Brave Hearts (Published Under LIB)
Kabanata 23
Kabanata 23
MAYBE it was true that once trust was broken, it'll never be the same again. Mahirap ibalik ang tiwala lalo na kapag nasira. I've long accepted the fact that I'd hear them out but after that scene? Wala na sigurong makakapagpabago sa isip ko sa nangyari noon.
I was thankful he taught me how to commute to the hospital at hindi ko na maaabala ang pagkikita nilang dalawa. Maybe they had a date today, nakikipagsiksikan na naman siguro ako.
Pikit ang mata at sapo ko ang mukha ko habang nasa biyahe.
Nawala na sa isip ko pero ngayong nakita kong muli si Yui at Atlas na magkasama ay muling bumalik sa akin ang mga alaala sa Cagayan. She said they were going to get married after studying and now...maybe ay itutuloy nila?
How could I forget that?
You're an idiot, Lia!
They were one of the reasons why we had to go away, why we chose to leave our hometown.
Naalala ko si nanay at ang Dad ni Atlas. How Atlas' mother got hospitalized after she found out about my mother.
I didn't want to be like that. Ayaw kong makasira ng relasyon. Ayokong makapanakit ng ibang tao para sa nasabing pagmamahal na 'to.
Ayoko na ring masaktan, I was afraid to risk my health. I wanted to take care of myself because I had no one but me...marami pa akong pangarap para sa amin ni nanay, ni hindi pa nga ako lisensyadong doktor.
If I invested too much in this wrong love and got hurt in the end, hindi ko na alam ang gagawin.
I don't think my heart–one that I did my best to keep on beating and be brave could take it again.
Mabilis lang ang naging biyahe ko patungo sa ospital. My eyes were bloodshot because of my tears.
When I reached the hospital, I headed immediately to the restroom to fix myself. Kitang-kita ko ang mata ko sa salamin at habang nakatitig sa repleksyon ay bumabalik sa akin ang ang itsura ng batang Lia, on her eighteenth birthday, when the person she wished to come didn't and it left her young heart a small yet long lasting scar.
I remembered how my young self cried in the bathroom, touching her chest so she could breathe. The young Lia who was so fascinated that her longtime crush noticed her and soon told her he liked her too pero sa huli ay laro lang pala.
Lumapit lang pala para maghiganti sa mga bagay na hindi ko rin ginusto at alam.
Naghilamos ako para kahit papaano'y mapagtakpan ang pag-iyak. Pagkatapos kong mag-powder at suklay ay kinuha ko ang phone nang maramdamang nagba-vibrate sa bulsa ko.
Sir Alex (LBG) calling...
My forehead creased. Why is the moving company suddenly calling?
Tumikhim ako at bumuntonghininga bago sagutin.
"Hello—"
"Lia, where are you?" I froze at that familiar voice.
"Sir Alex—"
"Tita Marichu said you went out to see me, nasaan ka na? I'm still here and I can't see you," he rushed out frustratedly.
I swallowed, realizing who this was and he fooled me. Again.
"Are you alright? Nasa ospital ka na ba?" He heaved a sigh. "Lia, are you okay? I'm worried—"
"Nasa ospital na ako, Doc," I managed to say despite my breaking voice.
"What? A-alright." He paused a bit then sighed. "Are you okay? H-hindi mo ako inantay, sabi ko sabay tayo."
"Sorry, Doc," I said stiffly. "I have work to do, kailangan kong mag-ayos ng mga papers ngayon."
"I understand." I heard something in his voice. "P-pero...sa sunod ba pwedeng—"
"Sorry, Doc," I cut him off. "You shouldn't waste your time on me."
"It's Atlas, Lia. Call me Atlas." He sighed. "I thought we talked about this last night?"
"Talk about what?" matigas kong tanong. Lumabas ng banyo. "You're a resident here and it's just right to call you Doc—"
"Do we have a problem, Amalia?" he asked carefully. "Maayos naman na tayong magkausap kagabi. I visited you earlier and you agreed to meet—"
"Well, I find it unnecessary now, Doc, mukhang abala ka sa bisita. Ayaw ko namang makaabala," I snapped coldly but I know it sounded so bitter.
