Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Story by Kim©
As the Team Captain of the basketball team, everything is dependent on you. And i hate it. Hindi ko
alam bakit mahal na mahal ko and basketball kaya naman ito minsan yung rason kung bakit hindi ako
nagtatagal sa mga girlfriend ko. Bakit? Same old reasons.
Wala na daw akong oras sa kanila. Mas mahal ko pa daw yung basketball.
Asar… well, wala naman akong pakialam kung makikipag break sila sakin. There are a lot of girls in
the world na nagkakandarapang maging nobya ko.
And btw, I’m Dustin Lizares. 16 years old at St. Peter University. Team Captain ng Black Horses. Sabi
nila, playboy daw ako. Well, yeah, inaamin ko yun. Pero i can’t be called na playboy naman talaga..
well, more like .. uhmm, friendly lang talaga when it comes to girls. LOL.
I really don’t want to share this story with you.. pero..well.. uhmm.. since epal ako, sige.. basahin
niyo nalang itong private life ko..
It was an early Monday morning. Nandun kami sa court kasi malapit na yung UNI games so we really have to
practice hard kung gusto naming maretain yung position as a Champion.
It was raining when I saw this girl standing well, five miles away from the covered court. She’s holding an umbrella.
Hindi ko alam kung san siya nakatingin, pero kahit ang layo niya sa kinatatayuan ko, i can see that there’s loneliness
in her heart.
Dustin, baduy!
Yeah, baduy nga. Pero i couldn’t stop looking at her. Nakatayo lang ako dun sa court ng tinamaan ako ng bola sa
ulo.
Tumango lang ako kahit na medyo masakit. i can tell na wala nga ako sa sarili ko noon, kasi if
that was just an ordinary day, binatukan ko na yun.
I looked back at where she was standing,pero wala na siya. LOL. Was that a ghost?
So pinabayaan ko nalang yung incident na yun. That girl wasn’t familiar with me. Baka naman
may hinahanap lang yun at naligaw sa school namin.
After ng practice eh nagchill kami sa Karlo’s. Its a billiard hall. Pero clean fun naman yung
ginagawa namin. We don’t drink nor smoke, tatanggalin kami sa team pag nalamang umiinom or
nagsisigarilyo kami. So that’s it.
I went home and humiga sa kama. Then, nung nakapagpahinga na ng konti, nag-online at
binuksan yung friendster. Tiningnan ko yung friendster ng sister ko. Yeah, Cheska. Daming
pretty girls dun e. Pero never ako nag-iinvite ha. I just visit their profiles and after a day or two,
friends na kami. LOL.
When i was scanning some pics of her friends… I saw this girl… and i was like?
“Teka, magkamukha sila ah..”
“Sino naman ang magkamukha?”
“That’s what i hate about you…kumatok ka nga before you enter my room..”
“Hell-o?! Kanina pa kaya ako katok ng katok.. eh kung hindi ka naman sakdamal ng binge.. sana kanina mo pa
binuksan ang pinto.”
“Okay, okay. Ano kelangan mo? Cd ng ACDC, nanjan.. kunin mo nalang..” i said habang nakatingin
sa laptop. Clinick ko yung profile ng girl.
“Pond’s? Kunin mo jan sa bathroom, di ko naman yan ginagamit e..”
Nung nilingon ko siya….
“Wag ka ngang ganyan Ches. Ang pangit kaya.. baka magtransfer yung mukha ko sa iyo..” kase
naman o… yung mukha ba naman e dinikit sa mukha ko..
“Eh teka, friendster ko yung binuksan mo kanina a..”
“Eh ano ngayon?”
“T-tapos ngayon kay Ate Ella na profile..”
“So?”
“Magkakilala ba kayo kuya?”
“H-hinde e..”
“Hmmm.. may plano kaba?” hmm.. hinde ko na gusto itong mukha ng sistereth ko.
“A-anong plano?”
“You know… na idagdag siya sa collection mo..”
“Ang sama mo naman. Gusto ko lang naman na makipag friend sa kanya a..”
“Eh bakit hindi mo nalang kausapin sa school?”
“Eh bakit? Iisang school ba kami?”
“Ulol.. oo kaya… sa kabilang kwarto, katabi ng room niyo.”
Huwat??!! Magkatabi lang kami ng room? Pero.. teka.. teka.. Think Dustin.. anong section ba yung nasa kabila?
Wait.. First section?!
Pero teka, did she have a make over? Hinde ko naman sia napapansin sa school ah? Pero bakit ganun nalang yung..
Wait! Dustin.. bakit mo naman pinoproblemahan yung tungkol sa Ella na yan? She’s not that drop dead gorgeous
no..
After nun e lumabas na kaagad si Cheska. Naligo ako at natulog na kaagad. Hinde kasi ako yung
tipo ng lalaki na nagpupuyat. Maliban nalang pag may gimik. Yeah. Ayala North Bar. Lol.
Daming mgaganda dun.
Hinatid kami ni Cheska sa school. Pagdating sa school, kanya kanya ng tripping. Dumidiretso kaagad ako sa locker
pag umaga. Since exempted kmi sa mga classes dahil malapit na ang Finals sa basketball, palit na kaagad ng shorts
and tshirt. Pag nasa court na, jersey na kaagad.
Dahil maaga pa naman, dumiretso na kaagad ako sa covered court dun sa likod ng pool area. Nabigla ako ng may
nakita akong babae na nagtatry na magshoot sa ring.
“Miss, exc-”
Shoot parin siya ng shoot.
“Miss, excuse me. Pero i think bawal gamitin ang court kung hinde ka player.” I said gently.
Pero shoot parin siya ng shoot. Ano ba to? Binge?
“Miss..”
Nang hinde niya na magawang mashoot sa ring, tinapon niya yung bola.
“Woah.. miss..”
“I was just practicing para sa PE namin. I’m sorry.” sabi niya sa mahinang boses.
“Ahh.. ganun ba? Pero.. i think hinde pwede yan e.. Siguro next time nalang.”
Ni hinde man lang lumingon. Pupulutin ko na sana ang bola ng makita ko ang panyo niya.
“Miss..!! MIss!!” hinabol ko siya hanggang sa library na building. Teka, ang layo na ah..
Ng lumingon siya..
“Bakit?”
I was
Teka, she’s the girl i saw last Monday. Ella?
“Ella Rodriguez?” i asked.
Nabigla siya. yeah, sino ba naman ang hinde mabibigla na alam ng isang tao yung pangalan mo
though hinde naman kayo close.
And wait. I remembered her name. LOL to that.
I looked at her. She’s sitting under the Ilang-ilang tree reading some book with her eyeglasses on.
“Usapang lalaki yun.” i said in a low voice.
“Team Captain. As far as i know, malapit na ang finals, and if you’re going to fight with that guy, there’s no doubt
na sa kangkongan kayo pupulutin. You wouldn’t risk your names juz because of that damn guy, would you?” she
said habang nakatingin parin sa libro.
Tumahimik ako. She’s right. Kapag nalaman ito ng committee, no doubt, disqualify kami.
“I don’t think na pinapagana mo ang utak mo.” she said again.
“Men’s business.” i said at pumasok sa cr.
Paglabas ko, the bell rang. So i hurriedly ran to the court at nagpractice again. Whole day kaming
nagpractice, so sobrang nakakapagod talaga. Nung afternoon, natapos na din. Nagpahinga lang
ako sandali, nag-usap kami ni coach bout dun sa away at pumunta ako sa men’s shower. Ako
yung pinakahuling gumamit ng men’s shower kasi nga ako yugn huling pumunta dun. Uuwi na
sana ako ng natandaan ko yung trigonometry notebook ko sa bench dun sa court. Mawala lang
lahat, wag lang yun.
Tumakbo ako papunta sa court when i heard someone using the ball. Minumulto ako?
I hurriedly went inside.
“Ella Rodriguez!”
“Kelangan ko talaga to for my P.E.” she said.
Ewan ko ba, pero there’s something in her eyes na parang.. kakaiba. She’s weird. At an instance
she can be so tough, this minute, shecan be like a damsel in distress. Very different sa mga kilala
kong babae.
“Hinde yan pwede. At sa pagkakaalam ko, walang PE ang mga 4th year girls sa basketball.”
Kinuha ko ang bola sa kanya.
“Pero-”
“Labas na..” sabi ko.
Tiningnan niya lang ako. Pumunta ako dun sa bench and kinuha yung trigo notebook ko.
“I read that awhile ago. Trigo lang nahihirapan ka? You couldn’t even get half the score of your
quizzes.” she said.
So? Who cares?
“Okay, i’m not good at trigonometry. And yeah, so what? I know you’re a smart girl. Hinde mo
na kelangan ipamukha sakin yan.” i said at tumalikod papunta sa door ng court.
“I’m not good at basketball, you’re not good at trigo. Maybe we can help each other out.” she
said.
Napatigil ako sa paglalakad. Help each other?
“Huh?”
“I can teach you trigo if you want.” she said in a small voice.
I looked at her.
“What’s the deal?” i asked.
“Nothin much. You just have to teach me all about b-ball. And please, don’t think na I’m doing
this because i like you or anything. You’re not my type.” she said.
Excuse me?!
“So? Is it a deal? Or no deal?”
Muntik na akong matawa dun sa tinanong niya. Pero pinag-isipan ko yugn sinabi niya. Wala
namang mawawala kung papayag ako. We’ll both have great benefits naman. Walang lugi. So…
why not try it?
“Its a deal.”
It’s a deal. Did I just say that?
Lumabas siya ng court dala yung bag niya. Then lumabas narin ako. I followed her.
“Hinde ka ba sasakay ng chedeng niyo?” she said habang naglalakad. Ni hinde man lang ako
nililingon.
“Wala kaming chedeng.” Sabi ko. Hinde naman talaga yun chedeng e.
“Talaga lang ha.” she stopped para tumawid.
“You’re weird.” Nasabi ko nalang. Yeah, she’s weird naman talaga e.
Nabigla ako when she looked at me horrified. Yung parang nabigla siya na sinabihan ko siya ng
ganun. Wait, don’t tell me ako pa lang ang nagsabi sakanya nun?
“I mean…” I hurriedly said. Wala akong idea kung anong isusunod ko.
“Of course I’m weird.” She said. Nabigla na naman ako dun. Kanina lang she looked like she’s
going to die with what I said, tapos ngayon..
She’s really weird. Bago pa ako makapagsalita, nandun na kami sa sakayan ng jeep.
“Don’t tell me susundan mo ako hanggang sa bahay?” she asked.
“Of course not. Sino ka naman para sundan ko. Ingat nalang.” I said at tumakbo papunta sa
kabilang sakayan.
Sumakay ako ng jeep at naglakad pauwi. Nang papasok ako sa village, tinanong ako ng guard.
“O, Dustin, walang kasamang babae? Himala ah.”
“Bakit, may sinama na ba akong babae dito? Manong, hanggang sa gate lang yung mga yun.”
Tumawa lang si Manong guard at pumasok na kaagad ako. Ang layo pa kaya ng bahay. Wala
namang tricycle na pwedeng sakyan dito. At hinding-hinde ako sasakay ng tricycle no. Ano ako,
poor? LOL.
Dumiretso ako sa paglalakad ng may nakita akong babae na nakatayo dun sa harap ng isang
bahay. Nakatingala sa 2 storied house. Parang napatigil ako. I think alam ko yung mga tindig na
yun.
“Teka, si…”
Lumingon siya sakin ng maramdaman sigurong may nakatingin sa kanya.
“Are you following me?” she said.
Excuse me? Ako, susundan siya?
“You know what, for a new comer, you seemed to be everywhere.” i said. And yeah, she’s a new
comer sa school kaya hinde ko siya nakita noon.
“I was just…” she said at yumuko. “Never mind.”
She started walking again.
“Hey, Rodriguez! San ka pupunta?”
“Uuwi sa bahay!” she shouted habang nakatalikod.
“Hoy, dun ang gate palabas o.” i pointed the other way.
She looked at me. Tumakbo ako papunta sa kanya.
“Sino bang nagsabi dun sa labas ang bahay ko?”
“Pero diba..” She looked at me again with that mysterious eyes of hers. Napatigil ako. “Wag mo
nga akong tingnan ng gnyan.”
She smiled.
“May kamukha ka.” she said again.
“Talaga?” sabi ko naman, kunwari i really believe her.
“I’m not joking.” she said in a small voice again.
“Sino?” i was really interested in knowing it.
She looked at me again.
“Someone i couldn’t forget.”
i looked at her na parang, what? Ano? Sino? Talaga?
She smiled. Yung parang ngiti ng mga malulungkot?
“Talaga? You’re joking. Etong beauting eto? May kamukha? Tsk, tsk. You’re kidding me. One in a
million to e.”
i said.
“Its up to you, if you’ll believe me or not.” she said again at nagpatuloy na maglakad.
Sinundan ko lang siya. Then she stopped.
“You want to go in?” she said. Napatigil na naman ako. “House namin.”
Ooops. Nakalimutan kong pauwi din pala ako. And wait..!! kelan pa siya nakatira diyan?
“Hey, you’re living in the front of our house? Kelan pa? I mean, hinde pa kita nakita diyan and
how come-”
“Isa-isa lang po. Diyan ang bahay niyo?” she asked. I nodded. “Okay, hinde ko yun alam. And
the reason siguro na hinde mo ako nakikita was that hinde ako gaanong lumalabas ng bahay. Pag
lumalabas ako, sumasakay naman ako sa kotse. And i just transferred here noong May.” she
explained.
Ang gulo parin ng isip ko.
“Okay, what about going to school or returning from school. Bakit di kita napapansin?”
“Dustin to earth? Pano mo ko mapapansin e ang layo ko naman sa mga babaeng napapansin
mo.” she said and smiled.
“Hinde naman ganun, what I’m saying is - never mind.” tumalikod nalang ako at tinaas yung
kamay ko as a wave.
Pumasok kaagad ako sa gate namin na kaharap lang naman ng bahay nila. Sobrang weird.
Sobrang weird ng nangyayari. Sobrang weird talaga. Sobra.
Wednesday morning.
Again, i went to the school. This time, nakita ko na si Ella na pumupunta ng school. Ewan ko
nga ba ba’t ganun. Siguro she’s ryt. Hinde ko siya napapansin noon because she’s different
naman from the girls im hanging out with. Wait, so i’m saying na napapansin ko na siya ngayon
because she’s not like them? Ang gulo.
Honestly, hinde ko siya pinapansin sa school. Bakit? Ayokong pag-usapan kami ng mga tao dun.
And thinking of Dustin-Ella headlines? Hinde bagay. I mean, i’m the captain of basketball, the
resident playboy of the school. Then her. She’s a geek. Unpopular, hot - not.
Opposite of Dustin Lizares. Kaya ayokong may headlines na bumulaga sa schoolpaper bout
samin.
Practice. Practice. Practice. Kakapagod.
Nung pauwi na, clear na yung school kasi gabi na kami umuuwi, i saw her sitting at the b-ball
court na naman. And yeah, nakalimutan ko kung kelan namin tuturuan yung isa’t isa.
“Ms.Nerd.” i said.
She looked at me.
“Hmm, nagpapakasenti na naman sa b-ball. Naisip ko lang, your ’someone-i-couldn’t-forget’ is a
basketball player no?”
She smiled.
“So, when are you going to teach me all about basketball?” she asked instead.
“Woah, dahan-dahan lang diyan Miss Rodriguez. Kita mo to? The looks, the talents and the
strategies, swerte ng mga babaeng yun at nagsayang ako ng oras para sakanila.” i said laughing.
“Hinde naman halatang makapal ang mukha mo.” she said.
“What’s wrong with saying the tru-”
“Wait.” sabi niya sakin. Then parang may hinahanap siya. Magulo yung alley na dinaan namin
papunta sa sakayan ng jeep. Maraming tao. She went on na parang may hinahanap. Humahaba
yung leeg niya.
“Are you alright?” tanong ko habang sinubukang hanapin kung sinuman ang hinahnap niya.
Patuloy lang siya sa paghahanap. “Mauna kana.” she said. She entered the crowded place.
Nagkibit-balikat nalang ako. Fine.
