gitling (n.)

Ginagamit ang gitling upang ipagsama ang dalawang salita. Isang pagkikita lang ang kinakailangan upang ipagsama ang dalawang taong walang pagkakapareho — sina Aye at Dash. Pero ang gitling ay sumisimbolo rin ng paghihiwalay, kung kaya, alin sa dalawang gamit nito ang kahihinatnan ng dalawa?

characters

oc as Ayeshi Cassandra Del Varde

Lee Heeseung (Enhypen) as Lyde Dashielle Villareal

Gitling

"Tita, sorry po, ha? Rios, ayusin mo nga!"

Hindi na mapakali si Lana kay Rios na hindi mawari nasaan ba ang microphone. Para sa kanilang pang-ilan nang video, napagpasyahan nila na iinterview si Dr. Ayeshi Del Varde, ang may-ari ng Villareal Foundation Medical Center, at ang kanyang kasintahang si Mr. Villareal. Kaya rin napakadaling ayain ng magkasintahan ay dahil magulang ni Vaughn sina Dr. Del Varde at Mr. Villareal. Si Vaughn ang matalik na kaibigan ni Rios.

"Kalmahan mo, Lana," hagikhik ng binata bago tumingin sa nanay ng kaibigan,"Pagpasensyahan mo na, tita. Natatakot sa'yo, e."

Napabuga ng tawa si Rios nang hampasin ito ni Lana.

"Hija, it's okay!" Kahit nakatawa si Dr. Del Varde, kitang-kita pa rin sa kanya ang class at pagiging elegante. Tanyag din kasi ang mga Del Varde bilang napakagaling na mga doktor at galing sa mayamang angkan. "Don't stress about it, dear."

"How's Vaughn nga pala?" She asked the two teens in front of her. Nais sana niyang maging komportable si Lana sa kanyang bahay dahil halata rito ang kaba.

Hindi kasi inasahan ni Lana na ganito kayaman si Dr. Del Varde. Napakalaking diyamante ang nakakabit sa kanyang leeg at maala-palasyo ang kaniyang bahay. Akala niya nga 'yung bahay nila ay 'yung mas maliit ng gusali sa labas – indoor garden palang pala 'yon.

"Napakalandi po ng anak mo, tita," hindi napigilang tumawa ni Dr. Del Varde dito. Even her laugh was sophisticated.

Matapos ang ilang minuto na pagchichikahan nila, nawala na ang nararamdamang kaba ni Lana. Napagpasyahan nilang simulan na ang panayam pero...

"Tita, nasaan po si Mr. Villareal?" Tanong ng dalaga matapos i-set up ang camera.

"He can't make it, hija." Dr. Del Varde smiled meaningfully. "Would that be okay?"

Nagkatinginan sina Lana at Rios na tila bang nag-communicate nila gamit ng mga mata nila.

"Sure po!" Magiliw na sagot ni Lana. "Let's start na po. Can you first introduce yourself, tita?"

Nabighani nanaman ang dalaga nang magpakita ng eleganteng ngiti si Dr. Del Varde. Everything about her just screamed class.

"Good morning," Dr. Del Varde started. "I'm Dr. Ayeshi Cassandra Del Varde, the owner of Villareal Foundation Medical Center."

"That's nice, tita," sumunod si Rios bago tumingin kay Lana, signaling her to continue. "On to our first question po."

"Did you like each other at first sight?"

Nagmamahal, Ayeshi

"Do I really need to go?"

I groaned while staring at my mother who was fixing the corset of my dress through the mirror. It was not like I was part of the bride's family or something!

"Love, they're our business partners," my mother said mellowingly. "Pati, as far as I can remember, you and Delilah are friends."

Today was the day where Delilah would be marrying her childhood sweetheart, Kenneth. Don't get me wrong, I fully support them. It was just awkward for me since Ken and I were exes. Not the ex-girlfriend craziness, though, we had a good breakup.

Pero, it was still awkward! Hindi kaya awkward doon si Delilah knowing she was aware about our past?

I had nothing to do but to come to the wedding. I was also invited as a bridesmaid and I had to make a toast about them. Talk about awkward talaga!