Natahimik siya at mapait na akong napangiti habang nagtutungo sa elevator.
"Did you..." Nang 'di ako sumagot ay naintindihan niya. His voice tensed more. "Lia, I-I didn't know she was coming, wala na—"
"See you, Doc," I said and hung up.
I reached the correct floor feeling numb. I tried shrugging it off but I couldn't kaya nang may sumalubong sa akin at bumati ay tipid ang naging ngiti ko at tumango na lang.
"Good morning, Dra. Lia!" masayang bati sa akin ng isang doktor.
It was really motivating hearing the veterans and licensed ones calling interns like me Doktora kahit hindi pa.
"Magandang umaga po, Doktora." I smiled softly at her. "Nakita n'yo po ba si Dr. Sean?"
"Oh, nasa clinic," she answered and I nodded, thanking her. Nag-in muna ako bago nagtungo sa opisina ni Doc bitbit ang paper bag na bigay ni Tita Marichu bago kumatok.
Magkakilala pala silang dalawa?
"Come in." Tinulak ko ang pintuan at pumasok.
I saw doc engrossed in what he's doing, may binabasa siya sa chart kaya tumikhim ako at nagsalita.
"Good morning, Doc," I greeted.
He lifted his face, nakita kong nanlaki ang mata niya nang makita ako pero kaagad na ngumiti. "Magandang umaga, Dra. Lia. Kumusta, napadaan ka?"
"Uh..." I lifted the paper bag. Natawa siya.
"Oh, I left this, who gave you this?" he asked.
"Uh, sa may unit po, si Tita Marichu?" I answered. Mas nagulat siya bago tumango.
"I see," he answered and took it from me before offering me a seat. "How is she? Is she good?"
Nagtaka ako sa tanong pero ngumiti at tumango, naupo rin sa inilalahad na upuan. Bumalik siya sa swivel.
"Yes po, she toured me around," kwento ko. Inayos niya ang salamin habang pinagmamasdan ako.
"You...like her?" he asked. I nodded.
"Yes po, Doc," I answered. "Mabait po siya sa akin, she's humble too, nalaman kong asawa pala siya ng may-ari ng building, nagulat po ako. Magkakilala po pala kayo ni Tita Marichu?"
Nakatitig lang siya, malamlam ang mga mata.
"She's actually my wife, Lia," aniya kaya napaayos ako ng upo.
Oh my God! Alegre! They have the same surname!
"P-po? Sorry, Doc! I didn't—"
He laughed. "Oh no, Lia. It's okay."
"Pasensya na, Doc," I said. "Nakakahiya tuloy..."
"No, it's okay." He reassured. "I'm glad you two get along."
"Mabait po siya, she even told me na if may problema o kailangan ako, I can contact her," I told him. He looked so pleased and happy.
"That's good, I'm happy you met her," he said. "I have kids too, Lia, halos kasing-edad mo lang sila."
"Talaga po?"
"One is a doctor here too, hindi mo pa siguro nakikita kasi madalas ay nasa convention. I hope you'll meet them too."
"Sure po, I hope to meet them!" I beamed but he couldn't take his gaze off me.
"I'm happy you grew up a strong woman," he suddenly said.
I blinked. "Po?"
He cleared his throat and spoke again, "I saw from your data that your mother died while you were studying in med school?"
I nodded, remembering my mother. Malungkot akong wala siya ngayon physically to celebrate with me for my achievements but I know for sure she was watching me. She's with me, in my heart, kahit 'di ko siya nakikita.
"Yes po. Heart problem, may lolo at lola pa po ako sa probinsya tapos wala na akong tatay."
He paused. Napaayos siya ng upo.
"Can I ask why? But if you're not comfortable, it's okay," aniya, tinatantya pa. Tumango ako.
"Hindi ko po alam ang buong kwento pero nasabi sa akin ni nanay na pinagbubuntis pa lang niya ako ay wala ang tatay, iniwan kami." I felt a bit down saying this to him. "I haven't seen him. I don't know his name."
