Our Real Love by A.B.Castueras (3RD BOOK OF SMITH TRILOGY)

Our Real Love Chapter 23 (Teaser)

Naaalala ko 'yung sinabi ko sa kaniya noon. Oh, God. I told her na desperada siya kay Dare na may girlfriend pa that time. And now... They're getting married.

How can I say that to her???

And to Lilian, I told her na duwag siya for not saying to Tyler her real feelings, and for being jealous of his dead ex-girlfriend. Now, they're married!

Si Wendy... There were a lot of hurtful things I said to her. And look at her now. She's successful without my parents' help, and probably will start her own happy life with Trace, too.

At ako?

What am I?

What is my life now?

I feel robbed. All the choices na dapat pinag-iisipan ko noon bago ko gawin, hindi ko nagawa. All the people na akala ko makakasama ko kapag kinasal ako at nagkaanak, lahat sila malayo na sa 'kin.

That's what I did to myself...

"Adeline? Adeline, hey!"

"Are you okay?"

Para akong nagising bigla o naahon sa malalim na dagat. Nakita ko silang nasa tabi ko na at niyuyugyog ako. It happned again... This depression episode I had in the past. I think I'll throw up.

"Adeline—."

"I—." I stood up. "I have to go to the restroom."

"Sasamahan na kita—."

I cut Lilian. "No! No... I'm sorry." I looked at Andy. "I'm so sorry." And then with Wendy. "Sorry—Excuse me."

Nagmamadali ako'ng umalis doon, kung saan- hindi ako sigurado. Though we're not in an enclosed place, pakiramdam ko sumisikip ang dibdib ko dahil hindi ako makahinga.

I need James...

Oh, God, please. I need James.

Hinanap ko ang phone ko sa purse kong dala habang naglalakad palayo sa reception area. Pero nang makita ko na 'yung comfort room, nakalimutan ko na ang pagtawag kay James. I just need to throw up now.

Don't vomit in the middle of your friend's wedding. Good advice all around. Too bad I ignored it.

Nagmamadali akong pumasok sa CR at pumunta sa isa sa mga cubicle.

Hindi ko na nasara 'yung pintuan basta yumuko ako sa toilet bowl to thow up my morning meal.

"Ooahhgggggg.... Huh! Oahgg!"

I got startled nang may humimas ng likuran ko. Hindi ko nilingon kung sino basta pinagpatuloy ko lang ang pagsusuka ko.

"Ooaahhhhhggg!"

At nang pakiramdam ko ay wala na 'kong mailalabas pa, naramdaman ko na rin ang paghinto ng paghimas sa likuran ko. Narinig ko na lang na tumunog ang toilet flush na mukhang siya ang nagbaba. Sinara rin nito ang takip ng toilet bowl.

"Let me help you," I heard the unfamiliar female voice said.

Hinawakan ako nito sa magkabilang braso at saka inalalayan na makatayo para umupo sa may toilet bowl sandali. Nanghihina ang katawan ko na parang tumakbo ako sa isang marathon.

"Here."

Nang tumingala ako to see kung sino siya, it didn't surprise me na hindi ko siya kilala. Maybe, one of Lilian's friends na nakilala niya nang nasa America ako.

Kinuha ko from her 'yung bottled water at saka sinubukang tumayo. Hinawakan niya ulit ako sa braso to help me.

"I'm okay..." I murmured. "Thank you."