Drache’s POV

“Hello? … Yeah, I will visit her. … Ok, I’ll tell her. … I know she'll hear me. … *chuckles* She’ll get mad if you won’t visit her, Craise. She’s your best friend. You were more like sisters. … Umuwi ka na kasi. Dapat makauwi ka dito para mabisita mo man lang siya. Sige ka? Magtatampo sayo yon. … Haha! Sige na. I’ll go ahead.”

I ended the call as I drive faster to visit her. After an hour, I arrived.

“Xander!” Napalingon ako sa likod at napangiti.

“Hey guiz.” Bati ko sa kanila. Nakipagmanly hug ako sa mga lalaki at niyakap ko ang tatlong babae.

“Sakto lang pala ang dating namin.” Banggit ni Lester.

“Mabuti narin yon para hindi siya magalit na may nahuli satin.” Sabi ko.

“Sayang wala si Craise dito at si Dixon.” Geen said unhappy. I messed her hair.

“Alam mo namang hindi mapaghiwalay ang dalawang 'yon.” Sabi ko na ikinatawa naming lahat.

“'Di ba makakarating ang parents niyo Yunisse?” Pag-iiba ko ng usapan.
 
“Mom said hahabol daw sila.” I nodded as a respond. I stared at Yunisse whose standing beside Paul.

Sinong mag-aakala na si Paul pala ang boyfriend niya at kaya pala galit si Paul sakin noon ay dahil alam niyang ako ang fiancé ni Yunisse. *sighs* Everything happened so fast. Parang kelan lang.

“Tara na.” Yaya ni Geen.

“May dala ba kayong kandila?” Tanong ko sa kanila habang naglalakad papasok.

“Oo.”

“How ‘bout the flowers?” Tinaas ko ang bitbit kong bulaklak.

“You really know her favorite.” I smiled. I always know her favorites. That's something I cannot forget.

“I even brought her favorite chocolates.” I added. Napangiti nalang lahat.

It’s been a year since that incident happened. Marami naring nagbago. Maraming mga bagay na kailangang baguhin para makalimot at makapagsimulang muli.

I looked at Geen and Lester. They’re both happy together. Nagproposed na ang loko sa kababata niya at sana lang, wala nang makalimot sa kanila ngayon.

My attention switched to both Mitch and JC. Naayos na namin lahat ng gusot at nagbalikan ang dalawa kahit hindi naman talaga sila naghiwalay. Nagpatuloy lang sila sa buhay.

And Paul--I mean, Apollo. Tinignan ko ang kaakbay niyang si Yunisse. Nakakatawang isipin na kasali na si Yunisse sa barkada ngayon. You will never expect things at all.

I looked at the others.

Wala si Spare dito dahil nasa States siya’t nag-eenjoy kasama ng fiancé niyang si Shane. Akalain niyong hindi na yata makapaghintay at binalak nang magpakasal next year.

Sina Craise at Dixon naman, pumunta rin ng States para doon na mag-aral. Tiningnan ko pa ang iba.

Neil and Kats seems to be so close with each other. Magkasundong-magkasundo sila sa lahat ng bagay. Buti nalang at hindi iisang babae ang nagustuhan nila.

Si Seth naman, nanatiling hands on sa lahat. Tahimik at pasimple lang at kung hindi pa namin sinundan, hindi namin malalaman na pumupuso na pala ang Seth ng barkada. James, Khalil and Kit, wala… patuloy lang din sa buhay.

Ang daming nagbago pero nanatili parin kaming buo kahit na... may mistulang kulang.

Narating na namin ang kinaroroonan niya. I suddenly felt sad. Everyone found their own happiness.

I found mine pero... I didn't expect that this is how it'll be for me. Napalingon ako sa humawak sa balikat ko.

"You're brave bro. We're just here for you no matter what." Seth says trying to cheer me up. I smiled half.

I wish I am. But I wasn't. I am not brave enough to accept this. I am not brave enough and I am so afraid. I am weak. And what I just wish for, is to accept what would it be for me after this.

Sinindihan na namin ang kandila.

“Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday

Happy birthday

Happy birthday to you…” Mahina naming kanta habang palapit sa kanya.

Napangiti siya. I gave her the bouquet and the chocolates.

"Happy Birthday." I greeted.

"Thanks."

“Make a wish before you blew the candles.” She closed her eyes and I can't help myself not to examine every single part of her face. I quickly looked down when she opens her eyes. She blew the candles afterwards.

“Happy birthday Vens! Ito'ng regalo namin sayo.” Sabay abot ng regalo ng lahat. I took a step backward still holding the cake and watch them. I saw how she smiles just like the old days.