He didn't say anything. Just complete silence but I could see various expressions on his face. I smiled.
"It's okay, Doc. Matagal naman na rin po iyon. Nanay did her best to raise me, she did a great job at siya na po ang tumayo kong nanay at tatay," I assured him.
His eyes softened.
"Perhaps, do you hate your father?" he asked and it never occurred to me, saglit akong napaisip pero nagkibit-balikat.
"Hindi ko po alam. I don't know if I could hate someone I don't even know. Hindi ko na rin naman pong masyadong naisip kasi masaya na ako kay nanay. Nga lang, minsan lang po naiisip ko kung nasaan siya no'ng kailangan ko siya," I said, trying to smile, but ended up being quite emotional.
"No'ng nawala po ang nanay, inisip ko...bakit 'di siya nagparamdam," I muttered and sighed. "But I got over it, malaki akong napaayos ni nanay and if I'm mad at him? Hindi ko pa po masabi talaga dahil hindi ko pa siya kilala."
Natahimik siya saglit at napatitig sa akin bago nagsalita.
"You're a strong woman, Amalia. You're very brave." He smiled at me. "I know, wherever your mother might be, kung nasaan man ang tatay mo, I know they're proud of you."
It touched my heart, napangiti ako roon at tumango."I hope so too, Doc."
"They are, trust me," he said genuinely.
After talking to Dr. Sean, I felt relaxed and comfortable. Kinumusta niya ang unit ko at kung komportable ako. He even told me about volunteer work, pina-finalize pa ang details at gusto niya akong sumama dahil maganda raw sa credentials ko ito kaya kaagad akong um-oo.
It always warmed my heart doing volunteer work, nakakatuwang matulungan ang mga taong hindi abot ng medikal na tulong. It always made me happy seeing their smiles and hearing their gratitude towards us every time, nakakawala ng pagod.
"Mauna na ako, Doc."
"Sige, Doktora. Thank you for this." He pointed at the paper bag. "Have a great day ahead! Kumain ka sa tamang oras, okay?"
"Yes po, maraming salamat. Have a good day din."
Hinatid ako ni Doc hanggang palabas ng clinic niya at kumaway ako bago tumalikod sa kanya. Nakasalubong ko si Nurse Lyka na malamig pa ang tingin sa akin.
"Good morning, Nurse," I greeted. She stared at me briefly then glanced behind me.
"Saan ka galing?" she asked.
"Ah, may pinadala lang kay Dr. Sean," I told her and her lips lifted for a smirk, chuckling a bit.
"You really think everything is easy, huh? Using Atlas to get past your internship and now, the direc—"
"Excuse me?" putol ko sa kanya, seryoso na. Halos magkasingtangkad lang kaming dalawa kaya pantay lang ang tingin namin.
"I know what you are trying to do, Ms. Argueles." She raised her brow. "You're flirting with Atlas, who is a resident doctor—for what? So he could go easy on you? For high grades? And now, si Dr. Sean naman? Para saan?"
Nagulat ako at natawa.
"I'm sorry but what are you saying?" I asked. "First of all, may ibinigay lang ako kay Doc, and I'm not flirting—"
"You weren't the only who tried that, marami na and guess what, ni isa ay walang nagtagumpay." She smirked at me. "And I'm sorry to say, Ms. Argueles but Atlas and I...we're together now."
I felt the painful pang inside my chest but I stared at her coldly and chuckled lowly.
"Oh, that's too bad, Nurse," I said. "I just saw your boyfriend kissing another woman earlier."
She stilled and her eyes widened. "W-what are you saying?!" she hissed. "Stop lying, alam kong gusto mo lang kaming masira—"
"I wouldn't waste my time destroying unimportant people, Nurse." Hindi na ako nakapagtimpi at nasabi na iyon.
"Y-you..." Her voice shook. I just flashed a timid smile.
"Excuse me, Nurse. I have important things to do," I bid her goodbye and left her there, unmoving.
