ZAIDEN CAIRO CONTRERAS

Laurenestine...

She was the girl who had always caught my eye since her freshman year in college, someone I hadn't even realized I was falling in love with. For the past seven years, I've admired her from a distance, watching her blossom into a woman who not only captured my heart but also made me realize that love is a choice. I choose not to fall for her deeply, even though I make myself look foolish everytime I think that I'm not the one who will be with her in the end. She's not for me and I'm not hers.

I looked at both of them- my twin and her and all I could say was that I'm relieved because they were obviously in love with each other.

I am just the beginning, but I'm not her last. I'm just a bridge between them so they can meet, or so I thought.

Habang nakatayo ako sa malayo at paminsang tinatanaw si Laurenestine habang kausap ang mga magulang namin, biglang bumalik sa akin ang mga alaala ng mga panahon na ako ang laging tinitingnan niya. Naalala ko kung paano ako nahulog sa babae na hindi ko inaasahang magugustuhan rin sa huli.

The way her eyes sparkled in happiness, I see this again now but I am no longer the reason.

"Sir Contreras, Why don't you talk to her?" I sighed and massaged my temples. Binalik ko ang pansin sa ginagawa kong lesson plan. I have to finish it before my last subject later.

"Or do you perhaps like what she's doing?" I glared at Finnegan-he's my co-teacher in the University but he's teaching PE and the manager of the basketball team.

He raised his hand when he noticed my irritated face. "Woah! Chill, kaya ka single sa edad na 28 eh," tatawa-tawa niyang komento.

I can't help but to glance at the girl who is now peeking outside of the door. Kaya nga ayokong tingnan si Finnegan dahil malapit lang sa pinto ang table niya at nandoon rin ang babaeng bigla na lamang sumulpot at lagi akong sinusundan kahit saan.

When she saw me looking at her, her chubby cheeks turned pink and then she immediately ran away. She's cute but I don't know why she's following me. Halos araw-araw ay nandoon lang siya malapit sa library at nawawala rin naman siya kapag nakita na niya akong pumasok sa opisina ko.

I find it weird but I let her because I'm used to her presence. Kapag minsan napapansin kong wala siya, hinahanap na siya ng mata ko. I don't know when I started noticing these abnormalities in my heart, but it's not bad. It's still forbidden because I can't pursue a girl like her. She's too young for me.

"Cairo, your twin will be back again this week and I decided to arrange his marriage this month." Lolo said.

I'm at the Gavilan residence in his Mansion. He called for me because we have a discussion regarding the University since he assigned me to do a monthly report.

Arranged marriage, again? Out of all my siblings, it's always Zairon who has a new fiancée or girlfriend because Grandpa wants him to settle down already, but I know Grandpa; he doesn't want Zairon to handle the Solstice without a life partner. However, Zairon doesn't want to get married. He will reject it again.

Umuuwi lang siya noon sa Pilipinas once a year pero nagtaka ako nang umuuwi na siya rito once a month na parang ginawa niya lang isang sakayan ang England at Pilipinas. I don't know what got into him but since he visited the University two years ago, he suddenly likes this.

"Hasn't he just returned to England? Isn't it enough that he visits the University to inspect? There's nothing special about the school for him to keep coming back." I stated and put some of the document on his desk.

Si lolo ay nasa may bintana lang at uminom ng paborito niyang tsaa.

I am currently teaching third-year nursing students at the university. While I have other teaching commitments, I am currently serving as the adviser for one of the blocks of nursing students. And one of them is Laurenestine.

"Yes, but he insisted on going home," tumingin si Lolo sa akin. "Hindi ba dapat ay maging masaya ka? Halos hindi siya umuuwi rito sa Pilipinas noong namatay ang isa pang kambal niyo at dinugtungan pa ang pagiging ganyan niya nang magbitaw ng masakit na salita ang ina niyo. Sa ating lahat, hindi ba dapat ikaw ang maiintindihan siya?"

I sighed and wear my coat. "I'm happy of course lolo, nagulat lang naman ako sa kinikilos niya. Masaya ako dahil nagbago na siya at hindi na siya sumasali sa kung anong illegal na gawain sa ibang bansa at gusto na niyang I pursue ang pagiging doctor niya. Masaya ako pero pakiramdam ko pa rin, dumidistansiya parin siya sa amin lalo na sa mga magulang namin kahit na ilang taon na iyon."