“Happy Birthday Venee.” Yunisse hugged her and kissed her cheek.

“Ha-happy birthday din… Yunisse.” Nahihiya niyang sabi.

“Xander, anong ginagawa mo diyan? Wala ka man lang bang regalo o message para sa girlfriend mo?” Neil said stealing the cake from me and pushed me in front of her. I almost kiss her. I looked at her and she blushed. I took steps backward and cleared my throat.

Nilingon ko sila and they were cheering for me. Hindi naman ako kinakabahan kanina but with these guys here, I am starting to get nervous.

"Dude! She's waiting!" I throw Neil a glare. This is not difficult at all, but him pressuring me makes it so difficult.

Bumuntong hininga muna ako bago siya tignan. Nakatingin lang din naman siya and her staring at me makes me wanna withdraw from the world. But I am a man. So I should stand as a man. I'm brave. I'm no King for no reason.

Lumapit ako sa kanya and I look at her but she’s not looking at me anymore. I was about to say something but I can't compose myself. Nanginginig kahit sistema ko sa loob ng katawan. It felt like I have no more words to say.

"Do you have something to say?" She asked not looking at me.

"There's a lot of things I want to tell you, but I know it can wait. But this thing I wanna tell you right now... it can't." There I get her attention. Nilunok ko na lahat ng hiya ko and even how loud the drum rolls are inside my heart trying to bang my whole system, I tried to get a hold of myself.

I took her hand and get down on one knee. Napatingin siya sa 'kin at ramdam ko ang katahimikan.

“Vens," I started.

"I know that you’re still confused, but I want to let you know that even you’ve forgotten me and all the things about you--about us, mananatili pa rin ako dito sa tabi mo. Tulad nang pangako ko sayo noon, I’ll be forever by your side and love you for the rest of my life.” I said sincerely while looking straight into her eyes.

I want her to feel it. Not just my words but also my feelings for her. I want it to get inside her hoping that she'll somehow remember me through my words.
 
“Kahit ilang beses pa tayong magsimula at kahit ilang ulit kong ipaalala sayo ang mga bagay-bagay at kung gaano kita kamahal, hindi ako magsasawa o mapapagod. Because loving you is not tiring. Not having you in my life is. Alam kong mabilis, pero umaasa ako na... even your mind forgets, your heart can still remember. And I'm hoping na kung hindi mo man ako maalala, magkaroon parin ako ng puwang diyan sa puso mo.” Kinuha ko ang maliit na bagay sa bulsa ko at ipinakita sa kanya.

I saw how tears escaped from her eyes. And I don't know what that means.

“Will you… will you marry me and be with me till forever ends?” I asked still holding the ring.

Tahimik ang lahat. I think everyone's holding their breath. Well, even I. I felt anxious. My hands are getting sweaty. I am starting to get worried that maybe, maybe I'm wrong. That maybe the heart really forgets, and it will never beat the same.

What happened a year before? She died actually. She’s not breathing at wala na talagang buhay. Hindi ako naniniwala sa milagro pero ng gabing 'yon--ng gabing 'yon, nagsimula na akong maniwala. Her heart persisted to beat even her body refused to. She fought back that even death can't win against her.

Ang saya ko ng gabing 'yon at ipinangako ko sa sarili ko na kahit anong mangyari, hindi ko na siya bibitawan pa. Na kahit anong mangyari, handa akong lumaban kasama siya.

She was comatosed for about 2 months at nang magising siya, wala na siyang naaalala. Back to zero ika nga.

She doesn’t remember anything even her own name. Pakiramdam ko, naramdaman ko ang pakiramdam ni Geenee noong nagkaamnesia si Lester. Ang hirap pala. Pero hindi naging hadlang 'yon para sumuko ako.

I kept helping her to get her memories back. Kahit mahirap, sinubukan ko pero till now wala parin. But that doesn't mean I should give up. The war never ends without me having the victory. I won't let myself fail this time.

Naghihintay ako nang kasagutan niya habang patuloy ang pagkabog ng puso ko. Pakiramdam ko, nakasalalay sa sagot niya ang buhay ko. And she's my world. I don't know if I can make it without her.

Kumunot ang noo niya at hinila ang kamay niya mula sa pagkakahawak ko. She wiped her tears away and looked at me sadly. Mas lalong dumoble ang kaba ko.

“Sorry.” She said. Napayuko ako. That one word says everything. Nakakatawa dahil mukhang hindi na ako maaalala ng babaeng minamahal ko.

