#DaggerSeries #LiaxGun #DS2Unstrung

CHAPTER 2: FIELDS OF GOLD

LIA'S POV

"Are you sure you're okay?"

Tahimik na humigop ako mula sa tasa ng kape na hawak ko. I didn't want to be here. Dapat ay nasa biyahe na ako kagabi pa lang papuntang Benguet pero sinabihan ako ng agency na 'wag munang lumayo dahil sa mga nangyari at sa halip ay umattend na lang ako sa schedule na inayos na nila para sa akin. This is the reason why I don't want to tell them about that music box! If only Maddison would listen.

I sighed when I looked around me. Sa paligid ko ay abala ang mga tao sa kaniya-kaniyang mga gawain. Mabilis ang mga kilos nila but I don't think that they're rushing sa paraan na para bang mahuhuli sila sa schedule. More on in a way that this is just their usual morning. Hindi naman kasi sila mukhang nag-pa-panic.

"I'm fine, Maddy."

"Hindi ka natulog no?"

"I did." Nang makita ko ang bahagyang paniningkit ng mga mata niya ay bumuntong-hininga ako. "Mga dalawang oras."

Hinilot ng babae ang sentido. Maging siya rin naman ay mukhang wala pa rin na tulog. Paniguradong binabagabag din siya sa nangyari nang nagdaan na araw. Galing kasi kami sa police kahapon. It's the fourth time we filed a complaint pero hanggang ngayon ay wala pa rin na resulta ang paghahanap sa taong nagpapadala ng music box sa akin.

I don't even think they took me seriously. They kept on insisting that maybe the gift was just innocent. Something that a fan just want me to have. Pero dahil na rin kay Maddison ay nagawa niyang kumbinsihin ang pulis na gumawa ng paraan.

They said they will do their best but I doubt that.

It was a complete waste of time. Ang hirap talaga kapag pinangungunahan ka imbis na pakinggan ang gusto mong sabihin. May sagot na kasi sila bago pa nila magawang intindihin ang panig ko.

Apat na beses na akong nakakatanggap ng parehas na music box. Noong una may nagpadala niyon sa PO box ko. The next it was sent at the office of my agency. Ang pangatlo ay pinaabot sa security guard ng studio kung saan ako kasalukuyang nag-re-record noon. Then the last was on my event. It doesn't even have a note. Just a music box with that fucking song.

It feels like that thing keeps on getting closer and closer to me. But how can I even explain that to the police? Kung iyong music box nga na pruweba na ay tingin nila inosenteng regalo lang? How can I tell them that I can feel the presence of that person? As if there's really someone watching me wherever I go. They will probably think that I'm crazy.

"Miss Asterio, we'll start the interview in five."

Simpleng tinanguhan ko ang babae na staff na lumapit sa amin. Binigyan ko rin siya ng maliit na ngiti para hindi niya masamain ang ginawi ko. Hindi naman kasi miminsan lang na kumalat at naging issue sa mga tao na iba raw ang ugali ko.

Para namang kailangan parehas ang lahat ng ugali ng mga tao. Porke hindi lang ako kasing bubbly at easy going katulad ng ibang mga nasa entertainment industry ay may iba na akong ugali. Hindi naman ako artista. And even actors and actresses deserve to have their own personalities.

"Do you want me to get their cue cards? Para handa ka rin sa mga itatanong nila?" tanong ni Maddison.

"Nah."

Muling naningkit ang mga mata ng babae. Kilala niya ako. Sa lahat ng ayaw ko ay ang mga ganitong ganap. I hate having interviews because instead of focusing in my music ay kung ano-anong issue at tsismis lang ang kadalasan nilang pilit na kinukuha mula sa akin.

I managed to finish my coffee before someone approached us again to tell us that we're about to go live. Iniwan ko na si Maddison at lumapit ako sa entrance ng backstage kung saan inasikaso ako kaagad nang naghihintay na roon na staff. Kinabitan niya ako ng lapel mic at sinabihan akong intayin ang cue nila.

