Prologue
Naglalakad ako papunta sa parking lot ng school kung saan naka park ang aking sasakyan. Me and my twin brother, Xavier, had our birthdays last week and our parents finally gave us our own cars. I can already see my car at the far end of the parking lot and I started walking towards it. I stopped on my tracks when I heard a familiar voice calling me.
"Alistair de León! Bro, teka lang," sigaw ng aking kabarkadang si Harry.
"Kung wala ka pa sa harapan ko within 10 seconds, uuwi na ako," pabiro ko namang sagot.
Tumakbo si Harry papalapit sa'kin. Pawis na pawis at humihingal pa si tanga.
"Bilis mo palang tumakbo eh, pwede ka ng sumali sa Olympics," sabi ko habang tumatawa.
"Fuck off, Ali. Tunog ng tawa mo parang asong tinapakan ang buntot," wika niyang may halong biro at galit.
Lalo akong natawa sa sinabi niya. When I looked back at him he had this face of seriousness and determination.
"So, what's up? Anong kailangan mo, mahal na prinsesa?" I said to lighten up the mood.
Tinitigan niya muna ako nang ilang segundo and I did not expect the words that would come out of his mouth.
"Bro, may aaminin ako. I've been meaning to tell you this for a long time. I like your girl."
"How come?" I asked him with a serious tone.
I admit I was taken aback pero hindi ako nagulat sa sinabi ni Harry. It's obvious that he has feelings for my girl, Abigail. Whenever I'm not around, I always ask him to be with Abigail to keep her company and nakikita ko palagi ang masayang ngiti nito.
"B-b-basta!" he stuttered nervously.
I bet he expects me to punch him in the gut. Nababakla na ata to si Harry. Gaano na kaya kabilis yung tibok ng puso nito?
I remain silent as he adds,"Pero gusto mo ng makipagbreak sa kaniya diba? Bro, ako na bahala magcomflirt dun."
I smirked and patted his shoulder,"Wag kang mababakla, namumutla at pinagpapawisan ka na oh. Naiintindihan naman kita."
"Serious moment na 'yon tol tapos ngayon ka pa magbibiro. Gago ka talaga," sagot niya habang humahalakhak.
"Sige bro, uwi na ako. Babushhh baklaaa," wika ko while waving my middle finger.
Hindi niya alam na I already tried breaking up with Abigail about a million times. Pero every time I tell her that I wanted to stop, she always does something crazy and I can't just stand and do nothing. Nakakagigil talaga yung babaeng yun. I was only forced to date her because of a bet. Don't get me wrong, she was great at first. But as time goes by she gets possessive and psychotic. Tanginang buhay 'to.
I am entering Residencia de León. The large gates swung open. Swerte ko talaga at naging sperm ako ni Papa. I parked my car by the driveway and headed inside. I went inside and was greeted by our housemaid.
"Magandang gabi, hijo."
"Good evening. Kailan balik nila Mama?"
"This Saturday pa daw sila babalik."
"One more thing. Where's Xavier?"
"Umalis po kanina. May pupuntahan daw."
"Ah okay. Dinala ba niya meds niya?"
"Hindi ko po alam."
"Thanks. I'll be in my room if you need me," wika ko habang papaakyat sa kwarto ko.
Tangina naman Xavier oh. The doctor told him that he should rest and not push himself above his limits. Last year, he was diagnosed with chronic heart failure. Naaawa na ako sa kanya, he was hospitalized so many times pero alam kong matibay yung kapatid ko. Baka nga mas mauna pa akong mamatay sa kaniya sa kaka-racing ko.
I entered my room and immediately lied down on my king sized bed. I took a deep breath and started to think about how I should approach Abigail regarding our break up. I mean I don't hate her but I also don't love her. Neutral feelings ko. Yes, alam kong in the first place ako ang may kasalanan. Bakit ba kasi ako pumayag sa letcheng bet na yon? Ako tuloy 'tong naipit sa gulo.
