Chapter Five: Meeting my father
Jack's Perspective
Hinihintay ko si Angel dito sa labas ng room nila, halos hindi ko mapigilan na mapangiti dahil sa sobrang saya ko. Sino bang mag-aakala na ang isang tulad niya ay bibigyan ako ng chance, I was the most luckiest man in the world.
Habang naghihintay ay narinig ko ang ring tone ng phone ko.
Beep!
"Bro, nasaan ka? Bigla ka na lamang nawala after dismissal, magpapasama sana ako, eh." - Zio
Hehe, tinakbuhan ko kase si Zio, nanigurado akong di niya ako makikitang lumabas, ayaw ko din namang ipaalam sa kanya na I am already courting Angel. Kase paniguradong kukulitin niya lamang ako tulad ng dati, he loves teasing people, and I don't have time dahil balak ko talagang sunduin si Angel.
"I should take this chance to win Angel's heart," I thought as I couldn't stop blushing.
Hindi rin gaano nagtagal nang makita ko na si Angel papalabas ng room niya.
"Hello," pangiting sabi ko as I wave my hands and she got surprised.
"Jack? Anong ginagawa mo dito?" Tanong niya at napangiti ako.
"Ano pa nga ba? I'm here to pick you up, sabay na tayong umuwi," pagpapaliwanag ko sa kanya and she smiled. Pero ang nakakatawa, nang mag-umpisa nang magsigawan ang mga kaklase niya. They started teasing us, yung iba kung makilig eh sobra-sobra pa, samantalang wala pa kami sa puntong in a relationship, haha pero doon din naman ito patungo, right?
Habang naglalakad palabas ng school, I grabbed Angel's bag, and what a shocking moment, ang bigat ng bag niya, haha.
"Anong laman ng bag mo, Angel? It feels like there's a gold inside this! Ang bigat!" Sabi ko at natawa siya.
"My books and other stuffs are in there, that's why, ginusto mo yang buhatin eh," sabi niya, haha, wow she was damn cute when she smile. Haiiist, kapag laging ganito pakiramdam ko matutunaw na nga talaga ako, bakit ba napakaganda niya.
"Hey, Jack. Ikaw hah! Kaya pala tinakasan mo ako dahil may kasama kang iba," rinig kong sigaw mula sa likod namin ni Angel.
We both turned around and saw Zio, mejo malayo siya at nagawa niya pa talagang sumigaw!
"Halika dito!" Sigaw niya at dahil alam kong hindi niya ako titigilan kulitin I decided to run. Kaya naman I grabbed Angel's hand at nagulat naman siya.
"Hey, what are you doing?" She asked.
I smiled at kinindatan si Angel, "Let's run!" Bulomng ko at hindi na ako nagdalawang-isp pa, hinila ko siya at tumakbo kami ng napakabilis ang naririnig ko si Zio na sumisigaw sa likuran habang hinahabol kami.
"Hey, Jack! Stop!" Sigawa niya at hindi ko mapigilan ang tumawa habang patuloy kaming tumatakbo.
Napakalayo na namin mula sa school, but my crazy best friend is still chasing us, hinahabol niya pa din kami at patukoy na sumisigaw.
"Hindi ba siya napapagod?" I sabi ko.
"He is crazy, isn't it?" Sabi ko kay Angel and we both laugh.
Halos naghihingalo na ako sa pagod nang biglang may huminto sa harapan naming kotse, buti na lang hindi kami nasagasahan.
"Jack? Why are you running?" Sabi ng lalaki mula sa kotse and when I looked who it was, si Dad pala kaya naman napatingin ako sa kotse.
"Yeah right, this is my father's car," bulong ko.
"Jack!" Rinig kong boses ni Zio and nang tignan ko siya medyo malapit na siya sa amin kaya naman...
"Dad, unlocked the door," sabi ko at ginawa naman ni Dad iyon, at agad kong binuksan 'yung pinto sa backseat.
