Work Text:
“Happy Anniversary, Mahal!” my boyfriend greeted me.
Stell, the love of my life. The reason why I breath.
We are here in Tagaytay. He rented a place where we are staying right now. He prepared everything to make my “ideal date” for our anniversary. He’s been busy preparing for this day. He said he’ll make our day extra special.
We are here now in the garden, laying down, he used my right arm as his pillow. His face on my chest as I kiss his head from time to time while we are looking at the moon and stars above us.
“Happy Anniversary too. I love you.” I lift his chin for him to look at me and kissed him fully on lips.
He rented this place, checked the weather for today so we can see the moon and stars clearly. He cooked for me. He cooked some of my favorite foods. We talked about some random things and about our future. He really made my ideal date specially that it’s him whom I am with.
I can’t think of any words to thank him so I just kissed him. He made me a very happy man today. Indeed, this day is very special.
We break the kiss when we felt that we needed air to breathe. He just smiled at me. The smile that I fell in love with.
“Stell, thank you for coming into my life. Hindi ko alam kung anong buhay ko ngayon kung hindi kita nakilala. I always thought that no one will love me but you did. Pinaramdam mo sa akin kung paano mahalin. I can’t think of my life without you. Kaya kong ipagpalit lahat just to be with you. I love you. Sobra.” I said as I look directly into his eyes.
I can see that his eyes are a bit watery now.
Kinikilig na naman siguro to sa saya.
He didn’t say any words but he just hugged me tighter and he put his head over my shoulder.
“I love you too, Mahal. Alam mo naman yun diba? Paniwalaan mo yung nararamdaman mo. I love you whatever happens. And please, ‘wag mong ipagpalit ang lahat para sa akin, lalo na ang pangarap mo. I want you to reach your dreams. I want to see you on stage while singing your heart out with the songs that you write. I want to see you become successful. Do it because you want it not because of me. Wala man ako sa tabi mo, always remember na nandito ako palagi”. he said as he pointed his fingers to where my heart is.
“Yes, mahal. Hindi ako papayag na hindi ka makasama while I am reaching my dreams. And I want you to be on the center, first row, VIP seat in my every concert.” I said and hug him back.
“Mahal na mahal kita, Pau”
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I woke up the next day with the sun peaking on the window of our room. I smiled suddenly when I remember what happened yesterday and how special it was.
I fully open my eyes and saw a Stell’s side of the bed.
“Stell.” I try to call him baka kasi nasa CR lang siya. But after a few minutes of waiting I decided to stand up and go out of our room.
I went to the living area but still no Stell. I walk towards the kitchen pero wala din siya doon.
I feel a sudden change on my heart beat. Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko dahil bigla akong kinabahan. I run back to our room to get my phone.
I need to call him and hear his voice para mawala itong kabang nararamdaman ko. I don’t like it. Ayoko sa naiisip ko.
I dialed his number nang makuha ko ang cellphone ko.
Ring.. Ring.. Ring..
Natapos na lang itong mag ring pero hindi pa rin sinasagot ni Stell ang tawag ko.
“Mahal, pick up your phone please.” I said pleading kahit hindi naman niya ako naririnig.
I tried to dial his number again and on the fourth ring he finally answered it.
“Mahal! Where are you? Bakit ngayon mo lang sinagot yung tawag ko? Nag-aalala ako —“
“Pau, stop.” he said cutting my words.
I know something is wrong. Why can’t I feel the love and tenderness in his voice?
“Mahal? Prank na naman ‘to no?” I asked. He likes pranking me. Baka nga prank lang ‘to.
“No, Pau. Let’s stop this.” he said again in a monotone voice.
“What? This call? Bakit gusto mo nang i-stop ‘tong call, hindi mo pa nga sinasabi sa akin kung nasaan ka.” I chuckled awkwardly.
“Pau, hindi ka bobo at mas lalong hindi ka tanga para hindi mo maintindihan ang sinasabi ko.”
“Then tell me. What is this? Please enlighten me!” I said desperately. Napaupo ako sa kama kasi pakiramdam ko hindi ko kakayanin ang mga susunod na maririnig ko.
“Let’s stop this, you and me. I don’t love you anymore. No, cut that. Hindi naman talaga kita minahal.” he said but I can hear that his voice is a little bit shaky.
“Stell! Can you hear yourself? Anong hindi mahal? P*t*ng i*na! Ano na naman ba ‘to? Prank? Kasi hindi nakakatawa. Anong hindi minahal?”
“I’m sorry to tell you but this is not a prank. And please, wag ka nang magpapakita sa akin.”
“Mahal? Stop this okay? I’m hurting. Ang sakit sakit ng mga sinasabi mo. I love you. Please, bumalik ka na dito.” I plead. My tears are now starting to flow down to my face.
I held the part of my chest where my heart is. I can feel the pain, parang pakiramdam ko anytime sasabog siya. Ang sakit sakit.
“Stop this. Hindi na ako babalik dyan at hindi na ako babalik sa’yo. Hindi naman talaga kita minahal. Lahat ng pinakita at ginawa ko for you are fake. It was all lies. So please stop.” he said and the call ended.
Akala ko hindi totoo yung napipiraso yung puso mo dahil sa sakit. Pero that is exactly what I am feeling right now. Sobrang sakit. Hearing those words from him, I feel like anytime I am going to explode.
I didn’t think that this day will come. I didn’t imagine na yung overflowing na kasiyahan na naramdaman ko kahapon ay may ganitong palang kapalit.
My tears can’t just stop from falling. Stell, mahal, why? Why did you do this to me.
Nalulunod ako, hindi ako makahinga, I feel like I’m being suffocated and breathless.
-end-