Bitter Sweet (COMPLETED)

Dalawampu't dalawa

Dinaluhan ako ng mga kapatid ko at inalo. Dinala nila ako sa garden at pinakalma. Charles is just watching us the whole time. Kung ako ang masusunod ay mas mabuti pang umuwi na lang siya kasi wala naman siyang mapapala dito.

"So tell us what happened Sweet. Ano ba talagang nangyari sa inyo?" Ani Salt habang hinahagod ang likod ko.

"He lied to me." Sagot ko at hindi inalintana ang nasa paligid na si Charles. "Hindi totoo 'yung tungkol sa fixed marriage niya at ni Sheena. Of all the things that he will done ay 'yun pa talagang magsinungaling.... you know what I've been through when someone chose to lie to me before. I became miserable to the point that I left everyone and suffered alone." Panay lang ang patak ng mga luha ko. 

"I built walls at nagkaroon ako ng trust issues. At nung naramdaman kong pwede na ulit akong magtiwala. In just one blink. Nasira lahat. Because of another lie nasira na naman ako. Lahat ng inayos ko nung umalis ako. Nawala nang parang bula. It broke me. It's not just about lying for me... it's the trust that got broken... it's my heart that got hurt. So tell me... How can I talk to him in peace when I'm feeling hell all at once."

Naramdaman ko ang paglapit ni Charles sa pwesto ko at biglang hinawakan ang kanang kamay ko. "I'm sorry Sweet. I am really sorry. Kahit ilang ulit ko pa 'tong sabihin I know that it won't change a thing. It won't change the fact that I lied to you. Pero hindi ako susuko Sweet. Papatunayan ko sayo ang sarili ko. I know that there's still a chance. I'll give you time now Sweet. I'll give you time baby. Pero hindi kita hahayaang mag-isa. Sasamahan kita habang nasasaktan ka. Kahit... ako pa ang naging dahilan. I won't let you slip away. Let me feel your wrath. Let me feel your anger. I'll accept everything... just... let me be with your side. Let my love for you remove every hatred that you have in your heart. Just let me love you baby." Hinalikan niya ang noo ko bago siya umalis.

Tinotoo ni Charles ang sinabi niya. Dahil kahit anong pagsusungit ko sa kaniya ay hindi pa rin siya umaalis. It's been three months nang simulan niya ang panliligaw. He's everywhere I go. Nagtataka na nga ako minsan kung wala ba siyang naiwang trabaho dahil ang dami niyang oras para ilaan sa'kin.

"Wala ka bang work?" Tanong ko dito nang minsang samahan niya ako sa pagpunta sa isang kliyente.

"Don't worry about that." Tanging sagot niya lang.

Hindi naman gano'n katigas ang puso ko. Sa tatlong buwan na 'yun naramdaman ko naman ang sincerity at pagsisisi niya sa kaniyang nagawa. Kaya ngayong magkasama kami ay kinausap ko siya.

"You don't have to do this everytime." Sambit ko dito nang pauwi na kami matapos magsimba.

"Bakit? Pinapatigil mo na ba ko? Wala na ba talagang pag-asa?" He sadly said.

"That's not what I meant. I know that you still have your own life. I mean... you have your work. You have alot of things to do aside from me. Hindi na naman ako galit sa'yo. But... I still can't say yes to you." Nakita kong lumungkot lalo ang mukha niya. "But... You can still go with me if you're not busy or ako nalang punta sa'yo.... just like before." I explained and for the first time in those three months I smiled at him.

"Really?" Hindi makapaniwala niyang tanong.

"Yes." Nahihiya kong tugon dito.

"Napatawad mo na ko?" I just nod. At sa sobrang saya niya ay bigla niya akong niyakap kahit pa nasa loob kami ng sasakyan.

"Thank you. Thank you so much Sweet. I won't promise anything. But I won't miss this chance baby. I am so happy. Thank you talaga." He said then kissed me in the forehead. "I'll just kiss you when you already say yes. Or if you're the one who initiate the kiss." Aniya bago ako suotan ng seatbelt. "I have a surprise for you. Tulog ka muna." He said then started driving.

"Hey... yeah it's me. She already forgive me. So... we will go there. Yeah...I know... Just stick to the plan. Okay. Bye." Aniya sa kausap sa kabilang linya.

"Who's that?" I asked him.

"You'll find out later." He said then winked at me.

Sobrang saglit lang nung naging biyahe namin. Siguro mga thirty minutes lang. At sobrang pamilyar din ng daan.

"Don't tell me." I excitedly said.

"You'll see. But first I have to blindfold you since we're already here."

I was blindfolded and very excited. Inalalayan niya akong makababa ng sasakyan maging sa paglalakad. Naramdaman kong binitawan niya ako at saka siya nagsalita.

"You can now remove it baby." Aniya.

"Wow." Tanging nasabi ko matapos kong tanggalin ang blindfold sa mata ko.

I was welcomed by so many people. Mga taong importante sa buhay ko. Hindi ko alam pero naiiyak ako. My family is here, even my mom and dad. Mga tao sa orphanage, sina sisters at ang mga bata. Charles' cousins were also here, and his mom and dad also. Greg, Jordie, Jorge and his wife were also here.

Inabutan ako ng gunting ni Charles at sinamahan hanggang matapos ang ribbon cutting. I am so happy. Finally natapos din ang art gallery ko.

"Thank you Charles. I am so happy." I said to him then hugged him.

May tumikhim sa gilid namin dahilan para kumalas ako sa pagkakayakap sakaniya.

"Congratulations anak. We are so proud of you." Dad said then my whole family  hugged me. Marami pa ang nag-congratulate sa akin nang mapansin kong nawala si Charles sa tabi ko.

Kinalabit ako ni Rhian, isang babae mula sa orphanage na tumingin sa kabilang direksiyon. Nakalinya ang mga bata na tila may tinatago sa mga likod nito. Ilang sandali pa ay biglang lumabas si Charles na may dala dalang isang bugkos na tulips, my favorite flowers.

"I know that you said earlier that you still can't say yes to me. But I'm pushing my luck today. Thank you for forgiving me baby. Thank you for giving me another chance. I know that this is too much to ask but... I'll still ask this. Sweet... baby..." Biglang inilabas ng mga bata ang tinatago nila sa likod nila. It says "Will you be my girlfriend?"

Nagulat ako ng may biglang sumigaw. "Sumagot ka na ng oo! Bilisan mo! Manganganak na ko!" Sigaw ni Ate Spice.

Natataranta man ay hinawakan ko sa kaniyang mukha si Charles, tumingin sa mga mata nito at sumagot ng "Yes Charles." Then he kissed me.