"Go in," I smile as I tell her to go inside the car.
But I noticed na nahihiya si Angel kaya naman, I grabbed her again at agad na umupo sa loob ng sasakyan.
"Dad, faster, start the car," sabi ko.
"Why the heck are you ordering me around?" My Dad exclaimed.
"Dad, we've been followed by a crazy man, faster!" I yelled at ramdam ko ang pagpigil ni Angel sa tawa niya.
"Whatever Jack!" My father whispered and started the car. Halos matawa ako habang pinagmamasdan ang hitsura ni Zio sa side mirror, he looks tired and haggard.
"I'm sorry, bro," I whispered.
"Who was following you? Who was the crasy man, Jack?" My Dad asked and I cleared my throat.
"Hmm." I paused... "It was Zio, Dad," I answered honestly and my father paused and looked at me in the mirror.
"Zio, you're best friend?" He said.
I smirked awkwardly as I nodded my head, "Yes, Dad, it was him," I sheepishly smiled and he rolled his eyes.
"Why are you running away from him?" He bent his brows.
" Dad, you know that already," I said as I squizeed my mouth and he laughed.
"My son, you didn't change at all, grew up. He was just annoying sometimes but you know he cares for you as his own brother," My dad said and yes, I agree. Zio never left my side before when I went to a surgery because of heart failure, and until now he is always there for me, he even decided to go to the same school as mine, that is why we are classmates.
"OKay, Dad, aaminin ko na po, I just got annoyed, I'm sorry," I apologized and my Dad smiled again.
"That's okay, just don't leave him like that again, okay? He grinned.
"Yes, Dad, I promise," I answered back in a very soft voice.
"Thank you, Jack, however, I've been waiting for you to introduce to me that girl besides you since you got inside this car, but I think you have no plan to do that, so I'm gonna ask you, is she's your girlfriend?" Tanong ni Dad at napatahimik naman ako sa gulat, halos nanlaki din ang mga mata ko, but he has a point bakit ko naman kase hindi siya pinakilala.
"I'm sorry, sir. I'm his friend po," nahihiyang sabi naman ni Angel.
"Is that so, pero bakit kanina pa kayo magkahawak ng kamay simula ng sumakay kayo?" My Dad confronted sabay ngisi. At sa gulat namin ni Angel, napatingin kami pareho sa kamay namin, and yes magkahawak pa din kami ng kamay. Hindi ko na pala siya binitawan simula ng hilain ko siya paloob. Kaya naman agad ko siyang binitawan at parehas kaming namula ang pisngi dahil sa hiya.
"Haiist, binabawi ko na yung sinabi ko kanina,Jack. You actually grown up, you are now falling in love," tawa ni Dad and I glared at him.
"Dad, shut up. Pinahiya mo ako kay Angel eh," I exclaimed and he is annoying, tumatawa pa rin siya.
"Okay, so Angel is your name, iha? Nice meeting you," he said to Angel at ngumiti naman si Angel kay Dad nang marinig niya 'yon.
"Yes, sir. Thank you, nice meeting you also." Sagot niya.
Ewan ko pero ramdam ko ang pagkatuwa ko dahil nakita na ni Dad at nakilala si Angel. Hindi ko pa man nasasabi na she's the one I like, alam kong ramdam na iyon ni Dad, and he looks like he wants her for me. I'm so glad about it. Kaya naman hinayaan ko langg si Dad na tanungin si Angel ng mga patungkol sa kanya, I know that he want to know her well, and so do I. And I'm also glad dahil unti-unti na ding nagiging kumportable si Angel kay Dad. What a greatful day to see the persons I love are getting along together.