We're triplets, and Aden died ten years ago. Zairon was there and took the blame upon himself. He joined groups in other countries that were not only involved in illegal business but also in killings. However, that only lasted for a few months because he left immediately. We only found out months later that some suspects involved in burning down an apartment in England, where they stayed, had died. Some of them flew to another country, but almost none of them lived normally, and I know it's because Zairon did something to them.

At hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin nalaman kung sino ang nag utos sa kanilang sunugin ang apartment at alam kong isang building talaga ang natupok sa apoy. Nadamay ang ibang mga kabahayan dahil sa sunog na sinimulan nila.

But I didn't confront Zairon about it because he's stubborn guy. Hindi iyon nagsasalita kung ayaw niya talaga.

And now he's practicing medicine in England, mentioning that he would transition to working at Solstice once he assumed his role as the hospital's heir.

Pagkatapos na ianunsiyo ni Lolo kung sino ang magiging tagapagmana ng Hospital, doon na yata nagsimula si Zairon na umiba ng landas, pero ang distansya ay ganoon pa rin kalayo. Hindi pabor si Mama na maging tagapagmana si Zairon dahil sa tingin nila, ayaw ni Zairon ng ideya na maging tagapagmana ngunit ang totoo ay iba. Nag-aral ng medisina si Zairon dahil gusto niya at hindi lang dahil napilitan. Iyon ang kanyang pangarap noong bata pa kami.

"Maybe he has his reasons, Cairo," Lolo said gently, setting down his tea. "Your brother has been through a lot, and sometimes, people cope in unexpected ways. He might be trying to find his own path, even if it means distancing himself from us for a while."

"I get that, Lolo. It's just hard to see him drift away, especially when we used to be so close."

"People change, Cairo. Sometimes, they drift apart before finding their way back. Maybe this arranged marriage is his way of reconnecting with our family, of finding stability."

"But what if he doesn't want it?" I countered."What if this just pushes him further away?"

Lolo smiled reassuringly. "We'll cross that bridge when we get there. For now, let's focus on supporting him in his journey, whatever it may be."

But I didn't expect that the situation would suddenly happen to me. He declines again the marriage and that night after his arrival, I was surprised to see him on my room.

"Hey, still up?" I looked up when Zairon approached me on the veranda. Tinaas ko ang basong may alak habang napasalampak sa sahig.

"You're rare to drink this late at night. Why didn't you go home today?" he asked me again.

Ngumisi ako sa pagtatanong niya. Not because of the question, but because this is the first time that he initiated to speak with me.

"May kailangan ka." I answered and sipped another shot. Ngumiwi ako sa pait at anghang na dumaan sa lalamunan ko bago ko ito nilagay ulit sa mesa.

"I need you to marry her." Walang pag alinlangan niyang sambit.

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Marry who?"

He tilted his head and looked at the scenery outside the mansion."Shannon Travieso. She's going to be my fiancée soon."

I looked puzzled. "Why the sudden change? And why now? And me? Sasaluhin ko ang kasal mo?" I said in disbelief.

Hindi ako makapaniwala sa sinabi ni Zairon. Pakakasalan ko ang soon-to-be fiancée niya? It felt completely absurd and unbelievable.

"Why would you do this, Zairon? And why involve me in your plans?" Sinusubukan ko pa ring hindi mag react agad kahit napakalabo sa akin. They always see me as a gentle and understanding person and right now, I tried to understand what he said to me.

He is still unfazed. Bumuntong hininga ako. Ano pa nga ba ang inaasahan ko? Hindi ko pa rin minsan naiintindihan ang kambal ko dahil alam kong masyado kaming opposite ng pananaw.

"It's for the family's benefit," tumingin siya sa direksiyon ko habang nakasilid ang dalawang kamay niya sa bulsa ng pantalon niya. Kahit madilim rito, nakikita ko pa rin ang lamig ng tingin niya.

"Grandpa sees this as a strategic move, and he believes it's the right path for us." He added.

