They say, DISTANCE makes the heart go fonder.
But I bet not. Maybe long distance relationships are for those who are brave enough to risk something they have.
It's been 4 years since I accepted Daddy's offer here in Seattle.
4 years of successful career and fame in the business world.
"Anak, loosen up a bit. Naclose mo na naman daw yung deal sabi ng daddy mo." As mommt entered my office.
"Hi mommy, I thought you'll go out with your amigas?"
"Not tonight. You're Kuya and Ate's inviting us for dinner. May announcement daw. And it's their 5th wedding anniversary."
"I totally forgot about that!"
I still don't have any gifts for them. Damn.
Too many paper works!
"Kasi naman anak, puro trabaho inaatupag mo. Nagwoworry na kami ng daddy mo sa'yo."
"Mommy, I'm fine. Wag nyo na ako alalahanin ni Daddy. Anyway, let's go downtown? My treat!"
"Iba na talaga ang baby ko. You're a grown up woman na talaga. I wouldn't say no to your treat! 😉"
It's been four years that I've been the CEO of our companies. I inherited 70% of our wellness. While Kuya had the 30% and he started his own empire with Ate Ky.
Mommy and I drove to downtown to look for something to give the couple.
After walking for an hour, I decided to just get a wine and something from Victoria Secret.
"Mommy, d'you want anything from VS? Go pick some."
"No anak, you're dad gave me VS last week eh."
"Ohhh. Baka naman hindi ako ang bunso ha!" I kid her. Haha! 😂
I'm no longer the childish bitch everyone knew 4 years ago. I have grown up. I became mature, and much pre-cautious with the people around me. People in business world looked up on me.
I've been into many business magazines in the entire world.
After that quick hop at VS, we drove to Kuya's house. Daddy's already there waiting for us.
We usually have this kind of dinner every weekend since, all of us migrated here in the States.
Yung mga business sa Philippines and Korea, we just hired some qualified personnels to facilitate it. Sometimes, nagvivisit din kami just to have an ice breaker from business world.
Minsan uuwi ako dun just to visit some friends or have some time alone, vacay sa Bora and Palawan or Jeju Island.
"Oh you're all here na pala! Hi Mommy and Daddy! Hi sis!" Bubbly na bati ni Ate sa amin.
As ever, she's so warm and light. Kaya gusto ko kasama sya pag toxic ako sa work eh.
"The dinner's ready na po sa loob. Andun na din po si Stephen."
Pumasok na kami sa loob ng bahay nila.
Well, they live in a two story house just 3 blocks away from my parents house. While I have my own pad 10mins away from my office.
We ate dinner while talking about having vacation in Spain.
"Uhm, everyone, I have an announcement to make." Sabi ni Kuya.
He held his wife's hand before he speak.
Okaaaaay. I'm not getting this.
"Mom, dad, Stephanie, we are expecting a baby 8 months from now." He said calmly.
Wait, what?!
"what?" I asked.
"You'll be an auntie after 8months." Ate Ky repeated.
"Oh my! Congratulations!" Mom greeted them with joy.
Ganun din si Daddy.
After 5 years! Finally!
Yes, it's their first child. Ewan ko ba naman kay kuya.
They joked around about having the baby. Hindi na daw ako ang magiging spoiled.
Well, I can't wait to see that little ball of sunshine.
"Let's toss for kuya and ate!"
"Oh ikaw anak, loosen up a bit. Meet new people. Andami na naming ipinare up sa'yo pero ayaw mo." Daddy said with a worried tone.
"Oo nga Stephanie. It's been 4yrs. Maybe it's time to open up. Andaming gusto manligaw sa'yo."
"Dad, kuya, masaya naman ako sa buhay ko." I smiled sweetly to them.
Mom and Ate Ky just shrugged because they know that it's hard for me to trust again.
After dinner, mom and dad decided that they'll sleep there at Kuya's house.
"Bunso, sigurado ka bang uuwi ka sa pad mo? You can sleep here nalang kasi." Sabi ni Kuya habang naglalakad kami papunta sa kotse ko.
"Kuya, I have to go on a site visit tomorrow. I need to be early."
"Puro ka trabaho. Hindi ka na pabata. Try to meet new guys."
Hay! Kuya naman. 😌
"I know. It's just that, ayoko pa Kuya."