Chapter 6: Our First DateJack's PerspectiveNandito kami ni Angel sa isang restaurant, naisipan ko kase siyang yayain, kaya naman binilin ko kay Dad na ibaba kami sa tabi kanina."Good afternoon, ma'am, sir. May I take your orders please?" Sabi ng isang service crew kaya naman tinanong ko si Angel kung anong gusto niya, pero normal na ata ang sagot na "kahit ano," kaya naman ako na ang namili ng kakainin namin.Habang kumakain natanong ni Angel sa akin si Dad."Oo nga pala, tanong ko lang, is your father is a doctor?" Tanong niya sa akin."Well, yeah, paano mo nalaman?" Sagot ko."Ah, 'yon ba? Siya kase nag-asikaso sa Lola ko last time sa hospital," sagot niya sa akin, nang maalala ko na doon ko nga pala siya nakita sa hospital ni Dad noong nakaraan."Yeah, he is actually the owner of that hospital," pagpapaliwanag ko ng walang halong pagyayabang at nanlaki naman ang mga mata niya sa gulat, mu
Chapter 7: ZIOJack's PerspectiveKinabukasan...Isang napakagandang araw muli ang umaga ko ngayon, bakit? Hehe, ano pa nga ba? Syempre excited akong makita si Angel, pero bigla kong naalala si Zio, kaya naman nagdahan-dahan ako sa pagpasok sa school, hinarangan ko na din ang mukha ko ng bag ko, at dahan-dahan akong umupo sa upuan ko.Naghihintay ako ng mangungulit sa akin dahil alam ko namang lalapit at lalapit pa din si Zio sa akin pero ilang minuto pa ay walang lumapit na Zio sa akin kaya naman tumingin ako sa upuan niya at wala siya."Dan, si Zio, nakita mo ba?" Tanong ko kay Dan, kaklase namin.Tumalikod naman si Dan sabay tingin sa akin."Hindi, hindi pa naman siya dumarating," sagot ni Dan sa akin."Ganun ba, sige, salamat," sabi ko sa kaniya at nagpatuloy siya sa ginagawa niya.I sighed in relief, buti na lang late siya ngayon p
Chapter 8: What If'sJack's PerspectiveIt's been two years na din at ako heto nag-aaral ng Medicine, while Angel is studying Architecture, nagkaiba kase kami ng kurso na gusto pero we are in the same University pa din naman."Jack," sigaw ni Angel sa akin habang papalapit siya sa kinatatayuan ko. It's been two years pero wala pa ding nagbabago sa kaniya, napakaganda niya pa din. Well, bihira lang kaming magsama at magkita dahil busy siya sa studies niya, and that's okay, naiintindihan ko naman siya sa part na iyon."Oh? Tapos na ba kayo?" Tanong ko sa kanya."Hindi pa nga eh, sorry Jack, pero mauna ka na munang umuwi matatagalan kase ako, pinuntahan lang kita sandali para naman hindi ka naghihintay sa akin," sabi niya."Kaya naman kitang, hintayin eh." Sagot ko sa kanya."I know that, two years mo na nga akong hinihintay eh," sabi niya, I didn't expect her to bring out that topic."Hehe, I kno
Chapter 9: FinallyJack's PerpectiveMatapos imonitor si Zio about sa Lung Cancer niya ay inihatid ko siya agad sa room niya para makapagpahinga."Thank you, bro." Sabi ni Zio sa akin."No problem, bro. Magpahinga ka na." Sabi ko at nag-aalala na ako sa kanya."Yes, ikaw din, bro. You better go home now," Zio said at humiga na siya sa hospital bed, and I nodded my head."Are you okay?" Tanong sa akin ni Dad pagkalabas ng pinto ng room ni Zio."Yes, Dad. I'm just worried about him," malungkot at mahina kong sagot."I understand you, son. You need a rest, let's go home," sabi ni Dad sabay tapik sa likod ko, I nodded and I followed after him. We went to the parking lot at si Dad naman agad pinuntahan kung saan niya ipinarada ang kotse niya habang ako patuloy lang sa pagsunod sa kaniya.Maya't
