Chapter 21
Masaya ako at magaan ang loob ko sa kanya buong oras na magkasama kami. Ang gaan sa pakiramdam na unti-unti niyang binabalik ang mga detalye na meron ako noon.
He can afford to give me what I lost.
“Saan tayo nakatira no'n?” tanong ko.
We are at a café inside the mall. We will head our way to the restaurant later for lunch. Kape lang muna kami sa ngayon dahil pareho lang kaming kakatapos lang kumain.
“We lived in Manila.” he answered.
“What place is this by the way?”
Ilang buwan na akong nakatira dito, hindi ko man lang alam kung anong lugar itong tinitirhan ko. I know it's an island because of the soothing oceans enveloping on it. I just saw them during our trip but never been to any.
“Pesvin Island.”
“I never heard about that before.” I said.
“It's a solitary island. Their government is one of the best in our country that's why this island is better than where we used to live.”
Wala akong alam tungkol sa islang ito. All I know is that I want to have a vacation, went here and lost my memories.
Ngayon ko lang napagtanto na ang ganda pala talaga ng lugar. The environment is clean, the people are sociable and I never heard of any crimes.
“Bakit hindi ko gusto ang islang ito?”
I've only been in this island once before my long stay. It didn't even last that long dahil hindi ko gusto ang lugar. I was dumb, this place is amazing.
“Because you wanted to live in a tall building and see city lights, not stars.”
“Really? Ginusto ko 'yon?” tanong ko at hindi makapaniwala. I'm really dumb.
I think it's only because I grew up in a place where city lights are the only ones I saw shining.
“Hindi ako nagsisinungaling sa lahat ng sinabi ko, Glaica.” he said.
I don't know what happened before. Hindi ko masasabi kung kasinungalingan lang ba ang lahat. I don't want to be comforted with lies.
“I want to live here now, with my fianće.” I said and imaginations of Deriel and me living peacefully popped up in my mind.
“Stop talking about him. It's our day.” he said and I saw that he removed his eyes locked into mine, calming himself.
Iniba ko na rin ang tingin ko. Hindi ko alam na andaming pares pala ng mga mata ang nakatitig kay Evonn. We were busy talking to each other to the point that I did not bother to look around at the place.
Did I offended him? Totoo naman na fianće ko talaga si Deriel. Tinapos ko na kung anong meron kami at wala ng rason para hindi niya tanggapin na nakatakda na akong ikasal, sa iba.
He was my fianće. I said yes to another man after I ended and clarified that what we had in the past is all over. Labas na ako sa parte na hindi niya matanggap ang lahat.
Binalik ko ang tingin ko sa kanya. It's not questionable why girls are staring at him in a lustful way. He's a good looking man, as a matter of fact.
Gwapo rin naman si Deriel pero ang tindig niya ay iba kompara kay Evonn. He looks friendly and Evonn is the another way around. His aura is same as Senyorita Elis while Evonn's same with Madam Sletessi, fierce and powerful.
“Are you hungry?” tanong niya at sinulyapan ako. Napagtanto niya ata na nakatitig ako sa kanya.
I blinked and acted like I'm looking at somewhere else before I answered, “Hindi pa naman. It's only ten in the morning.”
“Anong oras ka ba kumakain ng tanghalian?” he asked and this time he returned his eyes into mine.
“Around twelve.”
“Do you want to go somewhere else or you're just fine in here?”
Hindi ko kabisado ang lugar na 'to kaya hindi ko alam kung saan magandang mamasyal. If only there's a beach near here I'll ask him if he can take me there. It's a city, buildings and cars are all I see.
“Meron bang parte ng mall kung saan makakakita ako ng dagat? Kahit konti?” I ask full of hopes.
“Yes. We can go the 7th floor and then to the ocean view wing.”
I just realized na mayro'n kaming nadaanan na city view wing at mountain view wing, I just don't think about ocean view wing. I bet we can clearly see an ocean at the 7th floor, it's high enough.
“Ang ganda...” I said after I gaze my sight at the blue ocean connecting another island.
“Hindi ka pa nakapunta ng resort dito?” he asked.
The wing is not that populated. Maybe the residents here are already used to seeing sights like this. I placed my hands at the glass wall admiring the view.
“Deriel and I were bound to head our way to a falls. Pagkadating namin ay agad na sumakit ang ulo ko.”
Iginiya niya ako sa isang bakanteng bench. Umupo kami and he rested his hands at my shoulders. Hindi na ako kumibo at nanatiling nakatingin lang sa tanawin.
Maybe that island is where Tatay Fernan's relatives live. There's only one island near Pesvin. I don't know what that island is called.
“Bakit daw sumakit yung ulo mo?” he continued our topic.
“The doctor said that it's normal when I'm about to remember.”
“Do you remember lots of memories already?” he asked.
I slightly shook my head as an answer. My memories aren't enough. Bahagya akong nalungkot na hindi pa ganun ka daming alaala ang meron ako.
“It's alright. I'll be with you throughout the process.”
“No you can't. You promised to leave me alone after this day.” pagtanggi ko sa kanya.
“We'll see.”
He's so unfair. He promised to let me live peacefully after I will agree to this so called friendly date. A promise is supposed to be a promise.
“What do you want to eat?” tanong niya.
Napagdesisyunan niya na pumunta na kami sa restaurant because it might take a lot of time to wait for our food. We settled at a seafood restaurant just near the ocean view wing.