Umiling ako, pilit na iniintindi ang lahat. "Pero paano si Shannon? Ano ang nararamdaman niya tungkol dito?"

Nagkibit-balikat lang si Zairon, ang kanyang kaswal na kilos ay lalong nagpalala sa aking inis."It's a mutually beneficial arrangement. And she didn't know that I existed because she thought in the first place that you're the one who will marry her."

Hindi ko mapigilang madismaya. I clenched my fists and trying to contain my anger. "I can't just agree to this without understanding why lolo wants it this way. And we talked about this. Hindi ito ang rason kung bakit gusto ka niyang ipakasal sa Travieso."

"He can't force the things that I don't like. So, he have no choice." He nonchalantly answered.

Hindi ako nakapagsalita. I'm so against of this but I don't want to decline this because I know my family know what they're doing but it's heaving my heart.

"I've already arranged to spend the next two months here at the University. I'll handle everything before your bachelor's party." He added.

The pieces of the puzzle were slowly coming together, but the picture painted was one I never expected. "Why switch places with me?" tanong ko, ang aking boses ay puno ng pagkalito at galit.

Muling naging yelo ang kanyang tono, tuluyang binalewala ang aking tanong. "You'll do it. You owe me this much at least."

Tumalikod na siya sa akin pero agad akong nagsalita. May bumugsong galit sa dibdib ko. "I owe you? What about what I want?"

Huminto siya pero hindi siya humarap sa'kin. "You never cared about what you wanted anyway. Always playing the good twin is your forte." I sensed a sarcasm in his voice and I don't like it.

"Fine. I'll do it. But don't expect me to be happy about this." I answered defeatly and shot another drink. If this is what they want then fine. I don't care at all.

"I don't expect anything from you. Just do what you're told, like always."

But during my bachelor's party, I didn't know that the woman who was obviously flirting with me was Laurenestine. Hindi ko agad siya nakilala. She's so different. Ang gusto kong babae ay naging ganoon bigla.

But I only knew it when Laurenestine asked me about Shannon. She asked me why Shannon didn't visit the University and I didn't remember that I told her about it. Pagkatapos no'n agad akong pumunta sa Mansion ni Lolo at sinugod si Zairon. I'm not dumb to just take it off easily especially when he is pretending to be me in front of Laurenestine. I thought we we're switching places because of our responsibility but this is too much!

I knew Laurenestine's feeling about me but I can't pay it back because I love my family. Ayokong sirain ang imahe ng pamilya ko dahil sa sarili kong gusto.

Hindi na ako kumatok at marahas na tinulak ang pintuan ng kwarto niya. Hindi agad siya maka react nang sinunggaban ko agad siya at kwenelyuhan.

"What the hell were you thinking, Zairon?" I snapped. Mariin ang pagkakahawak ko sa kwelyo niya pero sinagot niya lang ako ng tamad na tingin. This bastard!

"I have no idea what you're talking about." He answered uninterestedly.

"Huwag mo akong gawing tanga!" Sigaw ko. "You know exactly what I'm talking about. Pretending to be me and flirting with Laurenestine? Anong napasok sa utak mo?"

A hint of surprise flashing across his face but he immediately went to his usual emotion.

"Why are you so mad about it?"he retorted, "It's not like you care about her."

Umigting ang panga ko dahil sa inis. Hindi ko siya napigilang itulak at nabangga ang likod niya sa pader pero ganoon pa rin ang expression niya, walang kwenta pa rin.

"Because you're playing with her feelings! And yours, too, damn it! Do you even realize what you're doing huh?" Pigil ang boses ko pero kunti nalang masisigawan ko na siya dahil sa galit ko.

His facade cracked slightly- revealing a glimmer of annoyance. "Why do you care so much? It's not like you have any feelings for her anyway."

My eyes narrowed as I shot back, "You don't know anything about how I feel. And that's none of your business."

Naningkit ang mata niya. "You're in love with her, aren't you?" he stated more than asked and I could feel how he suddenly showed some expression.

Pati ako ay napatigil at hindi agad makasagot. I looked away but I'm still frustrated. "That's none of your business. Just stay away from her, Zairon. Stop attending the University if you have to."

