Wakas
Hello! This is Missing Chances' Wakas! I hope you enjoyed being with our Baby boy and Baby doll, I hope you learned something from them like I did while writing them. I am so grateful to finish another story again this year with you, Archers. I love you so much! Sandejas Family loves you so much!
Anyway, this will be my last story for now. Magiging busy ako the next months and I have to focus on something so probably, no new updates until I am done but I will be back. I promise! See you next year sa story ni Madame Crest, Archers!
Join us at our Twitter party tonight with the hashtags #MCWakas #MCHulingMukbang HAHAHA :D
---
Wakas
I always believe words are words and it's a powerful thing. It could make or break a person. There are a few people blessed with the courage to stay strong despite the hurtful words but unluckily for me, I was one of those people who's weak when it comes to that.
When I was a kid, I was expected to be happy I was. I was happy with my Mama. Kahit kaming dalawa lang noon ay masaya na ako, I'd just wait for her every night after her work while I'm doing my assignments. I'd walked to her, kiss her and asked her where my favorite chicken-manok is.
There are times we are both lucky enough na nakakaluwag si Mama at masarap ang ulam pero mas marami ang oras na wala, she'd apologize to me everytime and I'd understand it.
Masaya naman kaming dalawa pero mas naging masaya ako nang makilala namin ang Papa ko, well he wasn't really my father at first. I didn't know that he is, I just treated him like one. Everything was great, I felt like finally, I have a complete happy family. Finally, masaya na si Mama ko.
But everything changed when Papa found out that he is indeed, my father and Mama hid me from him. He was livid yet they both showed me they're fine together but as I child, I know when my mother is happy and I know when she's not.
Mahal na mahal ko ang Mama ko. She's a blessing to me, she's a Godsent to me kaya sobrang nasaktan ako nang marinig ko kung paano ni Papa pagsalitaan ng masama ang Mama ko.
Tongue has no bones but it could break a person's heart and I was one of the victims. My young self first got his heart broken by his parents, by his father and it stayed with him.
It was blurry, matagal na iyong nangyari but still, some words stayed. I can still remember how Mama tried explaining what happened to me when I begged her to just leave because I don't want Papa anymore.
"M-Mama, bakit gano'n si Papa? Sabi... sabi mo mabait siya. Sabi mo love niya tayo... pero bakit ka niya pinapaiyak?" I can still recall crying that much while hugging my Mama back when I was a kid.
"A-anak, hindi mo naiintindihan. Mahal ka ng Papa mo," she whispered, calming me down.
"H-hindi... pinapaiyak ka niya. Ayoko..." I said and shook my head, crying so hard. I buried my face on my mother's neck and cried nonstop.
Naalala ko noon ang pakiramdam ng literal na sakit sa dibdib ko kapag nakikitang nasasaktan ang Mama ko. My mother who was always there with me, the mother who's working extra when I was sick. Ang mama na matalik ko ng kaibigan noon.
"Anak..." She pulled me softly and cupped my cheek, drying my tears. "Anak, hindi mo pa naiinindihan ang lahat. He made me cry, yes, but it will never change the fact that he's your father. Chance, your Dad loves you and there's no reason for you to hate him. Mahal ka niya, Chance," she said, staring at me directly into my eyes and I couldn't understand it.
If you love someone, would you really like seeing them cry? Masaya ba si Papa na umiiyak ang Mama ko at ako?
"Ako lang? 'Di ba dapat pati ang Mama ay mahal ng Papa?" I asked, confused and I saw how Mama smiled despite the tears on her eyes and she kissed my forehead.
"There are things in life na hindi mo pa maiintindihan, anak. Balang araw maiintindihan mo rin ang ibig sabihin ni Mama," mahinahon niyang sabi pero kahit lumaki na ako ay hindi ko pa rin naiintindihan.
I still couldn't understand. Malaki na ako at nagkaayos na ang magulang ko pero iniisip ko pa rin ang nangyari noong bata pa ako. We were happy, may dalawa akong kapatid na babae, matagal ko na ring napatawad ang Papa noong nagmakaawa siya at humingi ng tawad. I forgave him when he promised me he'll be better and he did
He was the best. Bumawi siya sa amin ni Mama. He never missed a day making up and waiting for us to heal. He was patient, he was loving. I saw my Mama happy and in love.
Lumaki ang mga kapatid kong masaya sa pamilya namin at masaya ako ro'n.
Napatawad ko na si Papa, I realized things happen for a reason and maybe they both have to get hurt to be stronger for each other and to our family.
Jus that, the reality of life wasn't that easy. You just don't get hurt, forgive, forget and move on.
Not all wounds would vanish as if nothing happened. Some are deep enough to leave a scar, a painful reminder that it has been there.
Papa is a good person but I could never forget, even if I'd already forgiven him and I love him so much, the scars he left me, it was still with me, staying as a reminder.
And I promised myself, I'd never be like him. I promised I'd never hurt the woman I love. Aalagaan ko siya, like how I wished my father to take care of my mother way back. I'll protect her from pain. I'll be a good man.
"Ang lalim ng iniisip, ah?" I blinked, napaayos ako ng upo at sumulyap sa naupo sa tabi ko.
"Del..." I called. She shot her brow up, giving me the juice she bought for us.
"Palagi ka na lang wala sa sarili," she said, her forehead creasing. "And you've been sketching again, hindi ka ba nagsasawa?"
"No," I said, smiling a bit. Sumulyap ako sa sketch na ginawa ko, it was a sketch of random people around.
"Tss, walang kwenta naman 'yan, Chance," aniya kaya mula sa sketch ko ay sumulyap ako sa kanya at nakitang iritado na siya. "Won't you focus on me? We've been together for a month yet you don't even treat me like a girlfriend! Puro ka sketch, sketch! Wala ka namang mapapala riyan, ah?"
"Lilah..." I sighed. "You know this is my life—"
I was shocked when he took the sketch pad from my hand and threw in on the ground, nakita ko kung paano iyon nabasa ng tubig kaya tumiim ang bagang ko.
I was doing my best to stop my mouth from blabbering words I'd regret later.
"It's Del, okay?! And I am your girlfriend!" she hissed at me. "You agreed on being a relationship and yet—"
"I clearly told you we'll try to work this out, Del, right?" I asked, irritated now. "I didn't promise you we will but we will try. Now that you're acting like this, I don't know anymore."
"What? I am your bestfriend, Chance! I was there in your childhood! Hanggang ngayon, nandito ako! Can't you see that I am better that those other bitches of yours?!" she exclaimed.
"They are not bitches, Delilah." My forehead creased. "And I don't know you anymore, hindi ganyan ang naging kaibigan ko noon."
"I am still me, can't you see?" Sa lakas ng boses niya ay napapatingin na sa amin ang mga tao. I was so embarrassed but I remained calm. "I am better than anyone and I deserve you! Nand'yan ako para sa'yo noon pa! And... and I love you, Chance!"
Nahilot ko ang sentido.
"Delilah, I don't think this is working," I said, composing myself.
"Anong hindi? It is!" she groaned. "You're mine, okay? The moment you said yes to this, akin ka na, naiintindihan mo? And you can't like any other girl but me!"