I went home alone. Nung gabi na, i saw her entered their house. Nakatayo ako nun sa balcony
ng kwarto ko. Sumandal ako sa railings. After a minute or so, the lights turned on at her room.
Nakatingin lang ako dun sa window ng kwarto niya. Yeah, kaharap lang ng balcony ko ang
kwarto niya sa kabilang bahay.
Weird. Really weird.
Early in the morning, sinalubong na ako ng mga barkada ko sa gate ng school.
“Dust!”
“Uy, Hans. Bakit?” i asked at dumiretso sa knila.
“Di ka na namin nasasabay pauwi ah.”
“Oo nga e.”
“Your spending less time with us, and more time with..” nagtinginan silang tatlo, “…Ella
Rodriguez?”
Napatahimik ako. Teka, Ella? Tiningnan ko lang sila at nagkibit balikat ako. Naglakad ako
papunta sa court. Sumabay nadin sila sakin.
“Captain!” napatingin ako sa kaliwa ko.
“Hm?”
“Pinopormahan mo daw si Rodriguez?”
I just looked at him.
“What’s the P captain? Why Ella?”
“You want to know what’s the P here? I can kick you out of the team. And that’ll be your P.” i
said.
“Pero..”
“Baka makalimutan kong isa ka sa pinakamagaling maghandle ng bola at baka hinde ka na
makasali sa victory party ng team sa Sunday.”
“Woah, pare, hinay-hinay lang.”
Umupo ako sa bench at inayos ang medyas ko. Kainis.
“We heard the thing about you and Ella.” sabi ni Jake.
“Its nothing.” sabi ko naman.
“No deal?”
“We can make a big deal about that. Really B-I-G.” dagdag naman ni Hans.
Alam ko na kung anong plano ng tatlong to.
“So, deal? or no deal?”
I looked at the three of them. I don’t like the look on their face. Pero di na to bago samin
actually. Money matters. Palage na namin tong ginagawa sa mga babae. Pero Ella?
“She’s a nerd. She’s a geek. She’s head over heart. So patunayan mong you still can sweep her
off her feet.”
My brows crossed. Ella? usually, tinatanggap ko yung mga ganito really fast, pero napapaisip
ako ngayon.
I looked at Hans.
“Its a deal.”
It’s a deal. Just like what I said to her. I smiled. It’s a deal. It should always be a deal. Nothin
more. Nothin more.
Thursday, 4:00 pm
We went to USLS to watch the semi-finals. St. Rose versus the Le’Cole. Whoever wins between
them will be advanced to finals and we’ll be the one facing them. Our coach told us to watch the
game and look on their strategies, players and moves. Yeah, spying? LOL.
I saw one of my ex, I think. I’m not really sure. Hinde ko na kasi matandaan ang mukha niya,
pero I can still remember her evil laugh.
“Pare, itago niyo ako.” Sabi ko kay Hans.
“Bakit?” tanong niya at tumingin-tingin sa gilid.
“Its her.” I said.
“Sino?”
“Ayun.” Sabi ko.
“Ahhh…. That girl? Sino nga ulet yun?” hinila niya si Lester at tinanong. “Les, sino nga yun? Si
Levi?”
Tiningnan naman ni Lester yung tinuturong tao ni Hans.
“Levi? Nawp. Yung gf niya na may nakakairitang tawa. I think she’s Kyla.”
“Kyla? Hinde no.. Ria ata.”
“Kyla.”
“She’s Ria.”
“Kyla nga eh.”
“Okay, okay. Nang-iinsulto na ata kayo eh. Parang pinapalabas niyo talaga na ang dami kong
gf.”
Biro ko sa kanila.
Tumahimik naman sila at tumawa kaagad. Narinig naming tinawag siya sa pangalang Shiela.
Nagtinginan ulit si Hans at Lester.
“See? She’s not Kyla.”
“She’s not Ria either.”
Tsk. Kaya wag kayong gumaya sakin. Nakakalito ang ganito. Minsan nga, meron nalang babae
na lalapit sakin at sasabihing nagging ex ko daw siya. Minsan sa sobrang dami, di ko na maalala
kung sino yan sila.
“Pare ha, si Rodriguez.” Paalala sakin ni Hans.
“Yeah, yeah, sure.” Sabi ko nalang.
Of all people naman o, si Ella pa. What’s with her? She’s not worth it. She’s not even pretty or
anything. Buti sana kung sexy siya. Well, she is. Pero not to the point na bootylicious talaga
yung dating. She’s not thin. She’s slim.
Nung pauwi na ako sa bahay, nilakad ko nalang yung kanto. Then the rain poured all over the
place. Kaya naman tumakbo nalang ako. I can’t afford to get sick. Finals na sa Saturday. Bawal
ang magkasakit.
Then I saw the girl with a yellow umbrella. No choice, kelangang kapalan ang mukha at
makisilong na.
“Excuse me Mis-“ she looked at me.
“You’re wet.” She said. Obviously, I’m wet.
“Obviously. Ba’t nandito ka? Nagpapaulan?”
“I’m not. Kaya nga may payong no? May nakita ka na bang tao na nagpapaulan na may dalang
payong?” she asked sarcastically.
“Yeah, yeah. Pasilong naman o.” sabi ko.
Bigla niya na lang nilapit yung payong sakin. I think this’ll be a great time to plan things out. No,
hinde pa. I need time. We need to be friends muna.
“Pakihatid naman ako sa bahay o.”
“Hinde pa ako uuwi.” Sabi niya. Nakatingin lang siya sa ulan.
“Bakit? May makikita ka bang gold diyan sa ulan?” sabi ko naman.
She smiled to me. Yung ngiti niya na naman. What’s up with her smile? I really hate it.
“You’ll never understand.” She said.
“What’s up with the rain?” I asked.
“Memories of forever.”
“Memories of forever?”
I asked.
She nod. Tapos nagsimulang maglakad.
“Tara, hatid na kita.” Sabi niya sakin.
Ang weird talaga nito. Memories of forever? Meron bang ganun?
“Hinde na muna ako magtatanong tungkol dun.”
Nang makarating kami sa bahay, nagpasalamat nalang ako at binuksan kaagad yung gate. Naligo
at naupo sa harap ng tv ng kwarto ko. Lumakas naman yung ulan sa labas. Naalala ko tuloy yung
sinabi niya. Binuksan ko yung curtain sa balcony ko. Tapos sinilip ko yung kwarto niya. Nabigla
ako when I saw her standing at the window. Tinitingnan yung ulan na pumapatak sa daan.
Ang weird. Ano bang meron sa kanya at ganyan siya? I mean, what’s her past? That made me
curious about her.
Before I knew it, Saturday na. I went to the school to meet my teammates. Sabay na daw kaming
pupunta sa USLS. We just had some little talk again bout the strategies and stuffs. Le’Cole yung
nanalo, so we have to face them for the golden trophy. Yeah, we rule! Haha.
“Go Horses!” we shouted before coming in the court. Nandun naman yung mga cheerleaders
namin. The students of St. Peter nandun din. I was looking for a familiar face, you know. Ella.
No, not Ella. Dustin, why Ella? Hinde nga e. Nagkamali lang.
Tinawag yung mga captains ng bawat team. So, I hurriedly went in there. Just some rules and
regulations. Then I looked at Le’Coles team captain. Yabang.. no, mas mabuting sabihing
arrogant and dating. Whatever, tingnan nalang natin kung sino ang malalampaso mamaya.
So the game started. Such a close fight. Yeah, sa una, kami ang nangunguna, but then parang
pumapatas na yung laban. My coach called for a time out. We had some new strategy. This time,
mas defensive na, and mas offensive na kami. Panay ang 3 points ni Samillano. Yeah, team mate
ko. LOL. Panalo na kami nito.
Then, 1 minute to go. The scores are 78. Yeah, pantay. Grabe, pabilisan na ng galaw. Then
Jeorge passed the ball to me. 10… 9… 8… 7… 6… 5… 4… 3… dribble.. 2… shoot…1… the
buzzer ringed. Shoot. 3 points.
78 – 81 …. We won man! We rule. Yeah!
The others congratulated me. I mean, they should, that’s the responsibility of the team captain, to
make sure everyone did their jobs. And to make sure that they’ll win the game. I didn’t say “he”
right? Its because sa basketball, teamwork is a must.
I totally forgot! Yung tutor ko sa trigo.
“Ano?!”
“We can do this later..” she said smiling.
“Tsk. I ran up to here para lang makahabol sa trigo na to, then sasabihin mong ‘go and take some
rest’?”
“Okay.. okay.. kung gusto mo, we can work this out. Come in.” she said.
So, ayun, pumasok ako. Walang katao-tao yung bahay nila. teka, bakit nga ba wala? Pictures?
Na-uh. Pictures niya lang.
“Katulong?”
“Yeah.”
“Any pics around here? I mean, di ka ba nagsasawa sa mukha mo?” i looked at the wall.
She looked at me.
“Where do ya want to study? haus ko, haus niyo?” she asked.
“Hmm, house ko nalang.”
“Okay. Wait lang, I’m gonna get some of the reference books upstairs.” she said and went
upstairs.
I just stood there. Looking at their house. Laki, pero walang tao. Kaya naman pala, yung maid
lang nakikita ko jan. Malinis. Everything’s in order.
“Tara.” she said.
I looked at her. Dami niyang books. Ang lalaki pa. Akala mo naman kung sinong genius yung
tuturuan niya. LOL.
“Could you give me a hand here?”
I looked at her na parang nahihirapang buhatin yung mga books. Anyways, sino ba ang
nagsabing dalhin niya yan lahat?
“That’s yours.” i said jokingly.
She just smiled. bakit ganito tong babaeng to? Ngiti nalang ng ngiti.
Pumasok kami ng bahay. They’re not here. They went to Tagaytay for a picnic. Naiwan ako kasi
i got a game to win. So i opened the door with my keys.
I looked at her.
“I think yes.”
“Nope.”
“Sabihin mo na kasi.”
“Ayoko nga e.”
“Bakit ba kasi?”
“Pakialam mo ba?”
“Syempre, meron.”
“O ano?”
“Ako yata ang kinokompara mo.”
“Eh ano? It doesn’t mean na kung kinokompara kita sa kanya, may malking pakialam ka na. And
excuse me, hinde nga pala kinokompara. Sinasabi ko lang na may kapareho ka.” sabi niya ng
diretsahan.
“Niluto mo?”
“H-hinde.. Yung nasa gilid ang niluto ko.” sabi niya habang namumula.
“T-talong?”
“Yeah..” ngumiti lang siya ng plastic. “Nga pala, Manang, si Dustin. Kapitbahay natin. Dustin, si
Manang Hilda.”
Ngumiti lang ako sa matanda.
“Gandang gabi po.”
“Gandang gabe rin iho. Kumain kana. Sana magustuhan mo yang nilagang baka. Niluto ko
talaga yan kasi paborito ni Ella.” ngumiti naman kaagad yung matanda.
Is it just me or what? Tama bang narinig ko? Paborito ni Ella? Di nga.. She’s kidding right?
Paborito ko rin to e. Coincidence.. pero hinde ako naniniwala sa coincidence e.. There’s no such
thing as coincidence. LOL to that. Ano daw? Nosebleed…
“Talaga lang ha?” bulalas ko nalang.
“Tara, kain na tayo.”
Umupo naman ako. Nasa harap ko siya. Ngumiti lang ako sa kanya at kumain.
“Bakit dito ka pa kumain?” tanong niya sakin habang kumakain kami.
“Hm.. ano kasi..”
“Ano?”
“Nakalimutan ko kasing hinde pala uuwi sina Mommy, hinde rin ako nakabili ng pagkain sa
labas.. Kasi nga umuulan ng malakas.. and..”
“Okay, i get the picture.” sabi niya kaagad.
Lakas mambara nito a.
Pagkatapos kong kumain, nagpasalamat nalang ako at bumalik sa bahay. Bait talaga.. Hahaha.
Inubos ko nalang yung oras ko sa kakanood ng tv at kakaonline. LOL. Dami ko ngang nakachat
e.
Ng kinaumagahan, tumawag si Mommy at uuwi na daw sila.
“Kuya!” Nasa gate palang si Cheska, nakakabinge na ang boses.
Lumabas naman ako ng bahay at tinulungan si Daddy sa mga gamit para ipalabas sa kotse. Nang
matapos na, natulog muna sina Mommy sa kwarto nila dahil nakakapagod daw ang byahe. Si
Cheska naman, nandito kasama ko. Nangungulit dito habang naglalaro ako ng billiards.
Pinapakita sakin yung mga snapshots nila sa Tagaytay. Ang ganda daw ng kuha kasi wala ako.
“Hay, kuya o. One big happy family talaga kami. And the fact na walang panget sa picture..
hayy.. pwede na kaming model ng bear brand.”
Tiningnan ko lang siya. Tsk. Tsk. This is what you get pag may kapatid kang ilusyonada.
“Smile Kuya.” she said to me habang hinharap yung digi sakin.
Pinabayaan ko lang siya at patuloy akong naglaro ng billiards. nabigla ako ng biglang
tumahimik.
“I can see.”
“Teka, pano kayo nagkaroon ng picture noon? Close ba kayo?”
tanong niya sakin.
“I’m not the guy. Tingnan mo ng mabuti.”
binigay ko naman sa kanya yung necklace.
Tiningnan niya ito at sinuri.
“Hinde nga ikaw. Muntik na ako dun ah. Kala ko talaga ikaw. The girl’s Ate Ella?”
Nagkibit balikat nalang ako, since wala naman talaga akong idea at wala akong pakialam.
Umiyak lang siya ng umiyak habang kinukuha yung necklace sa kamay ko. Ayokong nakakakita
ng babaeng umiiyak. Ayoko talaga. It reminds me of someone.
Umiyak lang siya ng umiyak habang kinukuha yung necklace sa kamay ko. Ayokong nakakakita
ng babaeng umiiyak. Ayoko talaga. It reminds me of someone.
Bago pako makasagot…niyakap niya ako.
“Salamat. Maraming salamat.”
Ella’s POV
Nasa kwarto lang ako nun habang nagbabasa ng libro. Naka on yung radio and i was listening sa
music. I was stunned when i heard that music - again. Eto na naman ang mga luha ko. Ayaw na
naman tumigil sa kakatulo. I held the necklace at my chest… pero… wala na ito.
Bigla nalang ako napatayo at napataranta. Hinanap ko sa kwarto, sa bahay, sa banyo.. kahit san
nalang. pero wala. Hinde pwede yung mawala. Kaya mabilis akong tumakbo palabas ng bahay…
sinisiyasat bawat daan na dinaanan ko. Pumunta ako sa basketball court, nagbabakasakaling
makikita ko yung necklace na yun.
Hinanap ko sa basketball court, pero walang bakas ng necklace na yun. I’m so !@#$. Hinde pwede
yung mawala. Yun nalang ang natitirang memory niya sakin. Bakit nawala pa?
Bigla nalang tumulo ang mga luha sa mata ko. Naramdaman kong nanghina yung mga tuhod ko. Napaupo
ako sa court at napaiyak.
“Hinde ko na yun makikita..”
“Ang tanga-tanga ko talaga… Ang tanga ko..”
Iyak ako ng iyak nang may narinig akong boses.
“Eto ba?”
Napatingala ako sa taong yun. Nakita ko ang necklace na hinahawakan niya. Nabigla ako kung
pano naabot yun sakanya..
“H-how.. did. . you…”
“Nahulog ata sa bahay.”
Tiningnan ko si Dustin na hwak-hawak ang necklace. Kinuha ko naman ito sa kanya.. Napaiyak
nalang ako ng napaiyak. He reminds me of someone.
“Salamat. Maraming salamat.”
Bago ko pa namalayan, napayakap nalang ako sa kanya.
For a moment at least, i felt Xander’s embrace.
Back to Dustin’s POV
Nabigla ako sa ginawa niya. Napahwak narin ako sa kanya.
“Xander..” she whispered.
Dun ko nasabi sa sarili ko, i think alam ko na kung sino ang lalaking kinokumpara niya sakin.
“Ella..” i said habang kinukuha ang kamay niya.
“I’m sorry..” she whispered habang pinupunasan ang luha niya.
I handed out my handkerchief. She looked at it.
