Kiss me hard before you go (#Wattys2015)

CHAPTER 14 (I still do remember you)

“Andrei Falcon? Hi! Do you still remember me? I’m Marian, Marian Sy.” Nakita ko ang dati kong kinahumalingan. She gained weight pero maganda pa rin. Despite of her change, mas nagmukhang masaya siya ngayon hawak-hawak ang kamay ng asawa niya.

“Hi, of course I still do remember you.” I smiled at her, mukhang masaya talaga siya.

“Nakita mo na ba si Victoria?” She asked.

“Yes. I’ve seen her.” I replied dryly.

“Sana nga… dati kayo na lang eh. I remembered one time, she asked me if she could get some of the flowers na binigay mo. Balak ko na kasing itapon iyon dahil hindi naman pupwedeng makita ng parents ko, pero hiningi niya ang isang boquet, ibibigay raw niya sa altar nila. That moment, narealize ko na kung siya siguro ang binibigyan mo, may kahulugan sana ang mga binibigay mo.” She smiled as she drinks her white wine.

“Pero hindi naman kami.”

“Iyon nga ang sayang. I was so aware that she’s head over heels for you, but instead I played around. I didn’t have any feelings towards you dati kasi I’m so in love with Robert. I regret those days I played with your efforts na sana kay Victoria mo na lang ibinigay. She’s worth every effort, Andrei.” I can feel her huge change. Napakamatured na niya at halatang masaya siya sa asawa niya.

“I know. I always knew she’s worth every single effort. ‘Di ko naman kasi siya napapansin.” Then I drank the remaining content of my glass.

“She admires you more than anyone else, Andrei. Alam mo namang siguro na hindi maganda ang pakikitungo mo noon sa kanya. You despised her kasi makulit pero she’ll just smile at you and give you baked goods.”

Those words darted a huge amount of pain in my chest. I took another glass and straightly drank it.

“Sinasabihan na kita, Andrei. Baka maunahan ka pa nung mga lalaking kumakausap sa kanya kanina pa. Thank you for this conversation, kasi kahit ‘di man naging tayo, we still had closure.”

“No worries, Marian. I used your popularity as well kaya we can call it quits.” She smiled and gleamingly looked at her husband.

“Alam mo Andrei, when you already found your match, you completely forget everything about yourself. Nawala lahat ng kaartehan ko at nagsipag akong mag-aral dahil galing sa isang maimpluwensiyang pamilya si Robert. I strived harder compared to previous me, which is all about b*tching and vanity.”

“Yeah, you’re right. I can see you matured enough.”

“I am matured. Akala ko nga habambuhay na akong senseless eh. I was so happy to be in Robert’s arms every night. I met match, Andrei. It’s time to meet yours.”

“I will; soon.”

“Mauna na ako, kasi ‘di rin kami magtatagal. My son’s not used to be far away from me.”

“Ah, ingat kayo. Tell your husband I said hello, total naging batchmates naman tayong lahat.” I smiled at her and waved her goodbye.

‘Di ko namalayan na hinahanap na ng mga mata ko si Victoria. She’s silently drinking her champagne. I saw her yawn, which means bored siya.

Shoud I approach her? Would it sound too awkward? Mahahalata kaya niya na may gusto na ako sa kanya noon pa man pero naging denial king lang ako? I found myself staring deeper and longer, appreciating her beautiful aura.

How did I ever miss seeing her way back then? Siguro dapat naging steady at masaya kami dahil pareho naman kaming matinong tao. How can you let go someone that pure and loving? Minsan nga nararamdaman ko ang pagsisisi kapag may lalaki na kumakausap o nakakaappreciate sa ganda niya.

I pinched my face, baka sakaling medyo kumapal para naman makausap ko siya.

I started walking in her direction, when a foreign-looking guy approached her and called him Romeo. He kissed her cheek and his hand went down to her waist. Nagtatawanan silang dalawa and I can’t help but feel helpless tuwing tatawa siya sa sinasabi ng lalaking ito.

I asked the waiter for another glass of whiskey. ‘Di ko na makontrol ang sarili ko. I kept drinking while staring at her beautiful face as she gracefully talk to the guy I think doesn’t deserve to be talking to her. Kanina pa siyang pasimpleng humahawak kay Victoria, and all I want to do is smash this glass onto his face nang matauhan.

“Hi, handsome. My name is Arabella Diaz, what’s yours?” A girl in blue dress approached me. She looks really beautiful and I definitely know what she wants.

I can sense her need.

“Andrei… Andrei Falcon.” I answered dryly but she keeps on staring at me na para bang may laman ang bawat hagod ng mga mata niya sa akin.

“So… by the way, uncle ko nga pala iyong may birthday. That makes me Victoria’s cousin.” She smiled with her killer smile and I just smiled back.

“Hmmm… want to go somewhere we can be alone? Kanina pa kasi kita gustong makausap pero ‘di kita mahagilap eh. You caught my eyes, honestly Andrei.” Then she played my hair with her fingers while I just ignored her and drank my whiskey.

“Ikaw na lang, nag-eenjoy pa ako dito.”

“Enjoying what Andrei? Mag-isa ka lang dito. You’re looking lonely and blue. I just want to ignite some fire para naman ‘di ka lamigin.” She whispered those words while I just keep on staring at Victoria who’s now currently talking to my twin.

She smiles to other guys, and frowns with me? Am I that worth all the hate? I mean hindi naman ako ganoon kasama for me to be hated that way. Sa ibang lalaki kung makangiti siya, wagas.

I can’t accept this. This is too wrong. Dapat ako lang para kay Victoria, like how she’s the only one in here.

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