Fair Share of the Past

FortySeven-Something fishy

"Huh?" napatingin ako sa kanya.

"earth calling Lance. spaced out Honey?" umiling lang ako saka ngumiti sa kanya.

"hows Venice?" she asked casually. thats one thing i love about Alaine. she never gets jealous.

"in big trouble i guess." i said and bit my steak.

"Why? what happened?" she asked.

"she took a man in her penthouse. if the press finds out about this. lagot sya kay Lolo." ipinaling ko yung ulo ko para mawala sa isip.ko yung itsura nung dalawa. gustong gusto kong pumatay!

"She's old enough Lance. she can do whatever she wants." she said softly and ate.

"But she doesnt even know that Jerome too well! mamaya may gawing masama sa kanya yun! you dont know how naive Venice is!" napatigil sya saka napatingin sakin.

"Jerome? jerome who?" she asked. is it just my imagination or her voice really trembles.

"Jerome Lee." i answered. bigla nyang nabitawan yung hawak nyang kubyertos.

***

"Are you sure you're okay?" i asked worriedly. she forced a smile and kissed my cheeks.

"Drive safely Hon." she said and went inside.

pumasok na rin ako sa loob ng kotse ko and drive straight to a bar in Malate. i need to get Venice out of my system.

"Scotch on the rocks." i said to the bartender.

"Problem Man?" nagulat ako nung tinapik ako ni Edward sa balikat.

"i dont know if i should consider this as a problem Man." i said exasperated.

"Why? its Venice isnt it?" he said as matter of fact.

"Yeah. Man! she brought a man in her penthouse! can you imagine that? what the heck is wrong with that woman!" inistraight ko yung alak sa baso ko. natatawang umupo si Edward sa tabi ko.

"What is it to you Man? pinabayaan mo na sya di ba? last time i checked. annul na kayo. so whats the big fuzz? its not as if she's doing something illegal. she's all grown up man. she gets to decide what she wants." he explained. but what the fvck! its not okay with me!

"Shit!" i blurted out. ininom ko ulit yung nasa baso ko ng diretso saka binagsak yung baso. "thats total shit Man! she's putting her reputation at risk!"

"then thats none of your business, My friend. you gave up on her. why the sudden drama with her situation? why so affected?" he asked coolly.

"Of course. i'm concern about her." i replied.

"Yun lang ba?" he asked.

"Yes." i said with gritted teeth.

"if you say so." nagkibit balikat lang sya. halatang di naniniwala. Fvck!

"Alright! Mahal ko pa si Venice. okay! okay na ba?!" natawa sya sa outburst ko.

"then what the heck are you doing with Alaine. why stick up with her?" he asked.

"Pare. she's been there. cant afford to hurt her." i said softly.

"Do you wanna be happy?" he asked.

"Of course. sino bang may ayaw non?" i retorted.

"Then pick Venice pare. if you wanna be miserable for the rest of your life. pick Alaine. its your choice. kung hindi mo na talaga kayang makasama si Venice. let her move on Man. leave her alone" tinapik nya ko sa balikat saka umalis.

but i cant. i cant stay away.

***

"Huh? wala naman akong sinabi kay kuya na puntahan ka eh." Leila said on the other line.

"Huh? but he said you asked him to check on me babe." i said a little bit confused.

"Pretender Kuya." she said exasperated. "dont mind him Ate. nagpapapansin lang yun. lets see how far can his pretentions go." i can sense shes smilling right now

"I can bet youre smilling Babe. what exactly do you mean by that?" i asked suspiciously.

"Wala naman ate. lets go shopping nalang tomorrow. i'll pick you up. i'll bring manong driver with me. please ate. dont say no." lambing nya saken.

"alright. txt me the time babe. goodnight."

"Goodnight ate. i love you. bye." napangiti nalang ako nung pinatay nya yung tawag. she's spending a lot of time with me. i bet ayaw nya siguro akong umalis ako ulit. lumabas ako ng kwarto ko para kumuha ng tubig sa kusina nung nakita ko si Jerome na nasa raillings na nakapaikot malapit sa poolside. overlooking view kasi yun ng city lights ng makati. nilapitan ko sya.

"Wide awake. anung iniisip mo?" tanong ko kay Jerome. ngumiti lang sya saka inakbayan ako.

"Found her already." he said softly.

"Sino?" nanlaki yung mata ko nung nagets ko sya. "oh my gosh! where is she?" i asked.

"somewhere here." he replied. he sighed. niyakap ko nalang sya sa bewang.

"eh bat ka malungkot?" i asked.

"she have a new man in her life." he said sadly.

"eh di bawiin mo. you suffered two years for nothing? c'mon J. gagaya ka sa kapalaran ko? dont be ridiculous!" he hugged me too.

"Look V. its not as easy as saying sorry. i left her. she must be cursing me to hell right now." he said softly.

"i thought you believe in true love? asan ang tapang mo? Brother if you cant wait for true love to do its work then do it. Do it or lose her forever." he kissed my forehead.

"Something i love about you Pet. alam na alam mo kung pano papalakasin ang loob ko." binigyan nya ko ng bear hug.

"I love you J. you were there when i'm about to give up. i'm just returning the favor." i said and returned his hug.

"Dont worry Pet. i'll make sure we will both have our own happy life. you just have to trust me on this."