I badly want to introduce myself to the lady who made my heart beat extremely fast and made me understand what love truly is.
I was smiling as I was thinking about how we first met.
(Flashback)
I was in NBS to buy a refill for my pen. I walked towards the school supplies area. When I got to the sign pen aisle, I noticed a girl who was trying out different pens. I thought she was just testing it, but a few seconds later she writes her name. Oh her name's Ellyze. Tangina cute naman, may pagka-tsundere. She drew a heart shape beside her name and a letter H next to it.
Ellyze❤️H
She's from that public school near the park based on the uniform she's wearing. I walked closer and observed her while she picked up another pen and occupied the whole plain paper with that letter H. Naalala ko tuloy yung bakla kong best friend.
This girl beside me seems familiar. Parang nakita ko na siya noon. I don't know where or when but all I know is that she's good-looking like my favorite science teacher, Mrs. Alvarez. A hot single mom in our school and a close friend of my mom. I looked at her big ID. Yes, it's really big. I wonder why public schools let their students wear that almost 8R size of an ID. Parang traffic enforcer. So weird.
I looked at her ID.
Ellyze T. Alvarez
I knew it! Siguro siya yung anak ni Mrs. Alvarez na lagi niyang kinukwento. Lagi niyang ipinagyayabang na may maganda, mabait at matalino siyang anak. Sa kwento pa lang, nakakainlove na. Pero shit! Mas nainlove ako sa babaeng 'to.
"Shet puso, hinaan mo lang ang pagtibok baka marinig niya," I said while grasping my chest.
Oh fuck! Those words were supposed to only be in my mind.
I looked at her again at nagulat ako dahil nakatingin na pala siya sa akin ngayon. What should I do?!
I smiled at her and unexpectedly, she smiled back.
Tangina, I can feel the warmth from my cheeks.
She turns around and walks towards the counter area.
At ako? Naiwan ditong tulala. Hinding hindi ko makakalimutan ang matamis niyang ngiti.
I know it sounds gay but I think I'm blushing right now. Geez, tinamaan na ata ako sa'yo Ellyze.
(End of flashback)
I immediately ended that "nakakakilig na pangyayari" when I suddenly remembered my unfinished business with Abigail.
Arghhh that girl!
Maybe I should try to break up with her again tomorrow. Sana pumayag na.
I woke up early and prepared myself because I'll be meeting up with Abigail in Starbucks. I already texted her and she said she would be there by 9:00 am.
I arrived at Starbucks and went inside to order. It's 8:30 am. I don't see any sign of her. Maybe she's caught in traffic. I ordered two caramel cream grandes and sat on a table while waiting for her.
I spotted her entering Starbucks with someone. I squinted to closely take a look at who it was.
Well what do you know, si Harry. Nice timing.
"Hey Abigail. 'Sup Harry," bati ko sa kanilang dalawa.
"Hi, love," wika ni Abigail.
"Hey," sagot ni Harry.
"Ba't kayo magkasama?" tanong ko sa kanilang dalawa.
"Well, I happened to pass by him earlier. Gusto niya daw sumama so sinama ko nalang," sagot ni Abigail.
"The more the merrier. Well, have a seat."
Umupo kaming tatlo. Katabi ko si Harry at nasa harapan ko si Abigail.
"I'll get straight to the point, Abigail."
"Yes, love?"
"I want to break up with you."
"Woah woah woah. Come again?" she said with her face full of disbelief.
"Gusto ko ng makawala, Abigail. I've tried to tell you so many times."
"Love, wag kang ganyan please. Saan ba ako nagkulang?" sagot niyang palumbay.
"Look, you got to let me go. I know it's hard but it's for the better."
"No! I don't want to let go!" sigaw niya.
Madami ng nakatingin sa amin. Shit! She attracted attention nanaman. This always happens when I try to break up. Gusto ng audience parang mag a-audition sa Got Talent.