"Okay okay. Hindi kita pipilitin. Kung hindi mo pa kaya ulit, wag pilitin." Kuya pulled me into a hug. "Basta tandaan mo, andito lang si Kuya, okay? I'm sorry for my short comings Princess."
Naluha na ako dahil ramdam ko na sobrang sincere si Kuya.
"I better be going kuya. Sige na. Thank you. Don't blame yourself dahil lang natapos lahat sa amin nung panahong yun."
I stepped inside my car and drive.
Naisipan kong dumaan ng bar. Not to meet new friends, and guys, pero parang kahapon lang lahat ng nangyari.
Every single moment's still fresh for me.
I proceed to the VIP lounge of this Bar.
I ordered gin tonic, pampawala ng stress.
While trying to chill, I checked my e-mail. And I saw Belle's e-mail to me. She's getting married to D! Finally, after the long wait. they've been through ups and downs din, pero, sila pa din hanggang simbahan.
I replied that I am so happy for her. She's asking if I can be her Maid-Of-Honor and I said say yes. It wouldn't hurt. I would just think of the other way around when it comes. Ayoko munang isipin ang posibilities na magkikita kami ulit, dahil alam kong hindi ko sya maiiwasan habang buhay.
But, what really happened to us? We were happy, perfect, or was just it me and my whole imagination..
FLASHBACK 4 years ago....
Belle and D picked me up at the airport. It's been 4 days since I haven't been talking to dad. I feel sad, I know I'm out of bounds. Hay.
"Bessy, okay ka lang?" Worried na tanong ni Belle.
I just nodded and closed my eyes.
"Bakit hindi ka pala kay Josh nagpasundo, A?" Out of curiosity na tanong ni D.
Muntik ko na makalimutan dahil sa nangyari sa amin ni Daddy.
"Shit. I forgot. Isusurprise ko sya eh. Uhm, can you dropped me off sa office nya? Then kuhanin ko nalang gamit ko sa inyo later?"
"We'll bring it to your house nalang Bessy." And she smiled.
After 30mins., we arrived sa office ni Josh. I didn't bother to bring anything. I'm so drained and the best thing I want right now is to be with him.
His employees can't notice me, this is not my usual get up.
I went directly to his office and his secretary stopped me.
"Excuse me Ma'am, d'you have an appointment with Mr. Fontanilla today?"
"No. And I don't need to." I said calmly.
"Oh! Ma'am Ash! You're back!"
"Yes I am. Is Josh in here?"
"He's in the conference room ma'am. May client meeting po for final touches sa projects."
"Oh, okay. I'll just wait inside, don't tell him I'm here. Okay?"
She nodded.
How I missed this place. It's been quite some time.
My phone rang...
Fontanilla ❤️ calling .....
"Hey honey."
God, I missed his voice.
"Honey..."
"I haven't talked to you in days, I'm sorry. Sobrang busy dahil tinatapos namin yung sa DL productions."
"It's fine." I let out a deep sigh.
"May problema ba? How are you?"
"Wala naman. I miss you. And I'll see you soon, honey." I tried to be energetic. "Asan ka pala?"
"Pabalik sa office. Galing board room. Nagmeeting kami eh."
"Oh okay. Hurry up sa pagpunta sa office, may pinadala ako for you."
"Sana, pinadala mo nalang sarili mo. Miss na miss na kita."
"Hurry up. Don't drop the phone okay?"
And I heard his footsteps.
As he entered his office, I run towards him and hugged him.
I miss his arms wrapped up around me.
"You surprised me!"
Sinagot ko sya ng halik. This is where I am supposed to be. With him.
He cancelled all of his meetings and we just got home to my house.
We cuddled until I fell asleep. I miss this.
The moment I woke up, he asked me what happened bakit napaaga yung uwi ko, and I told him everything.
Technically speaking, mas pinili ko sya over dad. So ayun.
"Honey, we've been together for 2 years now, it's just that" he got out of bed while pulling me up. Then he kneeled.
Oh my. This isn't happening.
"Will you marry me?"
It took me a minute to digest it.
"Of course!"
We called our friends to tell the news at nagkayayaan sa bar to celebrate.
Ang bilis lumipas ng mga araw. I did call my mom and kuya to share the news. When they asked about what happened to me and dad, i just have to say it to them and mommy said, she'll talk to daddy.