“Sorry kung pareho na naman ang ginawa ‘namin’.”
“t-thank you.” she said at naglakad palayo sakin.
She left me there standing. Hinde ko talaga maintindihan yang Ella na yan. I ran up to her.
“Xander huh?”
“None of your business.”
“Who’s he?”
“Ewan.”
“The boy at the pendant of the necklace?”
Tumahimik lang siya at tumingin sa malayo. Namalayan ko na lang na tumutulo na naman ang
mga luha niya.
“What happened between the two of you?”
“……”
“Alam kong wala kang tiwala sakin… but i promise, i can keep secrets.”
“Hinde ko alam kung san magsisimula..” she said while crying.
“You can keep it.!!” i said at tinaas ko nalang yung kamay ko as a sign of wave.
I went into my room at nahiga. Xander pala ha. We do look alike. Pero, i can say na iba talaga
ako sa lalaking yun. Can’t be. For the first time in my life, may babaeng kumompara sakin sa
isang lalaki. Ang pangit pala ng feeling.
It was late at night and kakatapos ko lang maligo. I was going to sleep when i decided to walk
out the room at magpahangin muna sa balcony ng room ko.
“Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket, save it for the rainy day…”
I heard a voice singing that song. Then tumingin ako sa window niya. There she is, nakasandal sa
railings ng window niya and singing that song while looking at the sky.
“Ella!” i shouted.
Yeah, nakakabulabog ng kapitbahay no? Bahala sila diyan. She looked up to me.
She waved and smiled.
“Still sad?!” i asked.
She nodded.
“Jamming tayo!!” i shouted.
“Where?!”
“Baba ka ha?!”
Tapos nun, kinuha ko yung gitara ko at bumaba ng bahay. Lumabas ako ng gate at umupo dun sa
gilid ng kalsada, alam niyo na, sa gilid ng gate.
Bumaba naman siya with a hat on her head. Napatwa nga ako e. She looked like a dork. Pero
bagay naman. She’s pretty with that.
Hey, did i just give a compliment to her?
“Anong jamming?” she asked smiling.
“Upo ka dito.”
Umupo naman siya sa gilid ko.
“Eto yung tinatawag na jamming.”
I strummed my guitar.
“Oh yeah. Sige Dustin, kanta ka.”
“Ikaw nalang muna.”
“Ikaw na..”
“Ladies first diba?”
“What happened bout the issue of the equality of men and women?”
I smiled.
“Baka umulan e.”
“Sige na nga.”
“Anong song? Yung alam ko lang ha.”
“Hmm, hinde mo to siguro alam.”
“Try natin.”
“Not all people knows this song e. Pero pag alam mo to…” she looked at me. “…akin na
yun…”
“May pa akin-akin na yun ka pang nalalaman ha. Fire it!” i said laughing.
Remember me
“There are many guys in the world naman eh. Siguro kung hinde siya, may nilalaan si God sa
iyo.”
“Yeah, right. What about you? Wala ka bang “tragic” past? - with girls.”
“Hmm.. tragic past? PAg madami kang gf tragedy na yun.” tumawa naman ako. Hey, i was just
adding some spice here no.
She laughed nman.
“See, you’re laughing. It feels good na kahit papano 1/2 of your pinakatatagong past e lumabas
ano?”
“yeah.” she nodded.
“So okay. Share na rin nga ako. Para naman pareho na tayong may alas sa bawat isa.”
She looked at me na parang nabigla na si Dustin Lizares eh magsheshare ng past sa kanya.
“I’ve never been in love. I think. Sabi nga nila, while waiting, you can play and have fun with
the others. I’m still waiting for the right girl. Sa tingin ko, i met her na.”
“Talaga?”
“Yeah. When i was 7 years old, i saw this girl in the village’s court crying. Lumpit ako sa kanya
to ask her why she’s crying. Tiningnan niya lang ako. She told me na nawawala daw yung
bracelet niya. Tamang-tama nung araw na yun binilhan ako ni Mommy ng dalawang bracelet.
Pair ata yun. She told me na ibibigay ko daw yung bracelet sa babaeng pakakasalan ko. I thought
she wasn’t serious about that. Kya binigay ko nalang yung bracelet para tumahimik na yung
batang babae. Then i told myself na pakakasalan ko yung babaeng yun pag malaki na kami.
What can you expect, i was only 7 that time. The next day, i waited for her again. Pero hinde ko
na ulit siya nakita. Until now, hinde ko alam kung nasan na yung babaeng yun. Siguro, kung para
nga kami sa isa’t-isa, pagtatagpuin din kami diba?”
She nodded.
“Aminin mo na.. how could you replace me for that.. look at her..”
“Leave her alone!”
“Ella-”
“Just leave me alone!”
Naglakad siya papuntang clinic ng mag-isa. I looked at her habang naglalakad. Bigla ko nalang
naramdamang tumakbo ako papunta sa kanya at niyakap siya.
“I promise, they won’t be able to hurt you again.”
Napatigil ako sa ginawa ko. Nararamdaman ko ang paghinga niya. Dahan-dahan niyang kinuha
ang mga kamay ko at nagsimula siyang maglakad.
I looked at her.
Dustin.. naman… kasali pa ba yun sa deal? Hinde diba? Hinde.. eh bakit mo ginawa yun?
Naman.. asar talaga..
Umakyat ako sa room namin. Obvious na may nangyari nga talaga kanina. Nakatingin parin
sila sakin. So what? Final’s over. Wala na akong dapat pagtiyagaan sa kanila. If they want a
fight, I’ll freely give it to them.
“Mr. Lizares, will you please come with me at the guidance counselor’s office?”
Napatigil ako sa pintuan ng aming room at napalingon ako kay Mr. Guevarra. Tumango nalang
ako at sumunod sa kanya habang dala yung bag sa shoulder ko.
“Sit down.” sabi niya sakin.
Umupo naman ako at nanahimik.
“Tell me what happened?”
“Hinde ko alam.”
“Mr. Lizares, i can put you in a suspension kung hinde mo sasabihin sakin ang nangyari. Kayong
tatlo. Kayong tatlo ni Miss Lee at ni Miss Rodriguez.”
Nang marinig ko ang Miss Rodriguez, naisip kong kelangan ko nga talaga sabihin ang totoo.
“Bianca was bitten by a green bug.”
“Bianca?”
“Yun yung ugat ng away. Si Ella ang kawawa dito. Wala naman talaga siyang kasalanan. That
was Bianca’s overreaction in the whole thing.”
“Was you and Miss Lee had any relationship?”
“Sir naman.. tatanungin pa ba yan? Alam ata yan ng buong campus e.”
i sarcastically answered.
“So, you mean, hinde matanggap ni Miss Lee that you’re going out with Miss Rodriguez?”
“Siguro.”
“Pero, Mr. Lizares, are you serious with Miss Rodriguez? Because i know that girl. She’s really
good and precious para paglaruan mo lang.”
“tsk. What do you care about us anyway?”
“Care? Speaking of care, malaki. I’m your guidance counselor. And i got a responsibility sa issue
na to because i know the truth.”
“Okay. So what are you trying to say?”
“Kung hinde ka seryoso, pabayaan mo na.”
After nun, lumabas na kaagd ako sa office. I saw Ella sitting outside naman.
“Pinatawag ka din?”
i asked her.
Hinde siya sumagot. Pumasok lang siya. Siguro that was her way of saying yes. Hmm, naisip ko
lang, maybe this girl lives with the motto “action speaks louder than words.”
“Pare! What happened kanina? Nakita mo na ba yung B-board?”
“Yeah.” sabi ko habang naglalakad.
“Pag sinabi ko bang you mean a lot to me at magmamakaawa akong pakawalan ka nia, do ya
think pakakawalan ka nga niya?”
“H-hinde.”
“And sa tingin mo bakit?”
“He’ll use me against you.”
“Korek. And there’s a big chance na pwede kang masaktan. At ayokong mangyari yun… and
hey..”
“Huh?”
“Alam mo ba kung bakit ayokong mangyari yun?”
“H-hinde.”
“Because you mean a lot to me.”
She looked at me. The shock was in her face.
“Oh.” she said.
Nagsimula naman akong maglakad papunta sa sakayan ng jeep.
“I’m really sorry bout Bianca.” i said.
“I-its alright.”
“Ayos ka lang ba? Namumula pa din yung pisngi mo e.”
Hinawakan niya naman yung pisngi niya.
“Medyo masakit pa siya, pero ayos lang. Lakas ata ng pagkasampal niya sakin kanina.”
she said.
“I’m really sorry bout that.”
“Pero seriously, totoo ba talaga?”
“Totoong ano?”
“Na nanliligaw ka sakin? Kasi naman no, i should know that instead of them. Kung totoo man.”
“Yeah.” i said.
“Honestly, there’s no point naman kung sasabihin ko sa iyo e. Pag tinanggihan moko, I’ll still
court you. Ayoko namang tanungin ka tungkol dun. Like ‘can i court you or something?’ kasi if
you’ll say yes, assurance na yun na sasagutin mo ako. And i don’t want that.”
Tiningnan ko siya habang naglalakad kami.
“Ganun..” she said.
“So, ba’t kayo nagbreak ni Bianca? Siya diba yung last gf mo?”
“Yeah. So far.” I said at tumawa.
“Hm?”
“Sabay na tayo.”
“Hmm..” sabi niya na parang nagdadalawang-isip pa siya.
“I mean, hinde kasi mahilig si Dustin na makipagfriends talaga sa mga babae, except kung gusto
niya itong ligawan. Sa pagkakaalam ko, ako lang yung babaeng naging super close niya.”
tumawa naman kaagad si Ysa.
“Cut it off. Umuwi ka na nga, may class pa kami.” I said.
“And who told you na wala akong class?” Nabigla naman ako sa sinabi niya. Don’t tell me..
“Don’t tell me..”
“Teka, teka! Sino yang magandang babaeng nakikita ko?” Biro ni Hans.
“Yeah..”
“Yeah, go and leech some guys over there.” I said and laughed.
Yeah, Bianca’s in love with Dustin since gradeschool. She’s hopeless. Pero ever since, di siya
pinapansin ni Dustin. Why? cause she’s a warfreak and Dustin didn’t like girls like her. Palagi ko
ngang naaaway yang babaeng yan noon, kasi palage akong kasama ni Dustin. She didn’t like
other girls to be with Dust, except for herself. And take note, I used “didn’t” sa Dustin didn’t like
girls like her. That was before. Pero ngayon, he changed.
Dustin’s POV
Ysa and Lester went home already. Nagpractice pa kasi kami ni Hans ng b-ball. Pero since
sinundo ni Hans ang gf niya sa St. Scho, naiwan ako sa school. Umupo ako sa floor ng court
while tinitingnan yung ring. Hinde ko alam ba’t ganito nararamdaman ko, pero feeling ko
ang lungkot-lungkot ko. Dapat nga, I should be happy coz Ysa’s back. Pero I’m not.
Suddenly I heard footsteps. I turned around to see who it was.
“Sorry.” I said, referring to what happened nung umaga.
“Kasi diba pag sobrang taas, pag nahulog ka, masyadong masakit. Sometimes it ends up to
death.”
“Pero what if that guy’s willing to catch you? Will you still go up?”
tumahimik siya at parang napaisip.
“Is it possible?”
“Of course. Pwede naman yun diba?”
“Hinde ko alam. Ikaw? What kind of girl?”
I paused. Honestly, before, i know exactly what kind of girl I like. Pero ngayon, hinde ko alam.
“When I was 9 years old, i wanted a girl na maraming pera so she can buy me stuffs. When I was
12, i wanted that girl to be my friend para may kasama ako araw2. And when i entered high
school, I wanted that girl to be pretty and hot, so I can introduce her to my friends. Pero ngayong
4th year, nabigla nalang ako when i started liking this girl na nakita ko 5 miles away from the b-
ball court. Her eyes told me something. Something na naiintindihan ko, pero hinde ko masabi
kung ano..And then..
..I just felt some connection with her.”
Ella’s POV
I dont know what to say nung sinabi niya yun. Naramdaman ko na lang na tumutulo na luha ko.
The last time I cried like this was when Xander said his feelings for me.. that was before he got
an accident. Hinde ko alam gagawin ko ngayon. Im still sitting at his side, looking at him
confusingly. We’ve known each other since what? Tapos.. I just can’t believe with that.
“Dustin..” I said.
“Sshh..” he placed his fingers on my lips. “I know you’re not ready for this. You don’t have to
say anyword for now.” He said while his eyes are fixed on mine.
“Dustin..”
“I know what you feel. You’re still not over him..”
“Dustin.. no..”
“Hm?”
“M-maraming langgam sa paa ko..” bigla kaagad akong tumayo at pinagpag yung palda ko.
“S-sorry..” he said.
Tumawa nalang ako. Nagtawanan nalang kaming dalawa. Ang panget naman. Ang serious namin
taz bigla nalang may langgam na umakyat sa legs ko. In fairness, masakit ang kagat niya ha.
Umuwi nalang kami kaagad.. Naglakad lang kami pauwi at bigla na namang umulan. Wala
akong payong kaya wala kaming ginawa kundi naglakad na lang as if na walang ulan. Basang-
basa nga kami e.
“I really love rain.” sabi niya nalang bigla.
“H-hinde ah..” he said. Behind the darkness, i could see that he’s blushing.
“Come on, wala namang masama diyan eh. And Im serious. Have you?”
“Hinde pa. So far, ikaw palang ata yung seseryosohin ko.”
he said smiling.
Hinampas ko siya. “Asus..”
“Aray, sakit nun a.” he said while putting his hands on his arms.
“Hinde ako nagbibiro. Alam mo Ella, naranasan ko na rin yang stage na yan. At sa maniwala
ka at sa hinde, marami din ata akong manliligaw..Kaya alam ko sa unang tingin palang kung
may gusto sa iyo ang lalaki o hinde.” tumawa nalang ako ng sinabi yun ni Manang. “Mukhang
di ka nga talaga naniniwala a.”
“Hay naku Manang. You don’t know a thing about Dustin. Siya yung Team Captain ng
basketball team.”"Alam niyo po ba yun?” I asked. Umiling naman siya. “Sabi ko nga.” I
whispered. “Yun po yung leader ng mga lalaking nagbabasketball sa school namin.” I looked at
her again.
“Manang, pag Team Captain ka, sikat ka. Maraming babaeng naghahabol sa iyo. And top that
with his physical appearance, kaya naman-”
“Eh ano ngayon?”
“Manang, patapusin mo muna ako. So, hinde pwedeng magustuhan niya ako, because I’m just -
Ella.”
“Maganda ka naman ah?”
“Manang, in our school, meron ding mga girls na katulad ni Dustin. At may kasabihan nga
tayong ‘birds with the same feathers flock together’.”
“Ano yun?”
Okay, I’m really getting irritated about this. Heehee.
“Hay Manang, forget about it.” I said at tumayo. Nilagay ko yung plate ko sa lababo.
Umakyat ako sa taas at nahiga sa kama. Wala lang. Nakatingin lang sa ceiling while thinking
about the past. Past? Hah. Anong past? Wala lang.
Kinuha ko yung bracelet na nakita ko kani-kanina lang. Nilagay ko sa kabilang kamay ko. Hinde
ko alam pero i can sense that this bracelet is important to me. Ewan ko ba.
Maaga pa kong nagising that morning. Paglabas ko ng gate, nakatayo dun si Dustin na parang
may sinisipa-sipang kung ano. Ang cute. Nakamessenger bag siya. Taz yung kamay niya eh nasa
bulsa niya.
“Hi.” I said habang nakangiti.
“Oo na. Siguro nga sa iyo talaga kasi maganda ka.” sabi niya naman at tiningnan ako.
“Ano Dustin? Are you going with us, kung isasama siya?”
Nagkibit balikat lang ako at tiningnan si Cheska. Ngumingiti-ngiti lang siya.
“Yeah, isama natin siya. Kaclubmate ko rin si Ate Ella e, so we’re kinda close.”
“Dustin, I’m asking you.” Mom said in a low voice.
Tumingin ako kay Cheska. She’s still smiling like a little devil.
“Bahala ka.”
“Don’t answer me, bahala ka. I’m asking you.”
“Okay, no.”
“Why not?”
