LOVE AGAIN: Chapter 1

They say pain changes people. Whether it’s for the good or for the worse, we don’t know. But one thing I do know, is that’s the truth.

Tahimik akong nakaupo sa loob ng kotse ni Helen. Nakatingin sa labas ng bintana. Malakas ang pagpatak ng ulan. Mukhang nakikisabay pa sa nararamdaman ko ngayon. And right now, I feel like shit.

“Hey, it gets better.”, narinig kong sabi ni Helen.

Lumingon ako rito. Halata sa mukha nito ang pag-aalala. I smiled weakly.

“Thanks Len.”, sabi ko rito. Trying to fight the tears that are threatening to fall.

Muli akong bumaling sa labas ng bintana.

Pagkatapos ng ilang minuto ay narating namin ang bahay namin. Bahay namin ni Luke. Well, at least for the next 24 hours. Hindi ako masokista para tumira sa iisang bahay kasama ang boyfriend kong manloloko.

Bago ako bumaba ng sasakyan ay nagpaalam muna ako kay Helen. She gave me a hug. I badly needed that.

“Thanks Len. I’ll text you when I get to the hotel.”, sabi ko rito.

“Are you sure you’ll be alright?”, nag-aalala nitong tanong.

“Yeah, don’t worry about me.”

She hesitated for a moment but still nodded and drove away after giving me another hug.

Dali-dali akong umakyat at kumuha ng ilang piraso ng damit. I wasn’t about to sleep here knowing that anytime, he will walk through that door. No. I won’t. Agad akong tumawag sa hotel na pag-aari ng pinsan ko. 

Doon na muna ako titira pansamantala.

Kinuha ko susi ng kotse ko sa may drawer ko at agad isinara ang bahay.

Nang makarating ako sa hotel ay agad akong nakita ng pinsan ko.

“Mark!”, tawag sa akin ng pinsan kong si Rhoi. Dali itong pumunta kung saan ako at niyakap ako.

“Missed me?”, I asked

“I heard about what happened. Helen called me. Kaya pumunta ako agad rito.”, he said.

Isa sa mga hinahangaan ko kay Helen at Rhoi ay ang pagiging professional nila sa kabila ng nangyari sa kanilang dalawa. They were in love. Everyone thought that they were really meant for each other. Nagulat nga kami nang sabihin nilang wala na sila. They said that they just don’t feel the same about each other anymore but decided that they stay friends. That was four years ago at hanggang ngayon ay magkaibigan pa rin sila.

“Ahh, so the truth is out. I’ll be staying here until I take care of everything. I’ll pay, don’t worry.”, sabi ko rito.

Agad naman ako nitong kinutusan.

“Ow! Masakit yun ha.”, sabi ko rito habang hinihimas ang parte na tinamaan nito.

“Kelan ba kita siningil sa tuwing nandito ka? Look, you can stay here for as long as you want okay?”

Tumango lang ako rito. Rhoi and I were pretty close. We practically grew up together.

“Here, I had one of the vacant penthouses prepared for you.”, sabi pa nito.

“Hindi ka na dapat nag-abala pa Rhoi. I could’ve settled with any of the cheaper rooms. Tutal ako lang naman mag-isa.”, sabi ko rito.

“I know. But I wanted to.”, he said.

Hindi na ako sumagot pa rito. One thing about my cousin is that when he makes up his mind, there’s no changing it.

Kinuha ko naman ang dala-dala kong bag at nagsimulang maglakad patungo sa elevator. Nakasunod naman sa akin si Rhoi. Alam kong hindi nito palilipasin ang gabi na hindi nalalaman ang buong kwento.

Nang marating namin ang penthouse ay nagbihis ako, he stayed at the living room.

“So what exactly happened?”, tanong nito.

“Akala ko ba sinabi na sa’yo ni Helen?”

“Yes. But you know her. She won’t tell if it’s not hers to share.”

Tumango ako. It was true. Si Helen ang tipo ng taong mapagkakatiwalaan mo ng kahit na anong sikreto. She will never tell unless it’s important.

Bumuntunghininga ako.

“Well, get comfy. Mahabang kwento.”, sabi ko rito. And with those words, my tears fell. Hindi ko na pinigilan ang mga luha ko. I always tried to look strong. I stayed tough through each and every challenge thrown my way. I never cried when my mom died. I never cried  when I got bullied back in high school. But a person can only take too much shit in his life.

“I broke up with him.”, sabi ko rito sa gitna ng paghikbi ko.

Halata ang gulat sa mukha ni Rhoi.

“Helen said it was just a fight.”, sabi nito.

“It was just a fight. Yes. But it was the fight that eventually led to another.”

“I’m going to kill that bastard! Alam kong ikaw ang nakipaghiwalay sa kanya pero hindi ka iiyak ng ganyan kung wala siyang kasalanan Mark.”

I shook my head.

“No Rhoi. He’s not worth it. Matagal ko na dapat ginawa iyon. Pero hindi ko magawa dahil mahal ko siya. Mahal na mahal ko siya. Five years is not something you throw away so easily. But who am I kidding?”, sabi ko habang patuloy ang pagtulo ng mga luha ko.

Hindi nagsalita si Rhoi. Lumapit lang ito sa akin at niyakap ako.

“Shhh. Tahan na. Like you said he’s not worth it.”, sabi nito habang hinihimas ang likuran ko.

Sinamahan ako ni Rhoi sa sumunod na ilang oras bago ito nagpaalam para umuwi.  Nang makaalis ito ay bumalik ako sa kwarto at nahiga. And my tears started falling again.

How could he cheat? I gave him everything he ever wanted. Paano niya nagawang lokohin ako?

Nakatulog ako habang umiiyak. The last thing on my mind, I will never let anyone hurt me like he did. There’s no way.

TO BE CONTINUED....

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Okay, I know it's short but I'm working on it. I will try to update every week. I won't promise anything because I'm damn busy with work. Kelangan ko ng mas malaking sahod or a promotion. Hahahaha! Oh well.. I hope you support my story and all that shit.. Comments will be valued.. Thanksssss!!!!

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