Naging busy din si Josh sa mga projects sa firm. Pero I heard na tapos na yung sa project nya with Janne so okay na. I just don't like that Janne.
"Bessy, lalim natin dyan ah?"
"Baliw."
So eto ako, tambay sa cafe nila.
"Kamusta wedding?" Tanong naman ni D, habang sineserve yung coffee namin.
"Eto mga minor details palang."
Then my phone rang..
"Hello honey."
"Honey, I'll be going out with the staffs, reward na din dahil natapos na yung big project. Uuwi din ako sa'yo before midnight. I love you."
"Oh, okay. I love you, too."
Then he dropped the phone.
"Oh si Josh yun?"
"Oo. Ilalabas daw mga staff nya."
"Edi libre ka pala ngayon? Tara bar tayo!" Aya ni Bessy.
Lasengga talaga to!
"Game!"
We headed to bistro like we used to. Namiss ko to ah! After an hour, yung dalawa may tama na. Weng weng din tong magshota eh. Hay.
*bzzzzzt!
From: Daddy
I'm sorry anak, I love you. I heard that you're already engage with Josh. I am happy for you. I'll see you soon!
That made me cry.
I try to call Josh to tell him that okay na kami ni Daddy pero can't be reached sya.
So sa dalawa ko nalang sinabi.
"Congratulations bessy/A!" Sabay p nilang bati.
I don't know why I am friends with these two. Smh.
Nagpaalam ako sa kanila na magCR since andito kami sa VIP Lounge.
As I passed by sa isang cubicle ng VIP Lounge, napako yung katawan ko. Hindi. This can't be true.
I saw Josh, kissing, with another girl. And it's Janne. Akala ko ba, staffs? Damn! Silang dalawa lang! Hindi ko namalayan na umiiyak na ako. Wala akong magawa kundi panuorin lang silang maghalikan, almost making out na nga eh.
I stormed off the bar. Nagpunta ako sa parking lot. Damn that bastard's cheating on me! And I am so weak dahil wala akong nagawa!
"Ash? Is that you?" Shit. It's RD.
Why didn't I let him explained?
Why not him? My thoughts are shattered right now.
"RD." I cried my heart out.
Nagpunta kami sa McDo since yun ang pinakamalapit. He calmed me there as I told him what happened.
"Let him explain. Pakinggan mo muna sya. Pero hindi sa sinasabi kong tama yung ginawa nya. Mali yun."
"I trusted him."
"I know. Kaya nga masakit di ba? Basta, andito lang ako, okay?"
"RD, sorry. For not giving you a chance to explain, maybe, pwede na ngayon. Kasi sinamahan at kinomfort mo ako."
He explained. That he was a jerk way back then. Na napilitan lang syang gawin lahat ng pananakit sa akin dahil naka-arrange marriage pala sila dati. Pero ipinaglaban nya ako. Kaya lang, it's too late for him now. The damaged has been done.
Hindi ko namalayan na kanina pa madaming text si Bessy sa akin kaya nagpaalam na ako kay RD. I'm sober na din. Naliwanagan sa nangyari sa amin. Ganun siguro talaga, he may not be a good lover, he might shattered me into pieces, pero kaibigan ko pa din sya.
I drove home and fell asleep. Ayoko muna kumausap ng kahit na sino.
Paggising ko nung umaga, masakit yung ulo ko, pero mas masakit yung puso ko.
Sinungaling, yan sya, yan si Josh.
I received a message that morning from an unknown number. Actually, multimedia sya from iMessage.
As I opened it, nasira ang buong pagkatao ko. Nawasak ang mundo ko.
It's because it's a video, a scandal to be exact. And it's Josh. Together with that Janne. It's not an actual intimate scene but they're making out.
Iyak lang ako ng iyak until Belle and D came.
"Tangina! Sirang sira ako! Wasak na wasak!" I said between my sobs. Walang nagawa yung magshota.
Maghapon nila akong sinamahan. Maghapon ding tawag ng tawag si Josh.
He betrayed me. Sabi nya hindi nya sisirain yung tiwala ko, pero wala eh.
Ang tanga tanga ko!
Lumipas ang mga araw, linggo. Ganun pa din. He would call. Magtetext. Tuliro na kakahanap sa akin.
Umalis ako ng bahay. Bumili ako ng pad malapit sa NAIA.
