Simula

"What did you just say, Luna?!"

Bumuntong hininga siya.

She already anticipated Irhia's hysterics. She just really wanted to inform her about her decision because she was her only friend, and she should be the first to know about everything.

But as the moment she told her about it, Irhia was opposed because she didn't like Brix.

"Luna, I'm sorry if I am so affected. I just couldn't believe it. Alam mo naman siguro kung bakit."

"I know. Sorry, nagulat kita. Gusto ko lang naman na unang ipaalam sayo ang naging desis—"

"Saan ba ako nagkulang magpaalala? Since day 1, you know I am so against with your relationship with him. Hell, I don't even trust your judgement about guys, yet you still didn't listen to me."

Napalabi siya.

"Then you're going to surprise me with a call saying that you accepted his proposal? Seriously, Luna? Pinag-isipan mo ba talaga 'yan nang mabuti?"

Nagbuga siya nang marahas na hininga. Mukhang hindi talaga nito matanggap ang naging desisyon niya.

"I'm going to marry him, Irhia." Desidido niyang sambit.

"Sige nga, Luna! What the hell were you thinking that time? Nauto ka ba? You're smart! Bu why are you so stupid when it comes to love?" Walang katapusang sermon nito.

"We both know Brix is a cheater! Try to think of it again, please."

Her shoulders slumped. Everything she said was true. She might be the biggest martyr on the face of the earth. She caught her boyfriend with other women many times, but she ignored it because he still made her feel loved.

Sa isip niya'y baka gano'n lang talaga ito makitungo sa ibang babae. Likas na gentleman ito kaya isa 'yon sa rason kung bakit kalahati ng utak niya'y hindi iyon binibigyan ng kahulugan.

But she couldn’t deny she was one of those foolish women. Mahal niya ang binata, at hindi niya kayang mawala ito.

"Ano? Napag-isip isip mo na ba?"

Marahas siyang bumuntong hininga. Kahit ano pang sabihin nito, wala na itong magagawa. Desisyon niya ang manatili sa relasyong ito. Wala ng magpapabago ng isip niya dahil miski pamilya niya, gusto si Brix para sa kanya. Ayaw niyang biguin ang mga ito because her family are now expecting a marriage from her and Brix.

"I know this is not easy for you, but I hope you understand that this is my decision. I love Brix, and I'm sure about my feelings."

She heard Irhia laughed in a sarcastic way. Sinaway niya ito.

"Hindi naman sa tutol ako sa pagmamahal mo kay Brix. I'm amused with the love you gave for him. Pero hindi iyon sapat para tuluyan kang magpakasal sa kanya. Maybe, if Brix will change first, you can finally accept his proposal."

Marami pa itong sinabi. Inilabas na lang niya sa kabilang tainga dahil hindi na mababago pa ang isip niya. Naiintindihan niya rin naman ang punto ng kaibigan.

She knows how much Irhia cares for her. She has opened her eyes to the things she should be cautious about and that includes her fiancé.

She doesn't really know where she is coming from. She's too secretive. Pero pansin niya na ayaw nito sa lalaki, hindi niya lang alam kung bakit. Hindi rin kasi ito kailanman nagbahagi ng kwento tungkol sa buhay pag-ibig nito. Hindi rin naman siya naging interesado dahil ayaw niyang nakikialam sa buhay ng ibang tao. She's sensitive about others and doesn't want to exceed her bounds. In short, she's not an intrusive person, kabaliktaran naman ng kaibigan niya.

May narinig siyang baritonong boses sa kabilang linya. Medyo mahina iyon kaya hindi niya naintindihan.

"What the heck, Kuya!" Rinig niyang hiyaw ng kaibigan.

Napataas ang kilay niya. Maya maya ay narinig siyang kumalabog.

Sandali lamang ay narinig niya si Irhia.

"I'm sorry. I have to end the call. Let's talk again later." Mabilis na anito at agad pinatay ang linya.

Inubos niya ang natitirang oras sa pagtatrabaho. Marami na siyang natapos at palagi ay gano'n. She enjoyed working here since it was her dream job. Hindi toxic at maayos ang environment, kaya naman kahit mailap siya sa tao at walang kaibigan sa loob, ni minsan ay hindi niya naramdamang iba siya sa mga ito. They respected her, and so she is to them.

She decided to visit Brix after her work done. Knowing how exhausting her fiancé’s job was and how he often forgot to eat, she liked checking on him to see if he was taking care of himself. So, she stopped by a coffee shop and bought his favorite coffee and some cinnamon rolls.

Nang makarating sa tamang destinasyon ay agad siyang bumaba sa sasakyan nang makapag-park. Matamis ang ngiti niya nang pumasok at binati ang mga tao roon dahil kilala na rin naman siya.

Nang nasa tamang palapag na, kung nasaan ang opisina ng nobyo, mabilis niyang tinungo ang daan papunta roon. Nasa dulong bahagi ito kaya diretso siyang naglakad, may ngiti pa rin sa labi.

She was about to open the door when she heard something inside. Dahan dahan niyang pinihit ang seradura upang hindi siya makaabala.

One stepped inside, her body froze. Hindi niya alam ang eksaktong nararamdaman. At hindi siya tanga para hindi maintindihan ang nangyayari sa loob ng silid na iyon.

She squeezed her hand, not caring if it would hurt because she was so frustrated.

Halos mawalan siya ng balanse nang malinaw niya iyong nakita.

Malakas ang tibok ng puso niya. Kumikirot. Dire-diretso na rin ang pagpatak ng mga luha niyang hindi niya na rin namalayan.

"Ugh, faster! Oh!" Malakas na ungol ng babae, kita ang buong kahubadan, nakadapa sa working table.

She covered her lips to stifle her sobs.

They had their backs turned, and they didn't notice her. At alam niyang si Brix iyon. Kilala niya ang tindig at postura nito, hindi siya pwedeng magkamali.

Pinalis niya ang luha sa pisngi at tumalikod. No. She couldn't bear to stay there any longer. Para siyang tinarakan ng punyal sa dibdib sa sobrang sakit.

Tahimik na lumabas si Luna at tinakbo ang restroom sa palapag na iyon. Doon niya inilabas ang hinanakit at doon hinayaang umalpas ang mga hikbi niya.

What is lacking in her? Is it because she hasn't given herself to him that he seeks someone else? But why? Can't he endure it? Hindi ba at engage na sila at magpaplano na ng kasal? Bakit hindi nito kinayang maghintay?

Luna couldn't stop sobbing. The pain was overwhelming. At akala niya kaya niya, pero hindi pala. It felt like facing the truth all at once.