NATAHIMIK SI FAY. Tila bigla siyang nawala sa sarili, naninikip ang dibdib at nanlalambot ang buong katawan, habang naglalakad papalapit sa pamilya ni Luke. She looked away, hindi pa rin sanay na makisalamuha sa kanila. Her gaze was drawn to Luke, who offered her a brief wink and smile. When she realized she was being watched, she turned her gaze to her boyfriend, and she noticed he was staring at her again.

Gusto sanang lapitan ni Fay ang boyfriend niya, lalo na't nahalata niya sa mga mata nito ang libo-libong tanong na umiikot sa pagitan nila. However, when the game started, hindi na siya nakaalis pa sa side ng pamilya ni Luke. Walang buhay na lang niyang tinapos ang panonood sa laro, halata ito sa mukha at galaw niya, silently hoping that her friends will win but it's a tie, so they needed to change the game from baseball to swimming.

Habang papunta sa swimming area, nilapitan ni Luke si Fay at hinawakan sa balikat.

"You okay?"

Fay came to a halt while walking and asked him, "Are you honestly asking me that since you're the reason why this happened?" Pero hindi niya iyon nagawang maisatinig.

"Yeah. Just a bit tired and sleepy. I'll wait for you at the lounge are, is it okay with you?"

"Sure." Luke smiled as he gave Fay's shoulder a little squeeze.

Naghiwalay sila at bumungad agad sa harap ni Fay ang boyfriend niya.

"Really, Fay? Aren't you gonna talk to me?"

"Jake-" Fay tried to reached for her boyfriend's hand, but Jake avoided it.

"Forget it. Our relationship will be determined after we finished this stupid game."

"I'm sorry, Jake." Nabasag ang boses ni Fay kasabay ng pagpatak ng sunod-sunod na luha na inipon niya sa loob ng dalawang araw.

Nagbago naman agad ang ekspresyon sa mukha ni Jake.

"Iyan lang ba ang sasabihin mo?"

Fay lowered her head. Napapikit ng mariin si Jake bago naglakad paalis, disappointed and brokenhearted sa sinapit ng relasyon nila. Meanwhile, Fay was also torn on the inside. The moment she closed her eyes, another set of tears streamed down. Pinunasan niya agad ito bago pumunta sa lounge area. Pagkaupo niya palang ay nakita niya agad ang babaeng kapatid ni Luke na parang may hinahabol. Out of curiosity, Fay followed her, only to see another brokenhearted person.

"Anne..." ani Fay nang makasalubong niya ang babae. Luhaan itong napailing-iling sa kanya bago tumakbo palayo. Sinilip naman ni Fay ang rason kung bakit ganoon na lang ang reaksiyon ng babae.

Napunta agad sa bibig ni Fay ang kamay niya nang makita ang kahalikan ng boyfriend ni Anne. Isa ito sa mga kaibigan niya. And again, hindi niya na naman magawang makapili nang maayos kung sino sa kanila ang kakausapin niya dahil natagalan pa siya bago umalis mula sa kinatatayuan niya. In the end, Fay decided to follow Anne.

Fay arrived on the swimming area. Hinanap niya agad si Anne. Napatigil siya nang makitang nakayakap ito kay Luke. Malayo pa man ang agwat niya sa kanila ay parang nawalan siya ng hininga nang magtama ang mga mata nila ni Luke. Mga matang patuloy siyang niloloko dahil sa paiba-iba nitong emosyon, from cold to warm or vice versa.

Napaatras si Fay. Tatakbo na sana siya palayo nang mabunggo niya si Jake. Hinawakan agad siya nito sa kamay at kinaladkad palayo sa lugar.

"I'll get you out of here now. Hindi ako papayag na basta lang masisira ang relasyon natin na iningatan ko ng walong taon."

Hindi pa man tuluyang nakakalayo, naabutan na ni Luke sina Fay at Jake.

"I won, right?" matigas na sabi ni Luke habang nakatingin kay Jake.

Sabay na napalingon sina Fay at Jake sa likod nila.

