Hindi sya nakasagot. Pinaandar nya ang sasakyan paakyat ng Antipolo.
Hindi ko magawang manghinayang. Nainis lang talaga ako sa yabang nya kung makapag-salita na parang hindi nya kasalanan kaya ako may galit. Sya ang sumira sa'min, hindi ako.
At totoo lang ang sinabi ko. Kinalimutan ko na sya. At hindi ko na sya mahal.
Pareho kaming nagkukuyom ng nararamdaman.
"We're here," sabi nya when we pulled up to a restaurant overlooking Manila.
He waited for me na mag-ayos ng basang-basang mukha ng iyak bago lumabas. Pinagbuksan nya 'ko ng pinto.
"Sorry," bulong nya as he held my arm to assist me going down his SUV.
"Okay," sabi ko.
Ni hindi namin nadala ang laptop ko para pag-usapan namin yung Marketing plan. Umorder sya ng food for us pagka-upo namin.
Magkatabi kaming nakatingin sa view. When we were served food, hindi naman kami nakakain agad.
Kinuha nya ang kamay ko. Isinubsob nya ang mukha nya doon. "Sorry talaga Carmela," umiyak or humagulgol sya. "Mahal kita eh, mahal na mahal."
Tiningnan ko lang sya habang tumutulo rin ang mga luha ko.
Awa na lang ang naramdaman ko for him. Maayos na pala 'ko without him, matagal na. Okay na 'ko, sya, obviously, still, after several months, ganito pa rin?
"Ang gago ko. I was stupid wrong. I'm so sorry for hurting you. Natakot ako sa tali, sa commitment. Di ko alam na iyon pala yung pinakamaling nagawa ko."
We're over Jesse. So over. "Finally nakapag-sorry ka na ng ganito," sabi ko and felt at peace sa wakas regarding Jesse.
"Pa'no yan mahal pa rin kita?" tanong nya looking into my eyes. "Hindi nawala yun Baby. Ako rin yung nagdusa... sa napakahabang panahon na wala ka, na kasama mo si Gene. Mahal pa rin kita Baby."
"Habang naka-ilang girlfriends ka na?" tanong ko finding humor in what he was saying.
"I wanted to forget. But if there's still a chance Carmela, please? Please!"
Umiling ako. "Wala na Jesse."
Yumuko sya. Nag-ayos sya ng sarili. "I'll wait till you fully forgive and forget. May pag-asa pa naman diba?."
"Don't wait," iling ko.
"I'll just do that," pilit nya.
"I don't get that, habang may Maricar ka?" tanong ko lang.
"She's nothing. I can break up with her anytime," habol nya.
"That's very telling of the kind of man you are Jesse. That speaks volumes," iling ko disapprovingly. "Don't do that. Be true to yourself."
YOU ARE READING
The Game Changer (Completed)
RomanceImage Consultant Carmela Lopez meets Luke Robert Santiago, kind-hearted, intelligent and passionate about everything but appearances. He challenged her. She challenged him. Appearances are everything - Carmela Aesthetics are nothing - Luke Who woul...