I was looking at my feet, lost in my thoughts while I wait for the cue. I've done this countless of times. I was fourteen when I had my first interview. Dinala ako ng lola ko na nag-iisang sumusuporta sa gusto ko. My parents were livid when they found out. That's the reason why I left before I even turned eighteen and I never looked back.

Napaangat ako ng mukha nang marinig ko ang pagbanggit ng host sa pangalan ko. I saw the floor director signaled me and with my head held up high, I went out to the crowd waiting for me.

I was momentarily blinded by the lights but my eyes adjusted well. Imbis na tumingin sa audience ay may ngiti sa mga labi na hinarap ko ang dalawang host ng morning show na Sunshine Today na sina Reggie Gonzaga at Emelyn Salas.

We exchanged pleasantries and after awhile I felt the shift of the conversation. Hindi man lang tumingin sa cue card si Emelyn na mukhang sanay na sanay na pagdating sa mga ganitong bagay. She probably memorized all the things she needed to ask me.

"Congratulations on your successful concert, Lia. Two weeks ago lang naganap ang event mo hindi ba? It's an early celebration for your birthday and for your new single."

Nagpalakpakan ang mga tao at nakangiting kinawayan ko sila bago ako muling bumaling sa host. "Yes. It's for my new album, Vibrant."

"You revived a song for this album aside from your own compositions?"

"I did. I included one of my favorite song which is Fields Of Gold."

Kita ko sa screen na malapit sa teleprompter ang pagpapakita ng larawan nang naganap na concert. Alam kong sa likod ko kung saan naroon ang malaking LCD screen ay kita rin doon ang larawan para magawang maipakita iyon sa audience.

Hindi nagtagal ay nagpakita sila ng clip kung saan kinakanta ko ang nabanggit kong kanta. The crowd was instantly filled with the sound of clapping when the song ended.

"Is it true that you beat the R2K The Concert which was the most attended concert in the Philippines from year 2000 up to now? Except that you managed to exceed the number of attendees during your concert?" asked Emelyn.

Ang R2K The Concert ay ang event ni Regine Velasquez noon. For years it remained as the most attended concert of the Areneta Coliseum.

"Maraming pumunta but I don't think I really surpassed the amazing number of Ma'am Regine. I had thirty five thousand attendees but the R2K has thirty-seven. I still have a long way to go."

"But thirty-five? That's an astonishing number!"

"It is. Until now I'm still overwhelm by the support that I'm receiving. My fans have really been my rock since the beginning of my career."

"You call them Canaries?"

Ilang beses na natanong ito pero sigurado akong warm up pa lang ito para sa mga magiging tanong nila mamaya. Wala pang five minutes ang interview at may fifteen minutes pa ako pero pakiramdam ko ang layo pa niyon.

"It's after my favorite bird which is the canary," I said as an answer.

Muli silang naglabas ng mga larawan kung saan ipinapakita ang mga tao na may dala-dalang mga banner na may mukha o pangalan ko tuwing concert.

"But doesn't it bother you that your fans treat you as if you're a god?"

Nanggaling ang tanong na iyon sa host na si Reggie. Sa kabila ng propesyonal na ngiti sa mga labi ng lalaki ay hindi ako manhid para maramdaman ang katotohanan sa malisya na nasa likod niyon. Even Emelyn is looking at her co-host in an almost irritated way.

"I don't think they do. They don't treat me differently than other fan groups treat those that they support."

"Pero laganap sa social media ang mga taong nagtatanggol sa'yo. Minsan sa paraan pa na parang hindi na tama." Ngumisi ang lalaki at itinuro ang screen. Pinapakita roon ang mga screenshot galing sa mga pag-uusap ng fans ko sa social media. "They are known for cussing and bashing any person that doesn't agree with your music or even just your social media posts."