"It was just a game. Bago pa man kami mapunta rito, ako na ang nanalo sa kanya." Humigpit ang hawak ni Jake sa kamay ni Fay.

"That's before, hindi na ngayon." Tuluyang lumapit si Luke sa kanila at malakas na hinigit si Fay palapit sa kanya.

Labag sa loob na binitawan naman ni Jake si Fay nang maalarma siya sa gusto nitong gawin. Nakita niya ang pagtama ng katawan ni Fay sa basang katawan ni Luke pero wala roon ang pokus niya kundi nasa mga mata ni Fay na punong-puno ng pagsusumamo. Jake walked forward to reach for Fay's hands again, but it's too late. Kinaladkad na palayo ni Luke si Fay.

"What the fuck was that?!"

Malakas na kumalabog ang pinto ng kuwarto ni Luke. Fay just closed her eyes.

"I thought we had a clear talk?!"

"What?" matamlay na sagot ni Fay na siyang mas ikinagalit ni Luke.

"You said you wouldn't get involve with them again! Kaya nga kita sinasanay na rito para mas madali sa 'yo ang paglayo sa kanila! So, you can focus on me! Just me and our marriage!"

"I didn't say that." Matapang na sinalubong ng luhaang mata ni Fay ang mga nagbabagang mata ni Luke. "I only agreed to marry you, not to control my life, Luke. Ako rin ang pumiling manatili rito para mas makilala pa kita, hindi ikaw. Baka sakaling unti-unti kitang matanggap... at magustuhan din. This is not their fault, Luke. This is all because of you. Sinira mo ang bakasyon namin."

Luke fell silent.

"Hindi ko nga rin alam sa sarili ko kung bakit ba pinagbigyan kita... kung bakit ba mas pinili ko ang pigil-hiningang buhay mo kaysa sa masayang buhay ko. This vacation was supposed to be about friendship, healing, and growth, not rage and sorrows. I'm here to find life meanings, Luke, not to completely ruin it. Hindi lang buhay mo ang sinusubukan kong iligtas... pati rin akin."

Hindi na napigilan ni Fay na humagulhol.

"Kahit na... kahit kasama ko na ang mga kaibigan at ang boyfriend ko kanina, dito pa rin ako nag-end up. I-Ikaw pa rin ang pinili ko. Hinayaan pa rin kita na kontrolin ako, which is... ang gago. Napaka-gago, Luke." Fay shook her head as she tried to wipe the continuous tears falling. Tumataas-baba na rin ang dibdib niya dala ng sari-saring emosyon. Medyo pumipiyok na rin siya. "Kasi, 'di ba... sino ka ba? Who are you to decide on my life? At... at... at kahit na sinubukan mong ipaliwanag sa akin, magulo pa rin, Luke. Your reasons are complicated, same as your life and family. No offense. Like, why would you get a girl out of nowhere just to tell her you're dying and desperate to be married?"

"Fay..." Luke called but Fay turned her back to him.

"Isn't it ironic, right? Jusko! I just met you two days ago and you expect me to forget my life and try to change it? No..." Nanginig ang boses ni Fay. "No... you're manipulating me. Sana naman ay may konsiderasyon ka pa rin..." Bahagya siyang natahimik. "You know what?" Hinarap niya si Luke. "Everything that's happening right now is sick! Why should I explain or express myself when you won't even allow me to get out and live my own life?"

Fay still has a lot to say, but it's too heavy that the only way to lessen it is to cry. Dahil dito, lumambot na ulit si Luke. Nilapitan niya si Fay at binalot ng akap.

"I'm sorry..." Luke caressed Fay's hair. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I just want you you stay with me. Choose me."

"Let... me... go. Go find someone else. I... I can't put up with this any longer."

The following days were nothing but a darkness void to Fay. Sinubukan niyang ibalik ang dati niyang pakikitungo kay Luke, iyong normal lang kahit na may kaba at takot pa rin sa puso, pero mas lumayo yata ang loob niya sa kanya. Luke, on the other hand, tried to win her again kahit na ilang beses na siya nitong hindi pinapansin at pinagtatabuyan.

