Always

Admission & Forgiveness

Kristina

"Alin are you apologizing for accusing me of a relationship with Troy? Eh kung meron man wala ka nang pakialam dun." 

Pumunta ito sa kusina. Kumuha ng maiinom. Sinundan ko.

My goodness I miss this girl na ngayon eh nag-iinarte sa harapan ko.

Hinapit ko ito sa baywang paharap sa akin. Nagulat ito.

"Ano ba!? Kumalas ito sa pagkahawak ko at umupo."

"Joaquin, whatever it is that you are going to say sabihin mo na. I need to sleep marami pa akong trabaho bukas..."

"Alam ko na lahat Kristina."

Natigilan ako. Tiningnan ko si Joaquin.

"I know the truth... about you and Troy...na walang kayo." He sat down in front of me and held my hands. "Nakausap ko si Troy."

"I am so sorry. Maniwala ka I regret what I did."

I looked at him. "Okay I believe you." Inalis ko ang kamay ko sa pagkakahawak nya. "Can I go to sleep now? If you want you can use the guest room. Just don't forget to lock the doors. Good night."

But even before I can get up hinawakan nya ulit ako at inabot ang isang box mula sa bulsa ng pantalon.

"What's this?"

"Peace offering." He smiled. "Buksan mo."

I opened it and saw a Pandora necklace with a locket binuksan ko ito and saw our pictures when I was seven years old and he was eight.

"Ang ganda...but why are you giving me this?! Hindi ba dapat kay Isabelle mo ibigay ito?" I asked him.

"Mukha niya ba ang nakalagay diyan?"

"Well, hindi ba dapat dahil siya ang girlfriend mo and soon to be Mrs. Espinosa?"

"Wala na kami."