Kabanata 22: Kaligayahan Niya
Brent Zamora's Point Of View
February 26, 12:37pm here in the mall. I'm going to meet Aria. We're having a small party in my appartment, I don't know why. I just agree to her besides I miss her damn much.
I'm here at the fastfood chain waiting for her. Aria.
"Isn't she coming?" I mumbled.
After a minutes, I saw her entering the fastfood chain.
God! She's so damn perfect with her white dress. She's so beautiful as always. I wonder if Alice will dress like her too.
Alice is an old fashion. She's too clingy but I admire her braveness. I don't know what I think about her. Do I like her? She's my girlfriend but... Nevermind.
"Hey, kanina ka pa ba dito?" Salubong ni Aria.
"Uh no, napaaga lang siguro. Let's go?"
She nodded.
"I wan't some ice cream, let's go buy first please?" Then she made a puppy eyes which makes her cute.
I nodded and kissed her forehead. Walang malisiya 'to, she's my ex. I mean, yeah! Ex girlfriend. If you're thinking that I'm wrong with my decision, I don't care. I won't avoid Aria. Why would I avoid her? Hindi naman masamang makipag kaibigan sa ex mo, bakit ko iiwasan ang taong minsan ng nagpasaya saakin? Tsk. Fvck that mindset.
"How's your relationship with her?" Aria suddenly asked.
"We're fine."
"I hope she wouldn't mind that we're hanging out," she said. I smiled.
"Alam niya na kasama kita, don't worry." I lied.
Alam kong magagalit or magseselos si Alice kapag nalaman niyang kasama ko si Aria. Kung ano-ano nanamang kadramahan ang sasabihin niya sa harap ko at sa huli ay magbabati naman kami, it's a boring relationship, actually. Ayoko lang siyang iwan dahil naaawa ako sakanya. Yes I admit that she's sweet. That'a all.
I'm still confuse with her personality. She's really cool, but what about her backgrounds? I mean I already met her family and some of her friends but how about her history? Yung buhay niya nung hindi niya pa ako kilala? I'm really that confuse that's why I can't.... I can't tell if.... If I love her. Fuck! Alam kong mali ang maging girlfriend siya ng wala naman akong nararamdaman sakanya, it's just that I need her. That's all. I need her.
Cheater? No, I'm not.
"Where should I put this?" Tanong ni Aria na nag aayos ng mga pinamili.
"Ref." I said.
"Are you sure you don't want to invite some of your friends?" She asked again.
"Ayoko, gusto kitang masolo. Kidding."
"Silly! Let's start then,"
She open a can of beer for me at sat beside me. I hold her hand and placed my head on her shoulder.
"H-hey?"
"Why? Is there's any problem, huh?"
She stayed silent.
"I don't want to ruin your relationship with Alice just because of me," she said in a serious tone.
"Tsk. Alam kong hindi mo ugaling manira ng relasyon kaya kampante ako,"
"Good,"
"Aria?"
"Hmm?"
"I miss you, I really do."
"I m-miss you too, B-bree," utal na sabi niya.
"Can you comeback to my arms again?" I asked.
"Kasasabi ko lang na ayaw ko manira ng relasyon."
"What if I break up with her? Will you still accept me as your boyfriend?" I asked desperately.
"Brent?"
"Hmm?"
"Do you still love me?" She asked and I frozed.
I slightly nooded.
"How about her? You love her right?" I remain silent.
"Choose her, you silly!"
"But I love you,"
"Are you gonna break her heart just to be with me again?" She said.
Break her heart...
It's like an echo in my ears.
"Kaming mga babae ay parang mamahaling diamond, Once you broke it, mahirap ng buoin. Sorry can't change the story,"
"Aria—"
"I'm already a broken diamond. You once hurt me, you once broke an expensive diamond. Please don't do it again, okay?"
I stayed silent.
"Don't broke a diamond again. Don't lose her. She's too precious. You're too lucky to have her. Alice is your diamond so please take care and treasure her, huh?"
I just nodded.
"Let's drink," I said.
It's already 9pm and I can say that I'm already drunk.
"Hey, are you okay?" Aria asked.
"Hey! I don't fvcking know hahaha! I'm just fvcking using her! Ahh tangina!" I shouted.
"Can I sleep here? Okay na ako sa sofa, It's late na din kasi and I'm sleepy."
"Let's go babe!" And I carried her. Ihiniga ko siya sa kama ko at marahang hinalikan sa pisngi niya.
"Brent, mali 'to. I respect Alice."
"Fvck your respect!" Then I kissed her lips, I thought she'll push me away but she respond. Fvck! I miss this damn lips!"
"Ah!" She moaned when I bite her lips.
I was about to undress her but someone entered my room.
"FUCK YOU, BRENT ZAMORA!" I don't know what happened next pero natauhan ako sa ginawa ko.
Pinaulanan ako ni Sean ng mga suntok pero hindi ako lumalaban.