"What?" Nangunot ang noo ko. "When we started this relationship, we promised we'll make amends, right? Na hindi tayo ganito, we were friends, Del but we don't own each other. Kaibigan kita, that's why I want to try this and now you're acting like this? And I am mine, no one owns me but me. I made it clear to you we have to respect each other to make this work—"
"Respect? Huh!" She scoffed. "I asked you to fucking stop sketching because it's piece of crap but you didn't! I was telling you to improve in other aspects than wasting your time with that arts of yours! Can't you see? I want you to be better! Wala kang magiging pera sa arts-arts na 'yan but you don't listen. Look who disrespects first—"
"Let's break up," I finalized, pissed off.
Shock filled her expression.
"What?!" She exclaimed. "How dare you break up with me?!"
"You deserve better, Delilah, not someone like me. Ano bang kikitain ko sa arts, right? Sabi mo? If you want me to stop arts because you said so, then no. I'd rather lose this relationship than my dreams," I said coldly, staring at her eyes.
"How dare you..." Nangilid ang luha niya at biglang tumayo, napapikit ako ng mariin nang sampalin niya ako at buhusan ng juice sa mukha. "Pagsisisihan mo 'to! I hate you! You would never find someone better than me!"
She stomped her feet, walking out, nakita kong tinapak-tapakan pa niya ang sketch pad kong nabasa at sumigaw bago umiiyak na umalis.
I sighed and brushed my sticky wet hair. I glanced at the sketch pad I've been working for almost two weeks for my portfolio and now... it's a trash.
Fuck.
After her, I lost interest with serious relationships. Before, baka magkaka-girlfriend pa ako ng ilang buwan o ano pero ngayon? I don't think so.
She's my friend but I don't like how she mocked and belittle what I want to do in life. If she didn't like it, I hope she'd at least respect it but she didn't.
She had no right to mock arts, it was as if she's insulting me and those people who contributed in that area and I would never tolerate it.
I had lost my interest with girls until I saw a glimpse of that adorable blue-eyed girl when I took my sister, Eirene, to school.
"Daru, pa-lettering na kami, dali!" I heard girls from the side talking to a girl na kakarating pa lang ng classroom.
"Oh? Bakit?" She asked, sumulyap ako saglit at kaagad na nakuha ng pansin ang maganda niyang mga mata.
"Pa-lettering kami, sige na, please?" One of her classmates requested. "Maganda ka magsulat, eh! Tapos ang ganda ng line arts mo, sana all artist!"
Oh, she's an artist?
"Grabe kayo, hindi naman. Newbie pa lang din." She laughed and I can't help but noticed she looked angelic when she smiles.
She's taller than her batchmates, she looked like a fine young woman too.
"Sige na, please?" Lambing sa kanya ng mga kaklase.
"Ano munang magic word?" she asked her classmates teasingly.
"Ang ganda mo, Darshana!" Ani nilang sabay-sabay kaya nagtawanan silang lahat.
It made me smile too, that girl has the bubbly aura around and it's adorable.
"At saka...?" she raised her brow.
"Libre ka namin mamaya!" they said bago nagtawanan na naman.
"Ayan gusto ko sa inyo, eh. Tara, may bago akong markers, bili ni Kuya. Sa inyo ko unang gamitin, dali!" she said excitedly and I saw her classmates followed her, showing her their portfolio for the title page lettering. Nakita ko ang sinseridad sa babaeng may asul na mata habang sinisimulang gawin ang sa mga kaklase.
Darshana Astrea Sandejas, what a wonderful name for a beautiful girl like her. I don't know why but I became interested to her that time, maybe it's her blue eyes, maybe it's her long hair. Maybe it's her bubbliness and quirkiness. Maybe because it's her.
There are times I'd watch her read in the library and I was just near her. These days she's my favorite art subject. I am not being a creep but I find her really beautiful and perfect for my sketches.
May nakalagay na libro sa harapan ko na nakatayo para hindi niya mapansing tinitignan ko siya para mag-sketch. I slowly peeked on the book to take a glimpse when she suddenly shifted her gaze and met my eyes.
I froze. Sumabog ang init sa mukha ko sa kahihiyang nahuli niya akong nakatingin. Ang mas nakakahiya pa, sa gulat ko ay hindi ako nakagalaw at nakatitig lang ng lantaran sa kanya.
She slowly smiled, her sweet smile made my heart pound and that's when I woke up from daydreaming. I immediately ducked my head, hiding it on the book, ni hindi man lang ngumiti sa kanya at nag-init ang pisngi.
Fuck, Chance Ford! Bata pa 'yan! Gago ka ba?! I cursed myself to death, embarrassed of what I did.
At saka... ayaw ko sa mas bata.
I liked matured girls, those who could carry themselves just fine. Ayaw ko ng makulit at maingay.
I stopped staring at her after that, napapansin ko ang tingin niya sa akin kapag dadaan siya at tumatahimik lang ako, nahihiya sa ginawa kong katangahan.
I just find her fascinating! She's perfect as a subject! That's all! Baka naman isipin niya may gusto ko sa kanya!
Everytime she'll walked past me, our eyes will meet. She was observing me but I looked away, kunwari snob, as if I didn't care but deep inside I was shy.
I remembered that one time when I got out of the university and saw her crossing the street. Marami siyang dala sa braso niya at may tinitignan doon.
My forehead creased, gustong magalit na hindi siya tumitingin sa daan. My mind is battling if I'll just leave or watch her cross the street until she's safe but before I could even come up to a decision, I saw a car approaching.
My heart hammered inside my chest and adrenaline kicked in na nagpaka-The Flash ako sa bilis ng hatak sa kanya paalis.
Tumilapon ang hawak niyang gamit nang bumagsak kami sa gilid ng daan. I felt the pain on my back when I fell at nadaganan niya ako.
Narinig ko ang malakas na busina mula sa sasakyang muntik ng sumagasa sa kanya. I couldn't hear what the man inside is yelling dahil ang atensyon ko ay nasa babaeng nasa itaas ko.
His blue eyes are so wide while looking at me, those eyes resembled a lot like the bright sky above, which could be seen clearly because I'm lying on the ground. It was the most beautiful shade of blue I'd ever seen.
"A-anong English ng Ako, K-kuya?" she suddenly asked, confusing the hell out of me.
Why so sudden?
"Me?" my stupid ass answered her, nasa gilid pa rin kami ng kalsada, sa lapag.
"Kung...kung ang English ng ako ay Me, p'wede ba kitang ipakilala kay Mommy?" she suddenly asked and my eyes widened.
"Huh?" I asked dumbly. She gasped, her cheeks flushing and almost jumped just to get away from me.
"W-wala!" she exclaimed, still flushing and touching her waist. "A-ah, aray! Sakit! Sobra! Woah!" She gasped and fanned her face with her hand, still blushing.
I noticed her embarrassment that after I took her in the clinic, hindi na ako sumama dahil baka mas mahiya lang siya.
That night, I went home happy kahit may sugat-sugat sa pagbagsak ko. I spent my time in the studio the whole night, mixing colors just so I could get exactly that blue color of her eyes and after a few attempts, I succeeded.
I painted half of her face, ang kalahati ng mukha ay ginawa kong bulaklak at napangiti ako nang maisip na babagay sa kanya ang korona kaya mabilis ko iyong ginawa.
The color of her eyes is the most wonderful shade of blue I have ever mixed. I remembered her eyes resembling the sky while I was painting it on my canvas, smiling as I signed it with the title: "Me".
