The Way I Loved You

Chapter 3.

Chapter 3

Flashback

Nasa school ako, I was on the verge of crying because I felt so sad having no one by my side. Sobrang daming school works and projects, my so-called friends are busy having the time of their lives habang ako, I'm doing the project that is supposed to be the class project, I just can't neglect it because I don't want to suffer the consequences of being irresponsible like them

Baby calling...

"Hello?" I answered in a low tone of voice.

"Hi, baby,nasa waiting area ako sa gate ng school niyo, meet me here, let's eat outside", napaluha na talaga ako nang marinig ko ang boses niya. He knows when I need him the most.

"Okay po, papunta na po ako", habang naglalakad ay malayo palang tanaw ko na ang boyfriend ko. Tall, tan and handsome, I missed him kahit every week naman kami nagkikita.

"Hello, baby", he smiled then hugged me, pinigilan ko maluha dahil I don't wanna spoil this moment.

"So saan tayo kakain?", I asked him. Naglakad kami habang nakaakbay siya.

"Wherever my baby wants to", he kissed my temple.

I felt secured, safe and happy beside him. He is my comfort, I love feeling the love from him. He is just so kind and caring to me, kahit na sometimes nag-aaway kami kasi puro siya xbox at nawawalan siya ng time kausapin ako. Pero kapag bumawi naman siya sobra sobra.

Those are the happiest moments of my life.

Present

"Reg"

"Danice"

"What are you doing here?" we said in unison. I cleared my throat.

I heard the door opened,

"Teka, sunduin ko lang si Reg sa labas ha--Oh, nandito na pala siya", hinila naman ni Terry si Reg papasok sa VIP room.

Huminga ako ng malalim, this can't be. I felt like my knees became jelly that anytime I will fall. Napahawak ako sa pader, muntik na ako mapamura sa nararamdaman ko.

"What is this? Ilang taon na lumipas, tumigil ka, Dani", I whispered to myself.

Muli nanamang bumukas ang pinto, but this time si Tan ang lumabas. I composed myself and then smiled.

"Are you done sa phone call? Kakain na tayo, pinaserve na ni Tammy yung food", tumango nalang ako sakanya at sumunod na sa loob.

Tumayo si Terry at hinila ako papalapit kay Reg.

"This is our cousin Regan that I was talking about earlier. Regan, meet Dani, Dani meet Regan", pakiramdam ko ay tutumba ako sa nangyayari. Pero pinaalalahanan ko ang sarili ko na iayos ang kilos ko, hindi ako dapat ganito sa harap ng kahit na sino. I am a respected Psychologist.

I was about to give my hand for the handshake, when he spoke...

"I know her", Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig sa sinabi niya. Rinig na rinig ko ang tibok ng puso ko. Napatingin ako sa mga kasama namin. Kung nagulat ako, mas nagulat sila. I was shocked, so are they.

"Really? How?", Terry asked.

"Naku, baka naman isa sa mga pasyente ni Doc Dani yang si Regan", biro ni Tammy.

Natawa naman ang lahat sa sinabi ni Tammy, I laughed and it sounded fake.

"No, she's actually my ex-girlfriend", he boldly said.

The audacity to say.

"Is it true, Dani? OMG", naupo ako sa tabi ni Tan bago tumango.

"So when, where and how? I mean, Dani, you've been a family friend since then pero wala kang nababanggit sa amin, how come hindi namin ito nalaman?", usisa ni Tammy.

Hindi ko talaga akalain na mapupunta ako sa sitwasyon na ito. This is too much to handle, but, I should handle well.

"Naging kami before ko makilala si Tan, also break na kami noong time na 'yon kaya hindi ko na nababanggit or anything", I answered, I sounded very calm, I think?

"So bakit kayo nag break?"

"Tammy", sabay na sabi ni Terry at Tan.

Para bang narinig ng langit ang hiling ko, biglang dumating ang mga servers ni Tammy dala ang mga pagkain.

"I missed the food here, Tammy", Margaux cut the silence. We started eating, and luckily, Margaux changed the topic to their wedding preps.

The food is so delicious, but I don't think I enjoyed eating since I was very uncomfortable knowing that Reg is here.

"Wala na tayong problema when it comes sa food, Tammy's resto will cater the event. And then, sa transpo bahala na si Reg, and for the venue si Dani, how about you Tan, anong ambag mo?" pabirong sabi ni Terry. Nagkatinginan kami at natawa si Tan, I felt so lucky kasi katabi ko si Tan and he's making me feel so comfortable.

"Ako na bahala sa flowers for the wedding, lahat sa farm ko nalang kukuhanin", Tan said.

"You'll be needing a lot of flowers since Margaux loves them so much", I said to him and then look at Margaux, she winked at me.

"You really know me, Sis Dani", I winked back at her.

"Alam mo, sobrang bagay niyo talaga ni Tan, you always have his back, tapos kilalang kilala niyo na isa't isa, hays, sana ako din", pumangalumbaba si Tammy na para bang nag de-daydream siya.

"So, Tan and Dani?" lumingon kami lahat kay Reg. Inakbayan ako ni Tan na para bang sinasabing we're really together.

"Matagal na sila, Regan. Actually, the family met Dani already and they loved her, so so much. Pinipilit na nga nila ipakasal sila eh", nagulat ako sa sinabi ni Tammy pero parang mas nagulat si Reg dahil muntik na niyang maibuga yung iniinom niya.

May nag ring na cellphone bago pa ako makapag salita.

"Excuse me, I'll just answer this", Reg went outside to answer the call.

"Hahaha, naniwala nanaman siya", Tammy laughed so hard when Reg wasn't in the room.

"Ano ka ba, Tammy", natatawa ring sabi ni Margaux.

"Eh 'di ba, matagal na naiinggit si Reg kay Tan," tinapik ni Tan sa kamay si Tammy, " totoo naman ah, naalala ko nung mga bata tayo, they would always compare them. Laging, buti pa si Tan ganto ganyan, at the age of ganto ganyan successful, while Reg, he's still confused sa kung anong gusto niyang path", napayuko ako sa sinabi ni Tammy.

Tammy is right, when I met Reg, he is indeed confused sa gusto niyang gawin. Sa lahat ng bagay actually confused siya, baka nga pati sa relasyon namin noon ganoon din siya.

"Huy, no offense, Dani, ha", baling sakin ni Tammy.

" Wala 'yon, sobrang tagal na naming naghiwalay, siguro may 8 years na rin?" sagot ko sakanya.

Yes, 8 years and 2months to be exact.

Biglang bumukas ang pinto at pumasok si Reg.

"Guys, mauna na ako ha, may biglaan lang kailangan asikasuhin, I'll just call you, Terry, for the infos para sa mga kailangan sa kasal mo ha", nagmamadaling umalis si Reg.

After the lunch isa-isa na rin kaming nagsialisan to do our own businesses.