I scanned the menu to look for a delicious food to eat.
“I'll just have a calamares and a buko juice.”
“One order of those and one order of garlic buttered shrimp and water.” sabi ni Evonn sa waitress.
“Copy, Sir. Your order will be served in forty five minutes.” the waitress said then she left our table.
We were right. It does take time to wait for our order. Evonn took his phone from his pocket. Tinapat niya ito sa kinaroroonan ko. We are sitting apart to each other.
“Smile, Glaica. I'm going to take a picture of you.” he said then smiled.
“Bakit?” naguguluhan kong tanong. Is a picture necessary?
“So that I can have a remembrance that I spent a wonderful day with you, if ever I can't get you back in my arms again.”
“Anong ibig mong sabihin?” I'm so confused while he just stared at his phone, ready to take a picture of me.
“I know I can. Just smile.” he said, slightly pissed.
“I d-don't know h-how.” kinakabahan kong sabi.
I don't know why. Deriel and I used to take pictures together. Hindi ito ang unang pagkakataon na ngingiti ako para kuhanan ng litrato. There's something off with me.
“After the count of three.” he instructed.
“One.” I fixed my hair and my posture.
“Two.” his voice became softer.
“Three.” I awkwardly smiled at the camera.
“I love you .” that made me genuinely smiled.
“Ayos ba?” natatarantang tanong ko pagkababa niya sa cellphone niya at tiningnan ang litrato.
Bahagya akong tumayo para makita ang larawan pero pinakita niya sa akin ito kaya umupo akong muli. I look good in the picture. There's nothing I can be uncomfortable of.
“What are you going to do with that, now?”
“I'll post it on my Instagram.” he answered.
I know what Instagram is and I know how it works. It's a social media platform where you can post pictures. I sometimes borrowed Deriel's phone and then scroll through his Instragram. I decided not to create an account because I believe that I can't handle one right now. I wonder what is my Instagram username. I haven't searched about my account.
“No.” I said while he's busy with his phone.
“Bakit?” he paused what he was doing and looked me.
“Deriel has Instagram and he might see it. He might think that I'm cheating on him.”
“Meron siya pero wala ako. Your account is the only thing I have, Glaica.”
“Pa'no nangyari?” I asked.
“You shared more than your account with me, Glaica. Para sa account lang?” he said and seemed proud.
I kind of have an idea but I can't conclude it. I've never been outside of the line with Deriel.
Our lunch went fine and I decided to go home. As time goes by when I'm with him I can no longer explain what I'm feeling. Hindi maaaring magiging malalim ang kung anong nararamdaman ko sa kanya.
I can't cheat on my soon to be husband.
“Thank you for letting me spend a day with you, Glaica.” sabi niya nung hininto niya ang sasakyan sa harap ng condominium.
“Welcome.” tanging sabi ko.
He went out first and opened the door for me. When I'm about to go out my eyes widened due to shock. I saw Deriel standing against the condominium building with his arms crossed at his chest and his eyes staring darkly at me, us.
“I'm sorry, I need to go.” sabi ko at iniwan si Evonn.
Bawat hakbang ay kinakabahan kong tinatahak. Ilang hakbang nalang ay mararating ko na ang kinaroroonan niya pero bigla niya akong tinalikuran at pumasok sa building.
I'm racing with my breath due to the speed that he's in. Sobrang bilis niyang naglakad at ang laki pa ng mga hakbang niya. Nakapasok siya sa loob ng elevator at tumakbo ako para maabutan siya.
“El. I'm not cheating. Hear me out.” I said.
Tumunog nalang ang elevator at nakarating na kami sa palapag namin pero wala parin siyang tugon sa sinabi ko. He's so cold. I noticed that he's acting cold to me these past few days pero iba na ngayon. The coldness that he's giving me is enough to the point that I can't bear it.
Dumeretso siya sa kwarto niya and I locked the main door before following him. His door is open, I twisted the door knob and went inside his room.
He's sitting at the edge of his bed massaging the temple of his nose. I seated beside him and he moved a bit to have distance with me. Parang nandidiri siya sa akin. My Deriel is not like this.
“Hang out with friends, huh?” he said and looked at me.
“El. Pagpaliwanagin mo muna ako.”
“Explain. I'm listening.” sobrang lamig pa rin ng trato niya sa akin. Sabagay, who would treat their fianćee nice that was just seen hanging out with her ex-fiancé?
“He offered me a date but I said no. Pinilit niya ako kaya sinabi ko na lubayan na niya ako kapag pumayag ako and he said yes. The reason why I didn't tell you about it because you might say no to his offer. I can't let it down, pagkatapos nito ay he will be lenient to us.” I explained hoping that he'll understand.
Kinakabahan ako sa mga titig niya. He never stared at me this way before. A stare that can make you feel that you are in danger. I know my Deriel, he won't do that to me.
“Hindi ito ang unang pagkakataon na nakita kitang kasama ang lalaking 'yon. He was your fianće for fvck's sake!” this time, his temper rose.
He removed his eyes staring at me. I moved a bit para mapalapit sa kanya at kinuha ko ang magkabilang kamay niya at hinawakan. I massaged it to make him calm.
“Calm down, El. It's you, only you.” I assured him and he returned his eyes into mine.
“How come that it's only me, Sky, when it was him before me?”
^_^