Q&A with TPTP Characters
Tiana Vianne: Because the end is near, and it's actually here, what can you guys say now that matatapos na 'yong To Pay The Price?
Gonz: Happy of course, and sad at the same time. Happy because through this story, I know that we became an inspiration to all. And it also makes me sad because I'm gonna miss everything in TPTP lalo na si Trev. Since TWTW kasi magkasama na kami lagi niyan sa lahat ng scenes.
Rara: Gano'n rin tulad kay Gonz. Syempre sobrang ma-mi-miss ko lahat ng TPTP characters. Pero happy talaga ako lalo na't maraming bagong characters na ipapakilala sa TCTS. I actually enjoyed the scenes with Quein!
Bell: Yeah so let's all support the next series of Belle Ville: To Calm The Storm.
Tiana Vianne: Okay thank you guys! I love the energy! So Ito naaa. I selected some readers na puwedeng magtanong sa inyo ng kahit na ano. Let's start from Karen!
Karen Yliz Jose: Bell, paano ka naka-cope up sa mga nangyari? At bakit ang guwapo-guwapo mo?
Bellamy: I always try to see the good in people. Oh by the way, stop mentioning how handsome I am, Karen. I already know that.
Tiana Vianne: Ops, tama na 'yan. Next question, please.
Karen Yliz Jose: Para kay Gonz po, ano pong most memorable thing na ginawa mo with Rara? And puwede mo po ba akong turuan mag-volleyball?
Gonz: Don't ask me that. Bell might kill me. But I can teach you how to play volleyball.
Tiana Vianne: Sige, paasahin mo pa 'yong tao Gonz. Next question please.
Erlyn Jane Labos: Rara! Dumating ba sa punto na naisip mo na sana si Gonz na lang 'yong minahal mo?
Rara: Yes. I already mentioned that. Haha! But we're good now. I'm happy for how things turned out.
Erlyn Jane Labos: Gonz! Kailan naging kayo ni Madette? Ship ko kayo!
Gonz: This is not my story, Erlyn. I don't wanna steal the spotlight.
Tiana Vianne: Kaya mahal kita eh. Marunong kang lumugar.
Gonz: Next question please.
Tiana Vianne: Ay attitude siya oh. Okay, next question!
Karen Inlong: Bell, do you regret judging Rara when that thing happened with her and Gonz?
Bellamy: Yes. I didn't mean to judge her. I'd never want to hurt her.
Cate Cortes Sigue: Gonz, bakit 'di ka nag-take ng risk para mag-level up 'yong friendship niyo ni Rara?
Gonz: I did. But it's too late, and I just ended up hurting a lot of people.
Cate Cortes Sigue: Rara, kung hindi ka na-inlove kay Bell, sa tingin mo si Gonz magiging endgame mo?
Rara: Tiana, ano raw sa tingin mo?
Tiana Vianne: Bakit ako? Ikaw tinatanong eh.
Rara: You're the author. Duh.
Gonz: Ra, sumagot ka nga ng maayos. Tinatanong ka ng maayos ni Cate eh.
Rara: Fine. I think if I haven't fallen in love with Bell, I'd still not end up dating Gonz. It's not that he doesn't has a potential. He really has a potential to be honest. But . . . I don't want to lose him. We never know what might happen in the future. We may break up. And if we do, we would probably lose our friendship too. I don't want that to happen.
Meglorie Magpantay: Gonz, no'ng nagkamali ka, ano'ng lesson natutunan mo?
Gonz: Always do the right thing.
Okay, that's all for the Q&A with TPTP characters! Thank you so much sa mga nag-participate! Btw, you can play the music on the multimedia while reading this chapter! Happy reading!
____
EPILOGUE
LIAM and I have been here in the Philippines for five days.
Balak na namin bumalik sa L.A next week dahil i-re-renew ko na 'yong contract ko sa AIIAS. Kaya sinusulit ko na 'yong oras ko dito sa bahay kasama ang pamilya ko. Ngayon na lang din kasi ako nakauwi rito.
"Kuha lang akong tubig," paalam ko sa kan'ya saka ko siya iniwan sa kuwarto ko at bumaba ako sa kusina.
Pagkabukas ko ng ref ay naglagay ako ng tubig sa baso ko saka ako umupo saglit sa sala.