Ever since that incident, she became more and more persistent and irresistible. Kung noon ay kahit pasimpleng tango ko ay ayos na sa kanya, iba na ngayon. Since that happened, she followed me like a stalker, conversing like a cute girl and I don't like that.
Not that she's ugly and I don't like it, it's just... this is wrong.
Hindi ko bet ang mas bata, ayaw ko ng gano'n.
I did my best to control myself when I was with her. She's like a breath of fresh air to me, the sun after the storm. I felt so good whenever I saw her smiling at me, telling me her silly, weird pick-up lines na hindi ko kaagad makuha.
It was fun but still, I have to stop myself from taking advantage of her. Nasabi niyang gusto niya ako at ganoon din naman ako... well, fuck me. I ended up liking her, okay? But I know I'm bad for her, she's young and I'm far ahead of her. I should know my limitation so I told her straightly I could do nothing but to only talk to her.
Though, there are times where I wanted to stop myself from talking to her but I couldn't. She inspired me, kapag nagkikita kaming dalawa ay madalas akong maraming output na nagagawa sa pagpipinta at sketches ko.
I can still remember how I sneaked in inside her 18th birthday. Ang kapal ng mukha ko dahil hindi naman ako kilala ng pamilya niya bukod sa pinsan kong sina Alchiel sa side ni Mama but I can't miss her birthday. I promised her, I wouldn't like to break my promise to her.
"Oh, napadaan ka?" Chiel's eyes were suspicious when I called him out during Daru's debut party. Nasa labas ako at tinawag siya.
I actually have an invitation but I am shy, hindi naman ako kilala pero bigla akong lilitaw na parang kabute.
"Uh... napadaan lang," I answered, brushing my hair with my finger to do something or else I'd spill the truth. I glanced at the lady she went out with staring at me.
"Ayos na ayos, ah?" Chiel noticed and I nodded, nag-isip ng p'wedeng dahilan sa paglitaw ko.
"Pinasama kasi ako ni Mama sa party na pinuntahan ni Rene." I'll probably go to hell for lying like this. "And it's so boring and I feel out of place tapos nabalitaan kong nandito lang kayo sa malapit na venue so I... can I come in? This is embarrassing but I'm more comfortable here kasi may kakilala ako kaysa roon."
"Oo naman, p'wede," Chiel answered. "Eh, paano si Rene?"
I cleared my throat.
"She'll be fine, I asked her to contact me when she's done so I could go get her." Palusot ko pa't muntik nang mapa-yes ng malakas nang tumango siya.
"Sure, tara sa loob," he said and was about to pull me inside when he received a call. "Excuse me first, saglit lang."
I nodded, sumulyap ako sa babaeng kasama niya.
"Good evening," I greeted formally. She nodded at me, I noticed a mischievous smile on her lips while she's staring at me.
"Good evening too, I'm Clyte." She offered me her hand. I took her hand and shook it firmly.
"I'm Chance—"
"I know you," she said and I was stunned when she raised her hand, may inalis siyang dumi sa balikat ko at muli akong hinarap. "You aren't here because you're just bored sa party ng kapatid mo, ano?"
My heart thumped, ninenerbyos na.
"How did—"
"You came here for Daru, right?" she said at napakurap-kurap na ako. "Oh, don't worry, I just saw you too always in the library. You knew each other, madalas ko kayong nahuhuling nag-i-sketch sa library tapos kumakain sa may field."
Oh, fuck?
"Sorry... I..." I cleared my throat. "I promise I won't do anything bad to her—"
"Oh, I know." She smiled at me. "It's okay, Chance."
"Sorry for lying." I sighed. "I'm just... you know? Basta, and can I ask you a favor? Can you keep this a secret first?"
"Oh, sure." She smiled at me and nodded. "I don't stick my nose in someone else's business. Your secret's safe with me, pero promise me you won't hurt my cousin, okay?"
"Okay... I promise." I smiled at her. "Thank you, Clyte."
She nodded and smiled. "Gusto mo una na tayo sa loob? Hayaan mo si Kuya Chiel d'yan—"
"Stop calling me Kuya, Clytemnestra." Biglang tikhim ni Chiel kaya natigilan kaming dalawa.
"Huh?" Clyte smirked and Chiel rolled his eyes, hinila ako ni Chiel at halos kaladkarin papasok.
"Tara na, Chance. Hayaan mo na 'yan, tayo ang partner." He said playfully, linking his arms on mine kaya napatawa na kaming dalawa ni Clyte at sabay-sabay na pumasok sa loob ng party hall.
When I got inside, I immediately saw her in the middle sitting in a chair. She was smiling but I saw the lone expression in her eyes. The MC was saying something when our eyes met.
I saw how her eyes widened, her face brightened and paambang tatayo siya ay inilingan ko siya at kinindatan. Nakagat niya ang labi. She slowly nodded, placing her palms on her cheek. I almost laughed when she looked away, nahuli ko ang walang tunog niyang tili roon sa gilid pero pumormal pagkatapos at ngumisi.
I felt happy when I saw her extra happy that time, nakita ko pang ginalaw niya ang paa habang nakaupo.
Adorable.
"Oh, Kuya Chance?" I froze when I heard a voice, mula sa lamesang inuupuan ay bumaling ako at nakita si Marcus.
"Marcus..." I called. Kumunot ang noo niya at nagtaka sa akin.
"Macky, sinama ko si Chance, ah? He came from a party nearby, sinama ng kapatid, eh na-bored. I hope you don't mind." I was thankful when Chiel spoke for me.
"Oh, no worries." Marcus nodded and smiled at me.
"Pasensya na, thank you." I smiled.
"Okay lang, Kuya." He answered at halos mapangiwi ako roon.
"Just call me Chance," I said and cleared my throat. "Hindi naman magkalayo ang edad natin."
"Oh, alright." He laughed a bit, tinapik pa ang likod ko. "Okay, Chance. Kain ka lang, ah? Nando'n ang buffet." Sabay alis.
Narinig ko ang tawa ni Chiel at Crest sa may puwesto ko, I shifted my gaze and saw the two eyeing me teasingly.
"Should I call you Kuya Chance again? Like before?" Chiel smirked. I cursed.
"Fuck you. Gago ka. Sabi ko ngang walang Kuya, eh." I punched his arm. Tinawanan lang ako ng gago.
"Sorry na, Kuya." He smirked.
It was a pretty normal night for me until Alchiel dragged me in the middle, nandoon na ang mga pinsan ni Darshana na lalaki, Chiel, Zion, Deion at si Marcus.
"What am I doing here?" I asked, confused, nanlalaki ang mata sa kanila.
"Ah, kulang kasi kami ng dancer. Tara, sumama ka sa amin. Hindi dumating 'yong isa." Ngisi ni Zion kaya napakurap ako.
Huh?
"Are you serious—"
"Woah! Go mga pogi!" I froze when I heard cheers from the girl cousins. Si Darshana ay malaki ang ngisi habang nakatingin sa akin at mas nahiya na ako.
Fuck? The fuck I was doing here?
I saw her mouthing "Go, baby boy!" with her finger heart sign and I was more embarrassed.
"Ayoko—"
"Sige, papatalsikin ka rito," Chiel threatened kaya umawang ang labi ko. I glanced at the three boys. They nodded at me.
Napaayos ako ng tayo at lumunok.
"O-okay? Ano bang gagawin?" I asked and they pulled me sideways for a while. Zion briefed me on the steps, moving his hand.