Agad niya akong naitulak kaya agad akong napaatras. Inayos niya ang nakunot niyang kwelyo at tinitigan ako. "Laurenestine will be mine and stop your feeling about her kung ayaw mong kamuhian rin kita." matigas niyang sabi na nagpasalubong sa kilay ko.

Napalunok ako, hindi ako makapaniwala sa mga narinig ko mula sa kambal ko. "You can't just claim her like that, Zairon. She's not a possession. Huwag mo siyang gawing bagay lang!"

His eyes narrowed but his voice cold. "She will be. And you have no right to interfere."

Hindi ko mapigilang mapalakas ang tono ng boses ko. "You're obsessed with her, Zairon! This is not healthy!"

He chuckled darkly, a smirk forming on his lips. "Healthy or not, I will have her. And you'll just have to deal with it."

"You're delusional! I won't let you ruin her life!" I snapped out, pinipigilan ko lang na huwag siyang masuntok. Naiinis ako at gusto ko ng sapakin siya ngayon din!

But he didn't wavered. "I'm not the one ruining anything. It's you, Zaiden. You're the one who's been hiding your feelings for her all these years."

Inis kong kinagat ang pang ibabang labi ko at ginulo ang sariling buhok. "It doesn't matter what I feel. What matters is what's best for her, and it's not being with someone like you."

His smirk but turned it to a sneer. "You think you know what's best for her? You, who can't even admit his own feelings?"

Mas dumiin ang pagkakagat ko sa labi. "At least I'm not manipulating her like you are. I didn't pursue her just to make you a move on her."

Dumilim ang mukha ni Zairon, at ang mga anino ng silid ay nagpatingkad sa kanyang seryosong ekspresyon. Nagsalita siya sa mababang boses na may banta sa bawat salita, at ang kanyang kamao ay mahigpit na nakasara sa kanyang tabi. Malinaw na siya ay galit na galit.

"Watch your words, Zaiden. Provoking me is unwise," he warned, the coldness in his tone making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

"I'll do whatever it takes to protect her from you. If that means exposing your true intentions, so be it."sagot ko, pinipilit manatiling matatag kahit na tumitindi ang tensyon.

Biglang nawala ang karaniwang kalmado ni Zairon. Ang mga mata niya'y nagliyab sa matinding galit. "You think you're so noble, huh? But at the end of the day, you're just as selfish as I am."

"I'm not selfish! I'm trying to do what's right," I argued back, feeling my own frustration rising.

Napangisi siya, naglabas ng mapait na tawa habang umiling siya sa hindi makapaniwala. "Ang tama para kanino? Para sa sarili mo? Huwag mong linlangin ang sarili mo, Zaiden. You're doing this for your own satisfaction."

Masakit ang kanyang mga salita, pero hindi ko ipinakita kung gaano ako naapektuhan. Ang galit at frustration ang nagpatibay sa determinasyon ko habang nakatitig ako sa kanya. "I'm doing this for her happiness, something you clearly don't understand."

Before things could escalate further, I quickly turned and exited Zairon's room. I felt a mix of emotions - anger, sadness, and concern for Laurenestine. I knew this was just the beginning of a complicated conflict, but I was determined to protect her from whatever plans Zairon had in store.

"ARE you okay, love?" Shannon's voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to reality. She had been staying in my house, as she usually did since we got engaged.

I glanced at the glass of alcohol in front of me, swirling the ice inside before downing it all. I didn't respond to her immediately, choosing instead to stare into the void.

"You're always drinking these past few days. May problema ba?" Her concern was evident in her voice.

"I don't have a problem, Shannon. Just let me," I replied dismissively, pouring another drink. But she intervened, stopping me before I could drink more, and it stirred my anger.

"What's wrong? Why don't you stay out of my life? Para naman makahinga ako? And stop acting like you're in love with me." I retorted coldly.

Her reaction caught me off guard. Shannon looked shocked, her eyes welling up with tears. I didn't expect her to cry but I also couldn't bring myself to console her. Instead, I remained silent, watching her tears fall.

I felt torn. I knew I couldn't keep pretending, especially when it was hurting someone else. But I also felt stuck, unable to express my own feelings and fears.