“Mom, kelangan ko pa ba yang sabihin kung bakit ayoko?”
“Of course. I want to hear your side. I thought you’re courting her?”
“Nonsense.”
“Dustin? Kung ayaw mo siyang isama, ako ang sasama sa kanya. if you won’t ask her, I will.
Tomorrow morning din.” She said at tumayo.
“No way!” I said na parang di makapaniwala sa sinabi niya.
“Yes way!” Cheska shouted. Tiningnan ko siya ng masama at mabilis naman siyang umakyat sa
kwarto niya.
Napaupo ako dun sa gilid ng swimming pool habang nakalagay yung paa ko sa tubig. Am I
going to ask her? Kasi ganun din naman e, if I’m not, yayayain din siya ni Mommy.
Thanks to Cheska, everything’s screwed up.
Morning came. Pinaalala sakin ni Mommy that I have to ask Ella. So, hinintay ko siya sa labas
ng bahay nila. ewan ko ba, pero parang natatakot at nahihiya ako. What if she’ll say no?
HWaahhh.. ayoko ng ganito.. Di naman ako ganito ah.. bakit parang natatakot ako?
Tumayo ako dun sa harap ng bahay nila. I was practicing what to say to her.
“So, do you like Punta Isla? taz pag nagsabi siya ng yes, would you like to go there sometime?”
Huminga ako ng malalim. “What if hinde niya gusto?”
Aerrrggghhh!!!
“Dustin..” she said.
Puting kabayo!
Muntik na akong mapatalon dun ah.
“Come again?”
“W-wala..”
I smiled at sumakay kami ng jeep.
Akala ko that day will just another day na wala talagang mangyayaring masama. But then, after
recess, nung pumunta ako sa cr malapit sa canteen, I saw Bianca. Marami ding tao yung
nakapalibot sa kanya. And I heard may babaeng umiiyak. Lumapit ako.
I was really shocked nung makita ko si Ella na nakaupo sa sahig. She’s really crying hard habang
tinitingnan si Bianca na nakatayo dun malapit sa tubo. Well, yung tubo na yun, walang cover and
pag may hinulog ka dun na bagay, you will never ever retrieve it, except kung hahanapin mo yun
sa ilalim ng lupa.
“You want this? Ewww.. this bracelet is just so ancient. I mean, who would ever give this to
you? The little boy you met? As told by your ever dearie bestfriend Mia? Uh..! And this one?
Who gave this to you? Your lame x boyfriend?”
Bianca was holding two bracelets. Yung isa, palage kong nakikita sa kamay ni Ella. Pero yung
isa, hinde ko makita. Nasa gilid kasi ni Bianca. So, hinde talaga clear.
“J-just..-just give it back to me.”
“No way. YOu have to choose one. The bracelet on my left hand? Or the bracelet on the right
hand?”
“I want them both.. back to me..” she said.
“Choose one Ella..” she said.
“Bianca… just.. give it back to me..”
“Beg..” Bianca said while smiling.
“Bianca..”
“Beg. I said beg!”
“P-please..” she said and cried.
Pero nung sinabi niya yun, sinadyang ihulog ni Bianca yung dalawang bracelet sa opening ng
tubo.
“Oops.. It must’ve been slipped from my fingers.” she said at umalis.
“Bianca…” she cried. Pumunta siya sa tubo at tiningnan ito habang umiiyak. I couldn’t bare to
see her like that.
“Ella..” lumapit ako sa kanya. Yung mga tao e dahan-dahan ng umalis ng makita ako nila.
Tiningnan ko si Bianca na paalis na sana.
“Pasalamat ka, hinde ako pumapatol sa babae.”
“Dustin? Aren’t you happy? Wala na siyang hold sa x niya..” she said.
“oh.. Mrs Lizares? Ugh! Forget about it. Tita will be fine. Or rather, Mommy.”
“Mom?!”
“Tita will be fine.” she said seriously.
“Eherm..” Its Dad.
“Oh yeah, before i forget, Dad, meet Ella. Ella, my dad.”
“Nice meeting you iha..” My dad said.
“Pero..”
“Well, makilala mo rin silang lahat. They’re my second cousins.”
Turo ko sa isang cottage na puno ng mga teen agers and children.
“You mean?”
“Wala akong cousins. My mom and dad are only children in their own family.”
“Anong side to?”
“Dad’s.”
“Ahh… Im kinda nervous.” she said.
“Don’t be.. tara..” inakbayan ko siya ng paloko at naglakad kami papunta sa cottage.
“Oh, Ella, you kiss your titas..” My mom said.
Tumingin si Ella sakin.
“Go..” I said.
Pumunta naman siya at nagkiss sa mga Titas ko.
“This will be my future daughter-in-law.” My mom said.
Napatigil si Ella. She looked at me again.
“Of course, Mom’s being ridiculous again.” I said.
Tumawa nalang sina Tita. After the kissing and stuffs, pumunta kami dun sa cottage kung nasan
yung mga second cousins ko.
“Himala ata at sumama ka ngayon.” Bob said.
“Yeah.. Hehee.. Nga pala, this is Ella. Ella, mga second cousins ko. Bob, Mindy, Gerard, Glen,
Bea, Fred, Nina, Hana, Kiss, Josh, Shen, Newee, Alindree, Apple, Carl, John.. yung iba,
kalimutan na yan.” TUmawa naman kami.
Then, ayun nga, kumain kami ng lunch.. and.. dami pa naming ginawa.. yung mga bata, nilalaro
si Ella. Si Ella naman mukhang bata.. ewan kung anong ginagawa.. umupo-upo dun sa buhangin
at gumawa ng mga sand castles. Kasama niya dun si Trish. She’s a 12 year old little girl.. Mejo
makulet tsaka maraming alam.
Nang palapit na ako, i heard what she said.
“Believe it or not, you’re the only girl Kuya Dustin brought here.”
Ella laughed. I sat down beside them.
“You mean, the first girl I brought here Trish.” I said smiling.
“Ganun parin yun Kuya, she’s the only and first girl you brought here and introduced to us.. sa
lahat ng naging gfs mo.” she said.
“Really?” Ella said in disbelief.
“My family likes you. Siguro kasi, you’re the first girl na dinala ko dito.”
“Dustin..”
“Yeah?”
“Are you really serious with me?”
“Of course I am.” Feeling ko naman may bato sa lalamunan ko. I am, diba?
“Kasi kung hinde, tigilan mo na lang ako. I mean, Bianca’s really bad. Ayoko rin namang
bugbugin ako ng babae nun. Taz lolokohin mo lang rin naman ako. Do you get my point?” she
asked na parang iiyak na.
“Ella.. i don’t know how to say this. Pero I think meron kang dapat malaman.” I said.
Hinde ko alam kung anong ginagawa ko. Pag sinabi ko sa kanya yung tungkol dun sa deal,
there’s a big chance that she’ll curse me to death. At ayoko. There’s a big chance na hinde ko na
siya madadala dito ulit. There’s a big chance na mawawala siya ng tuluyan sa buhay ko. Ayoko
nun.
“What?” she said.
“Eh hello no? Siya lang kaya ang babaeng dinala mo dito, that only means na seryoso ka sa
kanya. Hmm, may X factor ka young lady.” Sabi naman ni Tita Hannah.
Ngumiti-ngiti lang si Ella. She’s not the type of girl naman kasi na madaldal. Dinadala niya lahat
sa pangiti-ngiti.
Ayun, nagbye kami sa mga Titas and Titos ko. Then yung mga second cousins ko naman e
nagbye na rin. Sana daw magkita muli. Pumasok kami sa kotse. Madilim na yun ng umuwi kami.
Malapit lang naman. 1 hour pauwi sa bahay and the road’s not that dangerous. Naupo kami sa
back seat while si Cheska e nandun sa front kasi matutulog daw siya, so, ini occupy niya yung
seat sa likod ng driver’s seat.
“Ang saya ng pamilya mo no?”
“You mean?”
“I mean, may reunion-reunion pa kayo.. hmm, kumpleto ang pamilya.. walang conflicts.” she
said. Dun ko naisip na ni minsan di niya pa nakwekwento ang parents niya sakin.
“What about your family pala?”
“M-my f-family?”
she asked.
“Washuu.. ang daming tanong. Well, I kinda miss them pag Christmas. You know how it is.”
“San ka nagChriChristmas?”
“Well, I got an Aunt sa New Jersey. Dun ako pumupunta pag Christmas. Dinadalaw ko rin sila
pag Christmas pero di talaga ako tumatagal. I’ll just drop by my gifts then didiretso ako kay
Tita.”
“I’m sorry. Ang hirap ng pinagdaanan mo.. I mean, its very hard for a girl like you. Akala ko
pinagpapala talaga yung mga mabubuting tao, pero not all naman pala.. And-”
Naramdaman ko nalang na nakasandal na yung ulo niya sa shoulders ko at hinde na siya
nagsasalita. Tiningnan ko naman siya at nakapikit na pala. Naku… tinulugan ako.
“Goodnight Ella.”
Nabigla nalang kaagad ako sa narinig ko.
“Hmpdsfhh… gudnight Xander…”
Bogs!
Feeling ko ang tindi ng pagkakasaksak sakin. At hinde ko alam bakit dun pa ako kelangan
saksakin sa puso. Or malapit sa puso. Hanggang sa pagtulog mo, si Xander parin ba ang
iniisip mo?
Tumahimik nalang ako. Inayos ko yung pagkakasandal niya sa abaga ko. Hinde ko talaga
maintindihan ang sarili ko bakit ako nagtiyatiyaga sa iyo. Hinawakan ko yung bracelet na
ibibigay ko sana sa kanya, nga lang nakalimutan ko e. Siguro tomorrow nalang.
“Ella, we’re here.” I said to her.
“Huh? hspshffsds…”
“Dito na tayo..”
“Oh, sorry. Nakatulog ako.”
“Okay lang.”
Bumaba kami para kunin yung mga gamit niya. I helped her naman. Then hinatid ko siya sa
bahay nila.
“We’ll see each other again, right?” she asked.
“Of course, Tita.” she smiled.
Pumasok siya sa bahay nila. She waved at me tapos ngumiti.
Ellapotz
i had a gr8 tym. tnx.
Napangiti nalang ako habang papasok ng bahay. Sa lagay ba nito, nagkakagusto na kaya siya
sakin? Kasi, if she is, titigilan ko na tong deal thingy na to bago pa siya masaktan - ng sobra.
Since from the start, nacurious na ako sa Xander na to e. Is he the same Xander na nagustuhan
ni Ysa noon? I mean, may kinababaliwang lalaki to si Ysa noon when we were in gradeschool.
He went to the States then sumunod din si Ysa coz she believed that he was her soulmate. Pero
niloko lang ata siya at pinagpalit daw sa isang babae. I wonder if this Xander guy is just the
same guy.
Monday morning, I waited for her again at the front of their house. Ginagawa ko na tong daily
routine. Nothing special naman, nung recess time, sinabit ko yung bracelet sa labas ng locker
niya.
Nakita ko siya sa malayo na kinuha yung bracelet sa locker at ngumiti. May idea ba siya na ako
ang nagbigay?
Nakita niya ata akong nakatingin sa kanya kaya mabilis akong tumingin sa iba. LOL. Now that’s
funny.
“Pare, ano na?”
“Anong ano na?”
“I mean, Ella and you?”
“Ewan ko.” I said at tatayo na sana.
“Wow Pare, ako ba yung nanliligaw kay Rodriguez? hinde naman a.. Find out.”
“October 24’s her birthday.” narinig kong sagot ni Ysa habang kumakain.
“Really? How did you know?”
“I saw it at an autograph na pinapasignan ni Frea.”
“Ahhh..”
Tumahimik nalang ako. Naks Dustin, nakakahiya ka..birthday niya hinde mo alam. Ang
pagkakataon nga naman o, siya ang magiging unang babae na pagbibigyan ko ng regalo sa
birthday.
Hinde na ako nakasabay sa kanya pauwi kasi sinamahan ko si Ysa sa isang party. Nung pauwi na
ako, umulan naman ng malakas kaya tumakbo nalang ako pauwi. Before I went inside, tumigil
ako sa labas ng gate. Then tiningnan ko yung window ni Ella. I saw her na nakatingin sa ulan.
Hinde ko alam pero eto na naman yung naramdaman ko nung una ko siyang nakita. Weird
feeling.
Pumasok ako sa loob at mabilis na naligo. Wala daw sina Mommy and Daddy, may pinuntahang
business trip daw.
Umakyat ako sa kwarto at naligo. Birthday niya na… anong gagawin ka? Honestly, siya yung
pinakatagal kong nililigawan..
And what the heck? Sino ba kasi yang Xander na yan?!
I got an idea.
Tumakbo ako papunta sa kwarto ni Cheska.
“Cheska..” knocks on the door. “Cheska.. sis.. pretty sis.. open the door..”
Binuksan naman ni Cheska yung door niya.
“At ano naman yang pretty sis, pretty sis mo ha? Anong kelangan ‘kuya’?”
“I need help.” I said. Kapalan na ng mukha.
“Aba, for the first time, humingi ng tulong.”
“Yeah.. whatever..”
“Ano yun?”
“Ella’s birthday next week.. hinde ko alam kung anong gagawin ko o ibibigay sa kanya.. sa
tingin mo, anong pwedeng ibigay na gift sa kanya na magugustuhan niya talaga?”
“Well, like any other girls, Ate Ella is a teen ager. She’s a girl who wants to love and be loved.
Malas nga lang ikaw yung nanliligaw sa kanya. Well, just give her what you think na will make
her special. Malay mo, baka sagutin ka na rin niya.”
“Sana wag muna..” I whispered.
“Huh?”
“Wala..I said, who would ever think that you can think something like that? Woah. Anong
nakain mo?”
Napatulala ako dun habang inaabsorb ng brain ko yung sinabi ni Cheska..Sinirado ni Cheska
yung door niya. Then toink!
Now I got an idea..
I really do..
Sekreto ko na yun…
Days passed. Hinde kami masyadong nag-uusap ni Ella. May ginagawa kasi ako. I think i’ve
been busy nowadays. Malapit na birthday ni Ella e.
I looked at the calendar. Its Friday? Good.
Thursday… Friday.
Ang bilis ng araw noh?
Pumasok ako sa school. Ni hinde ko siya hinintay para sumabay. Then nakita ko siya sa corridor
naglalakad.
“Dustin!” she said.
“Hmm? Yeah?”
“Well.. hmm..”
“Cge, see ya later.” I said at tumakbo palayo sa kanya.
I don’t know, pero ngayon lang talaga ako naka feel na i think i need to do something special for
a girl. And i think, mamaya na yun. Whew!
Ella’s POV
Well, its my birthday today. And.. sanay na ako na hinde masyadong ginigreet ng mga tao. But
this one’s kinda different. Lahat ng tao na dinadaanan ko, nagwewave sakin at nagsesay ng
‘happy birthday Ella’, then they would smile sweetly. Hmm, what’s going on? Si Dustin naman,
parang wala lang. Alam niya bang birthday ko?
I mean, he just said ’see ya later’.. hay.. ewan.. ba’t ba ako umaasa? Ella naman noh.. Nothing
special naman ngayong araw - from Dustin.
Ni hinde ko nga siya nakikita masyado e. Well, the class sang a song for me. May gifts. Himala
talaga. Then, nung hapon na, dumaan ako sa locker.
May note na nakasabit.
‘Hmm, well, can we go out later this day? Sunduin nalang kita sa house niyo around 7 pm.
-Dustin’
Napangiti nalang ako. These past few days, ibang-iba si Dustin. He’s like kakaiba sa Dustin na
nakilala ko dati.
I went home already. Mamaya ko na bubuksan yung mga gifts. Naligo ako at nagbihis. Well,anu
kaya susuotin ko? I mean baka saan pa ako dalhin nun.. formal? Or casual pero all around?
Well, i decided to wear a white skirt and a yellow blouse. Cute naman. Then I paired it with a
cute sandal.
I waited for my mom and dad to call, pero they didn’t e. So, naupo nalang ako sa sofa at
naghintay kay Dustin.
Then i heard somebody rang the doorbell. Mabilis naman akong lumabas.
“Manang, una na po ako!” I said.
