We spent few more days at the hotel bago bumalik ng Manila. After that night, my unknown relationship with Elouise became better—no, maybe kind of. He thinks that I have already overcome my nightmares and trauma after he brought me in Antipolo but he's completely wrong.
My nightmares became more severe each passing night. Palaging mayroong pumapatay sa akin sa panaginip ko. I always end up dying. Nightmares sucks.
Ilang araw na akong walang tulog. At tuwing madaling araw, si Eris ang madalas kong binubulabog kagaya ngayong madaling-araw. I woke up because of nightmare. It's 2:17 in the early morning, and I can't help but to cry. I've been suffering with this for too long and nowadays it became a burden on my mental health big time. That's why I already planned something already in my head.
"E-Eris.." Hindi ko maiwasang mapahag"Com'è la tua giornata?" How's your day?"I am fine, Doc." I smiled as I seat infront of When, my psychiatrist for almost 3 years now. Back then, I was diagnosed with Adjustment disorder with depressed mood. It was normally lasts within 6 months but can be prolonged like what have happened to me.On my first to fifth month of living here in Switzerland, everything was rough. Nahirapan akong mag-adjust sa environment at mag cope lalo na sa language nila. Buti na lang, Englisherist si Doc.But then, after months of studying and reading books, I can say that I learned — not everything tho. Hindi pa rin ako fluent.I feel so scared the first time I went to Dr. When's Psychiatric Clinic. How funny that I even thought that he's a pervert. I was wrong tho. He's handsome and so so gentle
PAULIT-ULIT kong binasa ang article na 'yon. Tumigil lang ako ng humapdi na ang mga mata ko. Hilam ang mga ito kaka-iyak sa hindi ko matukoy na dahilan.Dahil ba natutuwa ako na hindi na nagtatago sa likod ng pen name n'ya si Elouise? o dahil nasasaktan ako kasi.. ang posisyon ko dati sa tabi n'ya ay napalitan na ng iba?Tinuyo ko ang basa kong pisngi. This isn't worth my tears. Besides, I told him before not to wait for me. And what hurts the most is.. I tought, he would come to me like he used to do before. I thought he would find a way to follow me.. however, it didn't come.And it disappoints me until now.Pumasok ako sa loob ng banyo, para makapag half-bath muna at para na rin makapag hilamos.Nang makapag palit na rin ako ng pantulog ay
"Mukhang ginto ang presyo ng mga pagkain rito ah," bulong ko habang papasok kami sa loob.I simply looked around. As for our date, Rowhen brought me to a steak house here in Zurich. Mangha kong tiningnan ang kabuuan ng lugar. The whole place shouts luxuriousness and extravagance.When glanced at me, "What did you say?" tanong nito habang pumipili ng pagkain sa menu. Narinig niya pala ang pagbulong ko."Nothing, I said I'm hungry.." palusot ko. He chuckled."Silly.. What's yours?"My phone beeped. "Oh! go ahead. I don't know what to choose anyway." ani ko saka kinuha ang phone ko sa bag.I saw Judy's name on my notification. She texted me. I rarely reply to her text because I w
"Sinong susundo sa akin?"Paglapag ng eroplano, tinawagan ko agad si Eris to inform that I already landed at the airport.[ Si Read susundo sa'yo...] sagot niya sa akin sa pagod na boses."Sige, salamat. Tatawagan ko nalang." tuliro kong hinahatak ang bagahe ko. Malalim ang bawat hinga ko.Tinawagan ko si Read pagkatapos ng tawag kay Eris. Nasa labas na daw siya at iniintay ako. I am nervous to go home. It is so wrecking to go home. I lost a close friend, and I am about to face Elouise again. And I am not ready for any of these."Ryll!!" rinig kong tawag ni Read sa pangalan ko. Nakasandal ito sa dala nitong HiAce at
"Bakit niya ginawa ito para sa'kin?"Para akong binalikan ng masakit kong pag-iwan sa kaniya.Ryll,Alam kong may problema. Alam kong may mali sa ikinikilos mo, kahit hindi mo sabihin.. kahit hindi ka magsalita. Kaya sa mga simpleng bagay ko idinaan ang pagpapagaan ko ng loob mo. Maniwala ka man o hindi, lagi mo akong nasa tabi kahit pa iwanan at ilugmok mo akong mag-isa.. dala mo lagi ang mga akdang isinulat ko saan ka man pumunta. My works symbolizes my never ending feelings for you. You may not know it but, you were my forever favorite reader. You can be my anti-fan and an avid fan. You could feel the sincere feelings of my characters. I remember you being sad for not getting one of my books so I always got a limited edition for you. Gustong-gusto ko ang paraan mo ng pagbabasa. Huling bahagi bago ang una, so unique technique of reading. But I have always wondered, if you h
