Regrets are Always at the End

Kabanata 38

Sean's POV

     "Anak, how is the project going?" tanong ni papa sa'kin. "Is it going smoothly ba?"

     "Yes, pa. Wala namang problema as of now," sagot ko sa kanya. "Except that annoying and high-pitched voice girl."

     "Hindi pa rin kayo nagkakasundo?" tanong ni mama sa'kin. I just nodded my head. "Nako, 11 months na ang lumipas, Sean. You two should be close by now. Dapat nga nagdadate na kayo."

     "Ma, please stop pushing me to like Sandy. I will never like her, okay?" paliwanag ko kay mama.

   Labing-isang buwan na niya akong pinipilit na magustuhan si Sandy. But I just can't. Ewan ko kung ano ang meron o wala sa kanya at hindi ko siya magustuhan. She's already confessed to me, but I just don't see us together in the future. No scratch that. I just can't like her. And I think you all know why. Si Gizelle pa rin ang laman ng puso ko, at walang sinuman ang papalit sa kanya dito. Maybe only someone who's much more than Gizelle can. But that's impossible.

     "Sean, just let your heart try. There's no harm in trying," pilit ni mama sa'kin.

     "Ma, I tried. And tried and tried and tried but I just can't. I know Sandy's a great girl and all," pahayag ko sa kanila. "But I just can't get to like her."

     "Let's leave Sean alone, Sheen. He's already a grown up," sabi ni papa kay mama.

   She just sighed in defeat. Gusto kasi ni mama na magka-apo siya. And Gizelle and I just couldn't give her that. Kasi nga, nawala siya. It's been 2 years since nawala si Gizelle and everything's going just like before. Wala na rin akong balit sa mga Alcante. All I know is that kuya Jason already proposed to ate Ganella and they're getting married next year.

     "Kahit isang date lang, anak," pagmakaawa ni mama sa'kin.

     I took a deep breath and looked at her in the eye. "Fine, ma. Para sa'yo."

   Ngumiti si mama ng sobrang lawak. We just continued eating and talking and we were just having the time of our lives.

   Pumasok na ako sa kwarto ko at humiga sa kama. I kinda regretted saying yes to mama's proposition. Pero there's no backing it. It's now or never. Kinuha ko yung phone ko sa night table at nagcompose ng message.

    To: Sandrine Enriquez

         Hey, sorry to disturb. But are you free tomorrow night? Let's have dinner at a nice place.

   Wala pang isang minuto, tumunog na yung cellphone ko. But it wasn't a text message. Talagang tumawag pa siya sa'kin. Agad ko itong sinagot, only to receive a very loud scream on the other line.

     "Hindi ka nagbibiro sa invitiation mo, diba?" tanong niya sa'kin, still shrieking in excitement. "OMG. I really need to prepare for tomorrow night."

     "Look, don't look too prepared for tomorrow. Hindi tayo sa restaurant kakain," sabi ko sa kanya. "We'll be eating at Larsian. Kaya wear something comfortable."

     "Aye, aye captain. Yiiieeeeeee hindi ako makapaniwala you're asking me on a date," sumigaw ulit siya. "Good night, Sean! See you tomorrow night."

     "Good night din, Sandy. Sweet dreams," sabi ko at pinatay na yung tawag.

   Humiga na ako sa kama ko at napatingin sa kisame. Am I doing the right decision? May time pa ba para mag back out? No, Sean. You're a man of his words kaya panindigan mo yan. One night isn't that bad.

~

     "Thank you talaga anak for doing me a favor," pasalamat ni mama sa'kin, for the 10th time today. "You better get to know her well tonight. Baka madagdagan pa yung one night na sinabi ko sa'yo."