"Love, go with the bridesmaids na," my mother ordered. "Your father and I will just be greeting our business partners."

I nodded before looking around. Hindi ko naman kasi alam where to go. I did not attend the briefing because daddy wanted me to meet his business partners instead.

"Nasaan kaya 'yun?"

Hindi ko alam if that was my mind speaking aloud or somebody was just talking. Parehas kami ng iniisip.

I turned around to see a really tall guy. His skin was slightly darker than mine. He had jet black hair slicked to the back. My god, ang tangos din ng ilong niya. He had a suit on with two buttons open. I cringed nga lang when I smelled his perfume... Dior Sauvage.

"Pogi ko 'no?" I was brought back to reality when he talked again. Annoying, ha. I rolled my eyes before stepping away, continuing to look where the heck would all the bridesmaids be.

"Bridesmaid ka?" He asked, making me look at him.

I nodded.

"Sakto!" He cheered.

"Ikaw din ba?" I asked.

"Huh?" He chuckled. "Hindi! Groomsmen ako. Hinahanap ko nalang din partner ko kasi sabi nung organizer, siya nalang wala doon."

"And you're saying I'm your partner?" Turo ko sa sarili ko.

"Kung hindi ikaw si Ayeshi Del Varde, baka mag-isa nalang talaga akong maglalakad doon," sagot nito. "Daig ko pa 'yung bride."

I bit my lower lip to stop myself from laughing.

"I'm Ayeshi," I told him.

"Pero, actually, kilala kita," he chuckled. I raised a brow at him. Hindi ko nga siya kilala so how the heck would he know me? "Hindi mo ako kilala?!"

I shook my head. If I did, kanina ko pa siya tinawag.

"Sabagay, famous ka kasi e." Kamot nito sa ulo. "Ako si Dashielle.. Dashielle Villareal. Dash nalang! Taga-USTe din ako."

Woah, so he's a schoolmate pala. Baka kaya I don't know him kasi magkaiba kami ng building. Ang dami rin namang students there.

"What's your program?" I asked. I felt annoyed again when he grinned. Ano nanaman kaya ang naiisip nito?

"Taga-LEAPMed ako, boss," he answered. "Yie, interested."

We're in the same building naman pala! I'm a Nursing student and kasama namin sa building ang mga LEAPMed people. How come I never saw him?

"I never saw you," I said.

"Sige, boss, para sa'yo, lagi na akong magpapakita!" Pang-iinis nito. "Baka after ng kasal, lagi mo nalang ako maisip, ah."

I rolled my eyes and decided to walk away. I heard him laugh before following me. Hindi ko talaga mahanap 'yun mga bridesmaids!

My eyes widened when he suddenly took me by the wrist and softly pulled me to who knows where. We were in front of the Church and doon pala dapat magkita-kita.

"Places, everyone!"

Dash guided me to our spot in the line. Nagulat nalang ako nang tumili 'yung mga tao sa paligid ko. I furrowed my brows out of confusion. That was when I saw Delilah in her wedding dress.

She looked so beautiful.

"Congratulations, bub," I mouthed to her. She deserved this love. After everything she went through, this was her happy ending.

"Kaano-ano mo si ate Delilah?" I looked at Dash when he asked.

"She's a friend," I answered. "You?"

"Wala akong connection sa kanya," sagot nito. "Best friend ko 'yung kapatid ni kuya Ken, 'yung groom."

Best friends pala ni Javi, huh?

"He's my ex." I did not know why I told that to him! Hindi ko na yata napigilan ang bibig ko. He's so machika kasi that I felt that I had to chika rin!

"Hala!" Napahawak pa ito sa bibig niya. "Okay ka lang? Gusto mo samahan kita pigilan ang kasal mamaya? Ako taga-kanta ng Sparks Fly!"

Hindi ko na napigilang tumawa.

"Yie, napatawa ko!" He felt so proud of himself. "Masaya ka sa'kin, beh?"

