I Still Love You

Prologue

Kanina pa ako naghihintay na bumukas ang elevator dahil kanina pa kumukulo ang dugo ko sa mga taong kasabay ko. Limang taon na pala ang nakalipas ng huli ko silang makita.

"Oh is that you, Arianne? Oh my gosh! Ikaw nga. Long time no see," maarteng sabi sa akin ni Ashley ang babaeng karibal ko noon. Tulad pa rin ng dati sopistikada ang dating nito. Maganda siya pero di hamak na mas maganda ako.

"Kayo pala Ashley and Tristan, kumusta kayo?" Nginitian ko sila ng pilit.

Nakita ko na kapit na kapit si Ashley sa braso ni Tristan na parang may kaagaw ito. Oh well, sino ba naman ang hindi kakapit ng maigi kung nandito at kaharap niya ang taong minahal ng taong mahal niya.
Tsk. Akala siguro ng malanding babae na ito na aagawin ko sa kanya si Tristan. Napangiti na lamang ako ng mapakla ng makita ang singsing na suot ni Ashley. It is an engagement ring. Napanood ko sa balita ang engagement ng dalawa. Ashley's happiness was really obvious that time.

I've already convinced myself that I won't affected by their presence. That they can't make me waver again.
However, that shining ring in her finger seems to be mocking me. The heart that I thought already healed seems to be breaking into small pieces again. Rinig na rinig ko ang mga katagang "He's mine," sa mga ngiti ni Ashley. I gritted my teeth and looked away.

"So you're here for work or what?" Sabi sa akin ni Ashley.

"Yes, I'm here for work. How about you? Anong ginagawa niyo dito?" Tanong ko sa kanya pabalik.

"Bakit bawal ba kaming pumunta dito? As far as I know, wala namang sign na nagsasabing di kami pwede dito," sabi niya sa akin.

"Ashley,"

sermon ni Tristan sa kanyang fiancee.

Tsk.

Hindi pa rin nagbago si Ashley impakta talaga tulad ng dati.

I raised my brows ng maramdaman kong tumingin si Tristan sa gawi ko. Huminga ako ng malalim. Hindi ko na lang pinansin ang mga titig niya. Though there's this part of me that seems to be enjoying the attention. My buried longing for him wants to let out and embrace him. There's something that makes me want to bang Ashley's head in the wall. I clenched my fist.

Handa na sana akong lumabas ng elevator nang biglang nagsalita si Tristan.

"Long time no see, Arianne. Kumusta ka na ba? I mean, kumusta na ang buhay mo after sa lahat ng ginawa mo sa akin? After making me look like fool, hindi ka ba naguguilty?"
Tanong niya sa akin.

My anger went to its maximum level and looked back. His face showed no emotions which made me furious. How dare him.

"I did nothing but loved you! And hey, to tell you the truth, I'm happy. Really happy. Hope you feel the same way too,"

"Why don't you try asking your fiancee. She might feel some guilt. Pero alam naman nating devils don't feel anything as long as things go their way,"

I glared at Ashley's way. Parang tuko itong kumakapit kay Tristan. Yuck. What a bitch in heat.

"You know Tristan, you should be careful to whom you trusts. Oh, right! It's a common knowledge that snakes can't be trusted. Baka kasi nakalimutan mong ang galing nilang lumingkis, pero mas magaling rin silang kumagat,"

I stared at Tristan's eyes. He seems to be confused at my statement.

"What the fuck do you mean by that?"
He asked. I smirked and twirled my hair.

"Just you know Ashley, I have everything recorded. All of it. Pero wala akong gagawin para masira kayo. Malapit pa naman kayong ikasal"

Ashley's eyes widened. Though her face is covered by thick make up, I could still see how she paled.

Tristan kept his gaze onto me. While his fiancee is about to burst.

Ganyan nga Tristan, stare at me and reflect on the past.

"You bitch! I will make sure mawawalan ka ng trabaho sa kompanyang ito!" Akmang susugurin niya ako ngunit pinigilan siya ni Tristan.

"Do your best, sweetie! This time, I know you will fail," natatawa kong sagot.

Kung noon kaya niya akong apak apakan, well ngayon hindi na! Hindi na ako ang Arriane na kilala nila noon!

Muling bumukas ang pinto ng elevator at walang lingon ko silang nilisan. Muli na namang nanunumbalik sa akin ang nakaraan.