"Madali lang, ganito, oh." Inikot niya sa ere ang kamay at parang nakakagago pero ginaya ko rin ng bahagya. "Tapos ganito..." He twirled his waist and I imitated him.
"Okay..." I cleared my throat.
For Darshana. It's okay to embarrass myself.
"Great!" They smiled.
"Ano bang kanta?" I asked.
"Jumbo hotdog, kaya mo ba 'to?" ani Zion na tinulak na ako sa gitna, kasabay ng pagtugtog at pagpapahiya ko sa sarili ko sa harapan ni Darshana na parang hihikain na sa kakahagalpak ng tawa.
–
DARSHANA and I... we're alike in many aspects, we understood each other so much, even art itself.
"How about this?" She showed me the sketch she's been working for a while now, nasa library kaming dalawa at tinuturuan ko siya ng natutunan ko sa masters ko.
"It's good." I commended and took it, may napansin akong maling pagkakagawa niya kaya tinuro ko iyon sa kanya.
She smiled and nodded, listening carefully and intently. Like what I was saying was important to her.
She listens to me... she likes to talk about my hobbies with me.
She doesn't shame it.
Hinawi niya ang buhok sa likod ng tainga at nanatili akong nakatitig sa kanya.
Beautiful... she's like an angel sent down for mere mortals like me to admire.
"Baby boy, hindi ko makuha," she said, looking at me. My heart rate spiked.
"S-saan?" I asked, composing myself.
"Here, oh," she said and I raised my hand so I could take it but she moved her hand away. "Tara dito, turuan mo ako."
Tumayo ako at pumunta sa p'westo niya.
I lowered my body on her back so I could check her artwork and I noticed the wrong technique she did again kaya hindi naging hindi proportion ang shape ng mukha.
Dumukwang pa ako sa may gilid ng mukha niya at kinuha ang kamay niya na may hawak ng lapis at tinuro ang problema.
"Here, doll. See this, I liked your sketches, you could still learn more. Here, ganito dapat para makuha mo," I said, ginagalaw ang kamay niyang hawak kong may lapis para magturo.
"And this—" I froze when she suddenly tilted her head, and was about to steal a kiss when I moved away.
"Darshana!" I hissed quietly and glared at her. She pouted, hiding a playful smile.
"What?" she asked innocently.
"Did I tell you to stop stealing kisses?" I pointed out.
"Why not?" She smiled. "I'm already eighteen, ah? P'wede na nga tayong mag-jowaan, ayaw mo lang."
"What did I tell you?" I asked her seriously kaya natahimik siya.
I shot my brow up and she gave in.
"Study first..." She babbled. "But I'm studying well naman, I got good grades, high scores sa quizzes and such."
"But you're still young."
Mas humaba ang nguso niya.
"I challenge you," she suddenly said kaya kumunot ang noo ko. "Kiss me kapag mali ako."
"Daru..."
"Please?" She evgaveame me her puppy eyes but I wouldn't give in. She sighed. "Sige, hindi na kita nanakawan ng kiss!"
Oh. Doon na ako napatango. Mabuti.
She pulled my hand so I could sit beside her.
"Alright, what is it?" I asked.
"Kiss me if I'm wrong but... is one plus one... three?" She smiled cutely.
I glared at her, napatawa naman na siya at napapalakpak ng mahina.
"Kiss! Kiss!" she chirped happily.
"Daru—"
"Pumayag ka, ah?" she whine, her eyes turning a bit sad. "A-ayaw mo ba? E 'di o-okay, hindi na kita bati."
Natigilan ako nang ngumuso siya at nag-iwas ng tingin.
"Darshana..."
"Ayaw ko na sa 'yo." She hissed. I sighed, hating the look on her face.
She took her pencil and was about to start sketching again so I called her.
"Oh?!" she asked, glancing my way so I lowered my head, giving her a quick kiss on the side of her lips. She stilled.
"There you are," I said and pinched her nose, watching her cheeks turn bright red.
But things didn't happen exactly our way. When I got an opportunity abroad, I immediately grabbed it. Doon ko rin naisip si Darshana at natantong ayoko siyang maiwang mag-isa rito kapag malayo ako.
We never texted. I made sure of it so she could focus on her studies but I know for sure she'll be anxious if wala kaming komunikasyon sa isa't-isa.
Pinag-isipan kong maigi 'yon at kinonsidera ang mangyayari sa aming dalawa. Sa kanya kapag nagpatuloy 'to.
I realized she needs to know a lot of people, hindi p'wedeng ako lang... habang malayo ako. That's just unfair on her side. She's young, has a great future ahead of her at wala man kaming relasyon noon, it's still wrong dahil umaasa siya sa amin.
Ako, marami na akong nakilalang tao samantalang siya ay kaunti pa lang. Will I stop her from achieving her dreams? Will I stop her from meeting other people? I won't.
Paano kung hindi pala kami talaga? That fucking hurts but that's reality, she's still young and I don't want her to waste a lot of time with me, tapos sa huli ay hindi pala kami ang para sa isa't-isa?
I love her and maybe she loves me too but I don't want this love of mine to cage her. I want this love to free her, to urge her to fly high and know more about life, to achieve her dreams.
I want the best for her and that's the first time I hurt her. That was the first time I scarred her young heart.
I focused on learning and building myself. Maybe I was that in love with her that after her, wala na akong magustuhang babae. I studied and got pretty famous as a painter in States, hanggang sa nasama na ako sa mga nag-e-exhibit.
Akala ko nga ay 'di na kami magkikita ni Daru. I thought maybe, she would only be my inspiration. The best subject of my pieces. An art I could only see to remember but wouldn't be able to touch again but fate was silly and playful.
Because, after a few years, we met again and who would have thought we both missed each other that much that instead of eating dinner, we ended up eating each other?
–
MALALIM akong napaisip habang nakatingin sa kanyang nagse-serve ng pagkain sa mga pasahero ng eroplano. She's pleasant, beautiful and always showing that adorable smile of her.
I noticed the stares people are giving her and the attention she's blessing them and I was jealous of it.
"Gago, pre, ang ganda..." I froze when I heard the two boys beside me talking.
"Oo nga." Tawa no'ng isang kasama. "Malapit na siya, 'di ba? Bili kang kahit sandwich lang!"
"Oo, tapos tanungin ko ang pangalan," sagot no'ng isa at nagtawanan sila. Kumunot ang noo ko, lalo na nang makitang papalapit ng lalo ang Darshana ko.
Our eyes met, I winked at her and smiled. She only made a face and rolled her eyes.
Maldita.
"Hello, Sirs, would you like something to eat?" She asked in a formal and pleasant way.
Akala mo hindi akong inirapan, ah?
Nakita ko ang pagsikuhan ng dalawa roon. "Hi, Miss, isang sandwich—"
"Baby doll..." I called her attention kaya nakita kong napabaling siya sa akin, kumunot ang noo sa tawag ko.
"Yes, Sir?" she asked me grimly. I smiled innocently at her.
"How many sandwiches are left?" I inquired. Bumaling siya sa cart.
"Three, Sir," she answered. I smiled and took my wallet.
"Give me all three, please," I requested with a proud, foolish grin.
Tumitig siya, sigurong nawi-weir-duhan sa pinanggagawa ko pero nang matantong seryoso talaga ko'y napakamot ng kilay.
