Since Nine Book 3: Shattered

Another Chance

CHAPTER 32

VICTORIA

One of the things she missed the most was seeing the sunrise. After Victoria escaped hell, the first thing she did was to watch the magnificent sun rose from the East. It gave her hope. She let the pleasant heat kissed her skin. It was her light after being in the dark tunnel for a very long time.

For her, sunrise symbolized another chance. An opportunity to start something new after a dark night. She felt hope again when she saw the sun rose and illuminated the resort’s grand basilica as Jenny and Joshua exchanged vows.

The admiring look she got from Ramcel gave hope in her heart that someday she’d accept her again. That they’d be together again.

Victoria fell in love with Ramcel more when she heard her sing Lea Salonga’s “Two Words” during reception instead of giving a speech for the newly weds.

“In a while, in a word
Every moment now returns.
For a while, seen or heard,
How each memory softly burns,
Facing you who brings me new tomorrows,
I thank God for yesterdays,
How they led me to this very hour,
How they led me to this place…”

The whole the time na kumakanta si Ramcel, sa kanya lang ito nakatingin. At hindi rin nya inalis ang tingin sa mga mata nito. Tila tanging ang isa’t- isa lamang ang nakikita nila. Pareho nilang naaalala ang sandaling sinabi nila ang dalawang salitang iyon. Ang sandaling nagsumpaan silang mananatili sa tabi nang isa’t-isa.

“Every touch, every smile
You have given me in care
Keep in heart, always I’ll,
Now be treasuring everywhere.
And if life should come to just one question,
Do I hold each moment true?
No trace of sadness,
Always with gladness.
“I DO…”

Hindi man buo ang tiwala sa kanya ni Ramcel, napatunayan sa sandaling iyon ni Victoria na sya lamang ang minamahal nito. Sya pa rin ang iniibig ni Ramcel kahit paulit-ulit nyang saktan ang puso nito.

Nang magdesisyon syang iwanan ito para iligtas kay Hector, alam nyang suntok sa buwan kung mamahalin pa rin sya ni Ramcel. Napaswerte nyang sya pa rin ang itinitibok ng puso nito. Ramcel’s heart never stopped loving her.

Hindi man ito maniwala, pero gagawin nya ang lahat para mapatunayan kay Ramcel na tanging ito lamang ang nagmamay-ari ng puso nya.

“Sabi nga ng kasabihan, nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa,” bulong sa kanya ni Helena habang nakatitig pa rin sya kay Ramcel, na noo’y katatapos lamang kumanta at umani ng standing ovation mula sa mga bisita.

Napatingin sya kay Helena. “Kung gusto mong manalo sa lotto, kailangan mong tumaya,” dugtong pa nitong nangingiti. “Kung gusto mong makuha ulit si Ramcel, ligawan mo.”

That’s what Monica said too. But what if it was too soon? Lagi pa ring sumasagi sa isipan nya ang conversation nila ni Ramcel sa isla. Sinabi nitong pagod na itong mahalin sya. “But you held hands yesterday,” her mind pointed out. “Not to mention you had sex with her before going to Spain!”

“We made love!” Kontra nya sa sarili nya.

“Talaga? Nagsex na kayo?” Helena whispered with delight.

“Shit!” Again?! What’s wrong with her mouth?!

Helena smiled knowingly. Nagpapasalamat si Victoria sa make-up nya dahil hindi nahalatang nagblush sya. Mukhang aasarain pa sana sya nito ngunit hindi na nito naituloy dahil nakalapit na sa kanila si Ramcel, na agad umupo sa tabi nya at nag-umpisang kumain.

Nang matapos ang reception ng kasal, she spent taking pictures outside with Jenny and Joshua. Noong una’y nag-aalangan pang lumapit si Victoria kay Tita Jo, ang Mommy ni Ramcel. But she was worried for nothing dahil niyakap sya nito nang mahigpit. Bakit ba napakabuti ng pamilya ni Ramcel sa kanya?

Naglakad sya kasama nina Ramcel sa tabing dagat. Tinanggal at iniwan na lang nila ang kanilang mga high heels sa buhangin. Kahit nakasuot pa rin ng kani-kanilang gowns, para silang mga batang naghabulan at nagkulitan. Nakisali pa sa kanila si Jenny, na suot pa rin ang wedding gown nito.

They took a lot of pictures. Nagpakuha din silang tatlo nina Ramcel at Jenny. Victoria was thrilled when Ramcel agreed to have a selfie with her. May kuha din sila nitong nakaakbay ito sa kanya kaya hindi naiwasang tuksuhin sila ng mga kaibigan.

Victoria was suddenly playful so she had Helena took a picture of her and Ramcel with the blue sea and the distant mountain as the backdrop. Ramcel put her arms on her shoulder. Victoria suddenly placed a kiss on Ramcel’s cheek as Helena snapped the picture.