"Ken and I dated for six months. Matagal na akong nakapagmove-on," I clarified. Not going to lie, talking to Dash helped me take this awkwardness off my chest. He felt good to talk with.

After that, the ceremony went on. Hindi na kami nag-usap ni Dash after that. He had his own friends to talk to while I had to show up to every business partner my parents meet. Hindi naman siya nakakapagod, I just get irritable when my social battery runs out.

It was a good thing that I managed to make the toast. Akala ko kanina I would be consumed by awkwardness. Siguro nakatulong din 'yung part na when I was doing my speech, my eyes searched for Dash.

I did not know why but it felt somehow nice.

The toast ended and the music started after. Couples went straight to the dance floor and did their thing. I just decided to eat my cake.

"Sige, ako nang sasagot para sa'yo." Nagulat ako when I saw Dash standing in front of me. "Yes, Ayeshi, pwede mo akong maisayaw."

"The fuck?" I glared at him. Agad naman itong napatawa nang malakas.

"Sayaw tayo." He laid his hand in front of me. I stared at him for a moment before taking it. We walked towards the dance floor.

But, he seemed nervous.

"You okay?" I asked.

"A-ahh!" He scratched his head. "Hindi kasi ako sanay na sumayaw."

"So, bakit mo ako inaya?" I chuckled.

"Mag-isa ka, e! Wala akong date na hindi nag-eenjoy." He looked just like a kid. Natawa naman ako.

I took both of his hands and laced it around my waist. I even noticed his eyes expand an inch wider. Namula naman siya when I wrapped my arms around his neck.

"Then, we dance," I said.

The wedding ended and school came at last. After the dance, Dash just thanked me and we went our separate ways. I knew it was just a one-time thing and I was just grateful I survived that day.

"Where should we eat?" My friend, Claire, asked. "Tiger Winx tayo?"

Classes just ended and we were deciding where to eat lunch. Mabuti nalang our prof dismissed us early. I wanted to take the day to catch up on my backlogs.

"Kanto kaya?" Another friend, Gia, then suggested.

Hindi na kami nakapag-decide. We just opted to go sa Angkong since it became our staple food.

"How's the wedding pala, babe?" Gia asked. "Kinaya mo? Kung ako sa'yo, hindi ako pupunta! It's so awk!"

"It's nice nga na ate Delilah's not salty about you two," Claire then asked.

That was when I remembered about Dash. I did not notice him around the building. Not that I was looking for him, of course. Mabuti nga no one was annoying me today.

"Hoy, gago! Ang babagal niyo! Wala tayong mauupuan!"

We turned around at the sound of someone. It was a group of boys walking towards the diner. But ang una kong napansin is the one in the middle... The one who shouted...

"Madam sungit!" Kumulo ang dugo ko when Dash waved at me.

I felt the stares of my friends... As well as their grins.

"Girl, ang pogi!" Claire whisper-shouted. "Did you pull him?"

"Kamusta ka, madam sungit?" Dash flashed a wide smile at me. His friends were even quick to make tili and asar over Dash and I. "Nagpakita na ako."

"Hello! Ako si Dash!" He also greeted my friends but I was just staring at him. I did not know what to feel. Bumalik ang tingin niya sa akin. "Kamusta ka, Ayeshi?"

"I'm good," I answered. "We didn't talk after the wedding."

Yes, I was hinting at something. Hindi ko rin alam bakit.

"Hindi naman kasi tayo nag-share ng socmed, e," sagot nito. Agad din niyang napagtanto because he flashed a teasing smile at me. "Ikaw, ha! Sana tinanong mo nalang ako. Ibibigay ko naman."

"Mamaya na harot niyo!" Gia had to cut the moment! "A vacant table just opened!"

Hindi nanaman kami nag-usap. Hindi ko rin alam why we can't talk as long as we can and why was I bothered about it.

Then, a few hours passed and my friends also left. I had the day to myself to catch up on backlogs. I headed to Calle cafe and grabbed an empty spot there. I also ordered a coffee along the way.

As I opened my laptop, nakakuha ako agad ng notification.

Dash Villareal sent you a friend request.

