HGD52

"Oh my gosh!" Clive exclaimed right after I told him the jaw dropping incidents that happened this week.

"Did you really slap that bitch?" She said and chuckled.

"Yeah" sagot ko lamang.

"And you were saying that Ram visited your parents grave? Oh my gosh, I think he still likes you" komento nya pa. Nag-angat ako ng tinggin sakanya sa sinabi nya.

"What? I-I guess you're wrong about that. Baka naman binisita lang nya madalas kasi may utang na loob sya sa parents ko" sagot ko at saka ibinaba  ang tinggin sa hawak kong fruits smoothie.

"Hindi pa ba sapat na naipanalo nya ang kaso ng parents mo? He even pull Walter down on it's career" she said calmly.

I sighed. "Hindi ko alam. Huwag mo na akong lituhin pa, Clive."

"Bakit? Bakit naman kasi iiwan mo na naman? Obvious naman na gusto nyo pa din ang isa't-isa" aniya at tumawa

"I'm not sure about my feelings anymore, Clive. Yeah, I still like him but it doesn't mean that I should take him back" I looked away and sip on my smoothie. I can see her staring at me.

"He likes you, it's pretty obvious. Look, he cooks for you kahit na dapat ikaw ang gumagawa non. Hindi ka nya pinaalis kahit lumagpas ka sa curfew. Kinapihan ka nya kaysa kay Ellie the bitch. He keep visiting your parents grave. He's making a move but you're so blind to see that." She said and I stop because I can feel something inside of me after I heard her thoughts.

Is she right? I shook my head. No, my plan was completely done. Aalis ako, wala na akong babaguhin pa sa plano ko.

"Why don't you give it a try again, Ace? Why don't you try to gamble again"

"I'm scared"

There! The right term for my feelings today. I'm really scared to try again.

"You're not getting younger, Ace. Hindi ka ba nanghihinayang?" Aniya

"What should I do then?" Tanong ko

Hindi ako sigurado sa nararamdaman ko. Yes, I admit it to myself, I like him--no, I still love him. But does my love enough for us to be back to the love that we used to have?

"Hmnn. What do you think?" She asks

"S-Should I chase him?" I ask.

"Don't." She said makes me groaned. "Huh?"

"Don't be a chaser, be the one who is chased. You're the tequila not the lime" she said and winked.

"What?!"

Instead of explaining herself, Clive just chuckled and teased me the whole chats.

"By the way, are you meeting up with the buyer of your house?" She asks

"Yes. Pero mamaya pang lunch." Sagot ko

"You're early huh? Iniiwasan mo talaga si Ram?" Pinanliit pa ni Clive ang mga mata.

"Yeah. I am ignoring him, Clive. Ayoko na munang mapalapit sakanya dahil alam kong sa oras na makuha ko na ang bayad ng mansyon ay aalis na ako. "

"I can see that you're scared, Ace" she said

"Huh?"

"You're scared that he might change your plan. You're scared that he might  give you a reason to stay. You're so scared to give him a chance. Tama ba ako?"

Hindi ako kumibo sa sinabi nya dahil ang tama sya. Tama sya na natatakot ako na magbagong muli ang lahat. I am afraid of the changes now.

I am waiting for the perfect time to leave Clive's house to meet mister Dionisio. Nilibang ko na lang muna ang aking sarili sa maliliit na puppy na nasa bakuran nila.

"They were so adorable" I said to Clive. I was holding the brown puppy.

"You like that one?" She asks and I nod immediately.

"I really do. Pero di ko naman yan madadala sa America" sagot ko

"Tsaka di mo na makukuha yan. Mayroon ng may-ari nyan" aniya

"What? Pinamigay mo na 'to?"

"Oo haha. "

I caressed the dogs head and I can't help but to smile while looking at them. They're so adorable.

"Aalis na ako, Clive" nag-paalam na akong aalis bandang alas dose ng tanghali.

Sa mansyon na ako dederetso dahil doon kami magkikita ni mister Dionisio. At isa pa, naroon pa ang iba naming gamit baka ipa-garage sale ko nalang bago ako umalis since hindi ko naman madadala iyon lahat.

While looking to the house that we used to live, I can't help but to feel the sadness in my heart. Ang daming nagbago.

"Sino po sila?" The guard ask. I look at him but he was surprised when he recognize me.

"Ma'am Acelle" aniya

I wonder why mister Dionisio dindn't fire those Dad's employees. And I am glad about that too.

"Hi" I greeted him. He smiled and open the gate for me.

While walking on the aisle towards the entrance of our mansion I saw the flowers that has been planted on the garden. Bahagya akong nalungkot dahil libangan dati ni mommy ang pagtatanim ng mga halaman.