I reached out to wipe her tears gently, trying to offer comfort even though I struggled to find the right words. Inside, I wished things could be different, that I didn't have to cause pain just to meet my responsibilities. But for now, all I could do was try to ease Shannon's pain, even if it meant carrying my own burden.

I let myself get distracted by Shannon and tried myself to like her but my mind is always thinking about Laurenestine and how to solve the problem Zairon made. No one knows except my family that I have a twin since he's always outside the country and he's always staying in the Mansion when he's in the Philippines but it got changed easily.

Nagdududa ako sa pagbabago niya at kinakaban rin dahil baka kasali nga si Laurenestine kung bakit siya palaging nasa at Pilipinas at nakumpirma ko ito nang mag viral ang isang video.

I admit, I'm jealous but my family's reputation is on my mind. I know Zairon won't let him show himself in front of the public and to explain because he's not like that. Wala siyang pakialam kapag tapos na niyang napapakinabangan ang isang bagay at nasa ugali na niyang balewalain ang mga mali niya kaya tinodo ko na ang pag de-deny kahit na alam kong nasasaktan si Laurenestine sa ginagawa ko. I'm a coward and I admit that to the point that I let Laurenestine embarrassed in front of everyone.

"I... I can't prove it right now, but I swear it's Professor Zaiden in the video," Laurenestine stammered and here I am still trying to fix this and how to solve this issue.

"This is a serious allegation, Ms. Valencia. If you still insist on your claims, mas magiging delikado ang reputasyon mo." The Dean answered and Shannon even fuelled the fire and made her embarrassed because of me, because I don't know how to make an excuse to not break the image of the family and Laurenestine. Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko sa oras na iyon dahil nagkabuhol buhol na ang iniisip ko.

If I lied that she's with me last night, Shannon would get mad and Lolo would be mad at me and if I deny, the dean will still know the truth in the end. Mas magiging worse pa ang sitwasyon.

Tiningnan ko si Laurenestine at inis na sinuklay ang buhok. Damn, I don't have a choice.

"Dean, I can vouch for Ms. Valencia. We were together last night." pikit mata kong pagbasag sa katahimikan.

Shannon as expected got mad but I thought Laurenestine would be satisfied by it but she blurted out something.

"No, you deny it earlier, Professor Zaiden. Bakit inamin mo?" Tumingin ako sa kaniya. Napako lang ang titig niya sa akin. "Ano ba talaga? Bakit umiiba ang mga sagot mo?"

But Mordred came and told me that Zairon will come here. I feel worse at the same time, curious of what Zairon would say in this kind of matter and even I want to separate him from Laurenestine. I saw the first time how Zairon got softened and his cold aura suddenly fell every time he stared at Laurenestine.

That's when I realized, my twin is deeply in love with her and I just let her fall for him.

Nasasaktan ako kaya iniwas ko na lang ang tingin sa kanilang dalawa. Duwag ako at pinaninindigan ko ito hanggang huli dahil mahalaga silang dalawa sa akin, lalo na ang kambal ko-ang pamilya ko.

Ito ang unang beses na nakita ko siyang ganito at nagparaya ako dahil habang tumatagal, nag iiba na ang pagtingin sa akin ni Laurenestine, hindi na ako ang hinahanap niya. Kahit masakit, iniinda ko dahil wala akong magawa.

"LET'S play a game, grandson." Napahinto ako sa bukana ng dining area. I heard Lolo talk about something. Even though I want to go inside and join them, there's a part of me that I should hear their conversation first.

"Game?"

"More like a deal."

"What is it?"

"If that girl you were talking about will marry you before you become the CEO this year, I will stop pairing you with someone else's child."

What's this deal they're talking about? Does lolo refer to Laurenestine?

Lolo knew about the viral video but I didn't expect that he would go this far.

"You have to, unless you give me a grandson with that woman and take her child away."

"Deal. I will do that, Grandpa. After all, I will never get married."

Zairon, what have you done? Laurenestine is pregnant with your baby but you already decided to hurt her. You're a dumbass jerk.

Napakuyom ang kamao ko. Sinugod ko sa hospital si Laurenestine nang nahimatay siya kanina at iniwan nalang siya bigla ni Zairon. That's why I came here to talk to him about Laurenestine conditions but he stopped me from doing it.

