Virtue of Love in Mendiola (Manila Series #1)

Epilogue

"Good bye, Jazen." I said then I left him alone, sitting on the couch. Dating him again is a once in a million opportunity but dating him once again is like deepening the wound. I don't know anymore. Nasanay ko na yung sarili ko na wala siya sa buhay ko. Minsan ko na siyang nasaktan at ayoko nang maulit muli 'yon.

Paglabas ko sa hospital ay naabutan ko si Jian na nakatayo sa gilid. Tinawag ko ang pangalan niya para malaman niyang nandito na ako sa labas. Nagpaalam siya sa akin na kukunin niya muna yung kotse kaya hinintay ko siya sa gilid kung saan niya ako hinintay kanina.

"How was it?" he asked while he's driving.

"How was what?" I asked.

"Talking to your ex?" ani Jian.

"Great." I said. "Not until he told me to date him again."

"Oh, what's the problem?" asked Jian. "Why don't you give it a try? Again?"

"Why would I?" I asked out of confusion. "I once hurt him. I don't want that to happen again."

"Bakit mo kasi pinapangunahan ng negativity?" tanong ni Jian. "Come on, Ara. Look on the positive side."

Nanatili akong tahimik dahil sa sinabi ni Jian. Jian asked me if I wanna have a coffee and I said yes. Napagdesisyonan namin ni Jian na huminto sa isang coffee shop. He want a good and proper talk for me. That's what he said and I agreed. He ordered a frappe for me. Nang makaorder na si Jian ay bumalik na siya siya sa table namin at hinintay nalang namin na dumating yung order.

"Going back to the topic. Don't be too negative, Ara." Jian said. "Hindi ka ba naniniwala sa love is sweeter the second time around?"

"Ampochi, ang corny mo naman, Jian." natatawa kong sabi kay Jian.

"Loko, seryoso 'yon." sabi ni Jian at natawa din siya. "Alam mo, wala namang mawawala kung bibigyan niyo ulit ng isa pang pagkakataon yung kayo. Except sa pride mong bruha ka."

"Hindi ko na talaga alam kung seryoso ka ba sa mga sinasabi mo o ano eh." sabi ko. "Inaamin ko, mapride ako. Pero wala namang mali sa ayaw ko siyang masaktan diba?"

"Oo nga. Pero kakambal ng magmahal ang masaktan. Ang mahalaga, mahal mo. Pag mahal mo, iiwasan mo yung mga bagay na magiging dahilan para masaktan siya." ani Jian.

"Eh bakit ko piniling iwan siya kahit mahal ko siya?" naguguluhan kong tanong.

"Hindi talaga mawawala yung ganyang sitwasyon. Life will let you choose but with two difficult choices." said Jian. "Wag mong pigilan yung sarili mo sa mga bagay na mahal mo. Alam kong alam mo sa sarili mo na si Jazen pa rin. All these years, walang bago. Siya pa rin. Tama ba?"

"You got it right, Ji." I said.

"You're done chasing and choosing your dreams." said Jian. "Now, it's time to choose Jazen."

"Thank you, Jian." I said as I wiped these tears off of my face. "I'm not yet done chasing my dreams. He's the dream I wanna chase over and over again."

Nang makuha na namin ang order namin ay napagdesisyunan na naming umuwi ni Jian. He told me to give myself some time to think about things. A week later, I've decided to pay a visit at the hospital where my Mom's having her check up. I told Jian about this and he even offered a ride but I refuse to accept his offer.

"Hello, excuse me." sabi ko sa isang nurse.

"Good morning, Attorney Gonzales!" the nurse greeted which made me smile. Kilala na niya ako dahil madalas kami ni Mommy dito. "May appointment po ba kayo today with Doc Santiago?"