A small smile crept my face but I wiped it away. Ginawa ko nalang ang backlogs ko. Because of the wedding and some business stuff my dad did, mas kumonti ang oras ko to study.

"Sipag mo naman, madam." I knew that voice. "Need a friend to help?"

"Anong maitutulong mo?" I raised a brow.

"Being a friend kaya accept mo na friend request ko," he answered. I stared at him for a moment before allowing him to sit beside me.

In fairness, he helped me with my tasks talaga and he made it easy for me to understand the difficult topics.

"Thanks," I said before riding my Grab home.

Nothing's wrong with being a friend, and so I did. Kaso napapadalas na pala 'yung pagsasama naming dalawa. It came to a point where we can't spend a day without talking to each other.

Best friends? I do not know.

Flirting? Pwede na.

Feelings? Hmm.

"Madam sungit!" He called again. We were in the hallway and my classes just ended. "Kamusta quiz mo?"

"It was good," I answered. "Thanks for the help."

"Ikaw pa," he chuckled. "Malakas ka sa akin, e."

Baka meant to be tutor x student lang ang trope namin.

Maybe we were just meant to be there for studies and academics stuff. Kasi, honestly, I did not know where this was going. But I guess I liked his presence.

"Nga pala," he continued. "Okay lang ba? Mag-Pobla kami nina Devon mamaya."

"Bakit ka nagpapaalam sa akin?" Ilang araw nang ganito. I was not used to it. Why was someone depending on me or adjusting their lives for me?

We're just friends, right?

"So, like Kira had a boyfriend named Sean, right?" Chinichika ko si Dash over a video call. "Well, last week, they break up and after a day, she was dating another man agad!"

"The acidity!" Dash gasped. "Balita ko rin naman, nahuli na ni Kira na nag-cheat si Sean ng tatlong beses. Iba-iba pang babae!"

"Damn it," I was in awe. "I knew hindi magla-last ang relationship nila!"

Dash even discovered the Marites side in me. He even had it in him too! Turns out, alam niya ang lahat ng tea in all colleges! Ang dami niya rin kasing friends. Well me, Claire is always on top when it comes to chika so nakakakuha na rin ako.

However, Dash also saw the broken part of me.

"Hinga... hinga..." I inhaled and exhaled until all life in me came back. I wiped my tears away before surrendering into his embrace.

My father and I fought again. We were never really close, but sometimes, being his daughter was way too hard. His expectations were impossible and I felt that I was not the perfect daughter he always wanted.

"Ano pa ba ang kulang sa akin?" I sobbed. He stared at me for a moment. Pero hindi ko maalala 'yung expression niya. He could not believe what I just said.

"Wala," he answered. "Maraming nagmamahal sa'yo dahil ganyan ka. Kung hindi ka ganyan, wala ako, wala sina Claire at Gia, at wala kang kasama. Sapat ka para sa amin."

"Sapat ka para sa akin."

My birthday then came next. Nag-aya siyang kumain kami sa Din Tai Fung at SM MoA. I was shocked na kumain there because I know him. Hindi siya basta-basta gumagastos because his parents' income was not big din naman.

"Are you sure this is okay with you?" I asked.

"Oo naman!" He reassured me. "Order ka lang ng kahit ano. Ako bahala sa'yo, madam!"

He was not one to splurge but he also gifted me a necklace that night. It was not easy seeing him bending his rules for me. Kasi, ano ba naman ako? I did not want that.

"Aye, anong nangyayari?" Dash looked so confused.

It has been two weeks since we last talked. Ni hindi ko rin alam anong nangyayari sa akin. If confused si Dash, ako rin naman. I just knew I did not like this feeling.

"I don't know, Dash!" I was sobbing. "I hate it! Bakit ba ganito?"

The next thing I knew, he pulled me into his embrace. Ayaw ko rin ito kasi sanay na ako. Life changed when he came. Nasasanay ako sa mga bagay na hindi naman ako sanay before.

He was making changes in my life and I did not want it. Kasi mawawala lang din ang lahat ng ito.

"You told me I'm just your friend, right?" I asked. He was stroking my hair.