Ramcel stiffened. The smile on her lips vanished. Uh oh! Mukhang napasobra ata sya. Helena was also suddenly nervous.

“I’m sorry. Excuse me,” Ramcel said then walked away.

Mabilis itong naglakad palayo sa kanila. Nagkatinginan sila ni Helena.

“Anong nangyari?” Lumapit sa kanila si Samantha.

“Nagalit yata sakin,” malungkot na sabi ni Victoria. “I’ll go talk to her and apologize.”

Tumakbo na si Victoria para mahabol si Ramcel, na noo’y saktong nakapara ng isang staff ng resort na nagd-drive ng golf cart like vehicle. Binilisan ni Victoria ang pagtakbo kaya nagawa nyang makasakay at makaupo sa tabi ni Ramcel bago pa makaalis ang cart.

Walang kibo si Ramcel during the ride going back to their casa. Nakatingin lang ito sa unahan. Ni hindi sya nito tinatapunan nang tingin. Victoria could see beads of sweat on Ramcel’s temple. She had the urge to wipe it but Ramcel might get upset more.

As soon as the golf cart stopped, Ramcel immediately got off. Sumunod si Victoria. Doon nya napansing pareho silang barefoot nito dahil naiwan ang kanilang mga high heels sa beach. Ramcel punched the door’s pass code and entered.

“Ram, can we talk?”

Pero tila hindi sya nito narinig. Dire-diretso itong umakyat sa wooden staircase patungong second floor. Nagmadali nitong binuksan ang kwarto nito. Laking pasalamat nya dahil hindi nito ni-lock ang pinto.

“Wait Ram, mag-usap naman tayo o.” Nahawakan nya ito sa braso.

“Vi…I can’t…talk right now,” tila hirap nitong sabihin at iwinaksi ang pagkakahawak nya sa braso nito.

“I’m sorry. Nabigla lang ako. I was just caught up in the moment. Please don’t think I was taking advantage of you. Alam kong gusto mo lang maging magkaibigan tayo at naiintindihan ko yun…”

Frustrated na tinalikuran sya ni Ramcel. Pumasok ito sa banyo sabay lock ng pinto. “Ram, mag-usap naman tayo.” Natatakot syang baka ipagtulakan na naman sya nito palayo. She hated herself for wanting more from Ramcel. Dapat nga sigurong makuntento na lang syang maging magkaibigan na lamang sila. “Ram…if you want us to just be friends, I will accept that. Just please talk to me and don’t push me away. Ram…” Kinatok nya ito. “Please talk to me. Ram…Ram…” Sunod-sunod ang katok nya.

Nagulat pa sya nang biglang bumukas ang pinto at iniluwa nun ang inis na inis na si Ramcel. “Can’t you leave me in peace?!” She was really irritated.

“Gusto ko lang namang mag-usap tayo, Ram.”

“I know…but can you leave me alone for now? I just want to poop!” Pinandilatan sya nito.

“But Ram…” Natigilan si Vi. “Wait, what?”

Pinamulan ng mukha si Ramcel. “Vi, I’m not going to push you away. I’m not mad because you kissed me. But please, can you leave me in peace. For now,” she said slowly trying to make her understand. “Masakit ang tiyan ko. Humihilab. Gusto ko lang gumamit ng banyo!”

Napatitig si Victoria sa magandang mukha ni Ramcel, na noo’y inis pa ring nakatingin sa kanya. When Victoria was able to process what she just heard, she burst out laughing. “That’s for eating a lot.” Ang dami nitong nakaing ensaymada kagabi kahit marami na itong kinain during dinner. Sinabihan nya ito to stop eating pero hindi ito nagpaawat.

“Ngayon tatawa-tawa ka? Lagot ka talaga sakin.” Ramcel looked like she wanted to murder her but Victoria kept laughing. “Fuck!” Napahawak ito sa tiyan nito. “Leave me alone!” Lalong tumawa si Victoria nang pumasok ulit ito sa banyo at naglock.

Habang nasa loob pa ito ng banyo, nagbihis muna sa kwarto nya si Victoria. She took off her halter and put on a black two piece bathing suit. Pinatungan na lang nya ng sleeveless tops at denim shorts. Nagtext kasi si Helena na sumunod silang dalawa sa pool.

Binalikan nya si Ramcel, na noo’y nakaupo sa edge ng kama. Victoria sat beside her then gently caressed her face. “Are you okay?”

Ramcel forced a smile. “Medyo nanghihina lang.” Inihilig nito ang ulo sa balikat nya. “I still want your ensaymada though.”

Natawa sya. “Ang takaw mo talaga,” naiiling nyang sabi. But seeing Ramcel weak, swimming was out the question. “Why don’t you take off your gown and put on something comfortable. We didn’t get enough sleep last night. Magpahinga muna tayo. Sabihan ko na lang si Helena na hindi na tayo makakasunod.”