"Oh, narito ka na pala hija" I looked to the old woman in front of me. I smiled when I realize that this woman was the head maid of our house.

"Kamusta po"

"Okay lang hija. Ikaw ba kumusta? Mas gumanda ka pa lalo ah." Aniya at ngumiti.

"Oh sya,pasok ka na at nag-aantay na si Sir Dionisio" aniya

I sat on the sofa. Manang called mister Dionisio so she told me to wait for him on the sofa. I looked on the painting on the wall, they're all new and pretty on this house. Kaunti lang ang nabago sa buong kabahayan.

"Acelle" pagtawag ni mister Dionisio.

I looked at him as he walks toward my place. I was stunned when I recognize the man behind him.

"You two must know each other right, Ram?" Bumaling si mister Dionisio kay Ram. Tumango lamang si Ram.

What the hell is he doing here? Sya ba ang lawyer na tinutukoy ni mister Dionisio. Of all people sya pa? Bakita ba kapag sinabing lawyer ay sya agad ang nakikita ko? Am I being cursed?

They both sat on the sofa in front of me. Mister Dionisio was holding an envelope,probably the contract.

I clear my throat before I speak."Uh, shall we start?"

"Sure" Mister Dionisio smiled.

He was duscussing something but I can't see the use of Ram. Di naman sya kailangan.

"So, ipapalipat ko po ang pangalan ng lupa at mansyon sa inyo? Can you send me some important details of yours? Including your whole name. Ako na po ang magpapa-process ng papel" sagot ko.

Well, I knew someone who can help me with this.

"No, hija. Hindi saakin ipapangalan." Aniya kaya naguluhan ako.

"Then to whom?" I ask, confused.

"It will remain under your name" si Ram ang sumagot.

Napakurap ako sa sinabi nya. What?

"W-What?" I ask still confused.

"Oh, he was the real buyer of the house and lot hija. He already bought the half of it" he said and it makes me stop.

What? He was the buyer?

"Wag kang mag-alala hija. Babayaran kita gaya ng napag-usapan. And I will sell this house and lot to attorney Ram. Kayo na ang mag-usap dalawa. Kukunin ko ang pera at ibibigay na sayo." Aniya at tumayo.

Sinundan ko lamang ng tinggin ang matanda paakyat ng hagdan. Bumaling ako kay Ram at ganoon na lamang ang kaba ko ng magtama ang paninggin naming dalawa.

"What's the meaning of this, Ram?" I ask

"Huh?"

"It's fine with me that you're the buyer of this house. Wala akong pakielam tungkol doon. Pero anong sinasabi mo na mananatiling saakin nakapangalan ang mansyon? Nahihibang ka ba? Pera mo ang ginamit kaya bakit ibibigay mo saakin?" Sunod-sunod kong tanong. Para pa akong hinihingal sa sinabi ko.

"It will be yours again, Ace. " aniya

"What? W-Why?" I ask nervously

"This is your only reason why you were here, right?" Tanong nya.

Mabilis naman akong tumango.

"Then, you'll gonna leave me again right? I mean you're leaving after this, am I right?" He asks

I don't know what's in me but I can feel something inside of me. I wanna burst right now. I wanna cry but I don't know the reason of this sudden feelings. Bakit ganito ang nararamdaman ko?

"Oo" matapang kong sagot.

"Then I am giving you another reason to stay. I am giving you this house and lot for you to stay with me again. " he said and he sounds so serious.

I looked at him intently. Why is he saying that?

"W-What are you saying? Nababaliw ka ba?" Sinubukan kong gawing nakakairita ang tono ng boses ko pero nabigo ako dahil ramdam ko ang bigat ng kalooban ko.

"Stay with me, Acelle. Please stay with me" he said and I can see the forming tears on his eyes.

I looked away because his eyes looking at me wasn't that feel good. It feels like it was melting me slowly. Why the hell I am talking to this man? Why he's begging for me? Why he's saying please to the person who was selfish enough to hear his thoughts. I am selfish and I will remain as that.

"H-Hindi ko tatanggapin. Sayo ko ipapangalan ang bahay at lupa. " sagot ko, ni hindi man lang ako makatinggin ng deretso sakanya. Nasasaktan ako ng sobra.

"No. It will remain yours, Ace" he said.

I looked at him. His eyes were bloodshot and it make my legs weak.

"No! It wasn't mine. "

"That was my decision, Ace. Pag-iipunan ko pa ang kalahating pambayad sa mansyon. " aniya

"Pag-ipunan mo kung gusto mo. Pero hinding-hindi ko tatanggapin yang sinasabi mo. Bakit mo ako bibigyan ng bahay at lupa? Bakit hindi sa pamilya mo?"