I sighed when I got away from her, malakas ang kalabog ng puso ko kaya hinawakan ko ang dibdib ko para kumalma. I was not used to saying things like that but she was too much. Hindi bawat pagkakataon ay hahayaan ko lang ang ibang taong pagsalitaan ako ng ganoon.
Si nanay nga, ni minsan ay hindi ako minaliit at pinagsalitaan ng ganoon, kaya ano ang karapatan niyang isipan ako nang masama?
I heaved a deep sigh, fixed my hair and walked towards the station where my co-interns were but stopped when I saw the man resting his elbow on the counter talking to my co-intern.
"Uy, Lia, nand'yan ka na pala. Good morning!" Laurence smiled brightly, waving at me.
Napalingon si Atlas sa akin, mabilis na napaayos ng tayo at nagkatinginan kaming dalawa pero nag-iwas ako at bumaling kay Laurence bago ngumiti.
"Good morning." Pumasok ako sa may station bago bumaling kay Atlas na sinusundan ako ng tingin. "Good morning, Doc," I said formally.
"Ah, Lia, kanina ka pa pala hinahanap ni Doc Louis," ani Laurence at tinuro si Atlas na nakatayo lang doon, suot ang isang kulay navy blue na dress shirt at doctor's coat.
His mouth was slightly parted and looking at him, I could feel the aching inside my chest. Napasulyap ako sa mapupulang labi niya at biglang sumagi sa utak ko ang nakita kanina. I remembered how Yui encircled her arms around his nape and pulled him closer.
"Yes po, Doc?" I asked.
"Lia," he started and gulped a bit, hesitating but looking so persistent. "Can I...talk to you?"
"Sure po, pwede n'yo naman na po sabihin dito,"
"I mean, privately," he clarified, staring at me kaya natigilan na ako.
I slowly glanced at Laurence and saw him fixing the papers kaya tumikhim ako at tumango. "Alright po," I agreed, leaving my bag inside the station before going out to talk to him.
Nagkatinginan kami. He licked his lower lip and motioned me the way. "After you."
Naglakad akong pauna at kasunod siya. Nang nasa may dulong parte na kami ng hallway ay may humawak sa pulsuhan ko kaya napabaling ako sa kanya.
"Here," he said and pulled me softly towards the emergency exit, closing the door behind.
"Lia..." he started when we were left alone, sa may gilid namin ay ang mga hagdan pataas at pababa.
"What?" I asked, raising my eyebrow and staring at his face.
I saw frustration in his eyes, mula sa aking pulsuhan ay bumaba ang kamay niya sa palad ko at marahang hinaplos.
"Lia, that was nothing..." he started. "I didn't know Yui would come—"
"I'm not interested in that part of your life, Atlas," I cut him off. "Wala na akong pakialam doon, buhay mo iyon—"
"You know you're my life, Amalia!" he gasped. "Listen to me—"
"Para saan pa, Atlas?" I hissed and yanked my hand from his grip pero hindi niya ako pinakawalan at marahan akong hinawakan at idiniin sa pader.
"Lia, baby, come on." He sighed. "Let's talk."
"Buhay mo iyan, Atlas. I don't care kung anong gagawin n'yo ni Yui—"
"But I do care of what you think, Lia!" he snapped. "If you could just let me explain my side..."
I closed my eyes tightly, gusto sanang muling kumawala sa hawak niya pero pinirmi niya lang ako. I felt the cold wall behind my back, bumilis ang aking paghinga, lalo na no'ng idinikit niya ang ulo sa aking balikat.
"Just...listen to me," he pleaded painfully.
Malalim lang akong huminga at suminghap. His fingers pushed further into my waist as he hid his face on my shoulder.
"Please, baby," he pleaded desperately.
Naramdaman ko ang hapdi sa nangingilid na luha, ang dibdib ay mabigat.
"T-then explain..." I said and felt something wet on my cheek.
He moved away from me and I saw how his eyes mirrored mine. Inabot niya ang pisngi ko pero mabilis akong nag-iwas at tumikhim, hinawi na ang sariling luha.
"Explain," I retorted and looked at him in the eyes.
His mouth was parted watching my eyes. I bravely waited.
He exhaled to compose himself.