Alam kong aangal na siya pero hindi niya nagawa dahil nginitian ako ng kasama niya at inabot sa akin ang tatlong sandwich.
"Thanks," I said and placed it on a small table.
"Sa inyo po, Sirs?" ani Darshana na bumaling sa dalawang katabi ko. They shook their heads. Daru smiled. "Okay, Sirs. Thank you."
When she left, I overheard the two boys murmuring something.
"Tss, nang-aagaw. Tayo nga ang sa sandwich tapos—"
"Oh, sorry. I didn't know, gusto n'yo ba?" I asked, showing them the two kaya nanlaki ang mata nila sa akin at umiling.
"Ay, hindi naman, pre. Sige lang," ani nila sa akin kaya ngumuso ako at tumango.
I took my white handkerchief, tinanggal ko iyon sa pagkakatupi bago inilagay sa may dibdib ko na para akong kakain sa fine dining restaurant. I opened the sandwich, marahang humarap pa ako sa kanila bago ko iyon kinagatan.
"Hmm, sarap," I hummed and smiled. "Gusto n'yo?"
"A-ah... hindi..." Tawa pa nila at inilingan ako. Mas lumaki ang ngisi ko.
Akala n'yo, ah! Hihiritan n'yo pa ang baby doll ko!
Narinig ko ang pabalik na cart. May tumamang kamay sa batok ko at pag-angat ko ng tingin ay nahuli ko si Darshana na ngumisi at kumindat pa sa akin.
This tease...
"Ano kayang pangalan? Gago, p're, sayang..."
"Ganda ano?" Wala na akong paki kung paepal ako at nilingon sila.
"Ah, oo. Tatanungin sana namin ang pangalan kaso—"
"That's Darshana, girlfriend ko," I said emphasizing the girlfriend.
I beamed with pride when their mouths parted.
Binaba ko ang hawak kong sandwich bago inilahad ang kamay ko.
"And I'm Chance, the boyfriend," I introduced.
The boys were stunned but they looked young, just like Darshana's age. Bata sila pero s'yempre, naniniwala pa rin akong mas gwapo ako.
Sabi ni Mama ang gwapo ko raw and I believe it because mother knows best.
–
DARU grew up beautifully, she was a beautiful girl back then but now? She's stunning. She's a woman now and I knew there were a lot of people liking her. Kung marami na noon, paano pa kaya ngayon.
Hindi ako papahuli, 'no?
Maybe I should step up my game?
I sighed, bumalikwas ako sa kama at binura ang tinext ko.
To: Baby doll ko
Hi, baby, I'm home. Tulog ka na?
That's too formal that I ended up deleting it. Boring 'yan! Baka mawalan na lalo sa akin ng interes si Darshana!
I immediately went to the browser and typed a question—How to entertain younger girls?
I glanced at the articles and my brows met when I saw the result.
Learn to sing the alphabet.
What the hell? Darshana isn't an infant for fuck's sake!
I groaned and delete it, baka mali ang tanong ko.
How to date a millennial girl?
Best results:
· Be funny
· Be in style
· Girls love pick-up/cheesy lines
Be in style? Ano bang style ngayon? I researched about it too and saw a result.
Kids nowadays use the so-called jejemon language, usually in younger generations.
Oh? Jejewhat? Is this even a word?
I tried reading some jeje samples and it made my head hurt but still, for Darshana. Hindi ako papahuli sa mas bata!
I sighed, pulled my hair when I received a text from her.
From: Baby doll ko
Are you home now? I'll sleep na, text me back. ASAP.
I cursed under my breath, nahihirapan man ay sumubok mag-type para ma-turn on siya sa akin.
To: Baby doll ko
Nkauwi na q... 2log kna. Gudnyt.
A satisfied grin left my lip, there you go. She'll be turned on for sure.
But I failed, again. Malay ko bang nakaka-turn off pala sa millennials ngayon ang jejemon? Fuck that Google result! Walang kwenta! I'll sue that!
Pero hindi ako sumuko, s'yempre. Turned off man siya, marami pa akong alas.
I remembered that one time we went out of town together, of course, after four hours of our mukbang session, dahil official mukbangerist na nga kami ng isa't-isa ay nag-ikot kami.
We went to convenient store to buy some foods for our food trip but we ended up being stuck on the shed when the rain poured, almost soaking us. Wala pa kaming dalang payong kaya nakaupo lang kami roon, nag-aantay na tumila.
She's resting her head on my shoulder, nakahawak ang kamay ko sa baywang niya at hinahalikan ang buhok niya nang may maalala akong nabasa ko.
Saktong umuulan pa.
"Doll," I called.
Lumayo siya para tignan ako. Tumikhim ako at nagsalita. "Parang ako 'yong kasabihang... when it rains, it fours."
Kumunot ang noo niya sa akin, "Pours! Anong four—"
"Four you," I added with a smile.
Her eyes almost jumped out of its socket. She gasped. "D-did you just say a banat?"
"B-banat?" I asked, nahihiya na. "P-pangit ba? Sorry, that was the first time I did that. 'Di ko na uulitin—"
"OMG! Tara, banatan kita!" she exclaimed, napatawa ako nang tumili siya, namumula at pinalo-palo ako.
Namumula na mukha niya na tumayo pa sa kilig pero mabilis ko siyang nahatak pabalik kaya bumagsak siya sa kandungan ko.
Our eyes met and in the end, we ended up kissing under the shed, with only the rain as the witness. And of course, it's just a kiss we didn't do mukbang because it's bawal.
I thought it's the start of our new beginning but I was wrong all along, lalo na noong bumalik si Delilah sa buhay ko. Just not because of me now, it's because of Daru.
"What do you mean, Delilah?" Kumunot ang noo ko nang marinig ang sinabi niya. We're on an empty rooftop where she asked me to meet.
It's the first time I'm seeing her again ever since we broke up before and this is what she'd tell me?
"I said, that woman... you know her, right?" She asked. I can see the evil smirk on her lips and I didn't answer her, inobserbahan ko siya at natahimik. "Right?!" Her voice roared when she didn't hear my answer.
"So?" I asked, confused.
"Help me with her, may atraso sa akin ang babaeng 'yan ang ang pamilya niya," she demanded. "Close kayo, right? Then make her fall in love and break her after—"
"Are you insane?" My voice strained. "Why the hell I would help you hurt her? I won't, Delilah!"
"Why not?!" Her eyes turned slits. "We're best friends, Chance! Simula pa noon! Sinong mas pipiliin mo, ang babaeng 'yon o ako?!"
"I'll choose her, okay?" malamig na sabi ko. "Yes, you were my friend but you've changed, hindi na ikaw ang kaibigan ko noon. I would never hurt her, you understand me?"
"How dare you?!" She screamed.
I sighed, exhausted from this. I frustratedly ran my fingers in my hair and turned my back on her.
I walked away, nagpamulsa pa ako, iniisip ang sinabi niya nang may marinig akong putok ng baril. I tensed.
"How dare you turn your back at me?!" She screamed kaya napalingon ako sa kanya.
My heart hammered inside my chest when I saw her pointing a gun at me.
"Lilah—"
"I said call me Del!" she exclaimed loudly, hysterical now. I sighed, kinakabahan man ay tumaas ang kamay ko sa ere.
"Del..." I called. "What are you doing? Lower the gun."
"Why would I? Help me hurt that woman or I'll kill you?!" she threatened me.