"They were happy living on our province" he simply answered.

"Then give it to Ellie! Live with her, live her in this house" I said and I am hurt on my own thoughts

"Why don't you understand, Ace? It's you that I love. It's you that I wanted to be with. Ikaw ang gusto ko at wala ng iba"

I was speechless on his words. I don't know what to say at this very moment. Ang tangging alam ko lang ay pinipilit kong maging malakas. Pinipilit kong huwag umiyak sa harapan nya.

"Please, Ace. Stay with me. I need you, I can't take another years without you in my arms. "

"Why are you saying that? Y-You don't even need me! You became successful without me, so why are you begging for me to stay. " I said

"I need you" he said

"Oh come on, Ram. You don't need me. Pababagsakin lang kita kung mananatili ako sa tabi mo" naiiyak kong sabi

"Then, I am willing to fall as long as you're with me" he said.

Why is he being like this? He was so good to be true.

"I am tired, Ram. Don't do this. Ayoko nito! Ayoko na"

"Kahit ako nalang, Ace. Kahit ako na lang ang lalaban okay lang saakin, basta manatili ka lang sa tabi ko"

Mabilis akong umiling dahil kahit gaano ko kagusto ang makasama sya ay hindi iyon sapat para manatili ako sa tabi nya.

I admit it, I still love him. But I am tired for the heartaches. Hindi ko pa rin makakalimutan ang lahat. Hindi ko makakalimutan kung paano sya nagpaalo sa ibang babae habang ako ay nangungulila sakanya. I need him the day I receive a bad news regarding the accidents of my parents but he wasn't there to comfort and be with me. He was busy kissing Ellie while I was drowning in pain.

Mabilis akong umiling muli. Hindi sapat ang pagmamahal ko sakanya para tanggapin ko syang muli. Mas matimbang parin yung sakit sa dibdib ko.

"M-Maybe you just wants a closure, Ram. " sagot ko

Napakurap ako ng bigla syang tumayo sa pagkakaupo at humakbang palapit saakin.

I saw how he stop in front of me so I have to look upward. I saw how he kneel in front of me. He held both of my hand and now that I can see his face clearly I saw the tears falling from his eyes.

"I don't need a closure, Ace. It's you that I need. "

"I am begging you, please don't leave me again. Please stay with me" he said between his sobs.

I bite my lowerlip to prevent the tears and sob.

"Maybe you only need to say your explanation, Ram. I-I am w-willing to listen now. But I won't promise that I'll stay" I told him.

"I'll explain, Ace. Please listen. " he said

"I didn't kissed her, she kissed me that night. Napuwing ako, Ace. I know it sounds lame but that was the true. I am dancing with her kahit na tumanggi ako. They kept pushing me to dance her. Swear, I keep rejecting but they push me towards her on the dancefloor. It was just a seconds of dancing when she kissed me. I push her away, the dust went to my eyes. I cover my eyes trying to get away that dust on my eyes she went on my way again and she said that she won't gonna kiss me again, she just said that she'll just help me. Paalis na ako non, Ace. Uuwi na sana ako sayo. Uuwi na ako sayo e, pero tangina! Hinalikan nya ako at nakita mo yon." He cried

I get my right hand that he was holding. I cover my mouth when the tears fell on my cheek. I was avoiding the sob.

Is that my fault that I saw them kissing?

"Sinundan kita, Ace. Hinanap kita. Nalaman ko na kasama mo si Diego, sinundan kita. Nakita mo yon. Nasa harap ako ng gate inaantay kitang lumabas dahil alam kong naroon ka dahil kinuha ni Diego ang mga gamit mo sa bahay. Hindi ako pumayag, Ace.  Pilit kong binabalik yung gamit mo pero pinigilan ako ng pamilya ko. Kaya sinundan ko sya. I am waiting for you to listen. Nasaktan ako lalo nang nalaman ko ang nangyari sa parents mo. I am hurt, Ace. I am hurt that I hurt you while you was in pain. I hate myself for not being with you on your pain. I'm sorry" he sob.

I can't take it anymore. I am badly hurt.

"I was watching you from afar since you doesn't want me to see. Ayokong magpakita dahil alam kong mas masasaktan ka. But swear, I badly wanted to hug you---" I cutted him off since I can't hear any words from him.

Hindi pa rin pala ako handa.

"Stop!"
Pilit kong kinuha ang kamay ko na hawak nya. Tumayo ako at tumalikod.

"Ace!" He called me but I just ran away from him with tears on my eyes.

🙁