I was mad and decided to end his connection with her. I don't care if he will think of me as a villain but he broke my trust. I trusted him to take care of Laurenestine but he broke it.

After Laurenestine asked for Zairon's number, I immediately went to Solstice. I know she will tell him that she's pregnant and I won't let it happen if it means manipulating her.

When I went there, Zairon got mad. Ayaw niyang nandoon ako. Galit na galit siya noong hinalikan ako ni Laurenestine sa bar. Kahit kalma lang siya noong nasa Mall kami, halos hindi niya naman ako pinapansin kapag nagkikita kami. He thought everything will be his plaything and I don't like it.

"Get your ass off here, Zaiden. Huwag kang masyadong pabida." galit na saad niya at marahas na sinirado ang pinto.

I sighed. I create a scene where Zairon must have taken care of. Nagbayad ako ng tao para lang madistorbo siya ngayong araw. I don't know if Laurenestine calls him already but I should meet her now. I just didn't expect that I would see his phone on his desk. Nakalimutan niya dahil sa pagmamadali.

I called Laurenestine using his phone and immediately deleted the history.

I pretended to be him just like he pretended that he was me. Sa huli, nagsisi pa rin ako nang makita siyang umiiyak sa cafe na iyon. Hindi agad ako umalis at sinundan lang siya hanggang sa makauwi siya ng bahay. Kapag may nangyari sa kaniya, ako ang may kasalanan.

But I told her the truth when Lolo called me to find Zairon because he's not in Solstice at that time. Nalaman ko lang na galit na galit siya at maraming nadamay na empleyado dahil nawala ang phone number ni Laurenestine sa phone niya and I heard that he even paid someone to restore it.

We fought when he found out that Laurenestine was nowhere to be seen. Ako ang pinagbintangan niya at narinig ito ni lolo. Hindi ako umimik at hinayaan lang siya magalit sa akin.

I paid all of her expenses until the Cambridge called me to teach there for a three year contract but I got in an accident.

I felt scared when I realized the woman I crashed into was now in a coma. It brought back memories of losing one of my twins, making the situation even harder to bear. I felt helpless and overwhelmed by emotions. I didn't know how to deal with the fear of the unknown. I was afraid of disappointing my parents and feeling guilty about what could have been done differently.

Tinulungan pa rin ako ni Lolo at pinakausapan sila but they demanded justice, insisting that I face punishment and imprisonment until the woman woke up.

Hindi na ako pumasok sa skwelahan kung saan ako magtuturo at hinintay na lamang si Lolo pero iba ang pumunta at bumisita sa akin.

"What are you doing here?" Kalma kong tanong sa kambal ko. Pagbukas ko ng pinto, agad siyang bumungad sa harapan ko.

Tumaas baba ang paningin niya sa akin. Napaiwas ako dahil naiinis na naman ako kahit wala naman siyang ginawa. Maybe I felt embarrassed of my situation now.

"Ang laki ng pinayat mo. Ilang buwan ka palang rito at hindi ka pa nagsimulang magturo." Saad niya.

"Tss," I hissed and went back inside but there's another ring outside. When I looked back, I felt nervous but I was already prepared for it.

Pumasok ang mga pulis at binigyan ako ng warrant arrest. Pumikit ako at kusa na akong sumuko kaso agad nagsalita si Zairon.

"You caught the wrong person. I'm Zaiden Cairo Contreras, not that one." he casually said. Napapihit ako sa kaniya pero agad siyang lumapit sa amin at hindi na ako nakapagsalita. Naguguluhan ang mga pulis pero kusang nilapit ni Zairon ang kamay niya upang lagyan ng posas.

"Ano bang ginagawa mo?" Naiinis kong tanong.

Tumaas lang ang sulok ng labi niya at tinatanggap ang posas na galing sa pulis. "I'm still mad at you. Itatak mo iyan sa utak mo."

Tatalikod na sana siya pero agad akong nagsalita na siyang kinatigil niya sa paglalakad palabas.

"There's a possibility that.. Zachary is alive."

Nabigla siya at hinarap ako. "What?"

"When I went to the University I was teaching here. Some of the students thought that I'm someone else. Zachary may be alive."

