Patrick's POV
Finally, I can be with Miyah now. It gives me a lot of courage to go back to the Philippines. Miyah gave me that strength.
Papunta na kami sa restaurant kung nasaan yung best friend niya at boyfriend nito.
"Alex, Ken! Sorry, we're late!" sabi ni Miyah. The girl in front of me looks familiar. Likod pa lang ang nakikita ko sa kanya pero kinakabahan na ako.
Is it you?
"Alex, Ken, this is Patrick, finally na meet niyo na rin siya!" tuwang-tuwang sabi ni Miyah habang hawak-hawak ang kamay ko.
Siya nga!
It took me years before I finally moved on. Miyah is my life now. She completes the missing pieces of me. But why it had to be her.
Bakit kailangang si Alex pa ang bestfriend ni Miyah?
"Babe, this is Alex, my best friend. And this is Ken, her boyfriend!" masayang sabi ni Miyah. She smiles at me an
Patrick's POVI was so frustrated. I can't handle myself, so I drown myself with alcohol. I drink until I get drunk. It was already 3 in the morning. I feel so helpless. My heart is aching. I sneak Tito's car para bumalik sa bahay nila Alex.Nagising ako sa sa isang puting kwarto.Patay na ba ako?But I have many apparatuses attached to my body. When I woke up, I saw Aunt Alice's face with a tear in her eyes.Where am I?Anong nangyayari?Anong nagyari?
"Nasaan pala si Ken? Sabi ni Miyah sasama siya?"tanong ni Alex sa akin.He is talking to me?"May biglaan silang meeting kaya hindi siya nakasama,"matamlay na sabi ko. Hindi ako makatingin ng deritso sa kanya dahil alam kong lalabas ang mga luha ko anytime.After that, he never asked me again. His attention is focused on Miyah.Ako dapat yan!We planned to rest muna tonight at tomorrow nalang mag-enjoy since matagal ang byahe namin. Miyah and Alex are watching TV habang nagkukurutan. I can still remember our last stay here..Flashback.
Patrick's POV"Why not we play Truth or Dare?"Jajas' suggested."Yeah! That's a nice idea!"Miyah agreed while sitting next to me."It should be great since hindi naman tayo nagse-share ng mga secrets natin diba?"excited na sabi ni Dian."Call!"sang-ayon din ni Mitch.Hindi ito magandang game. Ano kayang iniisip ni Alex? Is she ok?"Pwede tiga-spin lang ako ng bote?"palusot niya. I know ayaw niyang maungkat ang past.
Ang sakit ng break-up na walang closure.Hindi pa ako bumalik sa kwarto sa halip ay kumuha pa ako na beer sa ref at nagstay sa kusina. I couldn't put together the things that had happened since I came back to Philippines. I know partly she's one of the reasons I came back. And I know it seems so unfair to Miyah.Flashback"I wanted to see you!" Miyah's voice on the other line. Nag vi-video call kami. This is our first month as a couple pero mag wa-walong buwan na rin kaming magka-kilala sa tinder. Like I said, she's easy to be with and komportableng-komportable ako sa kanya."Actually, iyan ang surprise ko sayo. I'll be going back to the Philippines!"masaya kong sabi
Alex's POVI broke down once more habang pinagmamasadan ang likod niya papalayo ng papalayo sa akin.He's calling me Alex.Niyakap ko ng husto ang blanket na iniwan niya. Naalala ko na naman ang kahapon.Flashback"Ilike you too, Alex. I don't know how I don't know why but that's how I felt. I hate you harassing and annoying me but I missed it when you don't."We are facing each other and nobody would want to break the silence. Ilang lunok na ng laway ang ginawa ko. He is so serious, he holds my neck, and little by little his lips meet mine. This
"Ha? Wedding Organizer?"tanong ko."Ano bang tanong yan. Of course trabaho mo yan diba?"natatawang sabi niya sabay tapik niya sa akin."That's why I wanted you to plan everything about our wedding!"tuloy-tuloy niyang sabi."Besides, napag-usapan na namin to ni Patrick!"dugtong niya.Ako talaga?"Say Yes, please. Ayoko sa iba. I wanted you to be part of everything, Alex. Ganon kita ka-love!"She even pouted while pinching my nose."And of course you will be my maid of honor!"dugtong niya."Really? But–"
"Here", he offered me his handkerchief. He is sitting beside me, looking at the cross. Tinitigan ko lang siya. Kitang-kita ko na ngayon ang mga peklat niya sa noo. I wanted to ask him pero hindi ko parin magawa."I'm sorry for pretending not to know you," he started talking.I smiled not looking at him. "Mas mabuti na rin yun. Ayoko rin na malaman ni Miyah o ni Ken." Pagsisinungaling ko."Nasanay na rin ako sa ganitong set-up," dugtong ko.Pagkatapos nun wala nang nagsalita sa amin. Kapwa kami tahimik na nakaupo habang nakatingin sa malaking cross sa harapan namin. Ang dami-dami ko ulit gustong sabihin pero mas minabuti ko nalang na manahimik. Mas ayokong makigulo ngayong ikakasal na silang dalawa.Naabutan na kami ng ulan sa Cebu. Pabalik na kami ng Manila nang masiraan kami ng sasakyan along the road. We are in the middle of nowhere. Hindi ko kabisado ang daan pati na rin siya.