Chapter 10: His So SweetAngel's PerspectivePagkagising ko agad ay isang napakagandang araw ang sumalubong sa akin."Good morning, are you awake? Don't forget to eat your breakfast, see you around later. I love you!"- Jack"Waah!" I wanted to shout, it fluttered my heart, his text message was too short yet so sweet."Angel, breakfast is ready!" Yelled my mom downstairs and I stretched my arms as I yawned."Coming, mom!" I yelled back, but before I go downstairs I decided to send Jack a reply."Good morning! Yep, I won't forget, thank you. Eat your breakfast also. I love you too!"- Message sentHabang tinatype ko yung reply ko ay hindi ko maiwasan kiligin. Nilagyan ko pa ng hugs and kisses na emojis sa text ko, syempre that is to make him feel that I really do love him."What a great day t
Chapter 11: Two years of relationshipJack's PerspectiveTwo years na kami ni Angel, biruin mo matapos ang dalawang taon na paghihintay, umabot din kami ng dalawang taon na pagsasama but...yes there's a but... She is in the abroad na kase, 1 year in a relationship kami at naisipan ni Angel na mag-aral doon with his Dad, tanging sa screen lang kami nagkikita, log-distance kung tawagin.Tutol ako noong umpisa, kase hindi niya sinabi sa akin agad na may plano pala siyang mag-aral doon, pero sino ba naman ako para pigilan siya sa pangarap niya? Kaya naman in the end, I just let her go, kahit alam kong hindi magiging madali. Nasanay kase ako na kasama siya tapos bigla na lang siyang lalayo!Well, napakahirap, kase araw-araw mong namimiss ang mga yakap niya, no kisses na mamimiss kase we never been kissed. Oo, I respect her kaya hanggang yakap lang ako sa kanya, at halik sa noo at sa pisngi.Ilang beses na awayan na din
Chapter 12: Jack's Perspective"Are you okay,?" Tanong sa akin ni Dad."Oo nga, Jack. Okay ka lang ba, hindi mo man lang ginagalaw yung pagkain mo, may problema ba?" Zio Added.We are currently eating here in the hospital, sa room ni Zio."Yes, I am, napuyat lang ako," mahinang sagot ko sa kanilang dalawa at tumingin naman agad sa mukha ko si Zio."Oh, bakit naman ganyan ka kung makatitig sa akin, parang may nagawa akong mali ah," sabi ko kay Zio."Hmm, well, wala naman, Jack. But you know you can always count on me, right?" Seryosong tanong ni Zio sa akin. Alam kong nababasa niya ang emotion ko ngayon. Haiist, he's good on that thing."Yes, of course. Don't worry, I'm okay," sagot ko sa kaniya at umiling lang siya."Hmm, okay," tangi niyang sagot, but I could feel his doubt yet I ignored it.Matapos naming kumain ay agad naman akong pumunta sa University at bumalik agad sa hospital pagkata
Chapter 13: The letterJack's PerspectiveHalos ilang araw na akong di kinakausap ni Angel, ilang araw na akong naghihitay, ilang araw ko na ring sinisisi ang sarili ko. It's hurt pero anong magagawa ko ang layo niya, eh. I tried talking to her Dad pero ayaw niya daw talaga akong makausap."Where are you going, Jack?" Tanong sa akin ni Dad."I'm going to the park, Dad." I answered."Okay, may problema ka ba? Napapadalas ata ang punta mo doon after ng klase mo. You can share it with me, my son!" Ngiting sabi niya."I'm fine, Dad. Madami lang nagaganap sa school today, pagod lang po ako, but don't worry, I can handle it." Mahinang sagot ko at tuluyan na nga akong nagpaalam kay Dad at kinuha anggg bag ko.Dumeretsyo ako ng park, wala lang gusto ko lang magpahangin dito, gusto kong mapag-isa. Hindi ko na alam kung ano bang dapat kong gawin. Napapaisip ako sa mga gustong mangyari ni Angel.