"Then, continue and finish your contract at that University. Mag imbestiga ka. That way, you could pay for what you did to me." Malamig niyang tugon at tinalikuran na ako.

I did investigate and it took almost three years to find him but I didn't say anything about his whereabouts because that was what Zachary wanted me to do. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang trabaho niya pero hindi pa oras para magpakita siya sa pamilya namin dahil iyon ang isa sa mga rules na kailangan niyang sundin dahil sa nature ng trabaho niya.

Tapos na rin ang kontrata ng pagiging instructor ko kaya bumalik ako sa Pilipinas at doon kami nagkita ni Zachary.

Paglapag palang ng eroplano, nagpakita siya agad sa akin. We both went straight to my house in Mandaluyong.

"What?! Seriously bro? Na inlove siya? Hindi mo ba ako pinagloloko diyan?" Pigil tawa niyang tanong at nilantakan ang ice cream na binili pa namin sa labas bago kami umuwi.

I took the glass and put ice on it. Nanibago ang katawan ko dahil sa init ng Pilipinas.

"Yeah. He was and even if he didn't say anything, I know he will follow her."

I heard from lolo that Zairon went to Pampanga. May bahay siya doon pero alam kong iba ang pinuntahan niya. I didn't ask Lolo about the deal they made but it seems it's not serious. I don't know but ngayon lang ako nakonsensiya sa ginawa ko kay Zairon.

"Ano bang pangalan? Maganda ba? Mala model ang datingan?"

"Her name is.. Laurenestine Valencia. She's hiding their children because I told her so."

"Bakit mo naman ginawa 'yon? Happy ever after na sana sila."

"I just.. don't like how he treated her back then." tugon ko at uminom ng malamig na tubig dahil pinagpapawisan na ako. I should go on a shower now.

Sumubo siya ng pangalawang beses bago tumango-tango. "Gusto mo rin ang Laurenesang 'yon?"

"Laurenestine, Zach." Pagtatama ko.

"Oo iyon nga! Gusto mo rin siya?" tanong niya, may kasamang asar sa kanyang mga salita.

"I already moved on," sabi ko, sabay tingin sa kanya.

Tiningnan niya ako, nagpapahiwatig ng pagtataka. "Bro, oo at hindi lang naman bakit moved on-moved on agad? Ikaw ah?" pag-aasar niya ulit.

I sighed. "She deserves someone who will truly cherish her, not just someone who's there because of obligation or guilt," I explained.

Zach nodded understandingly. "I get it, bro. Love is complicated, and sometimes it takes a while to untangle all the feelings and responsibilities. Sa ating tatlo, mas takot ka pang pagalitan noon kahit na hindi mo naman kasalanan. You're always been acting the oldest were in fact, you're the youngest of us "

I smiled softly, reminiscing. "Yeah, I guess I always felt like I had to keep everything together, especially after everything that happened to you. I'm glad you're alive and still kicking.'

He leaned back."It's wild how life works out sometimes. We've all been through so much," nag inat siya ng braso at tumitig sa kisame. "Ka miss dito. Ang pawis na ng kilikili ko."

Binato ko sa kaniya ang tuwalyang nakarolyo pa. "You're still the old Zachary. Maligo ka na."

Tumawa lang siya at naglakad na rin patungo sa banyo. Napailing nalang ako.

--

Masakit pa rin sa akin na umiiyak siya dahil kay Zairon. Hindi ko pa yata talaga kayang makita siyang ganito sa harap ko. Maybe because I'm used to seeing her as a savage woman who doesn't care about the people around her.

Zairon hurted her again and all I could do was to ease Laurene's pain. Hindi ko rin inaasahan na mag confessed ako sa nararamdaman ko sa kaniya pero pagkatapos kong masabi ito sa kaniya, naginhawaan ako. Iyong bang parang may malaking tinik ang nabunot sa puso ko at doon ko na realize na ito lang pala sng gusto ko-ang nagpakatotoo sa kaniya at sa sarili ko.

After that, I know na dito lang ako at hindi ko na pwedeng isali ang sarili ko sa kanila dahil ramdam at kitang-kita kong mahal na mahal nila ang isa't isa at masaya na ako doon.

