His Tomorrow, My Yesterday

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

In life, the promises we've carved in stone can be shattered by fate. The commitments we've made are destined to fall apart and not come to pass. 

In the grand scheme of things, our commitments to others can vanish like a bubble that unexpectedly pops. Sa tuwing nahihirapan tayo, nagagawa nating isantabi ang pangakong pinanghahawakan ng isang tao.

Perhaps we underestimate the impact, thinking it's insignificant, but to the person we made the promise to, it might mean the world. It could be the one thing they hold onto to find their purpose in this world, to survive.

“Date tayo?” nakangusong tanong ni Hayes habang papalabas kami ng Main Writer Office.

I pouted. “Sige.”

Fresh off submitting our portion for the school newspaper, it's truly heartening as Ma'am Julie, the Journalism Club adviser, was captivated. She mentioned how the content, particularly the literature crafted by Hayes and me, stood out remarkably.

On top of that, it's simply delightful to reflect on how that newspaper brought Hayes and me closer, becoming the unexpected plot twist of my year. To encounter someone willing to love me in every version of myself.

A man willing to embrace me despite the countless thorns on my body.

A man ready to shed light on my dark pathways.

A man who's always by my side and won't ever leave me.

A man who can tame the demons inside of me.

Sa isang araw na ang graduation  namin at hindi ko alam kung saan ko ilalagay ang saya ko. Iyon din ang araw na sinabi ng puso ko na sasagutin ko na ang lalaki.

Sa anim na buwang nakalipas, sa wakas, magkakaroon na rin kami ng label at masaya ako para roon.

Nang makapasok kami sa Jollibee ay naghanap na ako ng bakanteng pwesto habang si Hayes naman ay pumila na para mag-order. May kahabaan ang pila kaya sigurado akong matatagalan kami bago makakakain.

Umakyat ako sa ikalawang palapag ng Jollibee at hindi na ako nagulat nang makitang marami rin ang kumakain doon. Masuwerte yata ako ngayon at  may isang bakanteng pwesto pa akong nakita sa gilid kung saan malapit sa bintana.

Nakangiting umupo ako sa upuan nang makarating ako sa bakanteng lamesa at upuan. I fished my phone out of the maroon skirt's pocket with a swift move. Binuksan ko agad ang Messenger ko pinindot ang icon ni Hayes na nasa unahan para i-chat ito na nakahanap na ako ng pwesto sa itaas.

As I wrapped up chatting with Hayes, I was just about to slip my cell phone back into my skirt pocket when it suddenly rang. I answered the call with a smile, but my grin vanished as soon as I heard a voice unfamiliar to my ears.

A furrow appeared on my forehead. Tiningnan ko agad ang pangalan ng tumatawag ngunit isang ’di kilalang numero lang ang nakita ko.

Binasa ko ang pang-ibabang labi habang nagdadalawang-isip kung sasagutin ko ba o ibababa ko ang tawag.

Inhaling deeply, I was on the verge of terminating the call when the name “Hayes” echoed through the line. An ominous unease settled in my heart as the utterance of his name carried an eerie familiarity, as though the speaker held an intimate knowledge of the man. The undertones of disdain and anger woven into its voice sent shivers down my spine, intensifying the already palpable sense of apprehension that had taken hold.

Inilibot ko ang tingin sa buong paligid kung may nakatingin ba sa akin at nang masiguradong wala ay sinagot ko ang lalaki. “Sino po ito?”

The man on the other line sighed heavily, as if, when in front of me, he was ready to inflict harm.