"I have to go."Uuwi na siya agad?"Ha? bakit naman?" Gulat na tanong ni Eris.He refused to look at my direction, "I have to join Nica.." he get his keys from the table, "Overtime sa office."Joseph pout and looked at Elouise with wide eyes, "Ooh, overtime, haha! Sige pare, ingat ka!"Overtime huh? o baka bebe time? Why do I sound so bitter? Ano bang pakialam ko?I could only look at his back as he walk towards the door.Bakit ako naiinis?! Hindi naman ako nagseselos! Bakit naman ako magseselos? Overtime nga diba?"Oh, bakit parang sasabog ka na sa galit diyan?"Kim'
"Nako ha, hindi na ako natutuwa sa kanilang dalawa!"Padabog na ibinagsak ni Eris ang mga papel na hawak niya sa lamesa, pagkatapos kong ikwento sakaniya 'yung nangyari kanina sa coffee shop.Parang mas na-stress pa siya sa akin. E ako naman 'yung nakakita, at ako ang nasaktan. Ngayon, parehas na ata kami ng nararamdaman nitong babaeng ito. Kanina pa siya naghihimutok dahil nakita kong magkasama si Elouise at Nica. We are one nga daw kasi."Hindi dapat gano'n! Dapat pinaglaban mo kung ano ang sa'yo!" pagbubunganga niya sa akin."Wala namang sa akin!" I objected what she just said. Kailan pa naging akin si Elouise?!"Akala mo lang wala! pero desisyon ako, ako ang magdedesisyon para sa inyong dalawa!" She massaged
"Pagkatapos kong sabihin na p'wede niya na akong ligawan officially, niyakap niya lang ako ng mahigpit!"Ibinaon ko ang mukha ko sa unan dahil sa kahihiyan habang kinikwento ko kay Eris ang nangyari."You should go," I said, pulling away from his embrace.He pulled me back into his arms, "One more minute."But he embraced me more than a minute now, ang tagal naman ng isang minuto."El, your minute is over," I whispered on his chest.He hugged me tightly, "It's not, we have more minutes together," I slightly pull away to see his handsome face."Hindi mo sure ha," I tried to hide my smile.Kumunot ang no
I got choked by her sudden question! Bwiset talaga 'tong mga ito. "A-Ano ba namang tanong iyan?!" Umubo-ubo ako, with a look of disbelief in my face. Kim pushed back her hair while waiting for my answer, seated on the sofa. Her eyes were telling that she's eager for my response. "Curious lang kami. Ano ka ba, 'wag kang Kill joy!" Umirap si Eris, pinipilit akong sumagot sa walang kwenta niyang tanong. It's not something to brag about! Her famn question is ridiculous to answer! What the hell! "H'wag mo siyang pilitin sumagot, gaga." Saway ni Kim kay Eris. "It is a private matter, gunggong ka." Nag-thumbs up ako ng palihim kay Kim, tinanguan niya ako pabalik. "Oo nga, there's a line, o." Segunda ko pa. I made a face. Nanliit ang mga mata ni Eris. "Hhmm, base sa itsura ng mukha mo, you guys didn't do the nasty pa.." Her brows shot up and down again, feeling like a detective. "Just make outs, am I right?" I frowned. What the heck? How the hell did she get that answer just from lo
Nagmamadali akong bumaba ng kotse pagtapos kong i-park sa parking. Habang nasa elevator ako naisipan kong i-text si Elouise to say sorry dahil pinaghintay ko s'ya at para sabihin na rin na nasa ospital ako dahil nandito si Eris. Para makasunod na rin siya kasama sila Joseph at Kim. To Elouise: Love, I'm sorry. I am at the hospital, I can't attend you right now. I send it first then message him again. To Elouise: Nandito sa ospital si Eris. Tinawagan ako ni Read kanina habang papunta ako d'yan. Sunod kayo rito :(( I text him also the address of the hospital. May mga kasabay akong pasyente, tipid akong ngumiti kay lolo na nakaupo wheel chair. Apo niya siguro 'yung kasama niya dahil medyo bata pa ito. Gaya ko ay naghihintay rin silang huminto yung elevator sa 4th floor dahil yun din ang pinindot noong kasam
"Thank you, ingat ka!" "You too. Kumain ka na." Kumaway ako kay Elouise bago sumara 'yung elevator. Hinatid niya lang talaga 'yung lunch ko at kailangan n'yang bumalik agad kasi marami pa daw s'yang naiwang trabaho sa opisina. "Iyan ang when." Sabi ni Lane nang magkasalubong ko ulit siya habang papunta na ako sa opisina ni Eris, dala ang lunch box na bigay ni Elouise. "Wala pa rin bang lalaki na pasok d'yan sa standards mo?" Tanong ko sakaniya. Nagkibit-balikat lang siya. "Nako, hindi mo sure." I looked at her warily. "Seriously, sino?" Her answer is neutral. Ayaw pa sabihin sa akin, parang others! "Wala nga! sige na kumain kana do'n." Pagtatabo