"I waited for you earlier, you can even ask Tita Marichu," he started. "I went out and got a call from an unknown number, here..." He lifted his hand, showing me his phone from his pocket and presenting his call logs.
May nakita akong numero doon pero walang pangalan.
"And I answered it and it was Yui. She said she's outside, waiting for me. I don't know how she found out where I'm staying since I cut ties with her years ago."
He cut ties with her? Akala ko ba ikakasal sila...
"Nagpakita ako kasi baka manggulo, my family cut ties with her ever since she said something to my mother and it caused her anxiety and stress. She was my friend but she did something and it caused me my mom's health and you..." He stared at me, nangunot ang noo ko at inantay ang mga susunod niyang sasabihin.
"I talked to her, asking how she found me and what she needed and suddenly, she moved closer and..." He sighed, stepping closer to me kaya muli akong dumikit sa pader at lumayo.
Pain and rejection flashed in his eyes but he didn't touch me, tumungo siya at sinuklay ang buhok.
"She kissed me, Lia," he said, "but I pushed her away immediately, I don't know if you saw it but I swear...I swear I didn't even touch her, I swear to you I didn't want to kiss her."
"Why not?" I asked him. "She told me years ago that you two were getting married."
"What?" His forehead creased, tumitig siya sa akin at nang makitang seryoso ako ay bahagyang nanlaki ang mata. "What the hell, she told you that?!"
"Oo," malamig kong sabi.
"It's a lie, I never—"
"She told me everything about your plans, Atlas, kaya stop fooling me!"
"That wasn't true, Amalia! I didn't fool you! I never..." He pulled his hair. "Fuck, I didn't lie to you, hindi kita niloko!"
"Really?" Tears escaped again as I recalled those painful memories. "Y-you knew I was in love with you, Montezides, kaya mabilis akong naniniwala sa 'yo! You told me you liked me for a long time yet I found out you were all fooling me! Kayo ni Heart!"
"What?" His eyebrows furrowed further. "Paanong nasama si Heart—"
"She befriended me so she could help you hurt me!" I exclaimed and sniffed. Nakita ko ang pagkabigla sa ekspresyon niya pero 'di na 'ko papaloko!
"Y-you knew about my mother and your father and y-you...you hurt me so you could have your selfish revenge!" I hissed angrily, sumisinghap na. "M-minahal kita, Atlas! K-kahit bata pa tayo no'n naniwala ako sa 'yo k-kasi gustong-gusto kita but you fooled me!"
"L-Lia..." His eyes were bloodshot. "It's not true, I didn't—"
"Y-you hurt me!" I shouted, ang pigil na luha ay walang pakundangan ng bumuhos. "I-I loved you but you played with me!"
"Lia—" He tried touching me but I pushed him, crying.
Sa panghihina ay napaupo ako sa lapag at magkasama ang hiya at sakit na nakikita niya akong mahinang-mahina na sa kanyang harap. I covered my face with my palms and sobbed, nanginginig ang balikat ko at maya-maya pa'y naramdaman ko ang mainit na brasong yumakap sa akin.
I lifted my hand, trying to push him away but he was too quick and caught me. Pinaghahampas ko na siya pero masyado siyang malakas na hindi man lang natinag at walang tigil sa pagyakap sa akin.
"Shh...baby..." he whispered in my ear while I remained sobbing.
"Y-you fooled me," I whispered weakly. "I-I loved you but—"
"What you said is not true." I felt him kiss my hair, mas niyakap ako. "I never loved anyone but you."
"L-liar..." I whispered. "P-pinagkatiwalaan kita p-pero..." Mas suminghap ako. "P-pero sinaktan mo ako..."
Ang mga hikbi ko at mga marahang bulong niya ang naging ingay sa tahimik na lugar. I punched his chest while letting my tears fall down my cheeks.
"I'm sorry for hurting you," he whispered, still hugging me. "I'm so sorry, Lia. I'm so sorry..."
"I-I hate you," I whispered and tried pushing him pero hindi ko magawa-gawa. Tinanggap niya lahat ng hampas ko.
