ko. Doon ko lang napansin si Xavier na nakatayo sa harap ng pinto ng bahay niya. Mukhang wala na naman siya sa mood.
"Let's talk tomorrow," sabi ko na lang saka pumasok sa loob ng kotse ko.
...
Nakakapagod ang araw na ito. Una ang nalaman ko tungkol sa nangyari kay Gabby na sadyang nakaka galit talaga. Pangalawa ay ang pagkakita namin ng parents niya na nakaka gulat. Napansin ko lang na tila walang alam ang parents niya sa nangyari sa kanya. Pangatlo tila gusto ako ng mama ni Gabby para sa kanya pero kabaliktaran ang nararamdaman sa papa niya.
< End of Chapter fifty >