Make It Without You

Chapter Nine: Ray of Sunshine

Pagpasok ni Billy at ng kambal sa condo lobby, naghihintay na sa kanila sina Sputnik at Mikael. Binuhat agad ni Sputnik si Gavin na mukhang pinipilit na lang na idilat ang mga mata para makalakad. Pagkasandal niya sa balikat ni Sputnik, pumikit agad siya. Si Mikael naman, kinuha kay Billy ang mga gamit nung kambal.

"Anong nangyari Billy? Akala ko matatagalan pa kayo eh, tapos bigla kang nagtext na sunduin namin kayo," Sputnik asked as they waited for the elevator.

Sighing, Billy waved him off apologetically. Pagod na pagod siya kahit na umupo lang naman sila sa office at kotse ni Gabo. "I'll tell you guys later," sabi niya.

Inisip niya ang sinabi kay Gabo. He looked so defeated. Was I too harsh? Hindi naman di ba? Nasaktan niya yung dalawang bata. Yun na yun ang sinabi kong huwag niyang gagawin. Billy took a deep breath. But I've never seen him so crushed... Bakit parang pati ako nasasaktan?

Together, Billy and Sputnik put the twins to bed. Pagkatapos, over wine, Billy narrated what happened earlier that day to Sputnik and Mikael.

"Kung ano pa kasi yung number one na sabi kong huwag na huwag niyang gagawin, ginawa niya agad!" an exasperated Billy said. "Buti nga kumalma naman yung mga bata. Napagod na lang sa kaiiyak. My poor babies."

Nagkatinginan sina Sputnik at Mikael. "Billy," sabi ni Sputnik. "Can I be honest?" Tumango si Billy. "Based on what you said happened, I think you're being too hard on the guy. You know the situation is out of his control, right? Hindi niya naman kasalanan na umabot ng ganun katagal yung pag-ayos ng problema. Alam mo yan, nangyayari talaga yang mga ganyan sa trabaho," sabi ni Sputnik.

Mikael nodded in agreement. "Saka ikaw naman yung nagvolunteer sa kanya na sasama kayo sa planta. I'm sure he was also frustrated that he made you guys, especially the kids, wait for nothing," he said. "Kahit naman kakakilala lang niya kina Gavin at Brielle, hindi naman siya gagawa ng ikakalungkot nila on purpose."

"Ewan ko. Pero nung nakita ko kasi yung kambal na umiiyak kasi umasa sila, masakit eh," sagot ni Billy.

"Belinda, aminin mo nga. Binigyan mo lang ba ng chance si Gabo so you can cut him off as soon as he makes a mistake? And you'll justify to yourself na siya ang may kasalanan nun at hindi ikaw? Kasi to be honest, that's what's happening right now," Sputnik said to his best friend who was only looking back at him, trying to process his words.

"Remember, one time hindi rin ako nakapunta dun sa napromise ko na lakad with the twins kasi may biglaan akong client na kailangang i-bail? And that time na hindi nakaattend si Mik ng second birthday ng kambal kasi may emergency sa ospital! Hindi naman ganyan ang reaction mo noon ha. Hindi ka nagalit sa'min. Sabi mo pa nga, naiintindihan mo kasi the situation is out of our control. So anong pinagkaiba nung nangyari kanina? Dahil lang ba si Gabo yung involved?" Sputnik pressed on.

Frustrated, hinilamos ni Billy ang mukha gamit ang mga kamay. They're right and she knows it. "Ewan ko Sputnik, Mik. But my judgment is clouded when it comes to him," she admitted with a huge sigh. "Ewan. Ewan ko talaga."

Mikael touched her arm. "Then kausapin mo siya. Let him explain his side to you and your kids. Don't be unfair to him," he said.

That night, Billy had difficulty sleeping because of her thoughts. Heto na naman tayo Belinda eh. Utak, wag puso!

Pagkagising niya kinabukasan, pumunta agad siya sa kusina para magprepare ng breakfast. Paglapit niya sa ref, may nakita siyang nakadikit na note galing sa magjowa. Napailing at natawa na lang siya sa nakasulat:

We left early but don't forget to talk to Gabo. Makinig ka ha! And say sorry to him, too!

Love,
S&M ❤️