"N-no." He caught my gaze and I saw the fear etched in them. "Y-you don't, right? Y-you're lying, right?"
"I hate you," I repeated while staring into his eyes, weakening at the sight of his tears falling down his cheek.
"N-no, you don't..." It was as if he was trying to convince himself. "You don't hate me."
Marahang inabot niya ang pisngi ko para punasan ang mga luha ko habang nakasalampak lang ako sa lapag, I wanted to move away but I was too weak to even do that.
"I-I love you, Lia," he breathed, pouring his heart out. Tumitig na lang ako sa lapag.
Liar...
"K-kausapin natin si Heart," he whispered and slowly took my hand. Gusto kong hilahin ito palayo sa kanya pero wala na akong lakas.
He brought my hand to his lips, kissing my knuckles, and touching my wrist.
"Give me a chance, Lia. I have a lot of things to say to you. M-marami pa akong ipapaliwanag sa 'yo." I just stared at him and another tear fell on his cheek. Marahas na hinawi niya iyon. "P-please, I beg you...mahal na mahal kita."
I lowered my head and bit my lip. "H-hindi ko alam," I whispered.
However, I could feel my chest tightening. Napahawak ako sa dibdib at napapikit.
"Lia?" I heard his panic. "Amalia, are you..."
Huminga ako nang malalim, inabot naman niya ang braso ko at hinanap ang mga mata ko pero mabilis akong nakaiwas.
"D-does your chest hurt?" he asked worriedly, "I-I'll take you to the clinic—"
"U-uuwi na ako," I blurted.
Halatang ayaw niya.
"B-but..."
"A-ayos lang," I told him, controlling my breathing, trying my best to relax. "M-makikisuyo lang sana ako kung pwedeng pasabing uuwi muna ako?"
"A-alright." He nodded and touched my chin. He looked worried. "Stay here, ihahatid kita."
Muli akong umiling pero nagsusumamo ang mga mata niya.
"Hindi ako matatahimik habang 'di ako siguradong ayos kang makakauwi, Lia," aniya. "Please, just let me. I swear I won't bother you. Just let me make sure you're safe. Please?"
Hindi na ako muli pang nagreklamo at hinayaan na siya. Habang inaantay ay nanatili akong nakaupo sa lapag, sapo ang dibdib ko at dinama ang sakit na unti-unti ring nawala pagkaraan.
I was thankful when it disappeared after a few moments. Atlas came back to me, hawak na niya ang bag ko. He touched my arm, softly lifted me up and weakly, I held him for support too.
Hindi na kami dumaan sa may station nang umalis at dumiretso na sa elevator pababa, sinabi niya'y dumiretso siya kay Dr. Sean para magpaalam tungkol sa akin at mabilis naman daw itong pumayag, gusto pa raw sana kumustahin ako at sumama pero sinabi niyang gusto ko nang makauwi kaagad.
We rode his car on our way home. Humawak siya sa akin at inalalayan niya ako papuntang elevator. We were both silent but I noticed him staring at me from time to time, at pagkalabas pa namin ng elevator ay nakita ko si Heart na kalalabas pa lamang ng kwarto niya.
She glanced at the elevator and her eyes widened when she saw us.
"W-what happened?" she asked, mabilis na tumakbo at lumapit. Humawak siya sa braso ko.
"Ayos lang ako." I flashed a small smile.
"What happened?" she asked worriedly and glanced beside me. "Boplaks, anong nangyari? Maaga pa, ah, bakit..."
"Medyo...medyo sumakit lang ang dibdib ko," I told her. Umawang ang labi niya para magsalita pero inunahan ko na siya. "But I'm alright, ayos na ako, kailangan ko lang na magpahinga."
Hindi iyon sapat sa kanya pero tumango rin sa huli.
Hawak niya ang braso ko habang naglalakad kami patungo sa pintuan ko. Atlas followed us, hawak pa rin ang bag ko. I put on my passcode and glanced at them.
I caught their worried eyes kaya ngumiti ako.
