Arts of Heart (Compilation of OSS)

ART 74

AN INVENTION

"Here." Napaangat ako ng tingin nang makita ang isang bulto ng lalaki sa aking harapan. He's offering handkerchief. My visions are blurry so I can't clearly see his face but I decided to accept it.

"Thank you." The moment our eyes met, my heart started to beats faster. I can't take my eyes on his handsome face.

"My name is Akiro," pagpapakilala niya.

Tinanggap ko naman ang kamay nito. "Kane, ibabalik ko na lang 'tong---"

"Keep it. By the way, why are you crying?" He asked dahilan para hindi ako makakibo.

Muli na namang bumalik sa isipan ko kung bakit ako naririto. I can't help myself but to cry. I just stopped when he spoke.

"Done crying? Gusto mo bang makalimutan muna saglit ang problema mo?" He smiled and I admit that it affects me. Kunot noo akong napatingin sa kaniya.

"H-how?" Nagulat ako nang bigla niyang hawakan ang kamay ko at higitin.

He brought me to a perya. I was shocked at first because I don't think it'll help me to lessen the pain I am feeling but I think he really has his way.

We ate street foods. Akala ko pa naman ay maarte ito dahil sa itsura pa lang ay mukhang mayaman na. Sumakay din kami sa iba't-ibang rides, play games and many more. That day, I forgot all my problems and enjoyed it with him.

I feel comfortable being with him kahit noong araw na 'yon lang kami nagkakilala.

Days passed at hindi ko akalaing muling pagtatagpuin ang aming landas. Pareho pala kami ng school na pinapasukan. I was so happy seeing him again.

We became best of friends. Hindi ko akalain na magagawa ko ang mga bagay na kinakatakutan kong gawin noon. They've known me for being always on top. I'm a bookworm person and studying is my first priority because I want to be a scientist someday. Unlike Akiro, he's a troublemaker and stubborn. He loves breaking rules na never kong inakala dahil malayo sa itsura niya.

"Baka mahuli tayo, Aki," bulong ko dito habang pumupuslit na naman kami palabas. Yes, kami. Pinilit niya talaga akong isama para naman daw kahit papaano'y maexperience kong magcutting.

"Don't worry, Kane. Akong bahala sa 'yo," he uttered habang tumitingin sa paligid. I rolled my eyes but his simple words can make me smile. I just felt safe whenever I'm with him.

Mabilis kaming nakalabas ng school and he's right. It became a memorable day for me because that was the time that he confessed his feeling for me.

We became in a relationship for years and I can say that it went well. Everday was full of happy memories. He was caring and sweet. Habang tumatagal mas lalo ko siyang minamahal.

We graduated in highschool. Hindi kami nawalan ng oras para isa't-isa kahit magkaiba kami ng landas na tatahakin.

We finally finished our college life. Pareho na kaming nakagraduate sa kurso na aming pinili. Our relationship is still going strong. I think I can't find a man like him dahil napakasuwerte ko na sa kaniya.

"Love, pinapapunta ka dito ni Mom. I'll fetch you later," he said over the phone.

Pagkatapos namin mag-usap ay agad na akong nag-ayos. Hindi din naman nagtagal ay narinig ko na ang busina ng kaniyang sasakyan sa labas. I smile widely because I'm excited to see him. I miss him dahil dalawang araw din kaming hindi nagkita.

"Ate Nerie, alis na po ako," paalam ko sa aking kapatid. Ngumiti naman ito at tumango bago ako sinabihan na mag-ingat.

"Will you marry me?" Halos hindi ko na siya makita dahil sa luha. Napatakip ako sa aking bibig. I can't believe that he's proposing to me.

"I d-do. I do!" Sagot ko dito at isinuot niya na ang singsing. Walang mapagsidlan ang tuwang aking nararamdaman ng araw na iyon. I couldn't believe this will happen.

We became successful. We both reached our dreams and the profession we wanted.

Three days before our wedding, he went to our house. He said we'll meet the designer of my wedding gown.

"Can't wait to see you in the church. I love you, Love," nakangiting sambit ko sa kaniya while he's driving.

Napangiti naman ito at humarap sa akin. "I love you t--" we're both shocked nang makarinig kami ng malakas na busina. Huli na ang lahat bago pa niya naiiwas at tuluyan na kaming nabangga.

Pagkamulat pa lamang ng aking mata ay agad ko siyang hinanap. I saw ate Nerie walking towards me with a cold expression.

"You want to see him?" He seriously said kaya agad akong napatango bagamat nanghihina dahil sa mga sugat na natamo.

"I mean... the real him?" Para naman akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig dahil sa sinabi niya. Hindi na niya ako hinintay na makasagot at lumabas na.

My knees are trembling and my tears started to fall as I stared in a door where he is. I'm still not yet ready for this day.

"Open it, Kane." Rinig kong sabi ni ate Nerie kaya lakas loob kong hinawakan ang doorknob at binuksan 'yon.

Memories flashed on my head. The day how we've met. Those funny and stupid things we did and the memories we built. Para akong sinasaksak ng paulit-ulit habang nakikita siya.

"Let him go, Kane. Tama na ang kahibangan. It's been 9 years. Huwag mo nang pahirapan pa si Aki." Napatakip ako sa aking bibig as slowly walk towards him. He's peacefully sleeping. I held his hand and place it to my cheek. I kissed his forehead before I closed my eyes.

I made my decision. I'm sorry for being selfish, Love.

Akiro was in comma for 9 years. When he called me because his mother wants me to go at their house, we've got an accident while we're heading their home.

The person who proposed to me was fake. The person who could make me smile was fake. The person I was about to marry was fake. It was just all part of my invention. I just invented a robot that have a same features like my boyfriend so I won't long for his presence. I just programmed him. Yes, I'm a scientist who's crazy inlove. So I made a robot who's exactly like my man.

Muli na naman akong napahagulhol. I can't afford to lose him but I think it's for the both of us. Huminga ako nang malalim habang nanghihinang lumapit sa aking kapatid before I uttered the words that I never imagined I will say in my entire life.

"I'm letting him go now, Doc. Nerie."

Mahal ko siya pero alam kong tama na. I have to let my self free from the past.

Kasabay ng malakas na tunog na machine ay siya ding pagkadurog ko.

"Akiro Monteverde, Time of death 10:18 am."