Nahihirapan na akong huminga dahil sa sobrang pag-iyak. I really don't know what happened after that night. All these years I resented him and missed him at the same time for leaving me hanging. "I am really sorry, Alex. Hindi ko alam,"I said between my sobs. Hindi ko talaga alam! "I can't remember clearly what happened that night. I was drunk and I drove Tito's car papunta sa inyo." He paused. I can clearly see how confused he is while telling me his story. "The next thing I know I was in a comma for two fucking months!" What? I just keep on saying sorry. Wala akong makitang salita maliban sa "sorry". "It was my fault. I'm really sorry,"paulit-ulit kong sabi sa mga salitang iyon. "You know what hurts me most?" He asked me while crying."It's the fact that you didn't look for me."
Patrick's POVWhat?What did you do?I told you to run!I told you to ask for help!Why are you still here?Why did you save me?"Alex!" Sigaw ni Ken habang hinahawakan ang ulo niya. Itinapon niya ang baril at lumapit kay Alex habang niyayakap ito. Hindi niya rin inaasahan na sasaluhin ni Alex ang balang para sa akin. "Anong ginawa mo?" All I could hear was the loud crying voice of Ken.Hindi ko pa marehistro lahat ng rebelasyon ni Ken sa akin tungkol sa anak ko at ngayon nakikita ko na walang malay si Alex sa tabi ko. Nakikita ko ang sariwang dugo na lumalabas sa katawan niya."Wake up, Alex! No!" Paulit-ulit na iyak ni Ken habang yakap-yakap si Alex. He keeps on crying. Natauhan ako at hinila papalayo si Ken sa katawan ni Alex."Stop touching her!" I gave him the hardest punch I could. Hindi siya gumanti sa halip hinayaan niya lang ako na suntukin siya. "You fooled me all this time trying to believe that I'd ruined everything about you and Alex! You fooled me into believing that Ken
Alex's POVHe raped me!Pagkatapos niya akong pagsamantalahan ay maingat siyang humiga sa kanan ko. Nakikita ko ang lungkot at poot na naghahalo sa kanyang mga mata. Bakas sa mukha niya ang hindi maipaliwanag na emosyon."I just wanted to make love with you." He said while looking at the ceiling. Hindi ko pa rin ma compose ang sarili ko dahil sa ginawa niyang kababuyan sa akin. Hindi ko pa rin lubos maisip kung ano ang nagtulak sa kanya para gawin iyon sa akin. He's been good to me ever since."I prayed that someday you'll love me just like how I do. I never imagine that I'll be doing this to you. I–I just love you Alex!" Mahinahon niyang sagot habang nakahiga pa rin at nililibot ang mga mga mata sa bawat sulok ng kisame. Wala na akong lakas para makipagtalo pa sa kanya kaya hinayaan ko lang siyang magsalita. "I'm sorry,"napaiyak siya at napasubsob sa sarili niyang mga kamay. "Ayokong gawin ito pero–pero mas ayokong mawala ka sa akin," patuloy niya habang pinupunasan ang mga luhang tu
Alex's POVIt was midnight when I slowly opened the door and checked if Ken was still outside. I looked at his room's door and the light was already off.Is he sleeping?Dahan-dahan akong bumalik sa kwarto ni Kent."Come baby," I whispered. Kinarga ko si Kent at dahan-dahang sinarado ang pintuan ng kwarto niya. Dahan-dahan akong tumapak sa hagdanan para hindi niya ako marinig. Minabuti kong hindi buksan ang ilaw sa baba para hindi niya kami mahalata kung sakaling magising siya."Mommy?" Pag-aalalang tanong ni Kent.Don't talk baby..."Shh.. Wag kang maingay, baby." Saway ko sa kanya at nakinig naman siya. Alam kong natatakot din ang anak ko sa pwedeng mangyari sa amin ngayon. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang mahigpit niya na yakap sa akin habang hawak-hawak ang maliit niyang bag.We'll be outside, baby...Finally, nasa harapan na kami ng pintuan pero di ko ito mabuksan.Why?What's wrong with the door?I opened my cellphone's flashlight and there I saw na naharangan na pala ito ng kahoy at mai
Alex's POVNakatulugan ko ang pag-iisip. Tulog pa si Kent. Hinahaplos ko ang buhok niya habang tinititigan ang maamo niyang mukha.You really look like your Dad.Sorry for not telling you the truth...I'm sorry baby, for dragging you into this mess.Dahan-dahan akong tumayo at bumaba ako ng kwarto. Masyadong tahimik ang bahay.Seems unusual...Tawag ako nang tawag kay Yaya pero walang sumasagot.Nasaan kaya siya?Hindi naman ngayon Sunday kaya alam kung hindi niya ngayon day-off. Wala din akong maalalang pinabili kay Yaya sa araw na ito.Nagpunta ako sa kusina and I saw Ken preparing the table."Good morning!"Maaliwas na salubong sa akin ni Ken.Good morning?After mo akong sampalin kahapon nakuha mo pang magsabi ng good morning?Masyado siyang masigla na siy