"I'm okay, guys, don't worry," I reassured and took my bag from Atlas who remained staring at me like I'd fade in front of him. "Maraming salamat, magpapahinga lang ako. Pakisabi naman na babawi ako bukas—"
"No, you need to rest for days," ani Atlas kaya natigilan ako. Heart nodded and touched my wrist.
"Yes, I agree. Kahit boplaks itong pinsan ko, minsan agree naman ako," aniya kaya napangiti ako.
"Nakakahiya kasi," I said. "Baka sabihin nila—"
"Nah, don't worry, health is wealth. I know Doc will understand you," she said. "You should really rest."
"Alright, I'll take a day off tomorrow too," I agreed. "Thank you, Heart...Atlas."'
Heart smiled genuinely and nodded. Si Atlas naman ay nanatiling nakatitig sa akin, 'di mapirmi kaya ngumiti ako sa kanya.
"Salamat sa paghatid, Doc," I said. Finally, he nodded.
Heart stared at my eyes and back to Atlas. Her lips pursed, umaangat ang labi.
"Uh-huh! Tama ba ang sinasabi ng tarot card ko na umiyak kayong dalawa—"
"N-no!"
Halos magkapanabay na singhap namin ni Atlas at napangisi si Heart bago bumaling sa pinsan. "Nice one, bobo, iyakin ka talaga ano—"
Heart's phone rang, napatalon pa siya roon at ngumiwi at napailing.
"Balikan ko kayo." She smirked. "Kayo, ah?"
"W-we didn't..." Umiling na ako pero mukhang 'di naman naniwala si Heart at ngumisi.
"Wala, obvious kayo, Amalas." She giggled. Nag-excuse kaya naiwan kaming dalawa ni Atlas.
Our eyes met and he moved closer, halos magwala na naman ang puso ko nang i-angat niya ang kamay ko at hinagkan ang likod ng palad habang nakatitig sa akin.
"Rest, okay?" he mumbled.
"Y-yes, salamat." He hesitantly lowered my hand. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin.
"S-sige, papahinga na ako. Maraming salamat ulit."
He watched me enter the door and before I closed it, I saw the lone expression in his eyes.
Buong araw ay nagpahinga lang ako pero hindi ko rin napigilan ang pag-iyak habang nakatulala. I received a lunch. Walang pangalan pero alam kong kanya galing and it made me cry more.
Gusto kong pagbigyan ang sarili ko pero mas nangingibabaw ang takot sa akin. Natatakot na muling umasa at masaktan sa huli.
Lumabas ako sa terrace para makalanghap ng malamig na hangin, I lifted my head and glanced at the dark sky and saw small stars escaping from the darkness, and while looking at it, I realized na kahit mukhang impossible...may mga kaunting liwanag pa rin pa lang gustong kumawala sa dilim.
Na hindi lang dilim ang naroon dahil kahit hindi masyadong kita, may liwanag na nakapaligid dito, depende na lang kung hahanapin mo iyon o iignorahin.
Lumingon ako sa kabila, sa walang taong terrace ni Atlas. Kahit wala siya at iba ang nagbigay, alam kong siya ang nagpadala ng pagkain ko kanina.
I remembered what he told me. It felt so genuine when he told me he loved me and Yui was just lying, pero natatakot pa rin talaga ako. I even thought of Nurse Lyka and what she told me.
Ang dami namang babaeng nitong Montezides na ito at lahat sila girlfriend, or at least, they were claiming that they were.
Did Atlas even like...or love them?
Ako kaya? Totoong mahal niya? Noon hanggang ngayon?
From his empty terrace, I lifted my head to the sky and my eyes widened when I saw a falling star and I immediately thought of something.
Sabi nila kapag may nakita kang falling star, humiling ka at matutupad.
I touched my chest and felt my beating heart. Pumihit ako sa terrace ni Atlas. I closed my eyes and silently muttered my wishes.
Falling star, please give me the courage to listen and forgive. Please give me a sign if I should take a risk even if it's scary and uncertain. Please give me a sign if I should open my fragile yet brave heart to love again.
Slowly, I opened my eyes and my heart skipped a beat when I met Atlas' eyes staring intently at me from his terrace.
Was this...the sign?
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