Vices X Virtues (AWESOMELY PUBLISHED BY POP FICTION)

The Past

LABINGLIMA

"Napagod talga siya." Sandro said habang nakatitig kay Stan na lupaypay na ngayong natutulog sa mga balikat nito. I smiled thoughfully at hinimas ang ulo ni Stan.

We arrived at Stan's room at maingat siyang nilapag ni Sandro sa kama nito. He smiled before looking at me.

"Stan is worse than me and Alexa combined." He said habang natatawa pa. Tumango ako, knowing how Alexa can behave the same way as Stan.

I tucked Stan on his bed at sabay na kaming lumabas ni Sandro. We are about to open the door ng may malaks na lagabog kaming narinig. We saw Stan lying on the carpet pero tulog pa rin. Sandro sighed bago binuhat ang bata.

"Goodnight Tol." He kissed his forehead.

"Tay.."

We were both frozen on the spot when Stanley talked during his sleep. Tumalikod na ito and hugged Natsu tightly. Mayamaya lang ay napuno na ang kwarto ng mumunti niyang mga hilik. Nilingon ko si Sandro na nakatitig lang sa bata. Nilapitan ko siya and touched his arm.

"Magpahinga ka na rin." I told him bago lumabas. Ramdam ko namang nakasunod ito sa akin. papasok na sana ako sa kwarto ko when he grabbed my arm.

"Sandro--"

"Can we talk?" his voice was laced with anxiety. Napayuko ako and stared at the prints on the carpeted floor.

"Phoebe--"

"What we had will be limited only to Stanley. Wag ka ng umasa na magkakaroon pa tayo ng higit doon Sandro." I voiced out. Napatitig ito sa akin bago tumiim ang mga bagang niya.

"You have to listen to me Phoebe." He pleaded. Tiningnan ko siya bago tumawa ng mapakla.

"No. The time for your explanation was five years ago Sandro. If you really mean whatever you are saying now sana hindi mo ginawa ang mga ginawa mo sa akin noon. Sana hindi mo ako tinapon noong bumalik si Natalia. Sana hindi mo ako tinalikuran. Sana hindi mo ako iniwan. But you did. And I will not let you do everything again Sandro. I learned my lesson." Tuloy tuloy kong sinabi. Sandro gripped my arm tightly. I stepped back at pumikit ng mariin as I remembered that night. That dark night. When I almost lost everything I had because of him and Natalia.

"I'm sorry Phoebe." His voice broke. Yumuko lang ako and shook my head. Memories of the people who threatened me and my child flash into my mind. Naalala ko kung ano ang ginawa ng Lolo ko sa akin. Naalala ko ang lahat.

"Umalis ka na Sandro. Gabi na. Gusto ko ng magpahinga." I said as I opened the door. He opened his mouth but I closed the door before he could say anything. Napaupo ako sa sahig ng ako na lamang mag-isa sa kwarto. I was shaking profusely na pakiramdam ko ay malalagutan na ako ng hininga ano mang oras.