One-Shot Compilation

SURPRISE ANNIVERSARY

Starring: Trina and Zacchary with Alysse
Former title: Surprise

Ngayon ang 3rd Anniversary namin ni Zack, ang boyfriend ko. I want to surprise because it's always him who makes effort and such. I am sure, this will be a memorable day. I decided na mag set ng isang carpet na pang picnic sa beach ng family namin to make it different compare to our previous ones. I want him to be surprised and to make him happy.

Nagpatulong ako sa mga pinsan ko sa pag se-set. It feels heaven doing something for that special someone. To remind  all of you, gender has nothing to do when it comes to surprises nor sacrifices. It won't make you less of a man or woman doing the moves that the society has categorized whether it is for girls or boys.

I asked them to put a banner, "Happy 3rd Anniversary, Love!"

Sariwa ang hangin at maganda ang panahon. The scenery is captivating with the sounds of the waves roaring in the whole place. I decided to call him para papuntahin siya sa condo ko at susunduin siya ng pinsan ko para sabihing may outing kami na kasama siya.

Calling Zack...

"Hello, Zack?" I tried to be casual. I want to greet him personally kaya pag tumawag ako kunyari 'di ko naalala ang mahalagang araw naming dalawa. I planned everything yesterday night and I have this guts telling me that this day will be so much surprising.

"L-love?" he replied. I sense the confusion in his voice lie he didn't remember our anniversary, or maybe he is going to surprise me.

"Pwede kang pumunta ng condo ko?" I softky asked and smiled.

"I'm sorry, Love. I can't go there. I'm sick," mababa ang boses niyang sabi. He's actually good in acting, huh?

"Okay, I love y-" hindi pa natatapos ang sasabhin ko ng binabaan ako nito. I calmed myself.

What the hell, Zack!

I know him too well. He's that kind of person whose full of surprise. I know that he will come, he's just preparing. Well, he better come or else. War.

Habang umiikot ako ay nakita ko ang isang pamilyar na pigura. Agad akong napangiti. I knew it. He won't just decline me.

Yes, he came.

I run towards him at yumakap ako. Nanlaki ang mga mata nito. Kumunot ang noo ko. Why?

"Trina!" he nervously uttered. Yumakap siya pabalik. I grabbed his arm gently and brought him to the place where I prepared everything for him.

"Surpise, Love!"

Todo ang ngiti ngunit napansin kong may pag aalinlangan ito. May isang babae ang tumatakbo papunta sa aming direksyon. I smiled. It must be her sister, Azalea.

"It's wonderful, Zack! Thank you, Love," her small voice said. "I love you, Zack."

Unti-unting napawi ang ngiti ko at napatingin kay Zack. Napabitaw ako sa kanya at hindi makapaniwalang tumingin sa kanya.

He came, but not for me.

He did but, for her.

Damn, not for me?

"Zack, anong ibig sabihin nito?"

Marahan akong napalunok at nanlalambot na napatingin sa kanya. He wrapped his arms around my waist and held my cheeks.

"I-im sorry, Trina."

Sorry?

Sorry for what?!

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Alysse at napayuko. Mapakla akong tumawa. I was stupid.

"Really, Zack? Alysse?" mahina kong sabi at napahilamos. "Sabihin mo! Siya ba ang dahilan kaya lagi ka nalang hindi pwede?!" tumaas ang boses ko at tumingin sa kanilang dalawa.

"I'm sorry..sorry, Trina."

Ano pa bang magagawa ng sorry? Magagawa ba ng sorry na yan na tanggalin ang sakit na nararamdaman ko? Hindi naman, e. Napapikit ako at marahas na bumuntong hininga.

"T-trina," she muttered but I stepped backwards.

"Don't you dare touch me, Alysse," pagbabanta ko at mariing tumingin sa kanya. "I won't hurt you. Just, don't come near me."

I love Alysse so much, she's my cousin and I almost treat her as my own sister pero bakit niya nagawa ang bagay na ito? Sila ni Zack?

Am I not enough?

Napahilamos ako. Ang sakit sakit. I have of thousands of words running in my mind but, none of those came out from my mouth. Zack, my first of everything. I've never expected that our long years in a relationship will end just because he cheated.

I badly want to hurt them but hurting them means hurting myself. Mas gusto ko lang tapusin 'to ng maayos. Kahit masakit.

Hinanda ko ang sarili at sinulyapan sila. Maya maya lang ay nagsimula namang pumalibot ang luha sa aking mata.

"Happy third anniversary, Zack on the both of us," nakangiting sabi ko, bumaling naman ako sa pinsan ko. "And also to the both of you," my voice cracked as I look at them with pain in my eyes.

"We didn't intend to hurt you, I'm really sorry, Trina," umiiyak na sabi ni Alysse.

Unintentional and sorry, seriously? Who would believe that? Cheating is not something you said sorry for, after doing it. It damage your entire life gaining insecurities and what ifs in your mind.

"Do you think I am a fool?" I asked coldly. "Please, ayaw kong masaktan kita, Alysse, don't say sorry and don't cry," I added and glanced at Zack.

Huminga ako ng malalim bago tumingin sa lalaking una kong minahal at patuloy tuloy na minamahal. I can't be with you the way we are before. I love you but you cheated...with my cousin. I can forgive you but we will never together. And I won't wish for a second chance.

"Trina, I'm sorry," he uttered. nakita ko ang pag aalala niya sa kanyang mata ngunit hindi na tulad ng dating kumikislap sa pagmamahal.

Stay still tears, konting tiis na lang.

"Zack, don't say sorry. I badly want to punch you, and hurt you as much as you did. But, I can't. Ayaw kong masaktan ang sarili ko at siya," tinuro ko si Alysse. "Protect that girl and be happy."

"One more thing I'm breaking up with you," I continued and smiled bitterly.

Siguro ito na talaga ang plano ng mundo sa amin at wala akong kontrol para muling ibalik ang panahon na kami pa, masaya.

Napapikit ako dinamdam ang pagdampi ng hangin sa aking balat at mabilis na tumakbo palayo kanila kasabay nang pagtulo ng luhang kanina pa nagbabadya.

"Trina!"

Don't turn your head, you'd already hurt yourself too much, don't make it hard for you, Trina. You just met him but he is not meant for you.

"For the last time, Zack. I love you and Happy Anniversary."

What a great surprise. So, memorable.

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Written: 03/14/20
Revision: 08/17/20
Published: 08/17/20