I can feel my temper rising but I have no doubt that it didn't show on my face. Hindi naman ito ang unang beses na may sumubok sa pasensiya ko. But I am also hell tired and there's a lot that is going on in my life. The last thing I need is to be picked on in national television. "Social media is a difference place now, Reggie. I can't control the actions of my every fan. Hindi ko sila kailangan para ilaban ang mga bagay na pinaniniwalaan ko. I can fight for my own battles, they just choose to fight with me too. It doesn't mean that bashing other people is right. Ilang beses ko na rin iyon na sinabi sa kanila. But can that stop them?"

"Of course it won't be easy to make them do what they do on their own volition," pag sang-ayon ni Emelyn.

"Aren't you bothered that they say that your fans' actions reflects on you?" tanong ulit ni Reggie na mukhang walang balak bitawan ang topic.

"Sinong may sabi?" Natigilan ang lalaki pero nagpatuloy ako. "I personally messaged those that are being mentioned and bashed sa mga pagtatalo na iyan. I admit hindi lahat ay masasabi kong kaibigan ko na at ang ilan sa kanila ay hindi nababago ang pananaw patungkol sa akin but all of them are gracious enough to let the issue go. We all know what it's like to have supporters. It's not like theirs are innocent in the conversation."

"Pero-"

"Ang dapat sigurong itanong ay kung bakit naging ganiyan ang mga salita nila hindi ba? It's a little one sided don't you think na ang ipinapakita lang ay kung ano ang naging aksyon ng mga supporter ko?"

Kita ko sa audience si Maddison na pinanlalakihan ako ng mga mata. I know that she's trying to tell me to calm down kahit na kalmado pa naman ako.

Sa ngayon.

Mukhang nakabawi naman ang lalaki sa sunod-sunod na tanong ko. "It's the recent issue that Marina Pineda had with you. I can't of course say what exactly it is because it's a bit of a sensitive topic-"

"No it's not. I don't find the topic sensitive at all," I said, cutting him off again. Walang sensitibo sa topic. Ang kailangan magkaroon ng sensitivity ay ang host mismo na 'to. "Sinong may picture?"

Bumukha ang bibig ng lalaki pero imbis na pagtuunan siya ng pansin ay ibinaling ko ang atensyon ko sa mga staff na nasa harapan namin. Nagkukumahog nilang hinarap ang mga laptop nila at ilang sandali lang ay muling lumabas ang isang imahe sa LCD. This time it's a picture of me in the airport wearing jeans, black sando, and a blazer.

"This is the picture that became an issue for some reason," sabi ko at itinuro ang screen. "It's because I was not wearing a bra."

Umugong ang tawanan sa audience lalo na sa mga kababaihan. It's such a trivial issue that shouldn't be an issue in the first place.

"From that picture, discussion about wearing a bra became a topic of discussion for days. Marina Pineda tweeted about not agreeing into going braless. Iyon nga lang she was taken out of context. Ang akala ng lahat ay ang naging post niya ay pasaring sa akin samantalang sinagot niya lang ang post ng isang tao na nagsabi na dapat daw ay hindi na magsuot ang mga babae ng bra entirely if they want. Marina's post is about not agreeing to that because she said there's a right place for everything.

"I agree with her," Emelyn said.

"I do too. Though I also have respect for those that don't want to, personally I can't go braless when it's a formal event or a situation where I need to wear a business attire. But to each their own. Who cares?"

"And you think it's okay in a public place to go without it?" tanong ni Reggie.

"I was at the airport from a very long flight. I don't have make up on, my hair's a mess, and I'm wearing a blazer. So is it okay? I think so. Kung nasa beach ako at naka-swimsuit, and somehow my nipples are erect because of the weather or whatever, is it okay? Yes. If I'm in front of my house wearing a shirt without a bra on and someone took a picture of me why would that be my fault? I'm not the creepy person that is taking pictures of a woman without consent."

"I think the people are just concern that it will be indecent to look at. Maybe they're just concern kasi ayaw ka nilang mabastos."

Kita ang bahagyang pamumula sa mukha ni Emelyn na muling tinignan nang matalim ang co-host. Imbis na pansinin ang babae ay malisyosong nakatingin lang sa akin ang lalaki na para bang akala niya ay magpapatalo ako sa usupan. Goodness, what an idiot.

