Kyle's POV
I can't breathe. I can't move. Everything is moving like in slow motion. Ciara is walking, smiling and kissing the man beside me. What the hell is happening?
"Hi honey," it was David. He pulled Ciara closer to him. Just like any other man, I think he is marking his territory.
I looked around and saw serious faces from my bandmates. Just like me, all of us was in awe with what just happened.
"Guys, this is my fiancee'. Ciara Montecillo." Nakangiti si David.
Fiancee? What the fuck? Ciara is engaged?
"We are scheduled to be married next month. Exactly a month from now," masayang sabi pa ni David.
I looked at Ciara and I know she is avoiding my gaze. She smiled to all of us but she never looked at my place.
"I know them, David. Lars here is my cousin's husband. They used be my - " nakita kong tinapunan ako ng tingin ni Ciara pero mabilis din niyang binawi iyon." They used to be my friends," at pinilit niyang ngumiti.
"Really?!" Parang mas lalong natuwa si David sa sinabi ni Ciara. "Wow. Small world."
"You didn't tell me that you are going to meet them." Kita kong seryoso si Ciara.
"I am so sorry, honey. I wanted to surprise you. I already told you hundreds of times that I want to meet with them and work with the Black Slayers. Ikaw lang ang laging kumokontra," natatawang sabi ni David.
Hindi sumagot si Ciara. Pero alam kong hindi siya natutuwa na naroon siya. Hindi siya natutuwa na naroon ako.
"I have to go. May pupuntahan lang ako. See you later," at humalik siya sa pisngi ni David. Tapos ay pilit na ngumiti sa amin. "Nice meeting you all."
Iyon lang ang sinabi niya then she walked away from us. Her steps are fast parang gusto pa ngang tumakbo. She doesn't want to stay there.
She is running away from me.
"It is so nice to know that you are friends with Ciara," ngiting - ngiti si David.
Walang maglakas ng loob na magsalita sa mga kaibigan ko. Even Jane. She doesn't know what to say. They know how much I waited for Ciara to come back. Kaya alam kong sobrang nabigla sila na ganito ang nangyari.
"Oh, yeah. She was a friend," ako na ang sumagot noon. Nakita kong tiningnan lang ako ng makahulugan ni Lars.
"Ciara is an extraordinary woman. She's tough, she's strong. So opiniated that's why I like her so much. We've been together for six months and I know from the very beginning she is already the one," kitang - kita ko ang kasiyahan sa mukha ni David habang sinasabi iyon.
"Can we talk about the concerts?" Si Vlad ang nagsalita. Alam kong gusto na niyang iiwas ang usapan tungkol kay Ciara.
"Oh sure. Sorry. I got carried away. So, if you guys are settled with this, we can schedule your Asian Tour," sabi niya.
Marami pang sinasabi si David pero hindi ko na maintindihan iyon. Pinabayaan kong sila na lang ang mag - usap ng mga kasama ko. What's inside my head is what happened to me and Ciara.
Those two years that I waited for her, those lonely nights, sleepless nights thinking about her all went to the dumpster. I waited for her that long hoping so I can make everything right. I wanted to make it up to her but I think I am too late already.
Just seeing her face looking at David, I saw that look before.
Those times that she still loves me. But now, that look is for someone else already
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Ciara's POV
Para akong sinasakal. I don't want to look back. Damn you, David. Bakit hindi mo sinabi sa akin na ang lecheng banda na iyon ang pakay mo dito sa Pilipinas? I am okay already. I moved on. I already buried the past memories with those band. I already forgot that face.
Shit. Two years. Two years of trying to forget that asshole. I told myself I can face him already when we meet again. Pero hindi pa rin pala. Hindi ko pa rin kaya. His effect on me is still the same. My knees turned into jelly, I felt I was gasping for air just looking at his face. Damn you, Kyle! Hanggang ngayon ganyan ka pa rin!
I stayed far away from those people that will help me remember Kyle. Even Maddie, I cut all my communications with them. I travelled everywhere para makalimutan ko lang siya. Forgetting him is not easy. Alam ng lahat kung gaano ko minahal si Kyle. I gave him everything. Pero may hangganan pala iyon. When I left, I told myself I will never come back. I will forget everything. Until I met David.
David helped me cope up with everything. He is nice, he is an awesome man. He didn't ask about my past. He accepted me for who I am. He is perfect kaya when he proposed three months ago, I immediately said yes.
Matagal na niyang inuungot sa akin na magbakasyon dito sa Pilipinas. I travelled with him tuwing may concert production siya. Different countries, different artists. He keeps on telling me that he really liked Black Slayers. I didn't tell him that I had history with the band. Hindi naman na siguro importante iyon because its already part of my past and wala na siyang pakielam doon.
I took several deep breaths kasi talagang para akong hindi makahinga. I took my phone and called Maddie. Hindi pa niya alam na nandito ako. Napangiti agad ako ng marinig ko siyang nag - hello.
"Maddie." It is so nice to hear her voice.
"Ciara?" Parang hindi siya makapaniwala.
Napangiti ako. "Yes. How are you, cuz?"
"Oh my god!" At malakas na sumigaw si Maddie. "Ciara! I missed you!"
"I missed you, too. San ka? Kita tayo."
"Shoot. I can't go out. Walang yaya si Keith. Gusto mo punta ka na lang dito sa house? Pasundo kita sa driver," sabi niya.
"No need. I'll go there. See you," at pinatayan ko na siya ng telepono.
Napahinga ako ng malalim. Maybe I need to face this. Those memories, I need to face it para masabi ko talaga sa sarili ko na okay na ako.
Malayo pa lang ang sinasakyan kong taxi ay nakita ko ng nasa labas ng gate si Maddie kasama ang anak niya. Alam kong hinihintay niya ang pagdating ko. Hindi ko mapigil ang hindi mapangiti. My cousin is the look of a happily married woman. Maganda pa rin. Mukhang hindi binibigyan ng problema ni Lars.
"Oh my god! I really can't still believe this!" Masayang sabi niya at agad na yumakap sa akin ng makababa ako sa taxi.
"I missed you, too." Sabi ko at bumaling ako kay Keith. "Is this your son already? Grabe ang laki na agad. Ang bilis ng panahon." Sabi ko.
"Keith. He is going to celebrate his birthday this Saturday. Kailangan nandoon ka. Kakainis ka. Bakit ngayon ka lang nagparamdam?" Himig nagtatampo siya.
"I was busy," iyon na lang ang sagot ko.
"I don't know where to find you. Gusto ko pa naman ninang ka ni Keith pero kahit fb, instagram kahit nga tweeter wala ka. Ano ba 'yun?" Kandahaba pa ang nguso ni Maddie.
Natawa ako. "Busy nga. Maraming trabaho."
"Are you going to stay here for good?" Tanong niya.
Umiling ako. If I had a choice, I won't be coming back in this place. I don't want to see those faces. Ang dami kasing memories.
"David just need to finish some work here. Pinilit lang niya akong sumama," sabi ko.
Nangunot ang noo ni Maddie. "Sino naman si David?"
Ngumiti ako at ipinakita ako ang daliri kong may engagement ring.
Pero imbes na matuwa, parang hindi masayang balita ang nalaman ni Maddie. Kunot na kunot ang noo niya na para bang problema ang ipinakita ko.
"Shit. You're engaged?" Parang hindi siya makapaniwala.
"Yeah. Our wedding is exactly a month from now." Sabi ko.
Kitang - kita ko ang pagkagulat at lungkot sa mukha ni Maddie.
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