“Ingat ka.”
Lumabas kaagad ako ng bahay. Then I saw Dustin. He’s smiling.
“Teka, ba’t parang bihis na bihis ka?” I asked.
“Ang daya, look at me. Teka, bihis din ako.” I said. Babalik na sana ako ng hinawakan niya yung
braso ko.
“Nope. Okay na yan. Tara..” he said.
Well, dala niya yung car. Pero of course, may driver. Hinde ata ako sasakay pag si Dustin ang
magdadrive. He doesn’t have a license no.
He opened the door for me. Nang dumating kami sa dapat naming puntahan, hinde ko alam kung
sang lupalop ng earth na yun. Pero guys, ang lakas ng hangin, parang liliparin ako. Nasa gitna ba
kami ni Milenyo? LOL
“Dustin…” i whispered.
Nang lingunin ko siya, wala na siya. Hala! Kinilabutan ako.
“Dustin?.. hinde yan magandang biro..” I said.
Then a man (waiter ata) came up to me.
“This way Ma’am.” he said.
Nung pumasok kami, maraming tao. Alam niyo na, mga kumakain din. Haha. Mga customers.
Kala ko kung ano na. Pinaupo niya ako sa table na may reserved sign.
“Hmm, I’m with someone. Nakita mo ba siya?”
“Oh, Mr Lizares?”
“Yeah.”
He smiled. “Just wait for him, Ma’am.” he said at umalis.
Umupo lang ako dun. Then may dumating na mga flowers. Red and White roses.
“Kanino galing to?” I said.
[A/N: thanks to ate gerlie, she composed the song]
Then I heard someone singing..
From the moment I saw that lonely eyes of yours
I couldn’t help but think about you
I wonder why, I wonder every time, I wonder who are you.
Are you some kind of a ghost that just suddenly appears?
Or just another girl that will fall for me dear?
I wonder why, I wonder every time, I wonder who are you
I looked at the person..
By chance I met you, how could it be?
I saw that eyes, that lonely eyes again…
What’s with it? I can’t help but ask
I wonder what; I wonder who hurt you that much….
Chorus
Fate for me is just one word, a hopeless would believe in
But then you came into my life, should I really believe in destiny?
I can’t afford to lose you, how will I survive if you’re gone?
Baby to me you’re the destiny, for me you are the one.
Another boquet of roses came in.
It hurts to see you cry, to cry for him once more
I love you girl so deeply, you’re the one that I adore
Tell me how can I ease the pain that you’re feeling inside?
I don’t want to see you cry, let go of the pain you hide.
I felt my tears filling my eyes.
Chorus
Fate for me is just one word, a hopeless would believe in
But then you came into my life, should I really believe in destiny?
I can’t afford to lose you, how will I survive if you’re gone?
Baby to me you’re the destiny, for me you are the one
“Dustin…how did I ever fall in love with you?”
Now that you’re near, I want to hold your hands
I want to kiss your gentle lips, I want you really bad.
I hope well stay in the moment like this forever, honey
I’m drawn into you my Ella, I’ll love you endlessly…
Dustin’s POV
Iniwan ko siya doon. Tumakbo ako sa kabilang side ng place para malaman kung okay na yung
lahat. Haayy, I can’t believe na kakanta ako mamaya. Then, pinaupo siya ng waiter sa table na
pinareserve ko.
Sumenyas ako na ibigay na yung mga flowers sa kanya. Nanginginig na yung tuhod ko.
Then I started singing. Bigla naman siyang lumingon. I smiled. Taz binigay na ulit yung mga
roses sa kanya. Honestly, for the first time in my life, feeling ko ngayon lang ako nakagawa ng
tama para sa isang babae.
Siguro this is when i say ‘i love her’. I really do. From the first time I saw her, alam ko I felt
something for her. It was kinda new to me kaya hinde ko masyadong pinansin. Pero as time
passed by, isang araw nalaman ko na lang na I really like her. Moreover, love her.
I saw her smiled. Then I saw tears in her eyes. Yung mga tao nakatingin din samin. Yeah, kinda
corny, eh lahat naman ata ng in love nagiging corny e. Who would ever think that I can sing?
Who would ever think na I’ll change for a girl?
Ngumiti ako. Kinuha ko yung isang boquet ng tulips dun sa gilid. Ngumiti yung mga matatanda
sakin na nandun. Siguro naaalala din nila yung teen age days nila when they were in love. I sat at
the table.
“For you.” I said smiling.
She wiped her tears and smiled.
“Ang dami ko ng flowers o.” she said.
“I’m sorry kung panget boses ko. Im not a singer.” I said.
“Hell! You got the greatest voice i’ve ever heard! Sira kaba?” she said while laughing.
“Ill take that as a compliment.” I said.
“That was a compliment.” she said.
Tamang-tama dumating na rin yung pagkain.
“Let’s eat? Happy birthday Ella!” I said.
She just smiled. We had a great time. Nagkulitan kami while eating. Then, sinayaw ko siya.
“Would you.. like to dance?” I said.
“Are you kidding? This is the best birthday i’ve ever had!”
She said at ngumiti.
“Really?”
“Well, yeah. Thank you so much Dustin.. as in.. thank you..”
“Your welcome.. Hmm? Nabuksan mo na ba yung mga gifts mo? Marami ka kasi atang dinadala
kanina..”
“Hinde pa.. Gusto mo, sabay tayong buksan yun?”
“Ah.. hinde na.. kaw nalang siguro…”Alam ko na yung nasa loob ng mga yun.
“Sige..” she said and smiled.
The car pulled up at the front of her house.
“Well, happy birthday again..” I said.
Hinde ko alam kung i have to kiss her at the cheeks or anything. I’m not like this naman noon. Its
just that
… iba lang talaga si Ella.
“Oo naman.”
Feeling ko, hihimatayin ako. Mixed emotions. Half of me is happy and 1/4 is sad and 1/4 is
guilty. Happy kasi finally makakasama ko na talaga siya. Sad dahil alam kong sooner or later
masasaktan siya. Guilty, alam niyo na siguro kung bakit.
“Ella..” I felt my tears started filling my eyes. “Please don’t say that.” sabi ko habang nakatayo
sa harap niya habang nakapikit.
“Dustin?”
“Please don’t say that. Please..”
“Hinde kita maintindihan.. anong nangyayari?”
Bigla ko nalang siyang niyakap. “Wala.. im just - happy.” I said. “Una na ako. Thanks, happy
birthday ule.”
Tumalikod ako at dumiretso sa bahay. I wiped my eyes. Natatakot ako sa pwedeng mangyari.
Natatakot ako para sa kanya. Natatakot ako.
Ella’s POV
Hinde ko alam kung anong nangyayari kay Dustin. Hinde ko alam kung nashock ba siya or what.
Hinde ko maintindihan. Pero kung iniisip niya na ginawa ko lang yun dahil may ginawa siya
para sakin, hinde ganun yun. Sinabi ko yun dahil alam kong mahal ko siya. I’ve been weird
nowadays. Kapag hinde siya sumasabay sakin pauwi, namimiss ko siya. Minsan nga, tinatanaw
ko na lang siya sa bintana kasi palage namang open yung curtain sa window niya. Ngayon ko
lang nalaman, there’s something in him that makes a girl fall in love with him.
Hinde ko man yun nakikita, pero nararamdaman ko. He told me that he’s happy. Pero hinde
ganun nakita ko sa mata niya. I saw doubts and fears. Doubts? Hinde ko alam. Fears? Mas lalong
hinde ko alam kung bakit. Then again, baka nagkakamali lang ako. Baka nga.
Im here, sa bed ko. Bubuksan ko na yung mga gifts na binigay sakin ng mga tao sa school.
Excited na ako.
“Hmm.. kanino kaya nanggaling to? Walang name. Oh well, okay na yan, basta may gift.
Heehee.”
I opened the wrapper. Then a wrapper again. Wrapper na naman. Nakakainis na. Wrapper again.
Errgghh!
Then sa wakas, ang pinakalast na box. Then nung iopen ko, I saw a very small stuff toy. As in
super liit siya. Tiningnan ko naman to. There’s a letter na hinahawakan ng stuff toy.
“I”
“I?”
Taz may note na nakalagay sa box. ‘Yung second gift naman.’
Kinuha ko kaagad yung isang gift. In fairness, nilagyan talaga ng number.
I opened the wrapper. Then a wrapper again. Wrapper na naman. Nakakainis na. Wrapper again.
Errgghh! Wrapper ulit. Then.. the box. Again, box na naman. I opened the box, box na naman..
Kainis! Sino ba nagbigay nito?!
Again, pinakalast na box, stuff toy na naman. Pero ibang letter yung hinahawakan niya. “L”
“L?” I said to myself.
Kaya ayun, nacurious na ako, minadali ko na yung pag open ng box kahit medjo nakakainis na.
Ang lakas na nga ng aircon sa kwarto, pero ayun, pinagpawisan parin ako.
“O” - “V” - “E” - “Y” - “O” - “U”…. I love you?
At sino naman ang nagbigay nito?!
Then may isang box nalang yung naiwan.. Binuksan ko naman ito. Ano kaya yung nandun?
‘faith in fate - Dustin’
Napangiti na naman ako. So, lahat ng ito galing lang pala sa kanya? Ugh! Loko talaga..
Hinawakan ko yung bracelet na nakita ko sa locker.
“Siguro ikaw, bigay rin niya ano?” sabi ko habang nakatingin sa bracelet.
Mukha na kong ewan dito, ngiti ng ngiti.
Captain
nabuksan mo na?
Nagreply naman ako.
Ellapotz
opo, thnks!
Captain
Im sorry.
Ellapotz
sorry 4 wat?
Captain
basta, sorry.
Sinenend ko sa kanya yung teddy bears. Pina line ko sila at kinunan ng pic.
“Same here, I love you.”
I looked at her.
Siguro balang araw, you will curse this place. Ngumiti nalang ako. Dapat i enjoy ko na yung mga
panahon na kasama ko siya. Coz I’ll never know, baka bukas, tapos na ang lahat ng to.
“Dustin..?” she asked habang pauwi kami na basang-basa sa ulan..
“Hm?”
“I love you..” she said.
“Mas mahal kita..” Sabi ko at inakbayan siya para ilapit siya sakin.
Tumawa naman siya.
“Ang corny natin noh.. No, ikaw lang pala.”
“Xander..”
Bigla nalang siyang tumakbo at niyakap si Xander. Aray ko… pakiramdam ko, sinaksak ng
isang daang beses yung puso ko. Ay, hinde, mahigit pa sa isang daan. Huminga nalang ako ng
malalim. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, ako ang mahal niya, syempre, may pinagsamahan din naman sila
kaya siya ganyan. Namiss niya lang siguro.
Pero hinde e. Hinde ganun. She hugged Xander like she’ll never let go of him. Nakatingin parin
ako sa kanila habang pinipigilan yung luha sa mata ko. Pucha! Wag ka ngang umiyak Dustin!
Para kang bata na nawawala sa gitna ng mall at nakita mo si Mommy mong may kargang ibang
bata.
“H-hinde ko alam kung anong sasabihin ko..”
Eh nagsasalita ka na nga e.
“N-naalala mo na ba ako?”
“Im sorry, Ella. I really am.”
“Xander? Do you remember me?”
“My..my memories came back.. and..”
“Oh my gosh!” Ella said while tears started to flow in her eyes.
Nakatingin parin ako sa kanila. Hello po? Buhay pa po ako no? Yoohooo??! I decided to go
away - alone. Siguro they both need time - to talk, to clear things out … and to fall in love
again?!
Ngumiti ako. Klaseng buhay to o. Minsan ka na nga lang maiinlab, 50-50 pa yung pakiramdam
niya sa iyo. B’at pa kasi bumalik yang lalaking yan?! Kung san okay na yung kalahati, dun pa
bumalik?! Putik talaga..
Umuwi ako ng mag-isa at nagmukmok sa kwarto. Ni hinde man lang siya tumawag or nagtext
kung nasan na ako o bakit ko siya iniwan dun or bakit.. haayy… siguro, kung si Xander kasama
niya, hinde niya na ako maaalala.
Kinagabihan, I saw them walking at the street. Sumilip ako dun sa curtain ng bintana ko. She
was smiling while looking at Xander. Si Xander naman nakangiti din. Natatakot tuloy ako. Then
I saw her na tumingin sa window ko. Bigla ko naman sinirado yung curtain ko at bumalik sa
kama.
Nakakainis.. wait? Nagseselos ba ako? oh yesh! Sino ba naman ang hinde magseselos pag yung
ex ng mahal mo umaaligid-aligid sa kanya? Bwishet!
Kinaumagahan, pumasok ako sa school. Ni hinde ko muna siya sinundo sa bahay nila. Sumabay
nalang ako kay Cheska sa kotse.
Flag Ceremony. I saw her sa linya nila. Medyo matangkad siya so magkalapit lang kami. I was
looking at her when she looked at me. Ewan ko ba, pero binawi ko yung pagkakatitig ko sakanya
at tumingin sa ibang direksiyon. Ewan ko ba ba’t ganito ako.
“Dustin..” she said while paakyat kami ng room.
“Wala lang?”
“Ano.. kasi.. i thought you needed some time to talk with him - alone.”
“Alone?! Ano ka ba?!”
“Hey.. ginawa ko lang naman yung akala kong tama.”
“Pero sa tingin mo tama ba yung iwan mo ako dun?”
“Siguro naman hinde ka na bata na kelangan pang samahan kahit san magpunta?”
“That’s not the point here!”
“Eh ano punto mo? Yung topic dito eh bakit kita iniwan diba?”
“Oo!”
“Ganun rin naman e, kung hinde kita iniwan, you’ll ask me parin na iwan muna kayo! Diba?!”
“Dustin..” she said habang umiiling. “Wag ka ngang mgpakitid ng ulo!”
“Ayokong sabihin to, pero Dustin, sumuko ka nalang.. May past sila, present and baka nga
future. Wala kang laban kay Xander.”
“Pero.. Ysa.. hinde ganun kadali. Ayokong mawala siya sakin ng wala akong ginagawa para sa
kanya.”
“Tell her all about the deal.”
“Tsk. Ano bang koneksiyon ng deal na yan?”
“Dustin, if she finds out about it sa ibang tao, mas masama ang epekto nun. Mas masakit.”
“Tayo lang naman yung nakakaalam diba?”
“Pero Dustin?”
“Naguguluhan ako Ysa. Naguguluhan ako.”
Ella’s POV
One week ago, nakita ko si Xander sa mall. Hinde ko alam pero parang nagbago yung
lahat. Hinde kami nagpapansinan ngayon ni Dustin. Ewan ko ba. Feeling ko nga cool off
kami e. Pero di naman niya talaga sinabi. Then, si Xander, panay ang dalaw sa bahay. He
knows that Im with Dustin, pero ewan ko buh. Feeling ko ang rami kong problema kahit
wala naman.
“Ate Ella!!”
Lumingon ako para malaman kung sino yung tumawag.
“Cheska..”
“Is-is that your new boyfriend?” she asked kasi nga magkasama kami ni Xander.
“N-no..” hinila ko siya. “Excuse us Xander ha?”
“Sure..” he said and smiled.
Hinila ko si Cheska sa gilid.
“Bakit?”
“Do you really love my brother?!” she asked.
“Cheska..”
“You’re hurting him..” she said while crying. “Now i understand.. you just.. you just love him
because nakikita mo yung lalaking yan sa kanya? Diba? And now he’s back, you’ll just dump
my brother?!”
“Cheska, you don’t understand..”
“Anong hinde ko naiintindihan? Huh? My brother’s miserable..”
“Cheska, let me explain..”
She looked at Xander. Then she looked at me again. “I hate you.”
Bigla nalang siyang tumakbo palabas ng restaurant.
“Cheska!!”
Nahalata kong napalingon yung mga tao sakin. Bumalik ako ng upuan.
“Is something wrong?”
“W-wala..”
“There is.. ryt?”
“Well.. it doesn’t really matter.. let’s eat?”
“Okay..”
Hinatid ako ni Xander pauwi sa bahay. Nung papasok na ako sa bahay, I saw Dustin na lumabas
ng bahay nila with a ball on his hands. He looked at us. Then tumakbo palayo.