FINAL CHAPTER: Epilogue Jack's Perspective "Zhane! Zhane!" malakas na iyak ng ina ni Zhane habang inililibing namin ang bangkay ni Zhane. Well, yes, pagkatapos kong malaman ang tungkol sa mga sekreto niya, makalipas ng isang buwan ay napagkaalaman namin na hindi pa rin siya tuluyang gumaling, and my Dad extremely felt depressed about it, he felt embarrassed sa mga nangyayari and the end, after all the efforts and risks they couldn't save her anymore, hanggang doon na lang nga siguro, masakit para sa aming lahat pero iyon na nga ang huling araw na nakita namin si Zhane. Pero kahit pa hindi gumaling si Zhane sa kanyang sakit, tita, Zhane's mother appreciated my dad's loved for her daughter, and that she can't blame anyone about her death. She explained na wala namang may gusto sa nangyari. And she also feel glad na nakasama pa niya si Zhane kahit papaano sa tulong ni dad, because without the treatments she had baka mas maaga pa siyang nawala
Chapter 42: The Truth!Jack's PerspectiveAgad akong pumasok, hindi ko maalis ang kaba sa puso ko. Nalilito ako sa nakita ko and then, I checked her drawers and then I bursts out tears."Why didn't you tell me?" I sobbed quitely.My tears are falling non-stop, nang makita ko lahat ng sulat ko kay Star. Huhuhu.Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit nasa drawer ni Zhane ang mga sulat ko kay Star and then, I saw her diary na nakapatong sa mga sulat."Dear Diary,I left a note at the park with a phrase saying," FIND ME" and guessed what? Someone left a letter for me. Haha. And I decided to answer his questions, until we became friends and he has the same name with the person I love, his name is Jack, funny right?""Dear Diary,
Chapter 41: The Marriage!Zhane's PerspectiveI can hear everyone shouted when the priest announced that Jack and Angel were now husband and wife. Lahat sila ay tuwang-tuwa sa kanila and of course, pati ako. Matapos akong bisitahin ni Jack before kinabukasan tinanggap ko na ang lahat.I come back from what I was before. Nagkaayos kami ni Jack and ayaw ko din naman sa araw ng kasal niya ay may sakit pa rin akong nararamdaman kaya naman, lahat ipinasa-Diyos ko na lamang. Naging masaya na lang ako para sa kanilang dalawa. All I wish for is that Angel will loves him as much as I do. Na she wil never let Jack unhappy.Hindi ko man makita ang bawat pag ngiti nila, every tears of joy coming out from theie eyes, I know they both happy.And as long as Jack is happy, masaya na rin ako."Congratulat
Chapter 40: Cold!Jack's PerspectiveI visited Zhane sa bahay nila, sinca wala naman masiyadong gagawin sa toy store.Nang nasa tapat na ako ng bahay nila ay nakita ko si Zhane na nakaupo sa may labas nila. Tahimik at napakahaba na din ng buhok niya.Tita is combing her hair at agad naman akong kumatok sa may kahoy sa may tabi ko."Oh, Jack, ikaw pala!" sabi agad ni tita nang linginon niya ako."Yes po, tita. May pasalubong po pala ako," sabi ko sabay bigay ng prutas kay tita."Nag-abala ka pa, Jack. Lagi ka na lang may pasalu
Chapter 39: Zhane: Painful Cries!Zhane's PerspectiveHuminga ako ng malalim habang nakapikit ang mga mata ko, all I can see is black, nothing more, and when I slowly open my eyes, it is also the same. Gusto kong umiyak pero pinipigilan ko. Naawa ako kay mama dahil nadagdag pa ako sa mga inaasikaso niya, well, next week maaari na din akong umuwi. Finally, I'm gonna leave this place, permanently. Hindi man nagawang gamutin ang mga mata ko, I am still thankful that I survived. Hindi rin naging madali sa akin lahat, I thought mamatay na ako.Ang sakit noong mga araw na hindi ako maitindihan ng lahat, sa isipan ko nasasabi ko ng maayos ang mga bawat katagang sinasabi ko, but I never imagined na hindi pala, the doctors let me hear my voices when I was talking to them before, since I couldn't watch the video.