"You fvcking asshole! How could you do this to her! Tangina mo Brent!" Then he punch me again.
"At ikaw Shantelle! You fvcking bitch! Respeto naman oh! May girlfriend na si Brent pero sinusulot mo parin?! Tangina ganyan ka na ba talaga kalandi at pati boyfriend ng iba ay nilalandi mo!" He shouted at Aria.
Parang kumulo ang dugo ko sa paninigaw niya kay Aria kaya agad akong tumayo ay sinuntok siya. Pumutok pa ang labi niya sa lakas ng suntok ko.
Sinuntok niya ako pabalik, hindi ako naka ilag kaya natamaan ako. Nakita kong paalis si Aria kaya balak ko siyang sundan para sana ay ihatid pero hinarangan ako ni Sean.
"What the fvck is your problem?!"
"Balak mo ba talaga siyang saktan ng paulit ulit hah! Potangina pre! Napaka swerte mo nga at pinili ka na niya tapos manloloko ka naman pala!" I saw a tears in his eyes.
Is he crying?
"Pre, nakikiusap ako. H'wag mo naman sanang sasaktan si Alice. Mahal ko 'yon eh. Don't hurt her!"
"Look, I'm sorry. Nawala lang ako sa sarili ko kanina," I said.
"Ayaw ko ng ginagawa mo, pre. 'Yung babaeng pinapangarap ko, tinatarantado at binabasura mo lang." He's now crying.
Hindi ako nakapag salita.
He really love her.
"Hey..."
"I know she's waiting for you," he said.
I looked at my watch. 9:13pm.
"Late na," I said.
"Today is her birthday celebration."
I frozed.
"Don't broke a diamond again,"
I heared Sean's laugh.
"Tangina mo pre! Hindi mo alam na birthday celebration niya ngayon kasi lumalandi ka! Anong klase kang boyfriend!" He yelled.
"Fix your self, puntahan mo siya," He said.
"I'll just take a shower,"
"Tsk. Wala kang ipangreregalo sa girlfriend mo 'no?"
He teased.
"Dadaanan ko nalang bago pumunta." I answered.
"Alam mo na kung saan siya pupuntahan?"
Napayuko ang ng bahagya, "no."
"Ibabad mo ang sarili mo sa alcohol nang matanggal 'yang amoy ni Shantelle. Ayusin mo sarili mo,"
I did not hesitate.
"D-don't tell her, please?" I pleaded.
"Hindi ko sasabihin sakanya hangga't wala siyang itatanong." Sabi niya.
"Thank you,"
"Hindi ko 'to ginagawa para sayo, pre. Ginagawa ko 'to para sa babaeng mahal ko. Para kay Alice." Bahagya niya pang pinunasan ang labi niya na may dugo.
"I'm——,"
"Please don't hurt her. Don't broke her heart. Ingatan mo nalang siya at h'wag nang paiyakin. Nakikiusap ako, para sa kaligayahan ko at kaligayahan niya, h'wag mo siyang iiwan." Then he cried again.
"You really love her that much huh?" I said.
"Yeah, it sounds gay but I really love her."
"Why don't you confess to her again?"
"Bobo ka ba? Boyfriend ka na niya. Boyfriend kana ng taong mahal ko, wala na akong magagawa,"
"Try mo lang, Baka pagbigyan ka,"
"Stupid!" He shouted.
I smirked at him. He's really inlove with my girl.
"If you don't want, just forget her or move on."
"Yeah. Gusto ko uli na mareject niya ako so that I can finally accept that I'm not her leading man in this story,"
"I don't know—"
"Enough with this drama, I'll go first." Pinagpagan niya ang pantalon.
Kumuha ako ng panyo sa cabinet. "Here, wipe the blood on your lips," I said.
Tumango lang siya at pinunasan ang labi gamit ang panyo.
Tumalikod siya saakin kaya ako naman ay nag aayos ng mga kalat. Nang makita kong nagtataas baba ang balikat niya ay hinayaan ko lang siya. He's crying again.
"For her happiness..."
"Huh?"
"For her happiness, pinapaubaya ko na si Alice sayo. Hindi ko dapat simasabi 'to pero. Potangina nakakabading! I'll just accept na kaibigan niya lang ako,"
"I'm letting her go kahit hindi siya naging akin."
"Ikaw amg kaligayahan niya, kaya bilang kaligayahan niya, h'wag mo siyang paiyakin, mahal ka ng taong mahal ko."
"I will,"
"I'll go now, hanggang 10:30 lang sa videokebar malapit sa boarding house nila."
Tumango ako.
He's about to open the door when he spoke. "Here,"
May inilabas siyang maliit na box at ihinagis saakin.
"Ireregalo ko sana 'yan sakanya pero mukhang mas kailangan mong iregalo sakanya 'yan. She love the shape of moon kaya ayan. Give that to her, I swear she'll be happy,"
I didn't know that she loves moon.