"You consider not wearing a bra indecent?" I laughed. Even the question sounded absurd to me. "It's just breasts. I don't think having one and people knowing that I have one is indecent."

"We have a high crime rate for sexual advances and even rape. Hindi ka ba naaalarma na iba ang maging tingin ng taong makakakita sa'yo?"

The grip I had with my patience vanished the moment he said those words. I don't agree with him. Not even a little. What he's saying is not just about undergarments.

I'm all for taking responsibility with the way you show your body. Kahit ako ay hindi ko gustong nakikita ang mga kabataan na minor de edad na kung makapagsuot ng damit ay para bang wala ng gustong itago. I might not agree with what people wear on places that I think that is not appropriate but it doesn't mean that they deserve to be harassed.

"You mean to say seeing an erect nipples will drive men mad and make them sexually harass me? That it's a go signal for them to take advantage?"

Namutla ang lalaki sa naging tanong ko. Tumingin siya sa co-host na katabi niya but Emelyn looked resigned and majorly pissed. Mukhang wala siyang balak tulungan ang katrabaho na lusutan ang tanong ko.

"Ang tinutukoy ko lang naman-"

"Ibig bang sabihin even mothers who are nursing their hungry babies in public should be ashamed of themselves because of those poor men that can't control their dicks?"

"Miss Lia-"

Hindi na nagawang magkaroon ng pagkakataon ang lalaki na tapusin ang kung anuman ang gusto niyang sabihin nang basta ko na lang kalagin sa pagkakabutones ang suot ko na blazer.

I can see Maddison from the audience getting up but she wasn't fast enough. Napuno ng singhapan ang lugar nang walang babala ko na lang itaas ang blouse ko, taking my bra with it.

"You can see my breasts now but it won't ever give anyone the right to touch me unless I say so. If you rape or sexually harass a person, that doesn't say much about them but a lot about you."

NARARAMDAMAN ko ang pag vibrate ng cellphone ko pero hindi ko pinansin iyon at nagpatuloy lang ako sa paglalakad. Sa tabi ko ay abala rin si Maddison sa sariling cellphone. Her fingers are in a blur as she answered the people that are probably messaging her.

"Anong sabi ko sa'yo kapag naiinis ka na sa mga tanong sa'yo?" nangangalit ang ngipin na tanong niya sa akin habang tutok pa rin sa phone ang mga mata.

"Kill them with kindness?" Nang hindi siya umimik at sa halip ay lalo lang lumalim ang gatla sa noo niya ay pinaikot ko ang mga mata ko. "You said I should take a deep breath."

"Did you?"

"Yes but even a hundred deep breaths won't calm me kung ang misogynist na iyon ang kausap ko."

Huminto siya sa paglalakad at walang nagawa na huminto rin ako nang humarap siya sa akin. I opened my mouth to speak but she just raised her hand to stop me. Tumaas ang isa niyang kamay at hinilot ang sariling sentido habang malalim na humihinga.

"Are you taking a deep breath because you're pissed?"

Her eyes snapped open as well as her mouth, only for a screeching sound to came out of her mouth, "Oh my god, Lia!"

Naiiling na kinuha ko ang susi ng kotse na nakasabit sa daliri niya at ikinaway ko iyon sa tapat ng mukha niya, "Take a taxi. I'm going to drive for a bit."

"Lia!"

I just flicked my hand in a form of a wave and without looking back, I walked towards the parking area. Pasalamat na lang ako at nang makarating ako roon ay walang masyadong tao. By now I'm pretty sure that the country is buzzing with the news of my breasts displayed on television.

I spotted my Aston Martin. Pinindot ko ang buton sa hawak ko na susi at nang bumukas ang pintuan ay kaagad akong pumasok sa loob. I placed the rectangular key fob I'm holding and entered it into the slot to start the engine.