"Hey, there are other boys out there. Like Harry, for instance. He truly loves you, more than I could offer," sagot ko.
"Hey Abigail. Give me a chance, please?" sabi ni Harry habang nakatingin kay Abigail.
"Alistair, you're all I need! Please don't go," sabi niya habang umiiyak.
"But you're not what I need. Stop being selfish, Abigail. Don't you want me to be happy?" sabi ko naman.
Tangina teary eyed na ako naawa na talaga ako kay Abigail.
"I'll let you go. On one condition," sabi niya. Her words were firm.
"Fine, ano yung conditions mo?"
"You like racing right? We'll race then. If I win, promise me you'll marry me. If you win, I'll happily let you go," sabi niya with a certain and serious look on her face.
"Hold it right there. Sali ako. If I win promise me Abigail that you'll give me a chance," sabi naman ni Harry.
"And if you lose?" tanong ni Abigail kay Harry.
"Well, I never lose," sagot ni Harry sabay wink.
"Fine then. So it's settled. Mamayang 6 pm, kita tayo sa track."
We went outside and I walked towards my car. Turns out Abigail parked right next to my car.
I was about to go in my car when suddenly she grabbed my hand.
"Oh and love?" sabi niya.
"Stop calling me that. What do you want?" sagot ko.
"Kiss me, even if it isn't love anymore. Please, for the last time," sabi niya ng punong-puno ng pait ang mga salita.
"Sure, if it's for the last time."
I kissed her soft lips for the last time. I bit her lower lip and let go.
"Thanks love," sabi niya at pumunta siya sa sasakyan niya habang tumutulo ang kaniyang luha.
I got to the track and already spot Harry's car. His car is an orange Camaro. Nakalimutan ko na ang mga magulang ni Harry ay nagmamay-ari ng isang franchise of racing cars. Hindi ko nakikita sa paligid si Abigail. It is still 5:30 pm though.
I got out of my car and went to Harry to say hi.
"Harry!"
"Uy Al," sabi niya.
"Ang ganda talaga ng Camaro mo, bro."
"Mas maganda kaya Mustang mo."
"Wala pa si Abigail?" tanong ko.
"Wala pa bro."
"Ahhhh sige. Alis muna ako bibili ako ng tubig," sabi ko at tumakbo ako para bumili ng tubig sa tindahan. Pag balik ko sa track ay nag-uusap na sina Harry at Abigail. I see a Nissan 350 Z beside Abigail. Damn, this girl is serious.
"Ba't mo kasi ginawa? That's cheating you know. As much as I like to win, he's still my bestfriend," sigaw ni Harry.
"Just shut up already! Mind your own business," sigaw ni Abigail balik kay Harry.
"Hey, what's going on?" sabi ko sa kanila.
"Abigail just—" hindi natuloy ni Harry. I can see Abigail glaring at him.
Tumingin si Abigail sa akin,"Nothing, so..let's start?"
"Okay, let's get this over with. One lap lang. May the best racer win," sabi ko.
I got in my car and started the engine. Abigail and Harry did so too. I calmly place my hands on the steering wheel.
The light turned red, then yellow. I heard the buzzer and the light turned green. I stepped on the accelerator and took the lead. Tiningnan ko ang rear-view mirror at nakikita ko sa likuran ng aking sasakyan ay ang kotse ni Harry. Damn that Camaro is fast. Mas pinabilis ko pa ang sasakyan and as I was approaching a curve, I stepped on the brakes to drift.
What the fuck?! Hindi gumagana brakes ko. My car is running full speed ahead. Shit! I unfastened my seatbelt and was about to jump off my car when I heard a loud crash. Pain exploded over my body. I feel scorching heat against me. Nandidilim na ang paningin ko. What a stupid way to die.
"I guess I won't see you soon, Ellyze," I choked a sob on my last words.