Ayon din, whenever I was sad, his way of comforting me was stroking my hair. Nasanay siguro ang katawan ko doon and it became its own personal remedy.

I had night classes and morning classes lang ang meron siya. Baliktad ang schedules namin. However, he would personally wait until the evening para lang masabayan ako pag-uwi. He did not have to do that but he did.

Maybe, I was sad because finally, nasanay na ako sa ganoon. That the thought of him leaving was me wrecking.

"Hindi, Aye." He caressed my face. "Ang hirap pigilan nito. Tangina, tuwing nakikita kita, tuwing kasama kita, anytime, masasabi ko na. Pero natatakot ako kasi magkaiba tayo. Dahil kapag sinabi ko, baka masira lang kita."

"What?" I asked. Please say it.

I wanted him to say it.

Kasi alam ko na the moment na sasabihin niya, I could just drop everything. That was how down bad I was.

"Mayaman ka, ako hindi. Hindi ko kayang alisin ka sa marangyang buhay na meron ka," he answered. "Na sana, kapag manliligaw na ako, may napatunayan na ako. Na deserve na kita."

Ganoon lang ba tingin niya sa sarili niya?

"Mahal kita, Aye," Dash finally said it. "Pero hindi ko alam kung sapat ang pagmamahal na ito para sa'yo."

"You made me the happiest since we met. Wala kang dapat patunayan," I said. "That alone is enough."

Hindi ako sanay na may boyfriend. But knowing Dash, kayang-kaya niya akong sanayin sa ganoon. He was the expert at making me feel so loved.

"Bal, g-graduate na ako!" I cheered when Dash delivered the good news. He prepared for his thesis for so long and now that it was done, I could never be prouder of my boyfriend!

"I'm so proud!" I hugged him. He lifted me from the ground and twirled with me along. "We should celebrate!"

"Sama kami pero huwag sanang PDA," Devon remarked with his hands crossed, glaring at us.

"Parang hindi ko kayo nahuli ni Gia na–" I laughed when Devon shot daggers at Claire. While Gia... she was just blushing. Well, it was not my story to tell.

Tumagal kami. We celebrated our anniversary in Elyu. Pero hindi pa namin sinasabi sa parents namin 'yung relasyon namin. We both mutually agreed that it was not the right time.

We were in the age where we would choose our careers first. That love will still be there.

"Tanda mo noon, bal?" I felt a pair of arms hug me from behind. "Iritang-irita ka lang sa akin noon sa kasal pero ngayon..."

I smiled and turned around to face him.

"Pero ngayon?" I asked.

"Pero ngayon..." He was playing with my fingers. "Pagsisikapan ko para malagyan ko ito ng singsing soon."

I could not help but to lock my lips with his. God, I love him so much. Hindi ko yata kakayaning mawala siya sa buhay ko.

"I love you, Cassandra," he told me. "Mahal na mahal."

On the day of his graduation, I stopped by Dangwa to buy him flowers. His favorite color is blue so I brought the blue-colored roses. Nauna na roon 'yung family niya and I just had to squeeze in a seat in QPAV.

"How's your man?" I asked Gia when we met each other. Devon was graduating too and Gia was also here to support him.

"Kabado, sis," she chuckled. "He told me he felt that he was getting married!"

After we found our seats, we then searched for our boyfriends. We even had a backup phone if one of our phones ran out of storage. We looked like fans.

"Lyde Dashielle Villareal... Magna Cum Laude..."

I was so proud. He deserved it. All of his sleepless nights and all-nighters just to get to this place. He would be a great doctor. And, I can't wait to be with him every step of the way. My biggest hope for him is for him to achieve his dreams.

If he could just be with me until forever, that would also be great.

Gitling

"Ang sweet niyo po!" Kilig na kilig si Lana sa kwento ni Dr. Del Varde. Natawa naman ang nakatatanda as she was also transported to the time when she met her greatest love.

"Ito na 'yung nakakalungkot na part," sambit ni Rios.

This was Lana's dreaded part in all of her interviews. The turning point... the part where it all went wrong... Where all good stories come to an end.