"I'll go ahead,"
Then he finally close the door.
I sight before entering the bathroom. Pinabula ko ng mabuti ang tubig at nilagyan ng madaming sabon para mawala ang amoy alak at amoy ni Aria. Kinuskos ko ng mabuti ang ang katawan ko ay nagsilipyo ng mabuti.
"Don't broke a diamond again..."
Fvckshit! Nakokonsensiya ako sa ginawa ko.
How can I explain this kung sakaling malaman ni Alice?! Paano kung iwan niya ako?! Paano?!
I don't know what to do. What if she'll leave me? Luluhod ba ako sa harap niya? Magmamakaawa ba ako? Iiyak ba ako? Hindi ako umiiyak! Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko. Naaawa ako kay Alice dahil sa mga ginagawa ko.
"Bahala na si batman," I sight.
Nagbihis ako. Plain black t-shirt at maong na pantalon. I put a cologne and nag mouth wash pa kahit nag toothbrush na. Kinuha ko 'yung box na ibinigay ni Sean at inilagay sa bulsa ko.
Nang mapatingin ako sa relo ko ay 10:25pm na. I still have 5 minutes.
"Shit!"
Dali dali akong lumabas at kinuha ang motor ko. Medyo traffic kaya medyo natagalan ako. Gusto kong pagbabanggain yung mga harang kaso hindi ko magawa. I'm late!
Kada hihinto ang pagtakbo ng motor ko dahil sa traffic ay titingin ako sa relo ko.
Pota may maaabutan pa kaya ako?
Pagdating ko sa videoke bar ay wala ng mga ilaw sa bawat room.
Wala na ba siya?
"Argh! Tara na kasi, Alice! Wala ng Brent na darating! Napaka walang kwentang tao ng boyfriend mo! Late na oh!" I heard a noise. Boses ni Redoble.
"Mauna ka nalang, baka kasi darating pa siya, kawawa naman kung wala siyang maabutan," narinig ko ang boses ni Alice.
"Sige basta pag walang dumating na Brent dito, h'wag kang kakatok sa pinto ng kwarto ko para umiyak!"
Sumilip ako sa kinaroroonan nila. Naka upo si Alice katabi ni Sean habang ni Karren naman ay naglalakad papalayo.
"Mauna kana, Sean. H'wag mo na akong hintayin dito." Sabi ni Alice.
"Hmm sige, I'm sure darating siya," sabi naman ni Sean.
Tumayo si Sean at hinubad ang jacket. He gave the jacket to Alice.
"Bakit kasi ganyan suot mo, nilalamig ka tuloy,"
"Minsan lang eh, salamat pala."
"I'll go ahead, happy birthday again Alice ko."
Tumayo si Alice at binigyan ng yakap si Sean.
"Thank you Sean, see you!" Then Sean left.
Napa upo uli si Alice at inilabas ang phone.
Napatingin siya saakin ng biglaan. Tinatawagan niya ako.
"Brent?" Tumayo siya para salubungin ako.
"Alice," then I hugged her.
Nanatili siyang nakayakap saakin. Naramdaman ko ang pagtaas baba ng mga balikat niya. She's crying.
"Akala ko hindi kana darating," she still hugging me.
Alice is your diamond so please take care and treasure her huh?
"I'm sorry,"
"Akala ko hindi mo naalala, akala ko mag isa nanaman ako," she looked at me.
"Hey," I wiped her tears.
"H'wag mo ng uulitin 'yon hah?"
"Happy birthday, babe." I said at kumawala siya sa yakap.
She just look at me.
"Thank you for coming kahit late na," sabi niya.
Inilabas ko ang maliit na box na bigay ni Sean.
"Here's my gift," iniabot ko sakanya.
Nang buksan niya ang box ay nanlaki ang mga mata niya.
"Brent! Moon!" Biglang pigil tili niya.
She really love the moon.
"Hmm yeah."
"Paano mo nalaman?"
I don't know what to say kaya nginitian ko nalang siya.
"Ang saya ko! Ang ganda! Salamat!" Niyakap niya pa ako.
Sean knows the best for you, Alice...
"Isuot ko sayo," I said.
"Sige," at iniabot niya saakin.
Hinawi ko ang buhok niya sa likod.
"May kwintas din na binigay ni Sean, simple lang pero maganda, tignan mo oh," She said and she show the necklace.
"It's nice,"
"Hmm,"
"There you go,"
"Bagay ba?" Tanong niya pa habang ipinapakiya ang dalawang kwintas sa leeg niya.
"You look stunning," I smiled.
Isang matamis na ngiti ang iginawad niya saakin.
We took selfies so that we will have a remembrance.
"Ang saya ko talaga," she said while looking at the necklace I gave.
Aria is right. You're too precious to broke.
"I love you, Brent."
I look at her, inilapit ko ang mukha ko sakanya. I give her a smack kiss.
I love you, too.
But I'm sorry if I have to do this to you
...
__________
Idkleorie