Lock & Luck (A futuristic reality...)

Chapter 9: Official Receipt

Sarah's POV

Matt: How's your date with him?

My heart jumped out of my chest and I almost dropped the hotel card I'm holding.

Sarah: Matt?

There is this deep sadness I could see in his eyes.

Wait... Did he cried?!

Sarah: What are you doing here?

Matt: I'm sorry if you don't like my presence here...

Don't worry... I already booked my flight back to Manila, by 11PM, tonight.

There is something different on the way he speaks to me right now... I can also feel that he's in pain... though he's pretending not to be.

Sarah: Sorry... that's not what I meant.

Matt: No, it's okay. I exactly understand if that's what you mean.

Actually I arrived by 6PM pa, Tita Ai told me where you are...

I saw how he's containing his emotions; he's gritting his teeth.

Matt: I was there in the party but I wasn't able to approach you guys...

He's now breathing heavily. I saw how the corner of his eyes become reddish.

Sarah: Matt... what did yo--- you saw?!

I don't know but I felt that my heart froze...

Matt: You know what Sarah... I thought I've asked you to at least be fair to the two of us...

A tear fell from his eyes that he immediately wiped.

Matt: Part of being fair is at least telling the other person when you already made a choice...

Sarah: Matt---

Matt: Alam ko naman ang laki nang pagkakamali ko... Nang kasalanan ko sa'yo. Wala akong karapatang pigilan ka sa lahat ng naging desisyon mo.

He's already crying in front me. He's not the same strong man, I've known for years. And it felt like a hand is crushing my heart at this point.

Matt: I got broken when you decided to entertain his courtship. But I was shattered... into pieces when I saw him kissing you...

Gusto ko siyang sugurin, sapakin... Pero tinanong ko sa sarili ko, ano nga bang karapatan ko? Ano pa nga bang lugar ko sa buhay mo?

Sarah: Matt... (I was already crying.)

Matt: By then, I realized... mukhang pang-gulo na nga lang ako...

Hindi ka naman nagkulang ih... Ilang beses mo na nga akong pinagtabuyan... Ilang beses mo akong pinatitigil.

Pero ako itong matigas ang ulo ih...

I covered my mouth with my hand while crying. I'm already biting my palm to contain my emotions.