Imbis na paandarin ang sasakyan ay nakapikit na sumandal ako sa upuan. It's my birthday today. I grew up hating this day. Kung hindi ko pa ipapaalala ang araw na 'to baka tuluyan na iyon na makalimutan ng mga magulang ko noong bata pa ako. When they did remember it's because they want to have a party that will benefit them in someway. May it be because of an investor that they wanted to invite or just simply a gathering of the rich where they can mingle.

Kapag nagkakataon na pumupunta sa amin ang lola ko ay masaya naman ako sa kaarawan ko. She hated the parties too so she always made sure that we will have the day after to go to a trip just for the two of us. Kapag wala naman siya ay sinisiguro ng mga magulang ko na hindi ako magtatagal sa pagtitipon kung saan kinakailangan pa nila akong alalahanin. After I blow my candles, they'll tell the maids to bring me to bed and keep me there until the event is over.

I hated this day until eight years ago.

Eight years ago he became mine and I became his. On the day of my birthday I finally found a place to stay because it felt like my endless search was done. Pero ngayon walang ibang ibinibigay sa akin ang araw na ito kung hindi sakit. The pain coming from the memories that just won't be erased. Paano ko buburahin ang mga alaala ng panahon kung saan lang ako totoong naging masaya?

Bakit ba hindi ako pwedeng maging masaya ng tuluyan?

Eight years ago, I turned eighteen and my life became a dream on this day. Four years later when I turned twenty-two it became a reminder of what I've lost. And until now at twenty-six... it's still a nightmare that I can't escape from.

Nagmulat ako ng mga mata at bago ko pa mapigilan ang sarili ko ay pinaandar ko na ang sasakyan. Umiikot sa utak ko ang paulit-ulit na pagpigil sa balak kong gawin pero inignora ko lang iyon na para bang tuluyan nang kumawala ang kontrol na natitira sa akin na pilit kong pinanghahawakan.

It didn't take me long before I reached the place that I never thought I would go back to. Not after I promised that I would stay away.

Kuyom ang mga kamay na bumaba ako ng sasakyan at bago pa ako mawalan ng lakas ng loob ay naglakad ako patungo sa gusali. The security guard greeted me warmly but I can't manage to return his greetings. Nanlalamig ang mga kamay na lumapit ako sa elevator at pinindot ko ang buton no'n.

Lia turn around. You shouldn't be here.

Ramdam ko ang pagkagat ng mga kuko ko sa palad ko nang imbis na sundin ang sinisigaw ng pagkatao ko na tamang gawin ay tuluyan na akong pumasok sa elevator.

The moment that I pressed the button for the floor I wanted to go to, it was then the situation finally hit me. "Shit."

Natatarantang pinagpipindot ko ang ngayon ay nakailaw na buton pero hindi ko na magawang mabawi iyon. I felt the elevator moved, making me curse again under my breath.

"Shit, shit, shit!"

This is the reason why I go to Benguet every year during this day. Para mapigilan ko ang sariling gumawa ng mga ganitong klaseng bagay. At least when I'm there I can let the memories take over and yet I would be far away from doing any damage.

Napasinghap ako nang huminto ang kinaroroonan ko at hindi nagtagal ay bumukas ang pintuan. I was about to press the close button but before I could do that, it was like fate is laughing in front of my face, because one of Thorn's brother that was casually talking to the lady at the front desk has his line of sight directly to where I am.

Kita ang panglalaki ng mga mata ng lalaki na napadiretso ng tayo. Shit! I wanted to close the doors so bad but I can't do it now. Specially not now that Trace is walking towards my direction.

Sunod-sunod ang pagkabog ng dibdib na lumabas ako ng elevator kahit na iyon ang huli kong gustong gawin.

What if Gun is here? Anong sasabihin ko sa kaniya? Paano ko ipapaliwanag kung bakit ako nandito samantalang ipinangako ko na hindi na ako ulit magpapakita sa kaniya?

"Lia?"

"H-Hi."

Napatingin ako sa babae sa front desk. Laglag ang panga niya habang titig na titig sa akin. I don't know her. Hindi siya ang empleyado noon na nakilala ko dahil sa ilang beses naming pagpunta rito ni Gun. Pero mukhang kilala niya ako.