Madalas na tahimik lang sina Fay at Luke kapag magkasama sa isang kuwarto pero may mga oras pa rin na gumagaan ang pakikitungo nila sa isa't isa, lalo na't kapag nasa harapan ng pamilya ni Luke. There's also a progress in Fay's relationship with Luke's family. Mas naging maunawain at maingat ang pamilya ni Luke kay Fay.

Isang araw, tulala lang si Fay sa may binata, malayo ang tingin. Pero nang tumunog ang phone niya ay napabalikwas siya mula sa pagkakaupo para kunin iyon sa lamesa.

It was a message from Kate and Dionne, indicating they were outside and would remain there until she faced them again.

It was supposed to be their last day in resort, but it's not for Fay. Muntik na iyong mawala sa alaala niya. Even the plan that she was supposed to do with the help of her friends failed. Nagsumbong din kasi si Anne kay Luke tungkol sa narinig niyang usapan ng tatlong magkakaibigan. Pinagtalunan ulit nila ito kaya mas dumagdag ito sa tensyon kahit na anong pilit na ayusin ito.

"Where are you going?"

Nakasalubong ni Fay sa hagdan si Luke.

"To see my friends."

Lalagpasan na sana ni Fay si Luke nang pigilan siya nito.

"You don't need to."

"At bakit na naman, Luke?!" Kunot-noong napatingin si Fay kay Luke saka winaglit ang kamay nito. "Ganoon ka ba ka-threaten sa kanila? They are my friends! Mas kilala ko sila kaysa sa 'yo!"

"I need to talk to you-"

"Well, we're done talking."

Nagpatuloy si Fay sa pagbaba sa hagdan. Nang makarating sa labas, tinakbo niya agad ang espasyo sa pagitan nilang magkakaibigan para yakapin sila.

"Stay in touch, okay?" si Dionne nang kumalas sa yakap. "We trust you pa rin."

"Final na talaga? Itataya ko na lang ang sarili ko, just say yes, Fay!"

"It's okay, Kate." Fay let out a low chuckle. "I don't want you to go through what I'm going through here."

Lalong naiyak si Kate sa sinabi ni Fay.

"Ano, wala man lang bang yakap? Grabe kayo!" si Fay nang walang ibang yumakap sa kanya bukod kina Kate at Dionne. Nagkailangan pa sa una pero si Fay na mismo ang nag-initiate ng yakap sa bawat isa sa kanila. "Thank you, guys. Will see you again soon. Ingat kayo palagi, ha?"

When it was Jake's turn, Fay just stared at him.

"Can I talk to you... alone?"

Nauna na ang barkada sa mga sasakyan habang nagpaiwan muna si Jake para kausapin si Fay. Pumunta sila sa dalampasigan para doon mag-usap.

"Don't say anything." Agad na niyakap ni Jake si Fay. "I've realized a lot of things here. Some were bad and... good, but leaving you here is inconsolable and regretful. Hindi na ako magtatanong pa kung bakit at paano. Hihintayin ko ang oras na ikaw mismo ang lumapit at magkusa sa akin."

"Jake..." paghihinagpis ni Fay.

"I will always wait for you. No matter how long. By then, I hope we've grown into the people we've always wanted to be, Fay."

It was a fitting send-off for a couple who had managed to stay together despite years of fighting and loving. It's the first time they've parted ways for a tragic cause - to save someone's life.

Kumalas sina Jake at Fay sa yakap. Ilang beses hinaplos ni Jake ang mukha ni Fay bago ito gawaran ng isang madamdaming huling halik na tumagal ng ilang minuto hanggang sa kapusin sila ng hininga. When their lips parted, Fay cried even more.

"You will always have my heart, Fay. Please, forgive me for everything. You know what they are."

All of this happened in just a week of April. When they left, Fay considered restarting her life. It took her days to totally forgive Luke and accept the reality that she had chosen. As a result, he had to face it with so much courage and confident. Besides, there are only two weeks left before April ends.

"You ready?" Luke smiled widely, wearing an all white suit as she asked for Fay's hand.

"Yes," tipid na sagot ni Fay pero halata pa rin ang sayang bumabalot sa kanya ngayon, lalo na't gandang-ganda siya sa suot niyang white gown.