I was terrified but I should not get ahead of my emotions or this will be messy.
"Del, let's talk about this, okay? You don't need to point a gun at me—"
"Just answer me!" She stomped her feet. "Hurt her o papatayin kita?!"
I sighed hard, trying my best to be rational in times like this.
Would I like to see Darshana hurt? Fuck, no. What I did to hurt her in the past was too much, I could never do it again.
"Just shoot me," I said. "Ako na lang ang patayin mo. I would not hurt her."
"Bobo ka!" she screamed. "You're choosing that woman over your life! Hibang ka na ba?!"
"No, I'm not. I am sane kaya alam kong mas mabuting ako na ang masaktan kaysa sa ibang tao, Delilah,"
I even moved closer to her and saw her trembling hand.
She can't shoot me. She's hesitating.
"What about..." She shifted her gun and I almost lost my composure when she pointed it on her head instead.
My stomach twisted.
"Delilah!" My voice roared. "Lower the fucking gun! What the hell are you doing?!"
She laughed at me and smirked. "Na-uh... you choose, Chance. Hurt that whore or... I'll kill myself?"
"Lilah..." I cursed under my breath. "Don't do that, okay? Pag-usapan na lang natin 'to," I said calmly. "Let's get you some help, sasamahan kita sa ospital—"
"Sinasabi mo bang baliw ako?!" she hysterically screamed.
"No, I'm just saying I'll help you—"
"No! Choose now or I'll kill myself?!" She demanded and when I caught her finger nearing the trigger, I lost it.
"O-okay..." I said, sighing. "Okay, just... just lower the gun, hmm?"
And to my relief, she lowered the gun. She smiled sweetly at me, ran and hugged me tightly.
"I knew it... I know you're still in love with me," she whispered. "I knew you could never find someone better than me."
That's where it all started, I had no plans to do it. I did my best to protect my baby doll, even in the smallest possible ways but I failed. In the end, I failed protecting her, breaking the promise I told myself before.
I ended up like my father... I ended up hurting the woman I love the most.
"Daru..." I called when I saw her.
"W-what are you..." Her voice broke, napansin ang panginginig ng kanyang boses. I saw the fear and pain in her eyes and it was double for me.
Nangilid ang luha ko habang nakatingin sa kanya. I walked closer to her. I wanted so badly to touch her, to apologize and beg her to hear me out.
"Anong ginagawa mo rito?" she spat.
"L-let's just talk..." I licked my lip and brushed my hair frustratedly. "P-please, parang-awa mo na."
"How dare you talk about that, huh?" I tasted the bitterness on her voice. "Awa? Bakit kita bibigyan no'n kung ako nga'y 'di mo binigyan?"
"P-please, Daru?" I begged, not minding the tears on my cheek.
She sighed and shook her head.
"Umalis ka na. Wala kang mapapala sa akin." She was about to go but I pulled her back, nakita ko ang galit sa mga mata niya at mas lalo akong nanghina.
Slowly, I found myself kneeling in front of her. Willing to be on my knees, to beg for her to take me back.
"W-what the hell..." her voice shook. "What the hell are you doing?!"
"P-parang-awa mo na," my voice broke, taking her palms my head felt like exploding and trembling in desperation. I moved her hand closer to my face. "P-please, I'm sorry... I'm begging you, please don't leave me."
Parang-awa mo na...
"L-let go," she said hard and pulled her hand back but I gripped it more.
"D-Daru, please. I-I need you..." I pleaded, crying now.
Ayaw ko... ayaw kong galit ka sa akin, hindi ko kaya...
"I-I need you, please, don't leave me..." I cried loudly. Willing to do anything just so she could listen to me.
"G-guess what?" The coldness in her voice made me sick. "I don't need you, Chance. I don't need you anymore."
"N-no..." I denied it as I shook my head desperately. "P-please don't do this."
"I would. You need me? To hell with you, I don't need you," mariing sabi niya. "I will never need you again, you hear me? Never."
I lost it when she pulled away from me, nanghihinang nakaluhod lang ako, wala na sa sarili at pinagmamasdan siya.
"See this?" Mas nahulog ang luha ko nang makitang inangat niya ang kwintas na idinisenyo ko para sa kanya sa ere. "I don't need this, I don't need you."
My mouth parted when I saw how she threw the necklace in the trash.
"I hope to never see you again, okay?" She said coldly and left me there, on the cold ground, crying.
I covered my face and sobbed. That time, I felt like I had reverted back to my young self. That small boy crying because he got hurt but this time–it was my fault.
With my wobbling knees, I found myself walking to the trash where she threw it away and with my shaking hand, I didn't think twice but to search for it there.
The trash stinks but I couldn't care less, nanginginig man ang katawan at nasa akto na ng pagbagsak ay hindi ako sumuko.
"S-saan na 'yon?" I mumbled and searched for it again.
Hindi 'yon p'wede mawala... baka... baka pakinggan niya ako, baka p'wede ko pang maayos. Baka p'wede pa kaming magkaayos.
I have to find it.
Hindi ko alam kung gaano ako katagal naghanap doon. The relief I felt when I found it was too much that I smiled despite my tears.
"She likes this... babalik kita kay baby doll, a-ah?" My voice broke while staring at the necklace. "M-magbabati kami no'n... m-magkakaayos din kami..."
Inilagay ko iyon sa aking bulsa, binalik ang mga kinalat kong basurahan at nang matapos ay akmang aalis na ako ay may kumaway sa aking matanda.
"Ay, hijo... pasuyo naman nito," aniya at may inabot sa aking basura kaya nagtataka man ay kinuha ko pa rin ito.
"Sige po,"
"Napaaga kayo ngayon, ah?" aniya sa akin. "Madalas kasi mga ten kayo, 'di ba?" she asked kaya kumunot ang noo ko.
"P-po?"
"'Yong mga tropa mo riyang nagkakalkal sa basura, sina Buknoy..." aniya kaya umawang ang labi ko.
"No, I'm not—"
"Uy, mukhang yayamanin ang na-recruit nilang bagong tropa." She smiled at me, showing her dentures.
"Po? No, sorry, Ma'am but I'm not—"
"Ayos 'yan, Totoy. H'wag ka na mahiya. Bilisan n'yo na lang magkalkal at baka magalit ang mga garbage collector kapag nahuli kayo," aniya at tinapik ang pisngi ko bago tumalikod.
What the hell?
Nakanganga lang ako sa kanya, nang mawala siya ay parang gago akong natawa.
"Tang ina..." I laughed like a fool. "Nangangalakal..." I said and laughed again but then froze when I realized the reason bakit ako humalukay sa basurahan at mayamaya'y umiyak na naman.
–
CHANCE Ford Salcedo is a fucking worthless and useless man.
Wala man lang akong nagawa noong kumalat ang painting niya. I should've took care of it, I should've protected it... 'yon na nga lang ang magagawa ko para sa kanya pero pumalpak pa ang gagong ako.
And guess how useless I am? After confronting Delilah for spreading the nude painting, I ended up in a hospital.
I didn't know she had guards with her when I forced her to tell me the truth. I was beaten up and she just watched me with a smile on her face.
Iniwan lang nila ako sa labas ng bahay niya nang magsawa na sila. I tried fighting but I was too weak and I am fighting with three large men that I lost in the end.