Yesterday, I was with RD and told him everything. He's a shoulder to cry on now. Dahil pinipilit ako nung dalawa na makipagusap kay Josh. Devastated na daw.
Wala akong pakialam.
I forwarded his scandal sa kanya.
Ala syang kwenta!
Today, I met D and Belle sa isang coffee shop sa BGC.
"I'm going back to the states." I broke down the ice.
Kinabigla ni D at Bessy.
"What? What about Josh?" Worried na tanong ni D.
"Wala ng kami. Di ba? Hindi nya ako inisip. Just tell him I'm calling the engagement off."
"Pero bessy --"
"Nakabooked na ako bessy. Saka sana, inisip nyang mawawala ako sa kanya, bago sya naggago."
Hindi na sila kumibo.
"Kelan flight mo? Para mahatid ka namin." Sabi ni D.
"Tomorrow night. And RD's accompanying me."
Hindi na sila nagulat dahil inexplain ko na sakanila yung side ni RD.
"Hindi ka ba talaga magpapaalam sa kanya? Kahit closure man lang?" Tanong ni Belle.
"Hindi na. But I want you to give this letter to him. And this ring too. Yung ibang gamit ipapadala ko nalang din sa opisina nya. Guys, ayoko na. Tama na."
And with that. I left.
I left Manila without talking to him.
I left with my heart shattered into pieces.
I trust him pero sinira nya lang.
END OF FLASHBACK....
Hindi ko namalayan na nasa tabi ko na pala si RD.
"Regretting everything?" 😏 then he smirked.
Baliw talaga to.
"No. Hindi ako magiging ganito kasuccessful if hindi tayo umalis. And I'm thankful na sinamahan mo ako."
"I told you, I may not be a good lover but I am a good friend."
Tama naman sya. Si RD ang kasama ko sa loob ng apat na taon. Tinulungan nya akong bumangon.
Aware din sila Daddy sa mga nangyayari.
Umattend din kami ng kasal nya. Yes, RD's married to Tanya, one of my friends in college. Nagkainlovan sila eh. At ipinaglaban nya sa parents nya yung love nila. Ang bongga di ba?
"Teka nga! Why are you here ba? Alam ba ni Tanya? And how did you know I'm here?!"
"GPS!! Yes and she asked me to go to you. For Belle's and Derrick's wedding two weeks from now. Alam mo naman yung asawa ko, gusto na magpabook ng earliest day na makakauwi ka din."
"Ang clingy nyang si Tanya ha."
"Buntis eh. Ganun talaga."
At napatawa nalang kami. We agreed na next week na kami uuwi para more time to bond with the couple.
"Pero Stephanie, handa ka na bang makita ulit sya?" Tanong ni RD.
"I'll cross bridges when I get there."
"I thought you've burned that bridge from him to create distance?"
"I don't mind crossing another just to stay away from him again."
Ilang beses na din kami nagbakasyon sa Pilipinas, at ilang beses sa loob ng apat na taon na kinulit ako ng mga kaibigan namin.
We called the night off.
A week after, daddy's taking over for 3weeks for me. 3weeks ako sa Pinas para din maikutan ko yung businesses dun.
Sa airport, ang likot ni RD at Tanya. Parang mga bata.
"Am I baby sitting or what? Will you quit roaming around?" I hissed at them.
Hay. Sa wakas, flight na namin. We have our first class trip. Since buntis si Tanya, mahirap sa economy.
Ilang oras din kami nasa eroplano. Good thing we got the straight flight.
"Hey RD! Did you contact Belle before we boarded?"
"Yes. She said they will pick us up."
"Good."
After ilang hrs nagland na yung eroplano sa NAIA. I would stay sa bahay namin sa Alabang, yung condo ko dito sa near NAIA, pinapaupahan ko kaya mejo malayo layo yung uuwian ko ngayon. Yung mag-asawa naman, will stay with me. Clingy mga yan eh.
Inaantay namin sila Belle sa arrival area, almost 20minutes na nga eh.
Na-traffic siguro.
"Babe, Ash, I'll just go to the restroom ha." Paalam ni Tanya.
"You want me to come with you?" Tanong ko.
She's 5months pregnant kaya mejo ingat na din kami sa kanya.
"No I'm fine naman." Then she went her way to the restroom.
Naiwan kami ni RD with our luggages.
It's been a while, Philippines. It's been a while.