Scars Series 1: Embracing The Scars

PROLOGUE

"Sigurado ka na ba sa desisyon mo?"

Nag-angat ako ng tingin at sinalubong ang nag-aalalang mga mata ni Sean. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay at nag-isip ng sagot sa tanong niya. I sighed, may magagawa pa ba ako? Kailangan kong umuwi sa Cebu para sa pamilya ko.

"You know my answer to that question, Sean. I don't have much choice," I replied.

"But... I heard he's also back there," his voice trailed off.

Matalim ko siyang tinitigan. He knows too well that I don't want to hear anything about that guy.

"Sean, it's been six years. I doubt it if he still remembers me, or the things he did to me before. Baka nga ngayon ay may asawa na iyon. Anyway, wala naman akong pakialam sa kanya. I'm going home because my family needs me," matigas kong sagot.

Kung hindi lang inatake ng sakit si Papa ay hindi ako uuwi ng Cebu. Masaya na ako sa buhay ko rito sa New York. I'm working in one of the most prestigious and well-known clothing line in the world, and it was a dream come true. Pero hindi ko pwedeng isantabi ang mga magulang ko. They need me right now, it's not really a time for me to be selfish.

"Well, handa ka na ba? Paano kung..."

"Hindi niya malalaman!" Putol ko sa kung ano mang sasabihin niya.

Kumuyom ang mga palad ko habang iniisip ang nangyari noon. I was too young then, too dumb to believe that he loves me, when he's only toying with my feelings. I can still recall how my heart turned numb when I saw him kissing another girl.

Dumaan ang pagkairita sa mukha ko. He clearly told me before that I don't have to worry about that girl because they're just friends. Little did I know they were more than that. Kung nakinig lang sana ako sa instinct ko noon.

Ngunit tapos na ang lahat. It's all in the past now. Masaya na ako sa buhay na mayroon ako ngayon. Kontento na ako sa mga taong kasama ko, ang mga taong pinakamamahal ko.

Naagaw ni Sean ang atensyon ko. He heaved a deep sigh. Lumapit ako sa kaniya at yumakap.

"Please Sean. I don't want him to know. Matagal ko nang sinara ang pahina tungkol sa aming dalawa. Nandito ka naman, di ba?" I asked desperately.

Alam ko, nagiging unfair na ako sa kanya. All he did was to help me. Hindi niya ako pinabayaan sa mga panahon na wala akong makakapitan. He was there when I was at my worst.

"You know you can always count on me, Yze. I will always back you up..." He replied, and hugged me tighter.

"I'm sorry, Sean. I'm sorry if you're stuck with me. I'm sorry for being a burden to you," I apologized.

Sean took a deep breath and kissed me on the forehead.

"Hindi ka pabigat, Yze. You're my best friend. Kailangan mo ako kaya nandito ako. And besides, gusto ko rin naman ang ginagawa ko," he assured me.

Despite his assurance, I can not help but feel guilty for him. I took away six years of his life from him. Mga taon na dapat sana ay ginugugol niya para sa taong mahal niya.

Tinapik ko ang kanyang balikat at nginitian siya.

"Don't worry, Sean. Kapag nasa Pilipinas na tayo, ako naman ang babawi sa'yo," I said with a smile.

"Hindi ko nagugustuhan ang ngiti mo, Yze. Kilala kita—"

"Oh please, Sean. It's the least I can do for all that damage I've caused you." I smirked at him.

Umigting ang panga niya, pero hindi na rin siya nagsalita. Mabilis siyang nag-iwas ng tingin.

"Anyway, did you pack your clothes already? Nakapagpaalam ka na rin ba sa boss mo?" sunod-sunod niyang tanong.