That One Match

Chapter 29

"BAKIT hindi iyong anak nyo ang pagsabihan nyo?"

Hindi ko alam kung saang parte ng pagkatao ko hinugot ang lakas ng loob para magsalita. I should have let her leave me in that dark road. Hindi na dapat ako nagsalita o kumontra pa. Hindi na sana lumala pa ang lahat.

—

"I knew it! Hindi ka na naman nya titigilan!"

Kanina pa pabalik-balik ng lakad si Heptane sa loob ng opisina ko.

"You lose all of your clients in just one night. You're only left with Blank's wedding. Paano ka na?"

Trion was crossing his arms on the couch. Hexion isn't here with us because he has prior commitments. Itong dalawang ito lang ang agad na sumalubong sa akin pagkabalik ko galing La Union.

"Have you called Dad?"

I turned my head and asked Heptane.

"Yes. There is nothing to worry about his work."

Gumaan bahagya ang pakiramdam ko.

"Alam mo, sa tingin ko talaga hindi ka titigilan ng Mrs. Alfonzo na iyan hangga't sa di nya nakukuha ang gusto nya."

Heptane sounded so pissed and done. I could see her controlling her anger. Kung titingnan, sa aming dalawa, sya itong gigil na gigil.

Deep inside me, I am also feeling rage. Nagagalit ako pero ayokong magpadala lang sa galit. Last night's serious conversation with Blank's mother had me a lot of thinking to do.

"What are you planning to do now?"

I stopped playing with the pen and looked back at the window behind me where the road is in clear sight.

Whatever decision I make, his mom will still try to ruin me. Malapit man ako o malayo sa anak nya, she will still ran after me. I had enough of running and hiding, and playing games. This is not going to stop unless I do something.

I understand her madness over me. Hindi ko masisisi si Mrs. Alfonzo kung bakit di nya ako magawang tanggapin sa buhay ng anak nya. She wanted a perfect family and I am obviously someone who will taint her family's legacy. Unfair to me, though. I wasn't the mistress of her husband but she is blaming it all to me. She loathes me. She hates me. She will never forgive me.

Muli kong inikot ang upuan at hinarap ang dalawa.

Enough is enough, tho.

"I'm going to fight— I'll fight for both of us."

"PENTALITICIA!"

Heptane shouted. Galit sya sa sinabi ko.

"You will be in bigger trouble if you do that. Hindi pa ba sapat na tinatakot ka ng ina nya?"

Naiintindihan ko naman kung bakit ganito na lang ang galit niya. I can't blame Heptane. If she is in my shoes and I am in her's, I will not allow my best friend to take a risk and fight.

"I'm done running, Hept. I tried. Ilang beses na akong sumubok na kalimutan si Blank, na iwasan sya, na hiawalayan sya—" Napabuga ako ng hininga. "But I always find myself stuck in his world. Kahit na ano pa man ang gawin ko, anumang desisyon ang piliin ko, she will come after me because his son loves me. And based on how Blank went after me last night, sigurado akong mas pursigido sya ngayong magbalikan kami."

"Pero hindi basta-basta ang ina nya, Pent. She will ruin you— like literally lahat na meron ka, sisirain nya!"

She brushed her hair in anger.