"But you're not my boyfriend."
"I was." He said, and my jaw dropped..
What.. the heck?!
"You what? H-how d-did you--" Naguluhang tanong ko. Hindi ko inasahan iyon, hindi ko napaghandaan ang isinagot niya. Nagpapanggap ako sa harapan niya but all this time alam niya na pala?
Unti-unti siyang humakbang palapit sa akin. Kumabog ang dibdib ko sa halo-halong emosyon. Gulat, sakit, pangungulila..
Kinuha niya ang aking kamay at mahigpit na hinawakan iyon habang hindi inaalis ang titig sa mga mata ko.
"I was your boyfriend but for me it's not. Because you're still my girlfriend. I never wanted to break up, I just wanted to give you space. It was so devastating when you left, I was so lost.. But you know what's even more frustrating? You don't even remember me now.."
"..and worse, you don't remember that I was a part of your life before you lost your memories. How could you easily forget about us like that, huh? How could you forget about me?" He looked at me and pain was evident in his eyes.
So he really believed that I lost my memories..
Should I tell him the truth? That I didn't forget about us. I didn't really forget him. And that he's still in my system, after all..
"I'm sorry, you forgot your phone--" Natigilang magsalita si Evans na kakababa lang sa tricycle nang makita ang ayos naming dalawa. Mukhang bumalik sila para ibalik ang siguro'y nahulog kong cellphone.
Palipat-lipat ang tingin niya sa amin. He then cleared his throat when his eyes directed to mine.
"Akin na." Inilahad ko ang palad ko. Ipinatong niya naman doon ang cellphone.
"Text me, later. I'll go now." Marahang aniya, I nodded in approval. He slid inside the tricycle again. Pinaningkitan niya pa ako ng mata bago umandar ang tricycle at makalayo.
Natahimik kaming pareho kahit nakaalis na ang tricy na sinakyan ni Evans. Ilang sandali pa'y siya na ang unang nagsalita para basagin ang katahimikan.
"Bakit kailangan mong magtext sa kaniya?"
Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kaniya. Bumuka ang labi ko para sa sasabihin pero walang lumabas na salita roon.
Umiling siya at pumikit ng mariin. "I'm sorry. I know you think I'm acting weird now but.. I don't want to lose you again." Hinila niya ako para sa isang mahigpit na yakap.
"Baby, please let me help you bring back your memories. Give me my chance please."
Umiling ako. Naramdaman kong natigilan siya dahil doon. Kumalas siya sa aming kayap at tinitigan ako ng may panlulumo.
I've been through a lot. I lost years finding myself again. But in those years I have healed, I stood up and continued to life my life as the better version of myself.
A lot changed, but one thing is for sure that I know hadn't change at all.. And that is my love for him.
"I'm sorry.." I shook my head and my tears fell slowly.
"I was hurt. But I realized that you were hurt, too.."
His forehead creased. He cocked his head to the side like he was processing what I said.
"I didn't know what to do then because I was blinded with pain and anger. I lost you. I lost everyone.."
"Nabulag ako sa pag-aakala kong niloko mo lang ako." Umawang ang labi niya. Tila ngayon lang niya nakuha ang mga sinasabi ko.
