Stolen Chances

Chapter 30

Nang magring ang cellphone ko ay kaagad akong napatigil sa pag-iyak at naaalala ang kagagahang nagawa ko. Nasaktan ko na si Bagyo. Now, how will I face Kuya when I am currently having second thought?

Sinagot ko ang tawag. It was not Kuya Rob but Kulog.

"Ariella, bumaba ka na bago ka pa mapigilan ni Storm."

"How could I think of leaving him?"

I sobbed.

"Listen to me, Ariella. You need to let go. He called me to give you up awhile ago. So please cooperate."

Hindi ako nagsalita. He sighed on the other line.

"Fine! I'm coming up for you."

Nabitawan ko ang cellphone ko at ang tanging narinig ko nalang ay ang pagkabasag niyon na kagaya ng pagkabasag ng mga puso namin ni Bagyo. I sat on the floor - tears still flowing from my eyes - blurring my vision. Nakatulala lang ako sa kisame habang walang humpas ang aking mga luha sa pagpatak. I couldn't feel anything but the pain inside my heart.

Bakit ba nangyayari ito sa amin?

Narinig ko ang mga yapak ni Kulog pero hindi ko iyon napagtuonan ng pansin dahil masyado akong nasasaktan. I wanted to take away the pain but I don't have the right to. I've hurted Bagyo enough and I'm not worthy of stopping the pain I am feeling. I just said yes to his proposal and then I broke his heart for the next hours. How heartless can I be?

Kulog cupped my face. There's worriness in his eyes. Napapalunok siya habang nakatitig sa akin. His eyes were bloodshot na para bang naiiyak rin siya sa sitwasyon ko. He looks like he pity us or he pity the situation we're in.

"God, what happen to you, Ariella?"

Pumatak ang luha ko. Ang sakit sakit.

"I'm hurting Kulog. I am in pain. I couldn't take the pain anymore. Can you stop the pain?"

"Please stop the pain, Savior. I might die."

Nanghihinang bulong ko sa kaniya. He hugged me before giving my forehead a peck.

"I'll try to stop the pain, Ariella. Please stop crying. You're killing me."

And then I've felt him carrying me in his arms. I didn't budge cause what's the point? I already decided to hurt Bagyo and so this is the consequences - seeing the bloody life in Ithaca again.

Umiiyak lang ako habang pababa ng hagdan si Kulog buhat-buhat ako.

I saw Bagyo's bloodshot eyes looking at us in my peripheral vision. I looked away and averted my gaze to Tita Abe who was looking at me.

"If you find the answer you were looking for, ijah. I hope... I just hope you still love my Knight by that time. Mag-iingat ka, Ariella."

Mas lalo akong napaluha sa sinabi ni Tita. In our world, the only one who understand Bagyo and me was Tita Abe.

Nilagpasan siya ni Kulog. Tiningnan ko ulit si Bagyo and right now, he was looking at me with those lonely eyes. I was hoping he'll refrain me from going.

One word Bagyo and I'll go to you and I'll never leave you. Just one word, please.

I waited for him to stop Kulog and steal me away. I waited but he didn't say anything. Pinikit ko ang mga mata ko dahil hindi ko kayang makita ang paunti-unting pagliit ng kaniyang pigura sa aking paningin.

Binaba ako ni Kulog sa buhanginan. Sa may tabing dagat pala sila nagland. It was still raining, no it was storm and thunders attacking our world. Nang maramdaman ko ang basang buhanginan ay doon lang bumuhos ang mga luha ko. This will be the last time that I'll be feeling the sand in my feet. Kasi pagkatapos nito ay alam kong paniguradong hindi na ako makakalabas pa ng kulungan na iyon. Muntik na akong mabuwal sa kawalan ng lakas kung hindi lang ako natakbo ni Alikabok. Sinalo niya ako. Basang-basa kaming lahat ng ulan. Ngayon ko lang rin nakita na kasama din nila ang Papa ni Bagyo na matamang nakatingin lang sa akin. Naaawa siguro siya sa sitwasyon ko dahil mukha akong basang sisiw.