Nilingon ni Trace ang babae nang mapansin niya ang kinaroroonan ng atensyon ko, "Mina, you can take a break. Ako ng bahala rito."

Sumunod ang babae dala ang wallet niya pero ilang beses siyang lumingon pabalik sa akin na para bang ayaw niyang umalis talaga.

"Must be nice to be famous."

Nilingon ko si Trace nang marinig ko ang talim sa salita niya. Trace was the friendliest out of the Dawson's siblings aside from Luna and Domino. Thorn might be the one with the gentlest heart but Trace always made sure that everyone around him will feel comfortable. Kaya nga siya ang naging pinaka-close ko sa kanilang lahat na magkakapatid.

Hindi lang si Gun ang nawala sa akin kundi maging siya. Lahat sila na hindi naman ako itinuring na iba.

"What are you doing here Lia?"

"I-I..."

Ano nga bang sasabihin ko? Paano ko ipapaliwanag sa kaniya na gusto ko na maibalik sa dati ang lahat? Kahit sa araw lang na 'to. Kahit sandali lang. How can I even tell him that when it was my decision to leave?

"Wala si Kuya Gun dito-"

My back went straight when I heard that name out loud. Hindi miminsan na naglalaro sa utak ko ang pangalan ni Gun but this is the first for a long time that I heard his name again.

"I'll just go."

Akmang tatalikod ako pero naramdaman ko ang pagpigil ng lalaki sa akin. Binitiwan din naman ako kaagad ni Trace na para bang may lason na nakakapit sa akin at hindi niya iyon gustong dumaiti sa kamay niya.

"Why are you here?" he repeated.

"Nothing." I said quickly. "I...I just wanted a professional advice."

Nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya sa sinabi ko. "Professional advice para saan?"

Shit. "I've been having an issue because of a fan. It's nothing really. Hindi na dapat ako nagpunta rito." Pilit na ngumiti ako at humakbang paatras. "I should go."

"Lia, just stay. Pwede kong tawagan si Kuya Gunter. Patapos na siya sa isa niyang case kaya kung may problema ka talaga-"

"No. It's okay. I have a security team. Napadaan lang ako talaga kasi may pinuntahan ako na malapit dito."

"Lia-"

"It's a mistake, Trace. I shouldn't have come here. Please... 'wag mo na lang sabihin kay Gun."

Hindi ko na hinintay ang iba pang sasabihin ng lalaki at kaagad na tumalikod na ako. Nagmamadaling lumapit ako sa elevator pero sa pagkagulat ko ay namataan ko roon ang panganay na kapatid ni Gun at isang magandang babae na nakatayo sa tabi niya.

I can feel the blood draining from my face as I looked at Thorn's cold eyes staring back at me. He never looked at me this way. Kahit hindi siya palangiti sa lahat ng magkakapatid ay siya ang may pinakamalambot na puso sa lahat. There's always kindness in his eyes.

But now there's none. He's looking at me as if I'm someone that he can't stand.

Nagmamadaling pumasok ako sa elevator nang lumabas na sila. Tumingin ako sa itaas nang magsimulang manlabo ang mga mata ko. Not now. There's a right place to cry and I can't do that here. Wala akong karapatan na masaktan dito sa lugar na pinili kong talikuran.

Hindi ko pinansin ang ilang taong napatingin sa akin nang lumabas ako ng elevator. I hurriedly went out of the building. Halos takbuhin ko na ang kinaroroonan ng sasakyan ko pero bago pa ako makarating doon ay tumama ang katawan ko sa isang matigas na bagay.

"Anong ginagawa mo rito?"

It was like my veins are being injected by ice cold poison when I heard the voice that I've been missing for years. Pakiramdam ko ay nalaglag ang puso ko nang pag-angat ko ng mga mata ay bumungad sa akin ang mukha na hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan.

His strong jaw, thick eyebrows, his deep set eyes, prominent nose, his broad chest that I love to snuggle against to, his long hair that always was up into a man bun but I used to love to pull down so I can ran my hands through it, and his lips... his lips that I've kissed what felt like thousands of times.