Maraming nangyari lalo na noong birthday ni lolo. I just couldn't believe that my aunt was the one who almost killed Zach and she thought that she's outsmarted us but it's the opposite. Alam ko ang mga plano ni Zachary dahil ako ang unang sinabihan niya bago si lolo.

And right now, it's my twin's wedding again. Yes, nagpakasal uit sila pagkatapos ng ilang buwan noong beach wedding nila. Ngayon naman ay sa simbahan na.

The woman who I admired the most and the woman who mold me to become a better person. Hindi ko man siya napaglaban, pero mas deserve niyang sumaya at pinapriority.

It was bittersweet for me to witness their happiness, knowing that I had played a part in bringing them together.

But deep down, I knew that it was the right decision. Laurene deserved someone who would love and cherish her unconditionally, someone who would prioritize her happiness above all else. And that someone was Zairon.

I looked at Laurenestine who now walking wearing her wedding dress. Ang ganda niya, mas lalo siyang gumanda ngayon na nasa tamang tao na siya. And I could see the little bump on her tummy. I smiled.

Huminga ako ng malalim at tinapik ang likod ni Zairon. "I know you won't let her hurt but don't waste my sacrifice, Zairon." nang aasar kong sambit.

"I'm still a selfish jerk but thank you, thank you for letting me have her."

"You deserve her more than me. Don't make her cry again. Ako pa naman first love niyan."

Sinamaan niya lang ako ng tingin na nagpahalakhak sa'kin habang umiiling. "You're still possessive as fuck but anyway,congrats!"

He rolled his eyes. "Yeah, Yeah."

Natawa nalang ako pati siya ay napangiti rin at tinuunan ng pansin ang asawa niya.

Bumaba na ako at tiningnan ang pag iisang dibdib nilang dalawa ulit. I sighed and smiled contentedly.

Watching them exchange vows and promise forever, I felt peaceful. I realized that letting go means accepting that some things are meant to be, even if they don't involve us directly. Love is about understanding and wanting the best for someone, even if it means stepping aside.

I found comfort in knowing I played a role in bringing them together and seeing their happiness. Maybe there's a lesson for me too-to appreciate moments and find joy in others' happiness, even if it means letting go of our own desires.

"Ay, kuya! Sorry!"

Napapikit ako ng mata nang may bumuhos ng kung anong malagkit sa mukha ko.

"Fuck," I cursed. Nasa labas pa kami ng simbahan pero nagkasala agad ako dahil sa nangyari ngayon.

"Hala kuya huhu. Sorry talaga. H-hindi ko sinasad-"

Naputol ang sinabi niya nang minulat ko ang mata ko at dumiretso sa babae sa harap ko. Napanganga siyang umangat ang tingin sa akin.

Kinuha ko ang panyo ko at pinunas sa mukha kong puno ng ketsup. Nakita ko ring may hinawakan siyang bote ng ketsup na agad niya ring tinago sa likod niya.

Why is she hold a bottle of ketchup anyway? I narrowed my eyes and looked at the back. Base on how I noticed, galing siya sa isang takuyaki stand.

Tch, dumaan lang ako, natalsikan pa ang mukha ko.

"Ma'am, ang daddy niyo po hinahanap kayo." Saad ng isang babaeng may kaedaran na bago lang dumating.

Agad niyang binigay sa babae ang bote ng ketsup. "Yaya, can you please bigay iyan sa tindero? Please?"

The woman was confused, and when she saw me wearing a frustrated look, she finally understood the situation based on how she gave me an apologetic look.

Kumuha ng panyo ang babae at akmang ipapahid sa kwelyo kong nalagyan pero natigil ang kamay niya nang hinubad ko ang suit kong suot at naibalandra ang hapit na puti kong suot na shirt.

I raised my eyebrow when the woman still looking at me-no, she's looking at my body.

I smirked. "Tumutulo na ang laway mo, miss."

She gasped and wiped away her lips but she didn't see anything.

"I didn't droll on you! Ang feelingero mo naman! Chee!" Sabay tapon ng panyo niya sa mukha ko.

Kinuha ko ito at tiningnan ang panyo bago tumingin sa babaeng papalayo sa akin. Ngumisi ako at bumalik na sa loob ng simbahan.