Paano Aaminin?

Then till now

This chapter is dedicated to Gwendalicious. The first person who commented about the plot of the story.
I love you girl!

______________________

Nakatingin ako sa orasan. It's 12 am here but it's still 9 pm in the Philippines. Gusto ko sanang ako yung unang taong bumati sa kanya kaso antok na antok na ko. Hindi ko na maiwasang ipikit yung mata ko.

At first halos araw araw kaming magkausap ni Shar. Kasama pa si Kisses kaso dumalang. Iba din kase maging uni student dito. I still have to prove that I can compete with our students.

Australia is a multicultural country pero di pa rin maiwasan yung racist miski sa faculty.

Kaya ito todo tutok ako.Yung once a day, naging once a week tapos naging once a month tapos every 2 months hanggang sa kung kaylan nalang kami magpang abot.

Naaupdate nalang kami sa isa't-isa through pictures at social media updates. Medyo crucial yung year na to dahil nagstart na din akong magintern. Internship, uni at work. Nagpapart time akong business analyst para sa isang IT company pero soon gusto kong makasama sa Big four kaya pinag susumikapan ko talaga.

Kahit gustuhin kong umuwi sa Pilipinas hindi ko rin magawa kase hindi din naman biro yung $1000 balikan. Kaysa iuwi ko, itatabi ko nalang for future purposes.

Ganoon din naman si Kisses. This year dahil sa sobrang kabusyhan bihira nalang din kaming magkita. Noong una okay pero ayun nga habang tumatagal it start to falter. Sabi namin kami yung magiging support system ng bawat isa however, it didn't last.

Because Kisses is a social butterfly she found her own social circle right away. Recently I just realise she's popular with her batchmates. Hindi ko gusto kung ano yung nangyayari. Muntik pa kong mapa away kanina.

I never imagine her to join university parties ng hindi ako kasama pero she still did. No harm done but I witness one of her classmates making a move on her and she doesn't seem to mind it.

Noong sitahin ko yung lalaki parang kasalanan ko pa. Sa akin siya nagalit saying I am not giving her enough time and attention and that she is fed up.

I feel shitty while I am driving her back to her dorm. Wala kaming imikan.

On my way home, I unconsciously looked at my passenger seat and I remember Shar.

For some reason I remembered how she diss me about being the perfect leading man and she says I only drive a motor bike so I won't be count as one and I stupidly told her I will ignore her once I manage to own a car.

Here I am and I wish she's here. Upon arrival I saw a notification. I was reminded that her birthday is tomorrow.

Kaya naisipan kong batiin siya kahit pa baka hindi na siya magreply gawa na rin ng kabusyhan. I saw her post here and there. Her schedule is hectic. Ang malupit pa hindi siya tumigil sa pagbabanda.

Isang oras pa bago mag alas dose sa Pinas kaya nagbrowse ako ng webtoons. Isa sa pampalipas oras namin ni Shar dati. After ko masundan yung updates may kalahating oras pa na natitira. I decided to scroll to through her timeline.

Shar, she's dressing up now. Hindi na simpleng ripped jeans, rubber shoes at Tshirt ang suot niya. She started to wear dresses and stylish feminine clothing. She became prettier.

Para kong tanga na nag iistalk. Offline parin naman kase siya. Hanggang sa makarating ako sa year 2000 photos namin. Jejemon days.

Aminado ko, I miss her. Wala kaseng ibang kayang magpatahimik ng pag ooverthinking ko kundi si Shar lang.

I sighed when I saw a guy named Ricci Rivero posted a birthday greeting. His caption says

Ma'am Shar. Malayo mararating mo. Wherever you go I will support you. Kapit lang. Ang swerte ko dahil naambunan pa rin ako ng pansin mo... shit ang corny ko. No more long greetings. You know I am one call away. I will always rush to wherever you are

Wala pang minuto may mga nagcomment na.

"Road to forever? Mvp girl and Mvp boy for pairing? Ano to? Wala bang pinagkakaabalahan tong mga taong to?" Sunod sunod yung comment.

"Gwapo mo sir, maganda si ma'am. Bagay na bagay my ass. E parang kala mo durugista. Anlalim ng eyebags. Yan ba yung gwapo?"

Out of annoyance. I posted a picture of me and Shar with scribbles on her face while sleeping.

I captioned:

Saktong araw kung kaylan ka ipinanganak. The first time I saw you  sabi ko ang pangit mo muka kang Pikachu. You were crying so hard that time but the moment I held your tiny hand, you automatically stop. You smiled and I said you are the prettiest baby I have ever seen. I missed you so much and I can't wait to see you again. It's been three years. Konti nalang Sharbet darating na si kuya at ikaw ang una kong hahanapin. I may not be close and we may not be able to talk om daily basis but I just want you to know, I never stop thinking of you. Happiest birthday to you love.

Madrama na kung madrama. I hit the word 'post'

After I post that I received a video call from Shar so I accept it.

"Uy Dons ano yun!" Natawa siya.

"Birthday greeting. Late kita nabati last year kaya bumawi ako. How are you there?"

"Australian accent ba yang napipick up ko sa'yo?" Tuloy pa rin siya sa tawa.

"Ewan pero iniiba mo usapan. Asan ka ngayon? Bakit parang ang ingay?"

"Kasama ko sila Miles. Nasa labas kami"

"Happy birthday. I miss you" I saw her smile kahit medyo delayed yung call.

"I miss you too"

"Konti nalang uuwi na ko. I will see you soon.

"Kumusta si Kisses?" Tanong niya.

"Not so well Shar." Pag amin ko. "We had a fi-"

"Hi Donny!" Naputol yung sasabihin ko ng agawin ni Miles yung phone.

"Hi Miles" bati ko pabalik

"How are you there! Hoy wala kang paramdam! We found your carbon copy Ricci Rivero!"

"Mas gwapo naman ako ng tatlong ligo." Pag dideny ko. Not that guy. Kaylangan ng magpatingin ng mata ni Miles.

"At least si Ricci pwede kay Shar e ikaw waley may Kisses na" I didn't answer. I can't.

I hear noises from the background.

"Hi everyone. My name is Ricci. I don't really sing but just this time, for one special girl I will"

I don't like what I am hearing. Naghiyawan yung mga tao sa background.

"OMG Ricci! Gurl ikaw na ang haba ng hair mo" si Miles.

"Hoy Donny! Alam mo ba noong nawala ka after a year, Ricci showed up. Halos lahat sinasabi Donatong Donato yung dating pero mas makapal parin labi mo doncha worreh. Tatlong beses nireject ni Shar pero napaka persistent. Pang apat na ngayon." Dahil sa sobrang ligalig ni Miles gumalaw -nagsheshake yung video. Naringgan ko lang si Shar

"Hala nakakahiya. Parang tanga tong si Ricci. Ano ba yan ayoko. Tago niyo ko."

Binawi ni Shar yung phone from Miles "Donny tawagan kita ulit ha. Parang gago naman tong si Ricci."

"Wait Shar" kaso bago ko pa natapos yung sasabihin ko nag hang up na siya.

I was left dumbfounded. Nakatingin lang sa screen. "Ano yon? That's foul!" Hindi ko maiwasang maasar.

For the first time in my life. I felt scared at the thought of losing her to another guy. Sharlene... I hope she won't back down. Please don't say yes.

I hate this feeling. Something is happening and I can't do anything to stop it.