Fidelity

32

32 | Deserve

Pinabayaan ko na lang ang kung anong mangyayari sa amin. I convinced myself that worrying is only making things worse for the both of us. I was leaving everything to fate.

So, every time nagsisimula na akong magalala, humihinga ako nang malalim. After all, what happens happens. We can't control it. What we can control is how we react to it.

Dumadalang na ang pag-te-text sa akin ni Shed dahil sa sobrang pagka-busy. They're releasing their music video soon and they're also preparing for the awarding night, at naiintindihan ko naman 'yon. When I entered this relationship, I know I need to support him in his endeavors.

But is he supporting you? A little devious voice whispered in my head. I shook my head slightly to ignore it.

Nakahalukipkip lang ako habang nakatitig sa TV dito sa loob ng restaurant. It was covering the awarding night at kahit na niyaya ako ni Shed to be his date, I know I still can't face the scrutiny of the public, lalong lalo na't ni hindi ko pa siya napapakilala kay Papa.

I want Papa to know it from me. And not from the news. Palagi na namin iyon pinaplano, but he's just so busy na kailangan naming ilipat nang ilipat. And now, he said he's going to pick me up after the awarding night, and maybe we'll try our luck.

"And the song of the year goes to..." One of the hosts opened the envelope he was holding and smiled widely. Everyone inside the restaurant turned their heads towards the TV para panoorin ang kaganapan.

"Serendipity," I prayed silently, clasping my hands together.

"Serendipity!" He announced. Some people inside the restaurant even clapped their hands.

Agad nag-zoom ang camera sa masasayang mukha ng banda. There I saw Thea in her flowing silver gown, deep V-neck revealing a lot of her skin and cleavage, straight hair, and sultry look. Inaalalayan siya ni Miguel habang naglalakad sila patungo sa entablado. Lahat sila ay nakangiti, ang mga mata ay kumikinang sa tuwa.

My heart was pounding fast against my chest at nangingilid ang luha sa mga mata ko, feeling nothing but great pride for them especially when I've seen them so low, and here they are now. Pakiramdam ko, kahit paano, parte nila ako.

"In behalf of Serendipity," Miguel said with his usual boyish grin. "I would like to thank all our fans for not giving up on us. To our manager, Ms. Gemma, to my bandmates, Shed, Oliver, Kurt, Felix. Thank you guys. It has been a tough year but here we are."

Slowly, he turned to look at Thea who was quietly standing beside him. "To Thea, for joining the band, I know you sacrificed a lot for this. We appreciate it. This is for you, for Serendipity."

I inhaled a sharp breath. A small part of me was hoping that they'd give me a special mention, too. But it doesn't matter. What's important is they're there in front of everyone, living the dream.

Lumapit si Miguel kay Thea para halikan ito sa pisngi pero humiyaw ang lahat nang humarap din si Thea and his lips crashed on hers. The camera zoomed in on them, both of their eyes wide open and shock was evident. Agad na umatras si Miguel and when the camera zoomed out again, I saw Shed walking away.

While Thea was looking at him.

It only took her a few seconds before she started walking away, too, in Shed's direction, following him. And my heart constricted seeing them like this, like it was an intimate moment and I am an intruder.