"Oh saan ka pupunta?"Rinig kong tanong ni Eris habang pababa ako ng hagdan. Nasa tabi niya si Kim, nakaupo sa sofa gamit ang laptop niya."Good morning!" Masayang sabi ko bago tuluyang makababa ng hagdan. Kinindatan ko silang dalawa kaya kumunot ang mga noo nila."Good morning, saan ka nga pupunta?" Tanong ulit ni Eris. Duh, hindi ba obvious? papasok ako sa trabaho syempre! Nakabihis na kasi ako ng pang-office. Ganoon din naman silang dalawa."Syempre, I am going to work!" Tumaas ang dalawang kilay nila sa akin. Bumaling na rin si Kim sa gawi ko.Ano ba kasing problema nila? gusto ko lang naman magtrabaho. At isa pa, kaliwang kamay ko lang ang may benda, e right handed naman ako kaya makakapag-type pa rin ako sa laptop ko.Nagkatinginan sila Eris a
"Anong sabi?"Eris asked curiously. Sumunod pala siya sa amin. Tumigil na ang tunog ng door bell. I felt really sad to find him feeling sorry to me for the sake of her. Well in fact, he didn't do anything wrong. I just noticed, I am being unreasonable now. He's just being nice to his friend— colleague. But Nica did this to me, my alter ego said. And he really believed that it was my fault."Should I talk to him now or tomorrow?" Tiningnan ko silang dalawa.Nagkatinginan rin sila sa tanong ko. "I think you should talk to him right now. Masamang pinapatagal ang away and besides, wala naman siya sa scene na nabuhusan ka ng bagong kulo'ng tubig.." Kim spoke. "And he tend to believe what you said on the spot kesa alamin pa ang totoong nangyari kasi, you have his full trust so he believed what you said." She sort it out calmly. I admire Kim for not being rash for circ
"Don't touch me."I tried so hard not to wince in pain. Mariin ang pagkakakagat ko sa pang-ibabang labi."What happened, Love?" He asked worriedly. Humakbang siya palapit sa akin at marahang hinawakan ang braso ko.I look at Elouise's worried face. I suddenly want to cry. I didn't do anything wrong, why did she do this to me? Tiningnan ko ang mukha ni Nica. She looked so started on what she have done. Binalik ko ang tingin ko kay Elouise. Masama na siyang nakatingin kay Nica."What happened, Nics?" He asked. Still looking for an answer from the both of us. I could only hear our heavy breathing."I—I was.." She went pale. I sighed."It was my fault." I told him instead. "I annoyed her, that's why." Nangingi
"Uh, hello." I said awkwardly.Shit. I suddenly got nervous. Hindi naman nasabi ni Elouise na may darating siyang bisita. Lumingon siya sa akin habang nagtatanggal ng sapatos si Nica. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. Elouise Paz, you're dead meat.He look at me innocently. Inirapan ko siya para ipakitang naiinis ako. Sana sinabi niya ng maaga na may bisita s'ya para binitbit ko rin sila Eris at Kim dito!"I'm sorry.." Biglang sabi ni Nica. "Amnnv b I interrupting something?" Nagpabalik-balik ang tingin niya sa aming dalawa ni Elouise. Yes, girl. You are obviously interrupting our dinner. I chose to keep it in. I am not that rude to say that to her face. I was just so startled to see her. And, what's with her and Elouise' doorbell?Nginitian ko siya. "No, wala naman." Gumilid ako para malaki ang dadaanan n
"Ewan ko ha, but I think she's trying to woo Elouise."Sabi ni Eris habang nag-aagahan kami bago pumasok sa trabaho. Kinwento ko sakaniya na pumunta si Janica sa condo ni Elouise."He told me naman na there's nothing to worry about Nica." Sabi ko habang ngumunguya.Eris brow shot up. "Well, if he say so. May tiwala naman ako kay Elouise, pare. Pero doon sa Nica, wala."I sighed. "Same, jusko."Hinaayan ko nalang 'yon at pumasok ng maaga sa opisina. Pagdating ko palang sa cubicle ko binuksan ang phone ko. I saw his text since last night. Hindi naman ako galit at nagtatampo. Nakatulugan ko lang talaga phone ko kagabi kaya hindi na ako nakapag reply sa messages niya.From Elouise:Lov
"W-What did you just say?"He caught me off guard with what he said. I am looking at him with wide eyes! I mean, maybe I am hearing things?"Why? you think my proposal is ridiculous?" Elouise turned to me.Ridiculous my ass. Sinong nagsabi? wala naman akong sinabi. Ang sarap kaya sa pandinig ng sinabi niya to the point na hindi na ako nakapag react ng maayos."Ano nga ulit sinabi mo?""I don't want to repeat it again, it's embarrassing." I saw his ears turned red.Tinaasan ko siya ng dalawang kilay. "So you are saying that I am an embarassment?" I joked.He frowned. "What? No." Tiningnan niya ako ng masama. "I know you heard it. What I just say is just a.." Hindi niya matuloy