Actually, hindi niya alam where it all went wrong. Because, clearly, Vaughn's father is Mr. Villareal.

"What happened next po, tita?" Maingat na tanong ni Lana.

"Reality." Ayeshi flashed a small smile.

Nagmamahal, Ayeshi

"Dad, mom, this is Dash. My boyfriend."

I mustered up the courage to introduce him. Baka this time, pwede na. Kaso hindi pa pala. Her father was furious. Ayaw niya ito.

"When did this start?" My father was trying to keep his cool but it felt like he was shooting flames here and there.

"Two years ago," I confidently answered. Ayaw kong umiyak. If he did not want to approve of our relationship, I would leave my family. I cannot lose my happiness again.

"That's the reason why you got low grades!" My father raised his voice. I had to tighten my hold on Dash. "God, Ayeshi, I'm giving you everything and this is what I receive?!"

"Mr. Del Varde, with all due respect po." I was shocked when Dash started to speak. "Nakikita ko pong laging nag-aaral si Aye. Na ilang araw din po siyang hindi natutulog para lang makasagot sa exams niya. Masipag po ang anak niyo."

"I'm the owner of Del Varde Hospital," daddy shot up. "I can't have a mediocre daughter!"

And, that was it. I packed my bags and went with Dash. He was studying for the Licensure exam so I had to take on a part-time work muna to fend for us.

Life was simple. We were happy. It was just the two of us and even though there were problems, we had it resolved easily. Mommy even wanted to reach out to me to provide help but I rejected.

Desisyon ko ito so I had to stand by it.

Pero, minsan, ang hirap na rin pala.

"I'll buy you meds muna, ha?" I told Dash. Ilang araw na siyang hindi natutulog at pagod na pagod kakaaral. He was even vomiting!

"Huwag na..." He rejected. "Mas kailangan natin ang pera para sa bahay."

I just stared at him. I laid him down on our bed and I was shocked when he pulled me next to him. He caressed my hair again... A habit of his I will never get fond of.

"Pangako, bal," he whispered. "Kapag nakapasa ako ng licensure exam, magiging maganda ang buhay natin. Hindi na natin poproblemahin ang pera."

"Kaunting tiis lang ha?"

Yes, kaunting tiis nalang. I was patient with us. We had to do it in our pace.

"Kuya!" I was shocked to see a foreign voice. I turned around to see a man slightly younger than us hug Dash.

"Bal, si Kairo nga pala!" Dash introduced his younger brother. "Nakababatang kapatid ko."

I learned that he was there because their mother wanted to give him some specialty from his hometown. Matagal na rin kasi siyang hindi nakakauwi.

After a few hours, Kairo set himself to go home. I was about to clean the dishes when I experienced nausea and almost fell.

"Bal!" Dash was quick to attend to me. "Ayos ka lang ba?"

At that time, yes.

Gitling

"Tita, I have a question po," sambit ni Lana.

"Yes, Hija?"

"Happy ending po ba ito? Nagkatuluyan naman po kayo ni Mr. Villareal, e!" Sabi ng dalaga. "Feel ko po kasi iiyak talaga ako nang todo kung hindi kayo nagkatuluyan."

"Want to know something?" Ayeshi smiled.

"The Mr. Villareal you know now is not Vaughn's biological father. That's not Dash."

Nagulat ang dalawa sa nalaman. So, all this time, the Mr. Villareal the world knows is not the Villareal Ayeshi loved.

"Bakit po ikaw pumayag sa interview na ito, tita?" Rios knew he had to ask.

"To say sorry."

Nagmamahal, Ayeshi

Hindi na pala madali itong lahat.

My headaches became more frequent and I was vomiting almost everyday. Dash has been pushing me to go to the doctor but I could not. The money was not enough to cover it. Doon nalang siya sa mga basic needs namin.

But that night, we were so sure hindi na rin namin kaya.

"Bal, what are you doing?!" My eyes widened when I saw Dash packing my clothes into a bag. "Get that back in the closet!"

"Uuwi ka na, Ayeshi." His voice sounded so stern.