Habang nakaupo ako sa sala ay bigla na lang akong napatitig sa dining area.
Hindi ko alam kung bakit, pero nakita ko bigla ang sarili ko kasama sina Bell, Gonz, Tatay ni Gonz, at ang pamilya ko habang kumakain.
Tipid akong napangiti.
Isang beses lang naman akong nag-celebrate ng New Year's Eve kasama si Bellamy, pero 'yong isang beses na 'yon ay nakatatak na sa puso't isip ko.
Gulat akong napatingin kay Trev nang bigla niyang ilapag ang wine sa harapan ko. Naglagay siya no'n sa baso at umupo sa tabi ko.
"You need wine, not water," saad niya saka siya mahinang tumawa.
"Yeah, thanks," wala sa sariling sagot ko saka ko ininom 'yong inabot niyang isang baso ng wine.
"You love Liam," bigla niyang sabi. "But you still love Bell."
Agad akong napatitig sa kan'ya no'ng sabihin niya 'yon.
"I love Liam," I pointed out.
He snapped his fingers, "See? You're not denying that you still love Bellamy."
I felt angry at the thought. What if someone heard what he said? He would screw up everything I have with Liam and I never want that to happen.
"Bellamy and I broke up three years ago, Trev. I have Liam now, and we've been dating for two years already."
Trev shook his head, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
"You can date someone for years and still break up. But you can date someone for months or even days, and still be unable to forget that person," he said, pouring me another drink.
Shaking my head, I let out a small laugh. "I don't know anymore, Trev. It's like . . . Bell and I aren't meant to be together. We just always end up breaking each other's heart."
A tear slowly fell from my eyes. Pakiramdam ko, kahapon lang nangyari lahat.
Nakakainis lang kasi kapag hindi ko siya nakikita, okay naman ako. Masaya naman ako sa kung anong meron ako. Pero tuwing makikita ko siya, bigla na lang gumugulo 'yong nararamdaman ko.
Trev cupped my face and wiped away the tears off my cheek. "I know you're now happy with your life, Ra. I know you're happy with Liam. But you know what, Ra? Love isn't just about happiness. You can't call it love if it doesn't make your heart break into pieces."
Isinandal ko ang ulo ko sa balikat ni Trev saka ko ipinikit ang mga mata ko. Walang tigil pa rin sa pagpatak ang luha ko.
Bakit ba ako umiiyak? Ayos naman kami ni Liam, eh. Ayos naman ako. Masaya naman kami. Masaya naman ako. Pero bakit ganito? Bakit . . . ang sakit? Nakita ko lang ulit si Bell, bumalik agad 'yong sakit. Bumalik 'yong lungkot. Bumalik 'yong saya. Bumalik lahat.
"That night when we had dinner with Bell in Yokohama, I saw the way you looked at him. Your eyes were obviously saying that you miss him so much and you're still not over him. You still love him, R—"
"Stop," I told him. "Just stop, please. I don't want to hear it anymore."
I'm done with all the heartbreaks. All I want is genuine happiness.
***
"MERRY Christmas!" we yelled in chorus as we drank the glass of wine in our hands.
Liam took a picture of me with Gonz and Gonz took a picture of me and Liam in return.
Lumapit ako kay Trev at hinila siya papalapit kila Mom and Dad para magpakuha ng picture kay Gonz.
Puro tawanan at kuwentuhan ang nangyari habang kumakain kami.
Sa hindi malamang dahilan, bigla na lang akong natahimik habang abala pa rin silang nagtatawanan.
I couldn't clear my thoughts.
Random things kept getting in the way.
Napatingin kami parepareho kay Liam dahil sa biglaan niyang pagtayo at paglahad ng kamay niya sa harap ko.
Napatitig labng ako sa kan'ya ng ilang segundo bago ko tinanggap ang kamay niya.
Marahan niya akong hinigit patayo. Napangiti ako at hinalikan siya sa pisngi.
"Sana lahat," komento ni Gonz kaya inirapan ko siya at agad niya akong tinaasan ng kilay.
Nagtawanan tuloy sila Trev at inasar si Gonz.
Uupo na sana ulit ako pero natigilan ako nang biglang lumuhod si Liam sa harapan ko, hawak-hawak ang isang napakagandang singsing.
"Will you marry me, Ra?"