Mabuti nga at nakaya ko pang magmaneho pauwi but hindi rin ako inabot, I was so dizzy and my felt weak because of my bruises than I fainted inside the car I am driving. I met an accident and crashed in a post nearby.
I was so lost, I felt like a loser for failing to defend Darshana.
I did my best to help Alchiel check and sue everyone who spread it, who sexualized it along with the people who harassed her. I am positive it was Delilah's doing but we failed to find enough evidence for it.
Even if I was weak due to the accident, I begged Chiel to let me take at least a brief glimpse at Darshana. I know he's suspecting my relationship with her but he didn't ask and helped me.
Kahit sa malayo, sa burol ni Sir Ejercito Sandejas ay pinagmasdan ko siya at nakita ang lungkot sa mga mata niya. I saw her crying, I saw how her father avoided her pero wala man lang akong magawa...
I should've been there for her... dapat nand'yan ako, dumadamay pero ano bang karapatan ko? Anong karapatan kong humiling ng mga ganyang bagay kung ako ang nagsanhi ng sakit na nararamdaman niya.
How dare I wish to be with her when I was the first one to hurt her?
How dare me? Wala na akong nagawang tama... wala.
I stared at the glass on my hand, mabilis kong ininom ang laman nito, wala na sa sarili at nahihilo. I don't know if it's my third or fourth glass. Maybe even fifth.
I caged myself in my house, doing nothing but drinking.
Protektahan na nga lang, hindi ko pa magawa. Is this love of mine a curse? A curse where in the end, I always end up hurting her? Am I bad for her?
Probably I am.
Inangat ko ang baso para uminom muli pero natantong wala na pa lang laman iyon. My forehead creased, halos magdalawa na ang paningin ko habang inaabot ang bote pero dahil wala na sa wisyo ay nahawi ko lang iyon kaya tumilapon at nabasag sa sahig.
"Fuck..." I cursed.
That's my last one!
I stood from the stool, mabilis akong naupo sa lapag at sinubukang linisin ang basag na bote pero paghawak ko pa lang ay tumama na ang bubug sa palad ko.
I stiffened, napatingin ako sa basag na parte sa kamay ko at nakita ang pamumuo ng dugo mula roon.
I tried feeling anything but I must've gotten used to the pain that it doesn't affect me that much physically now. I closed my palm where the part of the broken glass was and gripped it tighter.
Kitang-kita ko ang dugong umagos sa palad ko pero wala akong maramdamang kahit ano kaya kulang pa. Parang... gusto ko pa.
I took a few more. Inilagay ko iyon sa palad bago ko mahigpit na isara ang kamay.
Slowly, I felt the pain and it was so good... to feel anything. I felt the tear fell on my cheek.
Wala akong kwenta... I couldn't protect her, I couldn't love her right. Palagi ko na lang siyang nasasaktan.
What kind of person was I? Huh?
My eyes were blurry. Maybe because of liquor.
"Chance, anak, bakit hindi ka sumasagot—Oh my God! Greg!" I heard a woman's voice and the next thing I knew, she was beside me, trying to open my palm.
"L-let it go! Chance!" she exclaimed, inaalog ang balikat ko. "C-Chance! Anak!"
"Ma?" I called and despite the blur in my eyes, I saw the tears in her glassy eyes. Mas sumikip ang dibdib ko.
"C-Chance... Chance, let it go, a-anak, please..." Her voice shook. "Y-you're hurting yourself."
"Hmm?" I hummed, slowly glancing at my bleeding palm. I saw the drops on the floor. I sniffed. "M-ma, s-sana mamatay na lang ako..."
"W-what?" She gasped. "N-no... no, look at me..." She cupped my cheek.
"I've h-hurt her, Ma..." sumbong ko. "M-ma, I-I just want to disappear—"
"No! No, don't say that, okay?" she said and stared at my eyes. "Don't do it, anak, o-okay? Don't please... don't hurt yourself. I-it's not your fault."
Tears fell on my cheek. I shook my head.
"'Di Ma, k-kasalanan ko," I whispered brokenly.
"No, come on, baby. P-pag-usapan natin 'to, ah?" she said softly, as if she's talking to a child. "W-whatever it is, s-sabihin mo kay Mama, okay? I will understand you—"
"A-ayaw na niya s-sa'kin, Ma..." my voice shook and cried. "A-ayaw na n-niya sa akin... I-I am not needed anymore k-kaya m-mas mabuting w-wala na lang ako."
"B-but I need you..." she hummed. "K-kailangan ka ni Mama mo, n-ni Papa...a ng mga k-kapatid mo." Nahulog ang luha niya at mas humapdi ang dibdib ko.
"D-don't cry," I whispered, lifting my uninjured hand to remove the tears on her cheek. "D-don't cry, Mama. N-nasasaktan ako lalo."
"Y-you don't want me crying, 'di ba, anak?" she asked. I nodded weakly. "T-then let it go, baby. Hmm, anak, let it go, don't hurt yourself..." She said, trying to open my fisted palm again.
"J-just let me die, M-ma..."
"No!" she exclaimed. "K-kapag nawala ka, iiyak ako... you don't want me to cry, right? T-then don't do it. I-iiyak ang Mama k-kapag nawala ang Chance n-niya..."
"I-iiyak ka?" I asked like a child.
"O-oo... iiyak si Mama, a-ayaw mo, 'di ba? H-hindi ako titigil sa pag-iyak,"
The image played in my head. Of my mother crying.
It reminded me of the past and I couldn't bear seeing him that way again. Palagi ko na lang nasasaktan ang mga babaeng mahal ko.
Si Daru. Si Mama.
When she forced my palm open, I didn't fight and let her.
Nang mahulog ang bubog sa kamay ko ay narinig ko ang boses ni Papa.
"Ally, did you find Chance—what the hell?" Papa exclaimed.
Mama looked at him.
"R-ready the car, Greg. W-we're bringing him to the hospital,"
Papa immediately ran out.
I saw my mother, with her shaking hand take the handkerchief from her bag and softly cover the wound on my palm.
"G-good boy..." she muttered after and glanced at me. "Good boy, anak..."
"M-ma, sorry..." I muttered.
She sighed and pulled my nape, napasubsob ako sa kanyang leeg at doon na napahagulgol ng iyak.
That night, I came back to the young Chance. I cried like a kid in my mother's arms, wanting to get some comfort.
I didn't force myself to Darshana after that, sinabi sa akin ni Papa na bigyan ng peace of mind si Daru and I think he's right. Mama said I should let fate decide for now, kung kami ay ipagkikita pa rin kami ng tadhana and she's right.
After almost a year and a half of focusing on becoming a better man, I met her again, as if we were destined to be with each other and we are. With a special gift, bukod sa kanya at kay Cho-choo, we now have our Cookie.
After all the pain, I was shocked but I never felt an ounce of anger when I found out about our son. I felt nothing but happiness, I see hope. Hope of being with her and our son and I worked hard to earn it.
I worked hard and didn't settle on restarting missed chances but instead, we started something new, something better, something beautiful.
"Sino 'yan?" I heard Wave asking after a while of watching the three best friends-slash-cousins talking to the familiar guy nearby.
The kids are playing, si Cookie ay kasama si Coraline at Aiden, anak ni Wave at Zire na gumagawa ng sand castle.
"I haven't seen him before," Warren said, Scira's husband, carrying his three-month-old son, Tonton. That's what they call him.
"That's the fucking Brandon," I said stopping the two of them, mabilis nila akong nilingon.