"No! I'm happy here!" I told him and took my clothes and tried to place them back. "Dash, let go!"

"Hindi pala dapat natin ito ginawa," he said. "Hindi na kita dapat nilayo."

"I wanted this!" I told him. "Desisyon ko ito so let me be!"

"Tangina!"

I stopped when Dash cried out loud. He looked so tired. Na para bang ilang tulog ang kinuha sa kanya. He was not like this before.

"Hindi mo ba alam gaano kasakit sa akin ang makitang kahit may sakit ka, hindi mo pinapakita sa akin? Na kailangan mo pang hinaan 'yung pagsuka mo para lang hindi ko mapansin?" He sobbed.

"Tangina, hindi ito 'yung buhay na pinangarap ko para sa'yo." Dash broke down.

This was his lowest. I was his lowest.

"Paano ka? Paano tayo?" I cried too. "I wanted to fight for us... With what we have. I want this. I want all the headaches, the vomits, the nausea... If it means being with you!"

"I love you so damn much it hurts."

"Hindi na kita mahal." I looked at him when he said that. His eyes were cold... No love was there. Wala 'yung Dash na minahal ko.

It was the first time I saw him like that.

"Kaya umalis ka na kasi sinisira mo lang ang buhay ko!"

"What?" I was in disbelief. "You don't mean that. You can't mean that!"

"Pagod na ako, Ayeshi." He sobbed. "Minahal kita pero hindi ko na kayang mahalin 'yung ganito. Kung ganito lang ang mangyayari sa'yo, hindi na ito 'yung pagmamahal na ninanais ko para sa'yo."

"Hindi ganito ang pagmamahal ko, Aye."

Wala pa rin. Umalis pa rin ako. I went back to my parents. Dad did not want to have me back at first but I told him Dash and I were done.

Months passed and I never heard a single thing about Dash. Ni mga kaibigan niya hindi alam ano ang nangyari sa akin.

Do I still love him?

Of course. Wala namang nagbago doon.

However, we were unhealthy. Love was just not enough anymore. Kinailangan naming mabuhay.

Nagulat nalang ako when I saw Kairo by the gate.

"Ate Aye?" He called out to me. Dad wanted to kick him out but I pleaded with him. Kahit ito nalang ang connection ko kay Dash, tatanggapin ko na.

It was hard for me to look at him, to be honest. Hindi maganda ang pagtatapos namin ni Dash and knowing na mahal ko pa siya, it actually hurts. It was for the best, yes, but that does not mean it was not painful.

"How are you?" I asked. He was just playing with his fingers. It was evident hindi siya pumunta rito para makipagchikahan.

"How's Dash?" We both knew it was going to be that question.

"Ang tagal po kitang hinanap, Ate." I noticed tears brimming his eyes. Doon palang kinabahan na ako. "Hindi ka na po hinanap ni kuya kasi ayaw ka na raw niya guluhin. Gusto kong ipaglaban kayo, Ate."

He was crying. I did not know why. I was scared to find out why too.

tw // mention of death

"Ginawan ka niya ng liham." Inabot niya sa akin 'yung letter. "Pinaalam niya sa akin na matapos niyang mawala, sana raw mabasa mo po."

What?

"M-mawala?"

It was then that all life in me seemed to have faded. Breathing became hard for me. Visions were becoming blurry. Most importantly, my heart was being ripped to pieces.

"Nagkaroon po siya ng brain tumor. May symptoms na po pala noong kayo pa," he answered. And I didn't even see it? I didn't even notice? What kind of a girlfriend was I?

That was when it hit me. It was not because he was up late studying. He was actually sick then.

"Nasa liham na po lahat," he said before leaving.

I opened and read the letter.

Hoy, madam sungit!

Kaya ko ito sinulat kasi miss na miss na miss na miss na kita. Sa totoo lang, sinusulat ko ito habang nandito ka pa kasi takot ako na anytime ma-tegi ako hehehe. Sobrang sakit din kasi ng ulo ko kaya pumunta muna ako ng doctor. Ayon, may bukol daw pero sana huwag kang mag-alala kasi malakas ang papa Dashielle mo.