“Tayo? Bakit pati ikaw?” Napakunot ang noong sabi ni Ramcel. “Don’t mind me. Why don’t you join them?”

“I prefer snuggling with you,” tugon nya kaya nag-angat ito ng ulo saka tumitig sa mga mata nya.

Ramcel smirked. “What if I don’t want to snuggle with you?”

Tinaasan nya ito ng kilay. “You don’t have a choice,” mataray nyang sabi rito. “Let’s take off your dress.”

“Ayoko! Gusto mo lang akong silipan eh.” Umusog ito ng konti palayo sa kanya.

“Ano pang sisilipin ko, Ram? Nakita ko na lahat yan.” Pinipigilang tumawa ni Victoria saka umusog naman sya palapit rito. “Bestfriends naman tayo di ba? Huwag ka ng mahiya.”

“No! Go away!” Ramcel exclaimed in mock anger.

Natawa na lang si Victoria dahil para silang bata ni Ramcel, na napangiti na rin. Tinawagan na lang nya si Helena para sabihing hindi sila makakasunod dahil masama ang pakiramdam ni Ramcel.

“Kunwari pa kayo. Magsi-se…” Pinutol na ni Victroria ang tawag bago pa matapos ni Helena ang sasabihin nito lalo at nag-init ang mukha nya nang naka-underwear na lang si Ramcel, na naghahanap ng masusuot sa closet. Nakakaakit naman kasi ang katawan nito.

Ramcel was unaware of her sudden desire. Victoria had to look away. Nag-init rin kasi bigla ang pakiramdam nya. Gusto nyang tanggalin ang kasusuot lang nitong t-shirt at shorts.

Then for some reason, she imagined some other girl taking off those clothes from Ramcel. She was enraged. Iniisip pa lang nyang may ibang babaing hahalik rito, parang hindi na nya kakayanin. Hindi nya kayang mapunta si Ramcel sa iba. Many people would think she wasn’t worthy of Ramcel’s love but she was ready to prove how much she loved her. Wala na syang pakialam sa iniisip ng iba. Ang mahalaga ay si Ramcel.

Victoria closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Ram…” Napatitig ito sa kanya lalo nang makita nitong seryoso sya. “Are you dating anyone?”

“N-No.” 

“Excluding me, do you like someone in particular? I mean, romantically?”

Nagtataka na ito sa mga tinatanong nya. “I…I don’t.”

“What about Crystal?”

“She’s just my friend,” Ramcel answered frowning. Tinaasan nya ito ng kilay. “I already told you we are not fuck buddies!” Inunahan na sya nito dahil yun ang kasunod nyang tanong. “Why are you asking me these questions?”

Tinitigan nya ito sa mga mata. “I love you, Ram,” she told her with all sincerity. Natigilan ito sa sinabi nya. Kung noon nagagalit ito at hindi naniniwala, ngayon may nakita syang kislap sa mga mata nito. She saw longing in her grayish eyes. But there was still fear and hesitation. “I know that you love me too.” Hindi ito nagsalita pero hindi rin nito itinanggi. “I know you don’t trust me yet but please give me a chance. Hayaan mo akong iparamdam sayo kung gaano kita kamahal hanggang sa tanggapin mo ako ulit. Kahit habam-buhay, Ram, handa akong maghintay sayo.”

Ramcel looked thoughtful. Pinagmasdan lamang sya nito. Marahil ina-analyze nito kung seryoso sya. Lihim syang nag-usal ng dasal na sana bigyan sya nito nang pagkakataon.

Maya-maya umiling si Ramcel sabay ngumiti nang bahagya. “Liligawan mo ko, ganun ba?” She looked amused.

“Yes.”

Tumawa ito pero biglang tumigil nang makita nitong seryoso sya. “Seriously?”

“Yes, I’m serious, Ram. Mula ngayon liligawan na kita.” Tumingin sya sa mga mata nito para ipakitang gagawin nga nya ang mga sinabi. “Kaya halika na, magsnuggle na tayo.” Hinila na nya ito patungo sa kama. Humiga na sya saka itinuro ang space sa tabi nya. “What are you waiting for?” Nakatayo pa ito sa gilid ng kama at hindi makapaniwala sa mga nangyayari.

Hinila na lang nya ito sa kama kaya napilitan na itong humiga sa tabi nya saka sya yumakap rito.

“For someone na nanliligaw you sure are demanding,” komento ni Ramcel.

Ipinikit ni Victoria ang mga mata at dinama ang init ng katawan nito. “That’s my style.”

“Style? Do you even know how to? Saka uso pa ba ang ligaw ngayon?”

Victoria opened her eyes and smiled. “Kung hindi na pala uso, eh di tayo na?”

“In your dreams, Vi.”

“I’m sure you’ll see me in your dreams,” malambing nyang sabi at sumiksik dito.

Ramcel chuckled.