Nang sabihin niya 'yon ay agad na nag-init ang mga mata ko at kusang kumawala ang mga luha ko. Nagpaulit-ulit sa pandinig ko ang sinabi ni Liam.
I've always pictured out this moment.
I've always waited for this moment.
I've always wanted this to happen.
Pero sa ganitong sitwasyon ay tanging siya lang ang pumasok sa isip ko.
Pilit kong kinalma ang sarili ko.
"You know I love you, Liam, right?"
He stared at me for a moment.
"Of course, I know that, Ra," nakangiti niyang sagot.
"Just not the way I love Bellamy." My voice cracked, smile slowly fading away from his face.
I felt as if I was caught in a love triangle and didn't know which way to turn.
"I'm sorry, Liam." A small whimper escaped my mouth at the end of my sentence as I wiped my tears away with the back of my hand.
I took a step back and walked away.
Nagmadali akong pumunta sa sasakyan ko at napatulala na lang.
I cried my heart out, immensely sorry for Liam.
I truly thought he was the person I was supposed to spend the rest of my life with.
I enjoyed the time I spent with him and he treated me incredibly, but the more time I spend with him the more I am thinking about Bellamy.
Liam knew my history and still loved me with all his heart. Of course, it felt easy and special to be with him. But what I had with Bellamy was really irreplaceable in so many ways I could never explain.
Habang nagmamaneho ako ay hindi ako mapakali. Walang ibang pumapasok sa isip ko kundi ang makita at makausap siya.
Nang makarating ako sa Realgorez ay dumiretso agad ako sa bahay nila Bellamy. Ipinarada ko ang sasakyan ko sa harapan ng gate nila at sunod-sunod kong pinindot 'yong doorbell.
Ilang minuto na akong nandito pero wala pa ring lumalabas para pagbuksan ako ng gate.
"Please, Bell, open the gate," pabulong kong sabi.
"Bell, please open the gate!" sigaw ko.
Paulit-ulit kong tinawag ang pangalan niya pero wala pa rin talagang lumalabas. Ayaw siguro nila akong labasin. Alam kong nasa loob silang lahat. Alam kong naririnig nila ako. Ayaw lang talaga nila akong papasukin sa loob.
Bakit nga ba nila gugustuhin na pumasok ako sa loob kung si Bell mismo ang may ayaw?
Pero hindi ako tumigil. Muli kong tinawag ang pangalan ni Bell hanggang sa mapaos ako.
Napaatras ako no'ng biglang bumukas ang gate at lumabas mula roon si Feem.
"Ra, I'm sorry. He said he doesn't want to talk to you anymore." She trailed off. "He said he's done with you, and that you should go away."
Nang marinig ko iyon ay agad na sumikip ang dibdib ko.
Nasasaktan ako.
Nasasaktan ako dahil ayaw niya na akong makita o makausap.
Nasasaktan ako dahil sinukuan niya na ako.
Nasasaktan ako dahil alam kong wala nang pag-asa.
"Stop hurting him, Rara," pakiusap sa 'kin ni Feem.
Wala sa sarili akong tumango at yumuko.
"I'm sorry, Ra. But I have to be with my brother this time," sambit niya saka niya marahang hinawakan ang balikat ko.
"You should go home," dagdag niya pa bago niya inalis ang kamay niya sa balikat ko at tuluyan nang isinara muli ang gate nila.
Para akong bata na walang tigil sa pag-iyak at paghikbi.
Wala sa sarili akong naglakad palayo sa bahay nila. Hindi ko alam kung saan ako dadalhin ng mga paa ko. Ang tanging alam ko lang, sobrang bigat ng nararamdaman ko.
I've always wanted to tell him a lot of things, but I never got the courage to do so.
I've always wanted to thank him for being my strength when I was struggling getting back on court due to my injury.
He was my support system.
He was my happy pill whenever a frown was drawn on my face.
I've always wanted to thank him for entering my life when I least expected it and when I most needed it.
I've always wanted to thank him for regaining my hope when I'd almost given up on my dreams.
I know what we had was never easy.
I admit that I was too stubborn, refusing to believe that I still have a second chance to make things right.
I guess I was too afraid of hurting him again, so my heart unwittingly fought my brain all this time.
But no matter how hard I pushed him away, he fought harder to get closer. He wanted to be in my life again like I didn't hurt him. He still loved me despite the mistakes I've done. And I thank him for that.