Miss ko na kasing makita ang ngiti mo. Nakakalungkot kasi hindi naman ganitong pagmamahal ang gusto kong ibigay sa'yo. Pero dahil nandito na rin naman tayo, ginagawa ko lahat para mapasaya ka.

Sana sumaya ka sa akin.

Sana kahit tumanda ka at ako 25 years old pa rin, maalala mo lahat ng masasayang alaala natin.

Hindi mo alam gaano mo ako pinasaya. Sa'yo ko naramdaman ang totoong pagmamahal. Sana pala nung nagkita tayo sa kasal, pinakasalan na kita agad. Pero alam mo? Hindi ko pinagsisisihang sinayaw kita kahit hindi ako marunong.

Ang wish ko lang... Kahit mawala na ako, kahit dumating ang araw na nalimot mo na ang boses at kapogian ko, magkita tayo ulit. Huwag muna, ha! Sana sa malayong oras pa. Marami ka pang pangarap sa buhay, alam ko 'yon. Kasama na roon 'yung paglangoy sa lupa pero ok.

Nandito lang ako lagi (not in a multo haunting you kind of way– yie amp conyo) na sisiguraduhing ligtas ka. Kahit hindi na sa akin ang kasiyahan mo at kahit makahanap ka ng iba, isang beses lang na saktan ka, ako ang magmumulto sa kanila.

Huwag mong sisihin ang sarili mo, ha! Dahil sa'yo, kinaya ko pang lumaban. Bawal sisihin ang sarili. Kapag sinisi mo sarili mo, uubusin ko pagkain sa ref niyo. Joke hehehe.

Ikaw ang pinakamagandang nangyari sa buhay ko. Kahit maikli lang, wagas ang pagmamahal.

Ikaw ang huling pangarap ko.

Hindi man tayo pwede ngayong lifetime. Dapat tayo sa susunod na habang buhay. Pangako, hahanapin kita.

Mahal na mahal kita,
Dash

I stared at his tomb for a long time. He suffered so much in his short lifetime. Sana nakita ko agad... Sana nilaban ko pa. I should not have left him alone. I felt so sorry. I should have been with him in his remaining days.

I could not say anything. It was hard for me to.

I just stared at the baby bump... My baby bump. The vomits and nausea I was experiencing before was because I was carrying a baby. Our baby.

"I'll name him Vaughn Lydelle, don't worry," I said.

Gitling

"Ito na nga ba 'yung sinasabi ko, e," Lana sobbed as Rios handed her a tissue. "Sabi na nga ba, masasaktan ulit ako, e!"

"Sino po 'yung Villaroel na kilala namin ngayon?" Rios asked the remaining questions since Lana was busy crying.

"That's Kairo," sagot ni Ayeshi. Halata sa kanya na naiiyak din siya pero napigilan niya. "He's not my husband. I did not remarry. We just decided he would co-parent with me since he's the brother of Dash."

"Napatawad niyo na po ba ang sarili niyo?" Lana asked in between sobs. Napangiti si Ayeshi sa dalaga. She was too cute.

"By telling this story, I believe I got my closure," Ayeshi sighed in relief. "I think nagawa ko na ang lahat ng makakaya ko. I loved him in his short lifetime and I'll continue to love him until his death."

"In all lifetimes... Aasa ako na magkikita kami ulit," she continued. "I'll look for him, and hahanapin niya rin ako. I know that."

"Our story is not perfect, I know," tuloy nito. "We both made bold choices but we do not regret any of them. I'd rather choose them all over again than nothing at all."

"May pinagsisishan po ba kayo?" Tanong ni Rios.

"Maybe, I should have asked for his socials noong wedding palang," Ayeshi chuckled, making the two teens laugh along. "Pinatagal ko pa, e."

Sakto, pumasok si Vaughn sa kwarto. Nagtaka tuloy siya bakit umiiyak ang nanay niya.

"Hoy, mga yawa kayo! Bakit niyo pinaiyak si mommy?!" Reklamo ng binata.

"You're just like your father," Ayeshi commented lovingly.