"Who the fuck was that?" ani Wave sa akin kaya napailing ako at tumiim ang panga.
"That's their freaking group crush," I said, stopping the two.
"Group crush? Is that even a thing?" Warren asked. I shrugged.
"I don't know but they have such thing," I said. "High school pa lang crush na nilang tatlo 'yan. I saw that man noon na umaaligid kay Darshana."
"High school? Hanggang ngayon?" busangot ni Wave sa akin pero natigilan at napaisip. "Oh, damn it. That was that Brandon? I overheard them talking about him before!"
"The fuck? Ang tagal na?" ani Warren. "P'wede ba 'yong high school crush?"
"Don't know," I said. "They have this thing called individual crush and group crush and that man's their group crush." I quoted, kinda annoyed too.
Bumaling ako sa may dalampasigan at kitang katawanan ni Brandon ang tatlo. I saw him looking at my wife kaya halos umusok ang ilong ko.
Asawa ko 'yan! Kitang buntis na nga ulit sa akin tapos...
I saw her fixed my wife's long hair at halos may lumabas ng laser sa mata ko para magutay-gutay siya.
"Tang ina?" I heard Wave curse when he saw Brandon pinched Zire's cheek.
Nang lingunin namin si Warren ay nakabusangot lang siya at matiim ang tingin sa lalaki.
"Are you thinking what I am thinking?" I asked. Wave smirked at me.
"Tara na ba? Isang oras na 'yan, eh. Gusto ko nang magsabi ng masasamang words," ani Wave na kalmado pa muna.
I tried not to smile at his words. Nakukuha na niya ang madaldal na ugali ng asawa.
Sabay kaming napatingin kay Warren na nakatitig doon.
"Warren?" I called. He glanced at me. "Tara?"
"Ah, hindi ako seloso," he said and shrugged kaya tumaas ang kilay namin ni Wave sa kanya.
"Weh?" We almost said in unison.
"Hindi nga..." he said, kalmado pero paglingon niya ay muntik nang matumba si Scira pero hinawakan ni Brandon ang baywang ng asawa niya. "Tang ina, tara!" aniyang inayos ng buhat si Tonton, nauna pa sa amin.
"'Di raw nagseselos..." Wave smirked at me. "H'wag ka maniwala r'yan, gagawin nga ang lahat para sa Architect n'yan noon."
"Bakit, ikaw? Hindi ba?" I asked, chuckling as I stood.
"Hindi, hindi ako marupok kay Zirena," aniya sa akin kaya ngumisi ako.
"Same, pre. Ako rin, hindi," I said at nag-ngisian kaming dalawa bago nag-fist bump.
Dapat magtayo kami ng club, eh.
Samahan ng mga sinungaling.
I took Cookie with me, kinuha ni Wave ang dalawa at sabay-sabay kaming lumapit sa p'westo ng mga babae sa dalampasigan.
Warren was already there, buhat na ni Scira si Tonton at nakayakap na si Warren sa likod niya, nakabusangot kay Brandon na hindi marunong makiramdam.
"Mama Cookie!" Cookie screamed and ran to his mother. Nakita ko ang pagbaling niya sa amin at paglaki ng ngiti.
I went behind Daru, my hand immediately snaking around her waist to her baby bump.
"Hi, baby boy!" I kissed her neck, hugging her before resting my chin on her shoulder.
"Ah... una na ako?" ani Brandon na wakas ay nakaramdam din!
Mabuhay!
"Oh, sure, sige." Zire smiled. Nakita kong nasa likod niya si Wave, hawak ang dalawang bata at parang guard sa likod ng asawa.
"Sige, uh... bye." He smiled awkwardly.
"Sorry, Mars, ah?" Warren smirked. "Bebe time muna." aniya kay Brandon na tumango at ngumisi bago umalis.
We he left, nagtawanan kami. Nakita ko ang pagpitik ni Scira ng ilong ng asawa at ibinaling sa akin ni Daru ang mukha niya at humalik.
"Hi, baby boy."
"Hello, doll," I greeted and sniffed her. "Ang bango mo."
"I know..." She giggled.
"Mga bakla, una na kami ni Wavy, ah? Nagpapalambing." She pointed her husband at natawa kami nang parang tarsier na si Wave makayakap.
"Sige, bye muna, mga bakla." Scira smiled.
"Bye, mga pokpok. Dinner na lang mamaya," ani Daru na kumakaway pa.
When they left, naiwan kaming pamilya. I took Cookie's hand, hawak ko ang baywang ni Daru ay naglakad kami sa may dalampasigan.
"Wow! Ang cold po ng air sa island!" Cookie cheered.
"You like it, baby?" Daru asked gently.
"Opo, Mama Cookie! Ang cold ng hangin!"
When we reached the stone formation nearby, we decided to settle in there and watch the sunset.
"Papa, can I go po and make a sand castle?" Cookie asked me kaya tumango ako.
"Sure, anak. Basta d'yan ka lang sa nakikita namin, ah?"
"Opo!" he said happily and kissed my cheek before her mother's. "Love you po, Mama Cookie and Papa Cookie. Love po kayo ni Cookie!"
"I love you, son." I smiled at him.
"I love you, Cole," ani Daru at hinalikan muna ang anak namin bago pakawalan.
We watched Cookie play with his sand castle. I took my shirt off, ibinaba ko sa buhangin bago paupuin ang asawa ko roon.
"Thank you, baby boy. I love you." Her words lit a fire in my chest.
I placed myself behind her, caging her body with my legs. I hugged her waist, burying my face on her neck.
"I love you, too, Daru," I whispered. "Thank you for letting me in your life again, doll."
"You deserved it anyway," she whispered, resting her back on my chest. "We deserved each other. Thank you rin kasi hindi mo ako sinukuan."
"Because you're worth it, doll. You and our Cookie are always worth it," I reminded and touched her stomach. "S'yempre ang pangalawa rin natin, what do you like to name him, doll? Nakaisip ka na ba?"
"Murriel Finneas," she whispered. "Muffin for short!"
It made me chuckle, hinalikan ko ang leeg niyang muli.
"You liked naming them foods you are craving, hmm?" I noticed and she beamed, watching me with those beautiful eyes.
"Is it okay with you, Chance?"
"Of course." Hinaplos ko ang tiyan niya. "Anything you want, my wife. Thank you for giving me this wonderful family, doll."
"Aww, my baby boy being senti again..."
"Sad boy ba?" I asked because some people talk about it on social media.
She made a face.
"Nakikiuso ka naman! Dapat talaga hinihiwalay ang FB ng mga matatanda..." She scoffed.
"Mrs. Salcedo," I whined. "Nakita ko lang kasi. Ano ba 'yon? Sad boy kasi malungkot na lalaki? So, gano'n dapat–"
"Hindi! Anong sad boy? Bagets ka? Ang tawag sa 'yo, sad elderly." She proclaimed and my smile fell. Humagalpak naman siya ng tawa, inabot ang pisngi ko at pinaulanan ako ng halik sa mukha and in the end, I ended up laughing too.
Darshana Astrea Sandejas-Salcedo... she's my art.
I thought it would only be dull and colorless until she gave my life colors.
My love for her is like art, the artist might disappear as time goes by but... the art pieces remain. It's timeless, like my love for her. It never dies until the next generation and hopefully, until our next life.
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: ZingTruyen.Xyz