Xander looked at me na parang ‘do you know him?’
“S-sige, ingat ka nalang..” I smiled at pumasok ako ng bahay. Umalis na rin si Xander.
Nagbihis ako at umalis. Dumiretso ako dun sa basketball court. I saw Dustin na naglalaro.
Basang-basa siya ng pawis. Nakita niya akong nakatayo dun sa gilid. He looked at me. I smiled.
Pero bigla nalang siyang tumakbo at nagshoot ng bola.
“Dustin..”
“Hm?”
“Ano na bang nangyayari satin?”
“…..”
“Dustin.. tell me..”
“Siguro.. dapat mong tanungin sarili mo..”
“Huh?”
“I thought so too.”
“Ugh.. you look very desperate.”
“I do.”
“Dustin?! (she breathed out hard) You’re..you’re insane! She doesn’t love you!
She..she..nakikita niya lang sa iyo si Xander! Bakit hinde mo yun maintindihan?!”
she said. Buti nalang konti nalang yung mga tao dun sa backstage.
“I really don’t care. I love her, can’t you see that? I really don’t care kung sabihin niyo mang
nababaliw na ako. She changed me. She changed me into someone I don’t even know before.
Ysa..you’re the one who doesn’t understand all of these.”
“Ill tell you the truth. He’s the same Xander i fell in love before. No, I liked you - before. Pero
naisip ko, kaibigan lang talaga yung tingin mo sakin. And that girl, you know? Yung girl na
sinasabi mong binigyan mo ng bracelet. Naisip ko, wala akong panama dun kung magkikita man
talaga kayo ulit. You showed me the bracelet before right? And yeah, I was so down kaya hinde
ko na pinursue yung dream ko na to be with you. Then Xander Romero came in. My feelings
diverted. Siya yung inisip kong magtutupad ng dreams ko to be with you. You got a lot of
common - physically. Nung first year, he went to the US. I said to myself, pag pinakawalan ko
siya, everything will shatter into pieces. And that meant leaving you and the kada here.” She
breathed in. “When I was there, things were going fine. But i was so insecure dahil ang daming
girls na nagkakandarapa sa kanya. So we made a deal and that’s to test his sincerity to me. And it
was Ella. Ella Rodriguez. If he’s going to make her fall to him, I’ll answer him yes, but if not, Ill
dump him.” She wiped the tears in her eyes. “And he did. Ella fell for him. Unfortunately, he fell
for her too. That was one of my nightmares. Sa sobrang galit ko, I made a way na malaman ni
Ella ang katotohanan since we’re not at the same school.She never saw me before. I won. I did.
But Xander came crawling up to her again. Nagmamakaawa na bumalik sa kanya. I was insulted.
Then one night, sabi ni Xander sakin, babalik siya ulit kay Ella for the last time. At kung hinde
siya patatawarin nito, he’ll commit suicide. I was horrified at the thought. I called her to ask na
patawarin na si Xander. Pero she did what? She slammed the door at his very face. Xander went
up to me, crying. Hinde ko alam kung anong sumunod na nangyari. I was running at the hospital
to see him at the ER. Ella never knew me, but I knew her since then. Xander went back here at
the Phil kasi gusto ng parents niya to stay here. I heard Ella went back here too. Then sumunod
ako. Only to find out that you fell for her. I hate her.”
Ysa said while wiping her tears.
Imbes na kainisan ko si Ysa, i hugged her.
“Ysa.. i understand..”
“Its just that.. its just.. so..so..unfair.. she’s playing games with you.. with the both of you..
Dustin, ayokong nakikita kang nasasaktan.. not my bestfriend.. not you..”
“Sshh.. its alright.. i understand..”
Nang lumabas kami ng school, my cellphone rang.
“Yes?..ahh..yes.. pauwi na ako.. san ka?…hinde mo ba alam?… bahay? Bakit di ka pinayagang
lumabas?.. sge..kei..see ya.. love you..”
Nakatingin lang sakin si Ysa.
“Ella..”
I said habang tinaas ang phone sa kanya at tinago sa pocket ko.
Lakad lang kami ng lakad ni Ysa ng dumaan kami sa isang shop. Its a cake shop. Mejo
transparent kasi yung glasswall kaya clear at nakikita yung nasa loob.
Ysa stopped sa labas ng cake shop at tumingin sa loob. I followed her gaze. Nung naramdaman
niyang nakatingin din ako.. she looked at me with pity in her eyes.
“Dustin..”
“Tara, uwi na tayo.”
I walked faster. Eto na naman yung kirot sa dibdib ko. Siguro nga, nagpapakatanga na talaga
ako. Siguro nga, nagbubulagbulagan nalang talaga ako. I breathed out hard.
“I love her that Im willing to pretend na hinde ako nasasaktan.”
Ysa looked at me.
“Alam kong mahal mo si Ella, pero Dustin, if the feeling’s not mutual, just let go.. let go..”
she said.
I forced a smile. “I will, but not now.”
Pagkatapos ko siyang pasakaying ng jeep, dumiretso narin ako sa bahay. Naglakad-lakad muna
ako. Nang pumasok ako sa bahay, my Mom’s on the couch. Umupo ako sa gilid niya at pumikit
habang sinandal ko yung ulo ko sa upuan.
“Something wrong?”
“W-wala..”
“Dustin, you’re good at lying sa ibang tao, pero not to me..”
“Mom, have you ever felt, I mean, noon, kayo ni Dad? Yung kung san akala niyo okay na, taz
dun pala lilitaw yung problema?”
“Yeah. Dati, yang Dad mo, palage akong inaaway and everything. Yun pala, may gusto siya
sakin. Akala ko, I liked his bestfriend, pero as time went on, hinde niya ako pinapansin and all,
dun ko nalaman na i love him. He confessed to me everything na nararamdaman niya. Akala ko
magiging okay na ang lahat since we felt the same. Yun pala, nilayasan ako at pumunta ng
States. Ni hinde alam ng mga lola mo kung san pumunta.. Then he came back. Simbahan parin
tuloy namin. You know, Son, sometimes, when you feel like giving up, you just have to hold on.
Fight, kahit sinuko ka na, lumaban ka parin. At least kapag may sinumbat sa iyo, you can just say
‘hey, i fought one of the greatest fights here, sinong sumuko?’.. is it about Ella?”
“Well.. yeah..”
“Why?”
“Mom, she definitely knows that she changed me. And I am willing to continue this change. Its
just that, I love her so much and now.. Im getting some doubts that she doesn’t feel the same way
to me.”
“You mean..?”
“Her ex came back and.. they’re getting along well..”
“Tsk.Tsk. That’s bad..” She said.
“Right. She got a lot of repentance to do sa akin. And alam mo ba kung ano iyon? First, sinira
mo ang pangarap ko to be with Dustin.”
“What?”
“Dustin.. she’s the little girl you’re talking about. Siya yung babaeng binigyan mo ng bracelet.
Siya yung sinasabi mong pakakasalan mo balang araw. Diba pinakita mo yung bracelet sakin
noon? It was the same bracelet you gave to her. And kelan ko nakita? The day before Bianca
threw it at the hole. And you want to know kung sino ang nagplano nun? I did. Ayokong
malaman mo na she’s the little girl. Ayokong malaman mo na siya yung babaeng hinihintay mo.
And remember mo ba nung sinampal ko si Bianca. I said two reasons. One is, ang sabi ko lang,
itapon ang bracelet na binigay mo. She threw both. Two, she’s still desperate sa iyo.”
“Ysa, i thought..”
“Patapusin mo muna ako Dustin! Second, inagaw mo si Xander! Hinde mo ba alam na pumunta
ako ng States just to be with him? I was afraid noon to hook up with him kasi baka hinde siya
sincere. Kaya we tested his sincerity. At dahil nga, we’re not on the same school, gusto kong
malaman kung pwede nga siyang mahulog sa mga babae dun sa school niyo. Kaya we made a
deal. Ligawan ka, and if you’ll fall for him at hinde parin siya nahuhulog sa iyo, ill answer him
yes. Pero kapag hinde ka nahulog sa kanya at nahulog siya sa iyo, ill answer him no. Pero anong
nangyari? You fell for each other. Hinde mo ba nahalata? Ganito din yung nangyari sa room niyo
nung nalaman mo diba? Its just that, wala ako para iexplain sa iyo ang lahat. Its because of you,
kaya siya nagkaron ng amnesia! Ikaw ang dahilan nun! Ikaw!” Ysa was crying very hard.
Ella’s POV
Tumakbo ako papalayo sa kanya. Nang papaakyat ako, lahat ng tao nakatingin sakin. Kinuha ko
ang bag ko at lumabas ng school. Sobrang nasaktan talaga ako sa nangyari. Pakiramdam ko,
tinutusok ng kutsilyo yung puso ko. Hinde ko mapigilan ang mga luhang dumadaloy sa mga
mata ko.
“Ta-nga mo Ella.. ang ta-nga mo.. ta-nga ka talaga.. di ka na natuto..”
Inuntog ko yung ulo ko dun sa post habang naghihintay ako ng jeep. Honestly, hinde ko alam
kung san ako pupunta.
Umiiyak parin ako habang naglalakad sa ulan. Hinde ko parin matanggap that Dustin courted me
because of a deal. Bakit ba ganito nalang lagi? Ako palage yung kawawa kapag naiinlove ako.
Ako palagi yung inaapi.
“Give up everything? Ugh. Ano akala niya sakin? Bata na pwedeng mauto? Sawang-sawa na
ako..”
Napaiyak nalang ulit ako at sumakay sa jeep. Nung umuwi ako sa bahay, buti nalang hinde ako
nakita ni Manang na mapula ang mata. Uusisain na naman ako nun. Mabilis akong pumasok sa
kwarto at umiyak. Umiyak ako ng umiyak. Okay na sana e. Okay na talaga sana e. Pero bakit
ganun pa? Kung yung issue dito e nung nakita niya kami sa cakehouse. Wala naman yun e.
Wala naman akong ginawang masama e.
**flashback
Papunta na sana ako ng concert ng makita ko si Xander dun sa cakeshop. Sabi niya kelangan naming
mag-usap dahil babalik na daw siya ng States in no time. Ayoko sana kasi nga concert nina Dustin,
pero umupo narin ako at para matapos na to.
“alam mong mahal kita.”
“…”
“Ill go back at NY in no time. Ella, would you give me another chance and start again at
the States?”
“Xander..”
“Alam ko, you’re with Dustin, but, do you really love him? If not, then just go with me..”
“Xander, Dustin is my boyfriend. I love him. Its just that.. im not really sure about it.”
“Ill give you time.. Can i get ur answer as soon as possible?”
“Yeah..” I said and smiled.
Then he kissed me on the cheeks. Siguro yun yung nakita nila. Pero that was just nothing.
**end
Si Dustin yung batang lalaki noon? Si Dustin yung nagbigay ng bracelet? Naguguluhan ako.
Bakit ba ganito ang nangyayari? Bakit ba ganito? No, Ella. Niloko ka nilang dalawa! Niloko ka
nila. You’ll never ever trust anybody again - especially guys! Kaya dapat tapusin mo na ang
lahat. be strong Ella. be strong!
“Ella, si boyplen mo, nandito sa labas!”
“Sabihin mo hinde pa ako nakakauwi!”
Alam kong narinig yun ni Dustin. Mabuti nga e. Mas ayos na marinig niya. Para at least, alam
niyang naiinis talaga ako sa ginawa niya. Tumayo ako at sinilip ko siya sa bintana. Nakita kong
kausap niya si Manang. Then tumingin siya sa bintana ko. Bigla ko namang sinirado yung
curtain na hinahawakan ko.
Mahal ko nga ba si Dustin? Kung hinde, hindi naman ako iiyak ng ganito no? hinde ko na alam
gagawin ko.
“Ella, kain na!” sigaw naman ni Manang.
“Opo.” pumunta muna ako ng sink at nanghilamos. Ayokong makita ni Manang na namumula
ang mga mata ko.
Nang bumaba ako, pakiramdam ko, tinutusok parin yung puso ko. Umupo ako sa table at
yumuko habang hinihintay si Manang.
“Bakit? Nag-away ba kayo ni tisoy?”
Umiling lang ako kasi nga ayokong umimik. Baka mahalata niya sa boses ko.
“Kunwari ka pa.”
Umiling ulit ako.
“Anong pinag-awayan niyo?”
“He made a deal.” I said in a small voice.
“Pwede pakitagalog lang ineng. Baka dumugo ang aking ilong niyan?”
“Pinaglaruan niya lang ako.”
ng sinabi ko yun, hinde ko na mapigilang umiyak.
“Anong klase? At bakit naman?”
“He just made a deal with me. Hinde niya naman talaga ako minahal e. Manang, ang sakit. Ang
sakit sakit. Minsan na ngang nangyari sakin yan, tapoz mauulit ulit? Akala..akala ko..magbabago
na ang lahat.. akala ko, si Dustin na talaga yung magmamahal sakin.. *hikbi*.. hinde pala..
nagkamali ako.. lahat sila..lahat sila.. manloloko..manloloko..” bigla ko namang naramdaman
ang yakap ni Manang.
“Taha na..Ang Diyos ay may plano sa inyong dalawa Ella.”
Tumahimik ako.
“Tama ka, may plano nga ang Diyos. Binuksan niya ang isipan at ang mata ko na lahat ng lalaki
ay manloloko.”
“Ella.. wag kang ganyan. Hinde lahat ng tao ay manloloko. Sa tingin ko naman kay Dustin, hinde
ka niya niloko. Mahal ka niya Ineng.”
“Sinungaling siya.. sinungaling siya..” sabi ko nalang habang umiiyak.
Dustin’s POV
Maghapon akong nandun sa school. Lahat ng tao kami ang pinag-uusapan. Sina Bianca at Ysa
naman ni hindi makatingin sakin. Pero sa sobrang galit ko, kinausap ko silang dalawa.
“Ano, Ysa? Masaya ka na? Masaya na kayong dalawa dahil nalaman niya na? Masaya na ba
kayo na malamang galit na galit siya sakin? Ano?! Wala na e.. tapos na e.. wala na..” sabi ko
habang pinipigilan yung mga luha na umiipon sa mata ko.
“Dustin. I did for you. For the both of you..” she said habang umiiyak.
“Yeah, you did it for the both of us. And thank you. Thank you ha? Job well done. Great! Five
stars for you.” I said in a sarcasm voice.
“Dustin.. your welcome.” Bianca answered.
Sinuntok ko yung pader na nasa gilid ng kinatatayuan namin. Nabigla naman silang dalawa. I
stormed out of that place.
Tumakbo ako at kinuha yung bag ko sa school at lumabas. Dumiretso ako sa bahay nina Ella.
“Ella! Ella!! Pwede ba kitang makausap?” sigaw ako ng sigaw dun sa labas ng bahay nila at
press ng press ng doorbell.
Lumabas naman si Manang at sumigaw ng “Ella, boyplen mo nandito sa labas!”
Hinihintay ko na sana bumaba lang naman siya at kausapin ako. Pero narinig ko pa yung mga
sinagot niya.
“Sabihin mo hinde pa ako nakakauwi!”
Yup, masakit. Sobrang sakit. Pero siguro nga no? Hinde pa ito yung tamang oras para
magkausap kami. Pero sana man lang, pakinggan niya yung explanation ko.
And to think of, siya yung batang babae na binigyan ko ng bracelet. Waaaah! Kamalasan! Yan
kasi, naniniwala sa quote na “Play while you’re waiting 4 the ryt one”.. but be careful who you
play with? Coz baka yun nga yung hinihintay mo? Arrrgghh!
Napatingin ako sa bintana ng kwarto niya. I saw her closed the curtain. Tumalikod ako at
dumiretso sa bahay. Wala na namang tao. Pumunta ako sa kitchen. Si Cheska, may pajama party
daw sa bahay ng friend niya. Si Mommy, may business trip. Si Dad? Ewan ko dun. Baka uuwi
din dito mamaya. Umupo ako dun sa entertainment room at nag-isip. Pinapatahan yung galit na
nararamdaman ko sa loob.
Whew..