Chapter 38: Welcome back to the Philippines!-The Surprise-Angel's PerspectiveI'm glad na ang uwi ni Jack is Sunday at nataon na wala akong pasok. I'm excited to see him again, dahil malaparanoid na ata ako sa tuwing hindi ko siya nakikita. I know I am extremely a weirdo, I cross the lines sometimes, accusing him that he has another girl is too much pero masisi niyo ba ako? I love him, and I didn't want to let him go. Dahil before naging kami, I already love him, and if I am not mistaken, I love him before we met.Yes, nakapagtataka ba? Okay, let me share it with you. Remember, the time na nagbuhusan ko ng drinks si Jack, and binilhan ko siya ng damit dahil super basa na 'yung puting t-shirt niya? That was all planned. Yes, I did that kase I want to be close to him. It's not an accident but a set up.Gusto ko na
Chapter 37: Zhane's conditionsJack's Perspective3 months... yep, tatlong buwan na ako dito kina lolo at lola and I will go back to the Philippines after 3 months, six months lang kase akong mag-sstay dito.Dapat 2 months lang kase for seminar and training lang naman sa company nila lola, but they asked me a favor to stay for a few months at wala na akong magawa since nandito na rin naman ako. And I want to make them happy.I and Angel talked about it also, nagtampo siya noong una pero of course, sinuyo ko siya at ipinaliwanag sa kanya na uuwi din naman ako, minsan iniisip niya na baka may nakilala ako kaya ayaw ko umuwi. Haiist, hindi ko din alam, hindi ko na ata maalis talaga ang bagay na iyon kay Angela.Well, about me, everything went well naman, I learned and memorized everything that I needed to learn in my grandparent's business. And pinipilit ako ni lola na ituloy-tuloy na a
Chapter 36: The flight!Jack's Perspective"Come back quickly," sambit sa akin ni Angel sabay yakap at halik na din sa pisngi ko."I will," I smiled and I hug her back, "Salamat sa paghatid, ingat ka pabalik sa inyo," I added."Ano ka ba, maaari bang hindi kita ihatid?! Haha, but remember to call me when you get there, and one more thing, walang mambababae hah?!" Pagbibiro niya sa akin."Hmmm... Yes, ma'am. Huwag ka pong mag-alala," sabi ko sabay kindat sa kaniya, agad naman siyang natawa at muli akong niyakap."Mahal, I love you," she said and I was about to answer her, but I was interrupted when we heard the announcement."Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen, This is the final boarding call for passengers who booked on flight 298A to Washington D. C. Please proceed to gate 3 immediately
Chapter 35Jack's PerspectiveLumipas ang panahon, at heto nasa company pa din ako ni Lola. It is a toy company, we made a branded toys and sale them around the globe. Yeah it's a well-known brand because of the quality of the materials used and the uniqueness of its style. Well, hindi ko pa alam kung kelan ulit ako babalik sa pag-aaral, but next year, pupuntahan ko sina Lola at Lolo para sa seminar, and mga needed gawin to improve and gain more customers. At doon din namin malalaman if which country got the highest rate of sales. Nakakatuwa kase ilang bansa din ang branch nina lolo at lola, and I am taking the country of Philippines, and I am actually excited to meet the other leaders from different countries!"Mahal, see you later, okay?" text ni Angel with a kiss and heart emoji. She invited me for dinn5sa bahay nila. Well, away-bati kami, minsan malala pa siya magtampo, she don't wanna see me nor talk