When Genius Fell Out of Love

PROLOGUE

PROLOGUE

"Hi, Ms. Erice Jude Santos. Salamat dahil pinaunlakan mo ang imbitasyon kong ma-interview ka."

I smiled at her. "The pleasure is all mine," I answered before accepting Avalanche's right hand.

Iginiya ko siya patungo sa private dressing room ko. Kakatapos lang ng musical practice namin at ngayon ang sinabi kong oras para sa interview. Pagkaupo ko sa swivel chair, pinaupo ko rin siya sa katapat na upuan at inabutan ng bottled water na nakapatong sa mesa.

"Thanks. So, are you ready, Ms. Jude?"

"Don't be so formal, Ava. We're friends. Talk to me as a friend."

She grinned at me. "Sorry, I'm working right now and I'm here as a journalist. I'll talk to you later as a friend," she said, emphasizing the last sentence.

I just rolled my eyes at her. Ilang sandali pa, nagsimula na ang pagtatanong niya tungkol sa upcoming stage play ko next week. Lahat naman ng tanong niya ay sinagot ko.

"How does it feel to work with George again? He's been your partner in most of your plays for four years now. And I must say, you both look good together. The chemistry was really there."

I chuckled heartily. "George is a dear friend of mine and a great stage actor. Being with him as my partner, I'm always comfortable and felt protected. And our acting always came out naturally. Besides, walang malisya ang bawat romantic scenes na ginagawa namin. Good thing at nakikita nýo ang chemistry naming dalawa. At kung papipiliin ako sa actors na nakasama ko na at naging partner ko, siya ang pipiliin ko."

"Sobrang bait at sweet naman kasi ni George. Kaya nga marami ring kababaihan ang nagkakandarapa diyan sa lalaking ýan."

"Right," nakangiti at tumatangong pagsang-ayon ko sa kanya.

"Okay, that's it. That was my last question for this interview," pagtatapos niya bago isara ang journal na hawak niya. Umabot din ng thirty minutes ang interview. Pagkaligpit ng mga gamit niya, muli siyang humarap sa 'kin. "Now that I'm finished with my task today, let's talk as friends. How are you, Jude?"

Bahagyang nagsalubong ang kilay ko bago nangingiting sumagot sa tanong niya. "I'm good, Ava. Busy as always. After the play next week, magbabakasyon ako."

"Alam mong hindi iyan ang ibig kong sabihin." This time, mas naging seryoso na siya at matamang tumingin sa 'kin. "How are you after your bad break up with him?"

Natigilan ako. After a few seconds, I sighed and forced a smile. "You know, it's not really a bad break up. Pareho naming desisyon iyon. We both had issues back then. And I thought it was the best for us."

"You mean, letting him go is the best for you? Looking at you right now, I don't think so. You still look so much in pain and sadness."

Hindi ako nagkomento at iba ang lumabas sa bibig ko. "Nakita mo naman kung gaano na sila ka-successful ngayon, di ba? Mas sumikat pa sila nang malaman ng buong mundo na single na ulit siya."

She heaved a deep sigh. "Akala ko talaga, magtatagal kayo. At may forever na sa inyong dalawa. Nasaksihan ng buong mundo ang confession niya sa 'yo no'ng concert nila sa Seoul two years ago. Marami pa ang nainggit sa 'yo. But then, what happened? Your supposed first anniversary together---"

I cut her off. "Well, that's life. Napagod ako. Napagod din siya."

"Hindi mo na ba siya mahal?"

"Of course, I still love him. But, love isn't enough anymore to stay with him. Love and trust are important things in a healthy relationship. But in our case, nagkulang na kami sa pagmamahal at tiwala sa isa't-isa kaya wala nang saysay pa para manatili kami sa isang relasyon."

Ava didn't say anything. Tiningnan niya lang ako na puno ng pang-unawa at panghihinayang sa kanyang mga mata. Gaya niya, nanghihinayang din ako. Nasasaktan pa rin ako, pero hindi ko pinagsisisihan ang mga naging desisyon ko noon. Naniniwala pa rin akong tama lang ang ginawa ko.

Malungkot akong ngumiti. "My love for him is still here. Hindi nawala," I said, pointing where my heart is.

In a relationship, it should be more love rather than pain. More happiness rather than sadness. More heart flutter rather than heartaches. More trust rather than doubt. More satisfaction rather than disappointment. In our relationship, it was the latter.

"In his case, he fell out of love. And falling him out of love was more painful than unrequited love."

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09222017