Then I heard na may kotseng tumigil. That must be Dad. Bumaba ako at nag greet ng ‘good
evening’. Then umakyat again at dumiretso sa kwarto. Nag-order nalang siya ng pagkain sa labas
at tinawag ako at kumain kami.
“Got any problem?” he asked habang kumakain kami. The silence was deafening.
“Wala po.” I said.
“Ella, mahal kita.. please, another chance.. another chance..” I said habang nagmamakaawa.
“Dustin, I don’t need guys like you. Sabi mo, Ive changed you. Pero, did i really change you?”
“Ella, you did. Youre.. you’re just afraid to take the risk in continuing changing me.”
“I want an average guy. At yun yung hinde mo magagawa para sakin. Alam mo kung bakit? Kasi
nga, you’re not an average guy. Isa ka sa mga taong mahirap abutin. Paglalaruan mo lang yung
mga taong nasa ibaba mo. And sad to say, kasali ako sa mga laruan mo.” She said with bitterness
in her voice.
“Ella..”
“I don’t need you. I don’t need another man who will break my heart into pieces over and over
again. You’re just another liar na dapat kinaiinisan at hinde pinaniniwalaan. I pity the girl na
magmamahal sa iyo.”
Clap. Clap. Clap.
“What a nice scene.” sabi ng kung sino mang kumag dun sa likod namin.
Lumingon ako para tingnan kung sino yun. Naalarma ako ng makita ko si Jake na nakatayo dun
kasama ang barkada niya. Pinaatras ko si Ella sa likod ko.
“Wag muna dito Jake.” sabi ko habang nakaharap sa kanya.
“Mas okay nga dito e. Sabi mo noon, wag rin muna. Siguro eto na yung tamang panahon diba?”
“May kasama akong babae. respeto lang kahit ngayong gabi lang.”
Bago pa ako makapagsalita, hinablot ng dalawang lalaki sa likuran ko si Ella.
“Bitiwan niyo ako!! Ano ba?! Bitiwan niyo ako!”
“Third, about Dustin. Yeah, he made a deal with his friends about you. He fell in love. He used
that deal para wag siyang tawanan ng kada namin at ng ibang tao.” she wiped the tears in her
eyes. “You changed him, na kahit ako hinde ko yun nagawa. Honestly, I admire you. You can
change a person kahit hinde mo naman sinasadya. But you’re just.. you’re just using my
bestfriend! Sabihin natin.. yeah, you fell for him. That was before na hinde nagpakita si Xander
ulit. Pero ngayon ano na? Anong ginagawa mo sa kanya? You’re hurting him! Sinasaktan mo
siya Ella.. Sinasaktan mo siya.. diba dapat, you’re the one accountable for his change? Diba
dapat ikaw yung taong magpapatuloy sa kanya sa pagiging ganyan niya? Pero Ella… you’re so
unfair. Dahil ba bumalik si Xander, ganyan na lang? Iiwan mo nalang siya? I just can’t let you do
that… I cant afford to see Dustin’s heart shatter into pieces because of you! And nung 24?
Anong ginawa mo? Alam mong may concert sina Dustin dito sa school, pero nasan ka? You
called him up saying, im in the house.. blah..blah..blah.. pero nasan ka? You were there sa
cakehouse.. with who? Xander..” she wiped the tears in her eyes again. “Alam kong Dustin
pretended na hinde siya nasasaktan, pero Ella, just looking in his eyes, makikita mo lahat.
Makikita mo kung ganno ka niya kamahal. Its just that… bakit mo siya ginaganito?”
Bigla nalang siyang nilapitan ni Bianca at niyakap.. “Shhss… tama na sis..”
Tiningnan ko si Ella na nakatayo lang dun sa gilid. Tears were flowing in her eyes. Alam kong
masyado siyang nasasaktan. I want to hug her and tell her its alright. Pero natatakot akong baka
sa paglapit ko, she’ll push me away.
“Ella..”
She looked at me. Looking at her eyes, nakita ko ang lahat ng naramdaman niya.
Pak!
“Ella, Im sorry.”
I said habang pinipigilan yugn luha sa mata ko.
“S-siguro nga..siguro nga I deserve this..Siguro nga ganito talaga yung…yung..nakatakda na
mangyari sakin.. siguro nga..siguro nga gaganituhin nalang ako palagi.. minamahal dahil sa deal.
Dahi sa lintik na deal na yan! *hikbi* Bakit Dustin? Ganito na ba talaga ako ka undesirable?
Wala na bang lalaking magmamahal sakin not because of a deal? Kundi dahil mahal niya talaga
ako? Sagutin mo ako Dustin..”
She shaked me habang hawak-hawak niya yung shoulders ko.
“Ella, please, listen..”
At bago pa ako makapagsalita, she ran away. Mabilis ko naman siyang sinundan.
“Ella!!”
“Just go away..”
she said habang tumatakbo.
“Ella, please!”
Bigla nalang siyang tumigil. Bago ko pa nalaman, we’re at the b-ball court. Sa covered court
kung san ko siya unang nakita. Pakiramdam ko, bigla nalang pinakita at pinaalala sakin ang
lahat.
The first time I saw her, she was standing five miles away from the court. She was holding an
umbrella. I felt some connection.
The first time I met her, she was shooting a ball at the net.
The first time we talked, dito rin yun.
The first time I played basketball with a girl, sa court din yun.
The first time I said to myself na mahal ko siya, dahil din sa court.
And siguro..
“Dustin.. sabi ko na nga e..”
“I love you.. I really do.” bigla nalang tumulo yung mga luha ko.
“You changed me. Binago mo ako. Please, just give me another chance..”
“I just want an average guy.. yung lalaking..yung..hinde naglalaro ng basketball.. yung.. hinde
playboy.. yung hinde hinahabol ng mga babae… i just.. i just want.. to love and be loved.. Yun
lang naman Dustin e..” She was still crying when she said those words.
“Ella, Im willing to give up everything. Just to be your average guy.. basketball, girls, anything..
just.. kung yun yung gusto mo.. Im willing to give up everything..”
“No, Dustin. You can’t. You just can’t give it up. You have to give up - me.”
“Ayoko..”
“Kung ayaw mo, I will. I give up! Ayoko na.. ayoko ng ganito..”
“Dahil si Xander parin ba? Ganun ba Ella? You just loved me kasi nakikita mo si Xander sakin.
Diba?! naisip mo ba kung gano kasakit yun sa side ko? Kung ikaw minahal dahil sa isang deal,
ako? Minahal lang dahil sa isang taong nagkaron ng amnesia at hinde maalala yung babaeng
yun! Na nakikita niya lang yung taong yun sakin? At ngayon na bumalik, iiwan nalang ako?!
ganun ba yun?” sobrang sakit ang nararamdaman ko.
“Dustin, gusto mo talagang malaman ang sagot ko sa tanong mo? Oo, at first, I saw Xander in
you. Sa konting panahon, nakalimutan ko yung sakit dahil sa iyo. I was given hope again.
Nalaman ko, na no matter how you close your heart, kahit lagyan mo pa ng kandado yung puso
mo, bubukas at bubukas parin yan. Dun ko nalaman na I can still love again. Dun ko nalaman na
pede rin pala akong maloko ulit.”
Bigla nalang siyang tumakbo palayo sa akin. Naiwan akong nakatayo dun sa covered court na
tumutulo ang luha. Sa init ng panahon, bumagsak ang pagkalakas-lakas na ulan. I will never ever
forget this day.
This is the first time that nalaman kong Im really in love with a girl.
This is the first time that iniwan ako ng isang babaeng sobrang mahal ko sa lugar na to.
Now I know, this is the
most valuable place for me.
Ella’s POV
Tumakbo ako papalayo sa kanya. Nang papaakyat ako, lahat ng tao nakatingin sakin. Kinuha ko
ang bag ko at lumabas ng school. Sobrang nasaktan talaga ako sa nangyari. Pakiramdam ko,
tinutusok ng kutsilyo yung puso ko. Hinde ko mapigilan ang mga luhang dumadaloy sa mga
mata ko.
“Ta-nga mo Ella.. ang ta-nga mo.. ta-nga ka talaga.. di ka na natuto..”
Inuntog ko yung ulo ko dun sa post habang naghihintay ako ng jeep. Honestly, hinde ko alam
kung san ako pupunta.
Umiiyak parin ako habang naglalakad sa ulan. Hinde ko parin matanggap that Dustin courted me
because of a deal. Bakit ba ganito nalang lagi? Ako palage yung kawawa kapag naiinlove ako.
Ako palagi yung inaapi.
“Give up everything? Ugh. Ano akala niya sakin? Bata na pwedeng mauto? Sawang-sawa na
ako..”
Napaiyak nalang ulit ako at sumakay sa jeep. Nung umuwi ako sa bahay, buti nalang hinde ako
nakita ni Manang na mapula ang mata. Uusisain na naman ako nun. Mabilis akong pumasok sa
kwarto at umiyak. Umiyak ako ng umiyak. Okay na sana e. Okay na talaga sana e. Pero bakit
ganun pa? Kung yung issue dito e nung nakita niya kami sa cakehouse. Wala naman yun e.
Wala naman akong ginawang masama e.
**flashback
Papunta na sana ako ng concert ng makita ko si Xander dun sa cakeshop. Sabi niya kelangan naming mag-usap dahil babalik na daw
siya ng States in no time. Ayoko sana kasi nga concert nina Dustin, pero umupo narin ako at para matapos na to.
“alam mong mahal kita.”
“…”
“Ill go back at NY in no time. Ella, would you give me another chance and start again at
the States?”
“Xander..”
“Alam ko, you’re with Dustin, but, do you really love him? If not, then just go with me..”
“Xander, Dustin is my boyfriend. I love him. Its just that.. im not really sure about it.”
“Ill give you time.. Can i get ur answer as soon as possible?”
“Yeah..” I
said and smiled.
Then he kissed me on the cheeks. Siguro yun yung nakita nila. Pero that was just nothing.
**end
Si Dustin yung batang lalaki noon? Si Dustin yung nagbigay ng bracelet? Naguguluhan ako.
Bakit ba ganito ang nangyayari? Bakit ba ganito? No, Ella. Niloko ka nilang dalawa! Niloko ka
nila. You’ll never ever trust anybody again - especially guys! Kaya dapat tapusin mo na ang
lahat. be strong Ella. be strong!
“Ella, si boyplen mo, nandito sa labas!”
“Sabihin mo hinde pa ako nakakauwi!”
Alam kong narinig yun ni Dustin. Mabuti nga e. Mas ayos na marinig niya. Para at least, alam
niyang naiinis talaga ako sa ginawa niya. Tumayo ako at sinilip ko siya sa bintana. Nakita kong
kausap niya si Manang. Then tumingin siya sa bintana ko. Bigla ko namang sinirado yung
curtain na hinahawakan ko.
Mahal ko nga ba si Dustin? Kung hinde, hindi naman ako iiyak ng ganito no? hinde ko na alam
gagawin ko.
“Ella, kain na!”
sigaw naman ni Manang.
“Opo.”
pumunta muna ako ng sink at nanghilamos. Ayokong makita ni Manang na namumula ang mga
mata ko.
Nang bumaba ako, pakiramdam ko, tinutusok parin yung puso ko. Umupo ako sa table at
yumuko habang hinihintay si Manang.
“Bakit? Nag-away ba kayo ni tisoy?”
Umiling lang ako kasi nga ayokong umimik. Baka mahalata niya sa boses ko.
“Kunwari ka pa.”
Umiling ulit ako.
“Anong pinag-awayan niyo?”
“He made a deal.” I said in a small voice.
“Pwede pakitagalog lang ineng. Baka dumugo ang aking ilong niyan?”
“Pinaglaruan niya lang ako.”
ng sinabi ko yun, hinde ko na mapigilang umiyak.
“Anong klase? At bakit naman?”
“He just made a deal with me. Hinde niya naman talaga ako minahal e. Manang, ang sakit. Ang
sakit sakit. Minsan na ngang nangyari sakin yan, tapoz mauulit ulit? Akala..akala ko..magbabago
na ang lahat.. akala ko, si Dustin na talaga yung magmamahal sakin.. *hikbi*.. hinde pala..
nagkamali ako.. lahat sila..lahat sila.. manloloko..manloloko..”
bigla ko namang naramdaman ang yakap ni Manang.
“Taha na..Ang Diyos ay may plano sa inyong dalawa Ella.”
Tumahimik ako.
“Tama ka, may plano nga ang Diyos. Binuksan niya ang isipan at ang mata ko na lahat ng lalaki
ay manloloko.”
“Ella.. wag kang ganyan. Hinde lahat ng tao ay manloloko. Sa tingin ko naman kay Dustin, hinde
ka niya niloko. Mahal ka niya Ineng.”
“Sinungaling siya.. sinungaling siya..” sabi ko nalang habang umiiyak.
Dustin’s POV
Maghapon akong nandun sa school. Lahat ng tao kami ang pinag-uusapan. Sina Bianca at Ysa
naman ni hindi makatingin sakin. Pero sa sobrang galit ko, kinausap ko silang dalawa.
“Ano, Ysa? Masaya ka na? Masaya na kayong dalawa dahil nalaman niya na? Masaya na ba
kayo na malamang galit na galit siya sakin? Ano?! Wala na e.. tapos na e.. wala na..” sabi ko
habang pinipigilan yung mga luha na umiipon sa mata ko.
“Dustin. I did for you. For the both of you..” she said habang umiiyak.
“Yeah, you did it for the both of us. And thank you. Thank you ha? Job well done. Great! Five
stars for you.”
I said in a sarcasm voice.
“Dustin.. your welcome.”
Bianca answered.
Sinuntok ko yung pader na nasa gilid ng kinatatayuan namin. Nabigla naman silang dalawa.
I stormed out of that place.
Tumakbo ako at kinuha yung bag ko sa school at lumabas. Dumiretso ako sa bahay nina Ella.
“Ella! Ella!! Pwede ba kitang makausap?”
sigaw ako ng sigaw dun sa labas ng bahay nila at press ng press ng doorbell.
Lumabas naman si Manang at sumigaw ng “Ella, boyplen mo nandito sa labas!”
Hinihintay ko na sana bumaba lang naman siya at kausapin ako. Pero narinig ko pa yung mga
sinagot niya.
“Sabihin mo hinde pa ako nakakauwi!”
Yup, masakit. Sobrang sakit. Pero siguro nga no? Hinde pa ito yung tamang oras para
magkausap kami. Pero sana man lang, pakinggan niya yung explanation ko.
And to think of, siya yung batang babae na binigyan ko ng bracelet. Waaaah! Kamalasan! Yan
kasi, naniniwala sa quote na “Play while you’re waiting 4 the ryt one”.. but be careful who you
play with? Coz baka yun nga yung hinihintay mo? Arrrgghh!
Napatingin ako sa bintana ng kwarto niya. I saw her closed the curtain. Tumalikod ako at
dumiretso sa bahay. Wala na namang tao. Pumunta ako sa kitchen. Si Cheska, may pajama party
daw sa bahay ng friend niya. Si Mommy, may business trip. Si Dad? Ewan ko dun. Baka uuwi
din dito mamaya. Umupo ako dun sa entertainment room at nag-isip. Pinapatahan yung galit na
nararamdaman ko sa loob.
Whew..
Then I heard na may kotseng tumigil. That must be Dad. Bumaba ako at nag greet ng ‘good
evening’. Then umakyat again at dumiretso sa kwarto. Nag-order nalang siya ng pagkain sa labas
at tinawag ako at kumain kami.
“Got any problem?”
he asked habang kumakain kami. The silence was deafening.
“Wala po.” I said.
“What happened?”
“Mr. Lizares.. good evening po..”
“Iha, anong nangyari?”
“Si..si Dustin po.. nabugbog.” sabi ko habang umiiyak.
“I told him not to engage in those fights!” He said. “BAkit siya napaaway?”
“I think..i think, may nangyari na sakanila noon.. and.. the guy’s just taking a revenge to him..”
“Then? Hinde ba siya lumaban?”
“Kin-..they used me against him..”
“Oh God..” huminga ng malalim yung Daddy niya at nilagay ang kamay nito sa noo at pumikit.
“Ano name ng bumugbog sakanya?”