I'm sorry for making it so hard for him to reach my heart. I shut him out of my life when all he did was love me unconditionally.
I was a f*cking red flag, but he made me feel loved and special. I wasn't a gold, but he treasured me like one.
And now that he's finally done with me, I know I'll regret this day forever.
I know I'll forever regret hurting him.
I know I'll forever regret taking him for granted.
I know I'll forever regret making him wait for so long.
I know I'll forever regret not telling him everything I've always wanted to tell him.
Nagpatuloy lang ako sa paglakad hanggang sa hindi ko na alam kung nasaan ako. Nang makaramdam ako ng pagod ay umupo ako sa gilid ng kalsada at tahimik na umiyak.
Ramdam ko ang pamamaga ng mga mata ko at ang pagbabara ng ilong ko kakaiyak ko pero wala akong pakialam. Gusto kong umiyak nang umiyak hanggang sa wala na akong mailabas na luha.
No'ng mapagod akong umiyak ay wala sa sarili akong tumayo pero agad akong natigilan nang bigla akong bumangga sa dibdib ng isang lalaki.
Muntikan na akong tumumba pero mabilis niyang hinawakan ang bandang bewang at likuran ko para saluhin ako.
Nang mag-angat ako ng tingin ay kusang kumawala muli ang luha ko.
"B-Bell . . ."
He gazed at my eyes and stayed like that for a moment.
"Aren't you going to thank me for catching you, Keen?"
No'ng sabihin niya 'yon ay para akong baliw na napangiti nang maalala ko no'ng muntik na rin akong tumumba dati dahil nag-unahan papasok ng elevator 'yong mga estudyante sa likuran ko. Iyan din mismo ang sinabi niya sa 'kin dati.
"You told me to go away, Bell. There's nothing to be thankful for," madiin kong sabi.
Kanina lang ay ang dami kong gustong sabihin sa kanya, pero ngayong nasa harapan ko siya ay nag-iinarte naman ako.
He let out a small laugh. "So, if I tell you to die for me, you're really going to do that?" he said, his hands still supporting my back.
"Yes," diretso kong sagot sa kan'ya kaya agad na napataas ang kilay niya.
"You also said that I should always chase my dream," I reminded him.
Inalalayan niya akong tumayo nang maayos at saka niya ako binitawan at dumistansya sa 'kin.
"You did well. Congrats," tipid niyang sabi.
He's obviously pertaining to my volleyball career.
Marahan akong umiling at humakbang papalapit sa kan'ya.
"You are my dream, Bell. And I'll chase my dream even if I have to pay the price." I flashed him a genuine smile, tears rolling down my cheek.
He gazed at my eyes and cupped my face.
"You sure about that, Keen?" he asked.
I nodded wholeheartedly.
"Marry me." He paused, giving me a soft kiss on my forehead. "And love me forever," he added, giving me another kiss. But this time, on my lips. "That's the price you have to pay, Keen."
Streams of tears flowed faster than my heartbeat.
Asking me to marry him actually felt surreal.
I've caused him pain over and over again but he kept forgiving me.
I didn't deserve his forgiveness, but he gave it to me wholeheartedly.
And I will forever be grateful to him for that.
"Do we have a deal?"
My lips curved into smile.
I wrapped my arms around his shoulder, rose to my tiptoes and kissed him slowly.
By the time our lips parted, I gazed at his eyes. "You've got yourself a deal, Bellamy."
__
FACTS ABOUT BELLE VILLE SERIES #2: TO PAY THE PRICE
1. Bellamy's name was inspired from Bellamy Blake of The 100. I've been a fan of that show since 2015. Bellamy Blake was my favorite character!
2. Gonz' nickname came from his full name Gabriel Onroe Zavardo.
3. Rara's nickname came from her first name Ramirrah.
4. The original plot of this story was actually the other way around. Bell was supposedly the one who cheated and Gonz was supposedly meant for Rara. But as I was writing the first few chapters, I started to like Bellamy more and more. I had the sudden urge to make my readers see the good in him. I wanted my readers to see that there's more to know about him.
5. You can now proceed to Belle Ville Series #3: To Calm The Storm. It's Quein's story! :) You can find it in my works. Visit niyo lang 'yong Wattpad Profile ko: TianaVianne
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