Tumayo ako at tinignan siya atsaka ako ngumiti. Gusto ko sanang sabihin na okay lang, but my heart can't even agree with it because it's not really okay.

Tumalikod ako at mahigpit na hinawakan ang singsing. Napatingin ako sa mga kaibigan ko na sumuporta sakin at hindi ako hinayaang panghinaan ng loob. They gave me a weak smile. I sighed and smiled. I just need some time for now. To think, maybe. Or to lessen the huge cut in my heart.

Naglakad nalang ako papunta sa pinto at hinawakan ang doorknob.

“Saan ka pupunta?” Napahinto ako sa pagpihit ng doorknob. Her voice is making me sad right now. I bit my lowerlip to surpress my emotions.

“Lalabas lang.” Binuksan ko na 'yon at lalabas na sana.

“Ganon nalang ba? Tatalikuran mo na naman ako? Bakit ba hindi ka makapaghintay nang sasabihin ko’t umaalis ka nalang, Patpating Kawayan?” Just then I felt the world stopped. Nilingon ko siya’t nakita ko siyang ngumiti. Tinutok niya ang kamay niya sakin na parang ibinibigay niya.

“Ano pang hinihintay mo? Isuot mo na.” Sabi niya habang nakangiti. My heart skipped a bit and a tear fell from my eye. Was this a joke?

"Ayoko nang pinaghihintay. Bahala ka, kapag nagbago ang isip ko, maghihintay ka uli nang matagal." Bahagya akong natawa kahit naluluha ako sa saya. Kumaripas ako nang takbo at niyakap siya agad. She hugged me back.

“You’re an idiot Xander Drache Reyes. I was just saying sorry. Sorry dahil nahuli ako nang pagbabalik. Sorry dahil pinaghintay kita. Sorry dahil nakalimutan kita. Sorry dahil muntik na kitang iwan.” Di ko napigilan at bumuhos na talaga nang tuluyan ang mga luha ko.

I tried to stay strong all these years kahit gusto nang gumuho ng daigdig ko. I tried because of her. But also because of her, I can't always be strong. Kasi she's bringing not just the best out of me, but the real me who's hiding from my shell. I can be as much as a weak person when I'm with her because I know, she can keep me safe and she can bring my pieces back when I am ruined.

She keeps patting my back while I’m sobbing at her shoulder. I missed her so much.

“Ano na? Isusuot mo ba o kakalimutan ulit kita?” I chuckled. No one wants to be forgotten again. No one.

Kumalas na ako sa yakap niya at isinuot sa daliri niya ang singsing. I sniffed still can't get over with my tears. I tried to smile at her.

“I love you Boss.”

“I love you more, slave.” I cupped her face and slowly leaned towards her. I stared into her eyes and before she closed it. I closed mine and soon... our lips met like it never wanted to part again.

Noong pumunta ako sa Pilipinas, my plan was to get out of my life and live far from my father. Until I, the Gangster King met this Bad Empress. An Empress who changed my life. Sino bang mag-aakala na nagsimula sa karera, na napunta sa kontrata at nauwi sa kami na?

My love for her is like a chain. There’s no start and there’s no ending. Basta ang alam ko, walang katapusan o hangganan ang pagmamahal ko sa kanya. Dahil tulad ng bagyo, patuloy kong ibubuhos ang pagmamahal ko sa kanya hanggang sa kahuli-hulihang patak na makakaya ko.

End.

-------------------
A/N:

“Love, does not begin and end the way we seem to think it does. Love is a battle, love is a war, love, is a growing up” –James Baldwin

Parang pagmamahalan nila ni Venisse at Drache. Hindi natin inexpect na magsisimula sa pagiging magkaaway, hanggang sa nabuo ang isang pagkakaibigan na humantong sa pag-iibigan. Natuto sila na kapag ang minamahal, kahit kailan, kahit ano mang unos ang dumating, hinding hindi tayo dapat bumitaw sa halip, matuto tayong lumaban, magsakripisyo, maghirap, umintindi, at wag sumuko.

Because love, is full of hardships

But,

Love do understands.

Even though,

We need to sacrifice.

Kahit makalimot ang isip,

Puso parin ang aalala

Sa memoryang ang isip ay nalimutan na.

Thank you very much for those who supported and still supporting the Bad Empress vs Gangster King. Maraming maraming salamat sa nanatili at sumabay sa iyak, sa tawa, sa galit, pighati at drama.

Paano ba yan? Hanggang dito nalang.

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All rights reserved.

WD: 2013-2014
DP: 12/23/14
revised: 04/28/19

Now signing off.