“There were 6 of them. Yung dalawa nakahawak sakin. Yung leader nanonood. I heard Dustin
said ‘Jake’.”
“Jake? Jake Madrigal?”
“Im not really sure.. Kanina ko lang po nakita yung lalaking yun.”
Hinde na ako makahinga ng maayos ng tinatanong ako ng Daddy ni Dustin. Bigla nalang kaagad
dumating yung sister niya na si Cheska, nakapajama pa.
“Dad, what happened?!”
she asked habang natataranta.
“Dustin’s in there.”
her Dad answered while pointing the ER.
“Is he alright? Dad? What?”
“I don’t know. They’re checking up on him.”
Umupo si Cheska sa tabi ko.
“In behalf of my son, Im sorry. Im really sorry. He really loves you so much that’s why he did
that. I just hope you understand everything. Im really sorry that it has to get to this point. He hurt
you. You hurt him. Let’s just be, good to each other. Okay?”
she said as she held my hand.
I just nodded.
Then finally, the door at the ER opened. The doctor went out.
“Ano na?”
“We’re the parents.”
Tumayo ako at lumapit sa kanila.
“Im sorry to say that.. besides of having a bone fracture at the arms, an internal bleeding
near the head.. and a black eye at the eye..
…your son’s okay.”
———-
After nun, pinauwi na ako ng Mother and Father niya. Sila na daw ang bahala kay Dustin. Ever
since that day, hinde na ako nagpakita sa hospital. Graduation na and Dustin’s still at the
hospital. Hinde pa siya pwedeng palabasin since yung arms niya eh hinde pa gaanong safe. And
inoobserbahan pa daw ang ulo niya. That’s what I heard from Ysa and Bianca.
And yeah, we’re friends already. Forgetting is a hard job, but to forgive is not. They apologized
to me. Si Xander naman he went to the States already. I told him that what we had before
couldn’t be restored anymore. And he accepted it gladly.
Hinde ko alam kung makakagraduate si Dustin. But I heard, may teacher na dumadalaw sa kanya
doon at tinuturuan siya sa mga lessons. Then, binibigyan siya ng quizzes. Exams? Doon na rin sa
hospital. Binabantayan lang siya ng teacher.
Ewan ko ba at parang natatakot akong magpakita sa kanya doon sa hospital. Hinde ko alam kung
bakit nasasaktan ako pag naririnig ko yung mga kwento ng mga schoolmates ko about sa kanya.
Pakiramdam ko, ako ang may kasalanan ng lahat. But not until that day.
“Yeah?..no way!.. im not going back! Im staying here Mom. NY university?! No way!
Philippines is-..yeah..okay..bye..”
After I talked to my mom, i buried my face at my handkerchief. She wants me to go back home
at NY. She wants me to continue my college at NYU. Why the-!!
“I really think you should visit him.”
Ysa said as I was sitting at my desk.
“Huh?”
“Nga pala, may try out mamaya sa Basketball Team nila dito. Punta ka ha?”
I looked at him. I smiled. “Hindi na.”
“Hm? Bakit?”
Ngumiti lang ako sa kanya at nagsimulang maglakad.
I know nabigla siya and i know i left a big question mark on his brain. Pagod na rin akong mag
explain kung bakit ayoko nang maglaro ng basketball. Since she was gone, nawalan na ako ng
ganang maglaro ng basketball. And minsan, sumasakit yung kamay ko sa sobrang pagdidribble.
Remember the bone fracture at my right arm? Yeah, its healed, pero minsan, sinusumpong
talaga.
“Hey, yan ba si # 10 of Horses?”
I heard a girl said.
Dumiretso lang ako sa paglakad as if na hindi ako yung tinutukoy nila.
“Hey!! Dustin?! Papicture naman o
!” A girl came up to me.
Nabigla ako. Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko. I just smiled at her and said,
“Im sorry. I can’t.”
“Pero diba ikaw yung MVP of the year? Tapos team captain ka pa ng basketball, and we heard
hearthrob ka daw? Sige na, papicture.”
“Im sorry, hindi talaga pwede. And yung mga sinabi niyo, hindi na ako yun. That was me before
now. Right now,
…Im just an average guy. Not a team captain, not an MVP and not a hearthrob. Just a guy.”
The girls just looked at me na parang nagtaka. Wala naman akong planong iexplain sa kanila
kung bakit sinabi ko yun. Im tired. And ayoko ng irefresh pa yung mga nangyari. I just smiled at
them and went on.
4 years had gone na wala akong narinig sa kanya. Hindi ko alam kung kailangan ko pang umasa.
Sabi ni Mommy, i have to let go. I graduated from college and worked at a big company.
Business partner ni Daddy yung napasukan ko. So, all praises to me parin. Kumuha ako ng board
exam and was on the top ten. Glad i made it.
Ysa’s on Hongkong. She made a deal with a fashion company. Bianca? I really don’t know
where she is. But then I heard she’s at Singapore doing some modeling.
It was an early morning. I went to the office very early kasi nga marami pa akong tatapusin.
“Good morning Mr. Lizares.”
my secretary said habang nilalagay yung coat malapit sa cabinet.
“Good morning. Hmm, any sched?” I
asked.
“Hmm, let me see. You’ve got a meeting with Mr. Ayala at 11 am. A conference with Mr.
Guttierez at 2 pm. That’s all.”
“Thank you.”
Lalabas na sana siya when she remembered something.
“Hmm, sir? May letter ka po diyan. Dumating kanina lang. Its in your table.”
she said at umalis.
I looked at the envelope. I was shocked to find out that it came from St. Peter’s University.
Dali-dali kong binuksan yung envelope. An invitation for the alumni. I looked at the letter na
parang everything came back to me. The memories. I looked at my finger. If she’s going to be
there, will i still feel the same about her? Kasi alam kong Im not totally over her. I really am not.
Pupunta ba ako? O hindi? I asked myself over and over again. Then I decided that i’ll go nalang.
Wala namang mawawala e. Diba? So let’s just see and find out.
That’s 1 week away from this week. And sa sobrang busy ko, hindi ko na namalayan na alumni
homecoming na ng school. I called Hans kung pupunta siya, he said yes. He’ll bring his wife
daw. Yeah, he’s married already. Buti nga di nambababae e.
“Hmm, sir, may meeting po kayo with Mr. Garriel at 9 pm sa Convention Hotel.”
“Hmm, Tessa? Can someone fill it up for me? May pupuntahan pa kasi ako e. Im really sorry.”
“Sure sir.”
She said.
Lumabas naman ako ng office at nagdrive papuntang Grand’s avenue. Malayo-layo ng konti
yung pinagtatrabahuan ko sa school. Ni hindi na nga ako nakapagbihis. Pero ayos lang, di naman
ako nagpainit or nagpawis e.
I parked my car outside. Late na kasi akong dumating. 8 nagstart yung cocktail party, 9:30 na
ako dumating. The traffic man! damn! Nahihiya nga akong pumasok e. Pero bakit pa? Kung san
ako tumanda, dun pa ako nahiya.
Bago ako pumasok, i just felt everything came back. Lahat nang nangyari sakin sa highschool.
The fun, the kagaguhan, lahat. Pakiramdam ko, Im a teen ager again. Pero hindi e, Im over with
that. Really over with that.
Pumasok ako ng auditorium. Marami na rin palang pinagbago ang school. Nakita ko naman
kaagad sina Hans, Lester and John. Hans’ with his wife. Si Lester, single parin. Si John naman
engaged na. Couldn’t see Bianca. Pero nandun narin si Ysa. I walked near them then Ysa kissed
me on the cheeks. Nagtawanan naman kami nina Hans.
“Pare! Its like highschool again no?”
“OO nga eh! Hanep! San ka nagpakasal?! NI hindi mo man lang kami inimbita a.”
“Dun kami nagpakasal sa states e. I met her kasi dun. Oh yeah, Jean, my friend, Dustin. Dustin,
wife ko, si Jean.”
I shook hands with her. She’s lovely and she seems nice. Ngumiti naman siya. After kong
makipag get together again with the batch, panay ang tingin ko sa pintuan.
“Looking and waiting for her?”
Ysa whispered.
I smiled. “Hindi ah. See this?” tinaas ko yung kamay ko para makita niya.
“What does it mean?”
“Hay naku. Alam ko noh!”
“Wait, labas muna ako Ysa. Ive got some place to check in to. Nga pala, tapos na ba yung
basketball tournament ng highschoolers dito?”
“Yeah, natapos mga past 7.”
“Ahh, sige. Ill be back in a minute.”
I said at lumabas ng auditorium.
I walked slowly at the corridors. Then dumaan ako sa locker.
“Dito ko sinabit yung bracelet noon.”
I said to myself.
Dumaan naman ako sa may tubo dun malapit sa canteen.
“Dito siya umiyak dahil hinulog nina Bianca yung bracelets niya.”
Habang lakad ako ng lakad, napadaan ako sa BB [bulletin board].
“Dito siya unang nasaktan because of me. Dito rin siya huling nasaktan.”
Dumiretso lang ako sa paglalakad. Nakaabot din ako sa lugar na hinding-hindi ko
makakalimutan. The basketball covered court.
Pumasok ako at ngumiti. Huminga ako ng malalim at tumayo sa gitna ng court. Kumuha ako ng
bola sa gilid at nagdribble. Then nagtry ng lay up. Too bad, hindi na shoot. Then I shaked my
hands. I tried again pero hindi parin nashoot. Naiinis na ako so I tried a free throw. Hindi parin
na shoot. Hanggang tumigil na ako sa pagshoshoot. Umupo ako dun sa gitna ng court habang
nasa gilid ko yung bola.
“Dun siya nagshoshoot ng bola.” I pointed out. “Tapos dun ko din naiwan yung trig notebook ko.
Dun kami nagkaroon ng deal.” Turo ko sa bench. “Diyan ako nakatayo when I first saw her.
Doon naman natapos ang lahat.”
I whispered.
Tumayo ulit ako at sinubukan kong magshoot ng bola. Bakit hindi ko kaya mashoot ito ng tama?
Then bigla nalang may nagshoot ng bola sa likod ko. Nabigla ako at napalingon.
To my surprise, there she is, standing right before me.
“Don’t tell me, tumanda ka lang di ka na makapagshoot ng maayos?”
she said smiling.
Para akong lelang na nakatayo lang dun sa harapan niya. I couldn’t find my voice. Pakiramdam
ko, everything’s so dark at siya lang yung nakikita ko.
“Dustin?”
“Im sorry.” I said nang bumalik ako sa Earth galing Pluto.
“I didn’t know you were coming.”
“I didn’t expect that I’ll find you here.” she said smiling.
“Yeah.. you know.. hindi naman pwedeng wala kang gf no? I mean, with that face of yours?”
“Well.. honestly, tagtatatatlo nga eh.”
I said and laughed.
“Seriously?!”
“Just kidding.”
I said. Then i moved my hands sa likod ko para makalean ako using my hands.
Then she did the same. Nabigla nalang ako when I looked at her, her face’s in shock.
“Y-you’re.. you’re engaged?”
she asked while tears started to fill her eyes.
“Well..” Nagdadalawang isip ako kung sasabihin ko ba. “Yeah. Im engaged.” I
said at huminga ng malalim.
“I thought so too.”
She said habang pinipigilan yung luha sa mga mata niya.
Tumahimik kaming dalawa. Then I started speaking.
“Remember the day when you told me, you just want an average guy? I gave up basketball when
I entered college. Sinubsob ko yung sarili ko sa pag-aaral. Siguro nga sa 4 years na yun, twice
lang ako pumunta ng bar. Im not a hearthrob anymore. Hindi narin ako team captain. I gave that
up all because a girl told me that she just wants an average guy.”
I said habang tinitingnan yung bola sa harapan ko.
“You didn’t. You’re kidding me.” she said.
“Im not. Kaya siguro I don’t even know how to play basketball right now. Bago ka umalis, I
heard everything you said to me.”
“Bakit.. bakit di mo ako pinigilan?!”
She asked while tears where streaming down her eyes.
“You told me to believe in fate. To have faith in fate. And i did. I’ve waited for you, pero kahit
ni minsan di ka nagparamdam, i thought our chapter has finally ended. And alam ko, kahit I
assured you that i’ll never hurt you, kahit na pinigilan kita, do you think, magpapapigil ka ba? I
think not. You’re the kind of girl na pag sinabi mong ganyan, ganyan talaga. You’re weak, even
though you try to hide it. Nakikita ko yun Ella. You were afraid to take risks. You were afraid to
continue changing me. Takot kang masaktan kaya you chose to leave everything behind.”
Pinipigil ko na talaga yung luha sa mata kong lumabas. “And then, she came. She was a lot like
you. The only difference was she wasn’t afraid to take risks. Hindi siya natakot masaktan. She
knew all about our past. She was like my bestfriend. She wasn’t afraid to get hurt. And she
continued to change me na hindi mo ginawa. Ive longed for you. Pero she filled me up. And I
know I didn’t love her because I see you in her, I love her because she loves me. As you said, she
loved, and she was loved.”
I saw her looking at the ceiling trying to stop the tears from falling.
“Im sorry.”
I said.
She cried very hard. I know wala akong magagawa, but then, i offered her a hug. She cried at my
chest. Kahit ako nasasaktan. Pero everything’s different now. What we had before, couldn’t be
restored anymore. Everything’s not the same as before. I did my best here, pero tinakbuhan niya
ako. No, hindi ako, she ran away from love, from my love.
She just cried and cried.
“Im so happy for you..”
she said while crying.
I know that was a lie. I know in no time, she’ll be okay. I know she will.
I just hugged her again. This time, it was tighter. This’ll be my last hug to her. Maybe.
Then I heard a voice. “Dustin?”
Ella wiped her eyes. Binitiwan ko siya ng dahan-dahan.
“Dustin?”
Tumayo ako at tinulungan ko naman si Ella na tumayo.
“Cara..” then she went up to us. “Oh, Cara, this is Ella, and Ella? This is my fiance, Cara.”
Ella wiped her eyes again with her handkerchief. Cara kissed her on the cheeks.
“Nice meeting you..” Ella said.
“Dustin told me a lot of things about you. Its so great to finally meet you.”
Cara said excitedly.
Cara saw her crying and she looked at me. I just smiled at her. Then she excused herself.
“I think i’ll just go back to the hall. Ill see you guys later.”
she said and went away.
Tears at her eyes started to fall again.
“She’s a great girl.”
she said.
“I know.” I said smiling.
“So maybe, this is when the time that we finally close our chapter huh?”
“I think so.”
“……”
she just cried again.
I kissed her on the cheek.
“I’ll be going.” I said. “You sure, you’ll be okay?”
“Okay..”
I said and walked away from her. Hindi ko alam, pero I think, nabunutan ako ng tinik sa
lalamunan.
Mtagal ko nang tinanggap that we’re not meant for each other. That was since I started falling in
love with Cara. And she just have to accept the fact that we’re over.
Our chapter has permanently ended.
********
Ella’s POV
I went here para makita siya muli. Bumalik ako para sabihin sa kanya that I’m ready to take
another chance. I want to know if he’s still in love with me or something.
But then, I found out that he’s engaged. I felt my heart broke into pieces. I felt my hopes
shattered. The man i thought i’d spend my life with is getting married. I’m so !@#$ holding to
the glimmer of hope that there’s still a chance for the both of us. When I saw the ring in his
finger, pakiramdam ko hindi ako makahinga. I felt there’s a big lump in my throat that i couldn’t
find words to say. Then naramdaman ko na lang the warm liquids flowing from eyes unto my
cheeks. And before I knew it, he wrapped me in his arms. Why? Because he knows that he hurt
me. Alam niyang sobra akong nasasaktan. Sa sobrang sakit na yun, wala na akong nasabi. I just
cried and cried and cried. Hindi ko nagawang magalit kasi I don’t have any right to do so. I was
the one who left him.
I was the one who got afraid of taking risks. I was the one who made this complicated. In my
blurry vision, I saw him walking palabas ng court. My tears were streaming down. I felt my
knees went weak. The man im wishing and loving for all of my life, is finally walking out from
my life. When he was nowhere of my sight, i walked outside. I looked at the sky. Its dark and
cloudy. As i was walking down the aisle, rain started to fall. I opened my hands to feel it.