Once Upon An Us

Prologue

DISCLAIMER:
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, events and incidents are the products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

©All Rights Reserved 2020

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“Beer sa table nila Zam, bakla!” Sigaw ko kay Carla habang aligagang naglalakad dito sa counter.

Araw-araw, mas dumarami ang nagpupunta dito sa resto. Palagi kaming puno, especially tuwing gabi. Kaya doble hassle samin nila Carla.

I wiped my hands with a towel saka inayos ang pagkakatali ng buhok. The crew and I are working ten times harder than last month. But I couldn't argue and complain, halos dito na ako lumaki sa pagt-trabaho sa resto.

And when I got the chance, right after I finished college with my friends. I decided to have a resto of my own. Dahil isa rin 'to sa mga pangarap ko noon, and Atlas helped me out alot.

Mabuti nga't nag-engineer siya, he's the one who build and created this resto along with Kid. Nakakatuwa dahil ang mga propesyon na kinuha ng mga kaibigan ko ay nakatulong din saming magkakaibigan. We help each other out kapag kailangan namin ng tulong.

Sky and Caden's relationship had a big affect on us. Especially after what Caden did, Skylar was very important to him at hindi niya kayang mawala ulit ito sakanya. To be honest, he did the right thing. I would also do the same if I was in his position.

Maayos naman ang takbo ng buhay naming magkakaibigan. I'm still moving on though... I couldn't forgive, and I couldn't forget. Masakit pa din ang mga sugat, at matatagalan pa siguro bago ito maghilom.

But I'm trying to move forward on my own. Pagod na akong masaktan. I've been in so much pain and hatred for a long time, I needed to take a rest. I needed to get away from all of them.

“Bakla! Tulala ka na naman dyan!” Sigaw ni Carla sabay tapik sa noo ko. Tinignan ko lang siya ng masama.

Carla was one of my friends, and he also works with me here sa resto. He's somehow my co-manager kapag wala ako. Yes, he's gay. Naaalala ko tuloy si Seji sakanya.

I grabbed the tray in his hands bago ito ilagay sa kabilang counter. When I went back at my spot, tanging nakatitig lang siya sakin.

I raised my brow at him bago kunin iyong mga baso sa gilid at pinunasan ito.

“Anong tingin 'yan? Nakabasag ka 'no?” Asik ko.

“Gaga! Hindi! May costumer kasi!”

Napatingin lang ako sakanya. “Ano naman ngayon? Type mo?”

“Kung oo, sasapakin mo ba ko?”

Napakunot ako ng noo. Inilapag ko 'yung basa sa counter. I gave him a questioning look.

“'Bat naman kita sasapakin? Sino ba 'yung costumer? Kakilala ko ba?”

Mabilis siyang tumango. “Marami akong kaibigan na lalake, Carla. Sino sa mga 'yun?”

Napakagat siya sa kanyang kuko bago ialis ang tingin sakin. Tinignan ko kung saan siya tumingin, dahil sa dami ng tao sa resto ay ang hirap hanapin kung sino ang tinutukoy niya.

But then someone caught my eye. Kaagad akong naglakad papalabas ng counter. It can't be.

“Kanina pa 'yan nandito, bakla. Papaalisin ko ba?”

Kaagad akong umiling. I slowly walked at his direction. And once our gazes met, parang may panang tumusok sa puso ko. Biglang bumalik yung sakit, but a part in my heart was feeling happy to see him. It's been four years.

“Ashley..”

Napapikit ako ng mariin ng marinig kong lumabas sa bibig niya ang pangalan ko. That deep voice gave me goosebumps.

“Anong ginagawa mo dito?” I clenched my fists. I was trying so hard not to overreact dahil maraming costumer sa resto.

He was just casually sitting at the table while I was standing infront of him. His eyes were resentful and nervous.

“I.. I wanted to see you.. I missed you...” His voice was low and breathy. My heart was pounding at his words. Hindi ko alam kung magagalit ba ako o matutuwa na nandito siya ngayon.

“So? Nakita mo na ko. You can go” I acted tough. Even though deep inside I was filled with questions that needs answers.

He only looked at me. His eyes glimmering at the reflect of the resto's lights. He was looking so lost and scared. Gusto ko siyang yakapin pero hindi ko pa kaya.

“Octavius..”

“Ashley.. please listen to me.. I want to explai–”

“No! I-I can't.. ayoko munang pakinggan ang sasabihin mo. Hindi ko pa kaya Storm..” My lips were starting to shake dahil sa emosyon na nararamdaman ko.

“Just leave please..” Mariing sabi ko. I was looking down dahil ayokong makita ang mukha niya. Ayokong makita niya akong umiiyak, ayokong makita niya akong nanghihina at nasasaktan.

“O-Okay. But please, Ashley... don't shut me out.. I'll be here when you want to talk.. please”

I nodded. I saw his shoes move and heard him stand up from his seat. But he stopped infront of me. Kaya napatingala ako, seeing his face closer. Our faces only inches away from each other. I can see that he was hesitant to touch me, and hug me. I looked away.

“I'll be here and I'm not losing you again, love”

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camsheiann