Chasing the Ice Princess

Chapter 21

To the man I wronged,

Hi, Richard. Nagulat ka, ano? Siguro nagtataka ka kung para saan ang mensaheng ito.

Simple lang naman. Ang laman nito ay ang mga salitang matagal ko nang gustong sabihin pero hindi nagkaroon ng pagkakataon.

Sorry.

Hindi iyon sapat.

Alam ko kung gaano niyo kamahal ni Em ang isa't isa. You were so beautiful together. Ang liwanag. Nakakasilaw.

Sinira ko iyon. A sorry would never suffice for that.

Pero sasabihin ko pa rin.

Sorry.

Sorry.

Sorry.

Kahit ilang ulit, kahit hindi matapos. Dahil gusto kong malaman mo na nagsisisi ako.

Gusto kong maging malaya tayong tatlo.

Maybe it's six years too late, but I'm hoping this would ease at least one of us.

I'm hoping it's me. Kasi lugmok na lugmok na ako.

Everytime I see you... Everytime I see Chaise, I'm reminded how awful I am.

Alam mo bang pinlano kong kuhanan siya ng pera?

I've been gifted with a brilliant mind but I can't seem to use it to do good deeds.

It was a really elaborate plan. I'll make Chaise invest on my business, and steal the money.

O, di ba? You weren't my only victim.

But I'm hoping you're the last one.

Kasi pinipilit ko na talagang magbago. I thought I should chase after Chaise, when I should be chasing myself all along, or at least, the shadow of the past. The person I used to be.

If it makes you feel better, matagal bago nag-move on si Em. It had been a struggle making her forget you.

You deserve to be happy.

Wila.

WHEN Wila woke up, a splitting headache assaulted her.

Parang ayaw na niyang bumangon, pero nauuhaw siya kaya tumayo pa rin mula sa kama.

Her legs were wobbly and her vision blurred. Ayaw na ayaw talaga niya ng hangover.

But drinking was the only way to forget, and she needed time to think.

Nakapagdesisyon na siya, magpapakalayo-layo na siya at magsisimulang muli. She does not want to inflict any more damage than she already has.

Nang makabawi nang kaunti ay naligo siya para mahimasmasan. Pagkatapos ay inayos niya ang mga gamit. Nahulas hindi ang sistema niya mula sa alak, kung hindi sa mga nangyari nitong nakaraang taon.

Looking back, it was not something she was proud of. Gusto na niya ng pagbabago. Ang pagbabagong iyon ay darating lamang kung magsisimula sa kaniya.

As she packed, she felt even emptier—like she had her very soul ripped out. She was the husk of a person named Wila, but there's no one within.

"Hey!" Pumasok si Calix. "Sinaktan mo si Chaise. Magpasalamat ka at katatakas lang niya sa isyu kay Jorge kaya hindi ka na niya dinemanda!" Rage was written all over his face.

Hinawakan nito ang balikat niya para iikot siya.

Bumagsak ang mga luha niya pagkaharap dito.

Hindi na kailangang ipaalala ng binata ang ginawa niya. She could clearly remember Chaise's face when she received the message.