Ken's POVIt's been my daily routine visiting Kent. Napamahal na sa akin ang bata at parang anak na rin ang turing ko sa kanya.How I wish I could turn back time...Walang araw na hindi ko pinagsisihan ang nangyari sa amin ni Alex. Call me idiot but this is me.I still love the woman who's walking towards me.HIndi ko intensiyon ang manira ng relasyon.Hindi ko na intensiyon na manira ulit ng relasyon.I've been given another chance to love her back again before, but I still lost her on our way.I lost her, again!I know I shouldn't be thinking like this again dahil alam kong makakasira lang ito sa kung anong set-up namin ngayon. I just wanted to cheer up Kent until he's finally healed and aalis na rin ako ng Pilipinas. I need space and time to think about myself. I should be healing by now since everyone did. She still has her beautiful eyes and the curved in her face makes me flutter every time I see her.How I wish...She just gave me her beautiful smile while putting the food on t
Ken's POVI am furiously looking out in the window while Kent and Patrick are both giggling.You can't steal what's mine, Patrick!Hinding-hindi mo sila maaagaw sa akin!FlashbackI was driving home galing sa meeting ng isang client when Alex called."Alex?""Si Ken po ba ito?"An unfamiliar voice came out from the other line.Who is she?"Kayo po ba ang guardian ni Ms. Alex Garcia?"What's happening?"What happened to her?" Kinakabahang tanong ko."Nasa hospital po siya ngayon..."Dali-dali akong nag-U-turn at pinuntahan si Alex sa hospital. Hindi ako mapakali sa kakahawak ng manebela ng sasakyan ko. Gusto kong mag-overspeed pero nilalamon ako ng traffic."What happened to you, Alex?" Kinakausap ko mag-isa ang sarili ko sa nangyari. I think I am somehow responsible for what happened to her. Did I do something I'm about to regret again?What really happened to her!Patakbo akong pumasok ng hospital. Dali-dali akong pumasok sa Emergeny Room kung saan ko naabutan si Alex na umiiyak."W
Ken's POVAt some point, you just have to let go and move on. It might be the hardest thing in the world to do, but you have to summon all of the strength you possibly can to finally let go. Some people and things just aren't going to be meant for you, no matter how much you wish they were. Some jobs and situations just won't work out, no matter how much you hoped they would... But, know that it's okay for things to not work out. Nobody's life is a straight line that makes perfect sense. Everybody has twists and turns, and everyone has to turn around every now and then. So when you find yourself wishing and hoping things out of your control would change, summon all of your strength to let go and start heading in a new direction because it'll lead you closer to your true path. -Nikki BanasLetting go of the woman I only loved was the hardest decision I made. I loved her so much that I am willing to sacrifice my own happiness just to see her smiling. I don't wanna be the man who will be
Ken's POV I locked myself upstairs, feeling so unsteady. I wanted to get Patrick out of our lives, but it was the other way around. I hate seeing him around us. I hate seeing him with Kent. And I fucking hate it when I see him talking to Alex. Fuck! Fuck you, Patrick! Fuck you for everything! Flashback. We are enjoying ourselves here in Paris pero nauna akong umuwi sa Pilipinas so that I could prepare everything kapag umuwi na ng Pilipinas si Alex. I wanted to surprise her. I wanted to propose to her. It was exactly 455 days since naging kami ni Alex, our 15th months to be exact. I prepared everything to make this day as special as it could be for Alex. I invited my family and some of our close friends and some of my co-workers to witness this memorable day of ours. I set everything up perfectly. I was walking back and forth in front of the television to ease my nervousness when Mom approached me. "Don't be nervous, Son. Everything will be okay." She managed to comfort me whi
Ken's POV I hate it when someone is making Alex smile. Not another man at mas lalong hindi si Patrick. One month ago. Nasa kalagitnaan ako ng meeting when Alex called me. Alex? I hurriedly answered the call. "What's wrong?" I asked. "Nawawala si Kent." Nauutal siya while saying Kent is missing. "What? Why?" "I don't know... Nasa tabi ko lang siya kanina and then paglingon ko wala na siya." Pagmamadali niyang sabi. "Just come here–" "I'm on my way!" Hindi ko na siya pinatapos sa pagsasalita. I excused myself from the meeting. My son's life is more important than my client's. Tinawagan ko lang ang kasama ko sa office para pumalit sa akin. Dali-dali akong bumaba sa building at pinaharorot sa pagtakbo ang kotse ko pabalik sa EK. Wait for me, Alex... It took me 15 minutes driving bago ako nakarating sa EK. I saw Alex na di mapakali sa kakalakad sa lugar kung saan ko sila iniwan ni Kent kanina. "Thanks God, you're here!" mabilis niyang sabi. I gave her my hug. "What happened?"