It's the second to the last day of April, kung kailan ang plinanong kasal nila. Gusto sana ng mga magulang ni Luke na mas mapaaga pero si Luke na mismo ang nag-insist, considering what happened.

Sa gitna ng pagkilala nila Luke at Fay sa isa't isa ay nahanap nila ang panibagong pinto sa pagbubukas ng panibagong relasyon nila. It wasn't easy since everything happened too fast and unplanned. Sinunod lang nila kung ano man ang ibinigay sa kanila ng tadhana hanggang sa matutunan nilang magbago for the sake of their emerging unity.

Luke was hopeful when she was with Fay. He saw the many sides of life when you poured your heart into living it, even if it was only for a short period. At si Fay naman, mas nakilala niya ang sarili niya at nahanap niya ang mga rason na gusto niyang makita simula nang makilala niya si Luke. Marami mang mali sa pagkatao nila, mas nanaig pa rin ang kapatawaran at kagustuhang mabuhay para sa panibagong mga sandali.

Hatinggabi nang natapos ang kasal nila Fay at Luke ay saka lang din binawian ng buhay si Luke sa tabi ni Fay. Hindi magawang makakibo ni Fay, tahimik niya lang na yinakap si Luke habang pinagmamasdan ang mga bituin sa madilim na kalangitan. Every tear she shed reminded her of every moment she had spent with Luke, mabuti man ito o hindi, masaya man o malungkot. Kahit na napaka-iksi lang din ng panahon nila.

"Luke..." Hinaplos ni Fay ang buhok ni Luke. "You are the best thing that happened to me. I'll always look forward to April so I can relive you in my heart. May the gates of heaven opened for your arriving." Yumuko si Fay para maabot niya ang noo ni Luke at bigyan ito ng halik. Sa pagpikit ng mga mata niya ay siya ring pagbuhos ng panibagong luha.

Nang tumingala ulit si Fay ay nakita niya ang mukha ni Jake na tila kaharap niya lang din ito. "I'm sorry, Jake. This time... I'll choose myself for the sake of Luke."

The door made a creaking sound as it opened, revealing Anne. Fay smiled. Nang makalapit ay agad pinunasan ni Fay ang mga luha sa mukha niya bago marahang tumayo, leaving Luke on the bed. She looked at her with so much pain in the eyes before facing Anne.

"This is Kuya's last request." Anne handed a box to Fay.

"What's this?"

"His wedding gift for you. Nandito lahat ng sagot na hindi niya o namin masabi sayo. He wants to keep it until he..." Anne looked at Luke, and immediately looked away with tears pooling in her eyes. "You'll know it when you read everything."

Nang umalis si Anne, naglakad papunta sa terrace si Fay. Umupo siya sa upuang nakaharap sa dalampasigan. Bigla siyang napapikit nang may tumamang malamig at malakas na hangin sa kanya. It was cold but it somehow warmed her heart.

When she saw the box full of handwriting letters, tears unconsciously fell endlessly, as if she knew already what's in the letter. Ang unang letter na nasa pinakaibabaw ay ang una niya namang binasa dahil may nakalagay na date. It was the night before they tied the knot. It was Luke's handwriting. Kabado man sa lahat ng mga mababasa niya ay itinuloy niya pero halos kapusin siya ng hininga nang matapos niya ang unang letter.

"I will help you remember everything, Eirlys Fayye Manuel. From the moment we saw each other until we fulfilled our promises. I know we did. I can finally see you in a long, white gown walking towards me.

Hindi ka kailanman nawala sa puso ko. Every breath I take, I always wish for you to come back to me, to us. Hope you managed to find and read these letters that I couldn't tell you in personal. You are the reason why I chose to live just to see, touch, and feel you again, my love. Please, do not ever take all the blame for the mistakes you never did. Just think of this as another challenge in our relationship.

I also want you to know that you made me believe everything in life is always worth fighting for. So, live, my love. Be alive for me. Be yourself again. Be finally free.

And lastly, I'm sorry, Fay. Mawawala ako, but I know you will always find a way to be with me again."