Dream Catcher

Chapter 6- Something To Loose

Inspired by the Song

Let This Go by Paramore

CHAPTER 6

Brooke calling….

Weird. Its too early for Brooke to make a call. I answered it, maybe its important.

“Brooke, honey?” I said to the line.

“Ethan.” Weirder. Brooke never calls me by my name since we noticed that things between us are getting intimate.

“What’s the problem?” I just knew that there is something wrong. Her voice was giving away an impression that indeed something is wrong. Paos siya.

“We need to talk. Meet me at the Airport.” WHAT!

“What do you mean airport? Do you have an event? I didn’t know about that.” Kung may event naman kasi si Brooke nagpapaalam siya bago mag sign ng contract. And usually I bring her to the airport. Oh no no no, this is not what I think it is about.

“Just go Ethan, nandito na ako. Hihintayin kita.” And she ended the call.

This is serious. Walang pagdadalawang-isip kong kinuha ang sweater jacket at sinuot yun, bahala na.

Nagmadali kong kinuha ang susi sa kotse nang…

“Ethan?” Shit. Oo nga pala nandito pala si Robin. I totally forgot about her.

“I have to go.”

Wala akong panahon para makipag-usap. My girlfriend is in the airport, with God knows what her reasons are, pero kailangan kong pumunta dun.  Napansin kong sumusunod si Robin sa akin. Hindi ko siya pinansin. Kulang na lang ako mismo ang magbukas ng elevator para mas mabilis. When I reached the parking lot, agad akong pumasok sa kotse ko. Nandoon na din si Robin, grabe ang bilis niyang gumalaw. Nauna pa nga siguro siya pumasok.

“Ethan, it will be alright.” Robin said as we passed by the bridge. Ganun na ba ako ka obvious para mahulaan niyang may problema. Hindi ako nakasagot- tumango na lang ako.

When we reached the airport, it was five-thirty. Nag-aagaw pa ang dilim at ang araw. Agad ko namang tinawagan si Brooke. She answered on the second ring.

“Ethan. Nandito ako sa Scoops, ice cream area na malapit sa Lodging Area.”

“Hintayin mo ako Brooke, or so help me.” Ibinaba ko na ang cellphone.

Muntik ko ng makalimutan na nandito pala si Robin. Nilingon ko siya, agad siyang nagsalita.

“Um, Ethan. Dito na lang ako maghihintay, nakapaa ako eh.”  Oh I forgot about that, wala nga pala siyang sapatos.

“I’ll be back, Kakausapin ko lang girlfriend ko.” She just smiled and said.

“It will be alright.” And I do not know what got into me, but I held on to her words.

I saw Brooke sitting at a round table for two. I sat at the chair across her.Tiningnan ko siya, namumugto ang mga mata niya, so hindi pala dahil paos siya dahil kakagising lang - umiiyak pala siya. She was holding both her hands, nakapatong yun sa mesa. But what got my attention was the baggage beside her. Shit.

“Brooke.” I held her clasped hands. It was cold and shaking, nakakapanibago to. Brooke is a strong, confident woman, why is she crying now? “Ano to?”

“I am leaving. . . for good.” Nalaglag ang balikat ko, I had an idea that this is what it is all about. But I didn’t think it was really –this. “I am breaking up with you Ethan.”

“Honey, no. Ano ba kasi ang nangyari. Was this one of your Dad’s idea? Brooke, okay pa naman tayo kahapon ah.” I said,which only bring her to tears.

Tumayo ako at iniluhod ang isang tuhod ko sa sahig. I was caressing her back, it the least I can do. Ang gulo gulo na.

“Ethan I’m sorry. I am so sorry. It wasn’t Dad’s idea, ako ang nagdesisyon nito. Gusto kong lumayo dito,sa’yo. We weren’t really that serious anyway, right?” Anong hindi serious?

“Ethan, do not think that I didn’t love you, but don’t you think we deserve more?” Sabi ko na nga ba eh.

“Is this about me working in the library?”

“What?! No. no Ethan. I mean, about everything. I am moving to Norway, kung nasaan si Mama. I don’t want to live here anymore, hindi kaya ng sikmura kong makita si Dad at ang kabit niya. Ethan, sana mainindihan mo.”

“Brooke, hon, nakikilala ka na dito sa Metro. One of the best Master of Ceremonies.” I tried looking for excuses.

“Ayaw ko maging Emcee at Journalist lang habang-buhay. Ethan please do understand my point.” Tumayo na ako. Hands on my waist. This is a desperate situation.

Si Brooke- what we have- ito lang ang alam kong tama sa buhay. She was the only person I talk to. Binigay ko sa kanya ang lahat sa akin, I cant manage without her. Hindi ko kayang Makita anng sarili ko na hindi siya inaalagaan. Yes, we didn’t had the right beginning, pero we proved it na pwede kami sa isa’t-isa.

“Brooke, marry me.” Desperado na ako, hindi pwedeng mawala ang iisang tao na pinapahalagahan ko.

“Oh god, Ethan don’t make this harder.” Tumayo siya at niyakap ako. Her face was buried in my neck, and I can smell her familiar fragrance.

“Marry me. Brooke hindi ko kayang wala ka.”

“Kaya mo Ethan, kakayanin mo. You are a strong man. I am sorry, but my decision is final.” She reached for my cheek.She kissed it, and I savoured the last of her. Ipinikit ko ang mga mata ko. And I know that when I open my eyes, wala na siya. The only person I have ever lived with. She was all I wanted. Kuntento na ako sa kung anong meron kami.

“Let me go Ethan.” And surprisingly, I did.

I opened my eyes, and sure enough, wala na si Brooke.

Brooke left me that day. She left- she took with her half of me. And I think I can never get it back. Never.

Because for the first time, I have something to loose.