"G-Gun..."

"Bakit ka nandito?"

"Happy birthday my sweet Lia. It's great that we are here don't you think? We're near the heavens and I could tell them that I'm not returning the angel that they sent because I plan to keep her with me forever."

"Lia."

"N-Napadaan lang ako."

Umigting ang panga niya habang ang mga mata niya ay tila nagyeyelo sa paraan ng pagkakatingin sa akin. "Bakit? Gusto mo bang makita kung kamusta kami? Gusto mong malaman kung bumagsak na kami katulad nang akala mo noon?"

"That's not-"

"Do you want to make sure if you made the right choice? Kung tamang pinakawalan mo ang noon ay sa tingin mong hindi kayang ibigay ang yaman na kinalakihan mo?"

Nagbaba ako ng tingin sa sinabi niya. His words felt like knives lashing at me. Words that I know that I deserve.

He wanted me to stay but I didn't. I kept pushing him until he had no choice. Bumitaw pa rin ako kahit paulit-ulit niya akong pinigilan. Until finally... I got what I'm asking him to give me.

I walked away. He let me.

Nasaktan ko siya ng sobra pagkatapos ng lahat ng mga pangako na noon ay akala namin bubuuin namin na magkasama. Lahat ng iyon nawala kasi bumitaw ako. Even if I didn't want to.

"I'm sorry." I whispered, my voice breaking before I can stop it. "Hindi na dapat ako nagpunta rito."

Tatalikod na sana ako para pumunta sa kotse ko pero pinigilan niya ako sa braso. Nagtama ang mga mata namin at may kung anong naglalaro sa mga mata niya na hindi ko magawang pangalanan.

It was so easy before to read what he's thinking. Dati para bang iisa ang utak namin. Naiintindahan ko ang kailangan niya kahit hindi siya magsalita at gano'n din siya sa akin. But I guess like the things that I stopped having when I let go of him... I also lost that too.

Sandaling nakatingin lang siya sa akin bago bumaba ang mga mata niya sa paa ko. Kinagat ko ang ibabang labi ko nang madiin na halos malasahan ko na ang dugo mula roon. I know what he's looking at.

"It's your birthday today."

"Gun-"

"You should have that covered up," pagkasabi niyon ay binitawan niya na ako. "Pinili mong umalis. Tinalukuran mo lahat ng meron tayo. So this time please do me a favor and stay away."

Naiwan akong nakatayo lang doon habang sinusundan ng tingin ang lalaking walang lingon na naglakad na palayo.

I felt the tears finally fell from my eyes. I dropped my head to hide it from anyone that might be looking at me. Sa ginawa ko ay napatingin ako sa tato na malinaw pa rin na nakaukit sa paa ko.

A letter X with flowers wrapped around it. Except it's not a letter but a number. A roman numeral for ten. October ten. My birthday... and the day of our anniversary.

I can remember the second time that we went at that place. I was nineteen and we're celebrating the whirlwind journey that we had.

"Dito lang matatagpuan ang bulaklak na 'to?" tanong ko sa lalaki na inabot sa akin ang pinitas na bulaklak.

"Edelweiss only grows in high altitude. Some countries banned anyone from picking them out because they're rare. Luckily we have this here in Mt. Pulag."

"May meaning ba 'to?"

"They said it means deep love and devotion. Men harvest this flower for the one they love, braving the danger of the mountain's fatal climb." Nakangiting inangat niya ang baba ko para magawa kong tumingin sa mga mata niya. "I'll climb any mountain if it means I could give you my devotion. A promise that my heart will never waver because it will only choose you."

"I'll climb those mountains with you so I could promise you the same thing."

Bumaba ang mukha niya palapit sa akin hanggang halos dumampi na ang labi niya sa akin. "Happy birthday my sweet Lia. It's great that we are here don't you think? We're near the heavens and I could tell them that I'm not returning the angel that they sent because I plan to keep her with me forever."

___________________________End of Chapter 2.