Tumingin-tingin ako sa paligid para tingnan kung saan ang hospital na sinasabi ni Francis. That was a wrong move when I didn’t look at the road. Kaagad kong inapakan ng madiin ang preno at mabilis na bumaba sa sasakyan nang may nakita akong babaeng nakaputi na tumatakbo. “SH*T!” Gasping in the air, I sprinted towards the person in front of my car. That was close! Ayokong makasagasa ng tao. Hindi ko na ulit uulitin ang hindi tumitingin sa daan. I almost forgot to breathe when I only knew that the woman lying on the ground was Faye. “Faye!” Lumuhod ako para mabuhat ang ulo niya. “Why are you doing this to yourself?” When I notice there’s a lot of blood in her hand, nanginig ako bigla. Anong ginagawa niya? Nagpapasagasa ba siya? Mukhang kagagaling lang sa pagkakabunot ng swero ang sugat niya. She closed her eyes abruptly, and I assumed that she’d become unconscious. Nevertheless, I quickly put her in my car and drove her to the parking lot. The incident resulted in traffic. I took

“Mom, mabait naman si Faye at alam kong alam niya kung ano ang sinabi ko sa ‘yo. Ako talaga ang nagkamali,” pagbibigay lakas ng loob ko sa kanya at pagtatanggap ng mali ko. “Just let her first. Hindi naman siya aalis ng Pilipinas, Rome. Anyway, what is your plan for your upcoming birthday? Anong gusto mo, sa Palawan na lang natin gagawin o dito? O sa resort mo?” Hindi na ako nagdadalawang isip sa birthday ko. “I want to celebrate here, Dad. Kapag malapit na kayong umuwi sa New York doon na lang tayo mag-Palawan. Ayoko rin sa resort dahil maraming mga guests. Gusto ko reserved for us. Rude ko naman kung paalisin ko sila.” “Anong plano mo? Catering?” “I need your help, Mom and Dad. Babawi ako kay Faye,” I said. “Kay Faye? Anong gagawin namin?” Tanong ni Mom. “Mom, Dad, do you resent Faye that much?” Gusto kong maging maayos si Faye sa parents ko. Ayokong may galit ang kahit sino sa kanila sa kanya at ayokong magkaroon ng tensyon kapag magkakasama kami. “I never resent your ex-wif

I spent more time in Wilson and had a little conversation with Arlo and Regina. Not that long, I drove way to San Juan, Rivera to visit Tita Pau and Faye. Ate Fiona informed me that this day would be her last day to hold a vigil. “Let me have that,” I volunteered and got the styro plate with a bunch of watermelon seeds. “Nakakahiya na sa ‘yo, Rome. Upo ka na lang kaya roon?” Napakamot si Ate Fio. “Bumabawi lang,” simpleng sagot ko. I put the styro plate on the table. People were smiling at me. “Sino siya?” “Hindi ko kilala. Sosyal siya oh.” “Bango pa.” “Sabi sa ‘yo pagchichismisan ka riyan eh,” Ate Fio said when I suddenly entered inside. Ayoko kasi ‘yung pinag-uusapan ako, pero hindi naman ako naiinis sa kanila. “Can I give some coffee sa mga nagpapasugal?” “Maupo ka. Ako na bahala roon. Bisita ka rito. Kausapin mo na lang si Mama,” pagtawa niya. “Okay, fine.” Naupo na lang ako sa harapan ng kabaong, but soon stood to sight Tita Pau. Nangayayat siya, unlike before. Faye lo

Mukhang nag-iinuman na sina Xino sa pwesto namin para mamaya. They all raised their glass as if they were inviting me to join them. I lifted my thumb finger. “Wala pa ba ‘yung girlfriend mo?” A guy asked while his body was covered with water. “Kyle, pinsan mo. The third oldest of the Wilson cousins.” Inilahad niya ang kamay niya na kaagad ko ring tinugunan. “Nice to meet you. What should I call you then?” nakangisi kong tanong. “If you’re comfortable calling me ‘kuya’ then you can.” “Kyle na lang.” I am a bit uncomfortable. I used to call ate but not kuya. Ewan ko ba kung bakit ako ganito. “My question, you didn’t fill it yet,” he reminded me. “Oh, she’s on her way for sure,” confidently I answered. “I’m curious about her. Anyway, good luck. I know this will be your best day ever so far besides your wedding.” “That’s so kind of you, Kyle. I’ll introduce her as soon as she arrives.” “Sure. Our pleasure to meet her,” he remarked last and left to join his supposed siblings. Hind

“Let’s put the past behind us, Faye. Allow ourselves to begin a second time. I’d be willing to be your man over and over. I can no longer stand to watch your predicament. You’ve always harbored dreams of living a happy life, and I remember that you wanted me to fulfill those dreams for you. I’m ready to help you reach what you desire. I’ll ensure a happy life for you and your entire family,” wika niya habang hinahawakan ang mga kamay ko. “Pero hindi pera ang habol ko ha?” Pagkaklaro ko at pinunasan ang namamasang pisngi ko. “Never kong inisip ang pera habang kasama ka. Never akong naging matakaw sa pera. Ikaw lang talaga ang gusto ko kaya tinanggap ko ‘yung trabaho.” “I didn’t say that. Kahit hindi mo na hilingin, ibibigay ko lahat ng gusto mo. If you marry me, lahat ng pag-aari ko mapupunta sa ‘yo at ipapamana lahat ‘yon sa mga magiging anak natin. I can give you the lovely mansion you’ve always wanted to atone for all of my transgressions and faults.” Napanatag ako sa sinabi niya