Author: MARIYA RAYTS
Genre: ROM-COM
CHAPTER 1: “NEVER THOUGHT I COULD FEEL THIS PAIN…”
VAL
“Thank you, please come again.” magalang na sabi ko sa isang customer.
Habang wala pang umu-order, dahan-dahan ko namang tinatapos ang scrapbook na ginawa ko. Kailangan kong tapusin ‘to bago mag 6 p.m. dahil pupunta agad ako sa bahay nila Max.
“Ang swerte ng boyfriend mo, lagi kang nag e-effort.”
Lumingon ako sa kung sino ang nagsalita.
Si Tita pala.
Napangiti na lang ako sa sinabi niya
“Tapusin mo muna ‘yan at kami na ang bahala sa mga customer. Nandito din naman ang pinsan mo. ” Idinagdag niya.
“Nako, tita okay lang po, hehe. Malapit na naman po akong matapos. ”
Kagabi ko pa ‘to sinimulan at 3 a.m. ko hinintuan kasi antok na ako. Kung hindi lang sana ako pagod galing trabaho, matatapos ko na sana ‘to kanina. Pero okay lang, mahal ko naman eh.
2nd anniversary namin ngayon at gusto ko talagang mag effort para sa kanya. Sana magustuhan niya ‘to.
—
ZEEK
“It’s good to be back here. ”
I looked around my room and saw our picture in my table. I take it slowly and stare at her face.
“I miss you, Audrey.”
I can’t help but smile as I look at our photo together.
I know she misses me too which is why I returned to see and surprise her.
I looked at the clock and it’s already 5 p.m. I should be ready for her birthday party, which starts at 6 p.m.
I already called her yesterday and informed her that I would be unable to attend her birthday party. I know she’s upset, but she has no idea I’ll be there. She is completely unaware that I have already arrived here in the Philippines.
I take a look at the things I bought for her. I bought her a necklace and a bouquet of pink roses. I’m sure she’ll love these because they’re her favorites.
I can’t wait to see her and her reaction.
—
VAL
Natapos din.
Tiningnan ko ang oras at 5:45 p.m. na. Natagalan akong tapusin ‘to kasi gusto ko perfect talaga. Ginastusan ko talaga ‘to kahit scrapbook lang kasi naglalaman ito ng maraming memories namin together sa loob ng dalawang taon. Alam ko naman magugustuhan niya ‘to kaya excited na akong makita siya at ibigay ito.
Hindi na ako uuwi sa bahay para mag ayos. Dinala ko na talaga dito sa shop ni Tita ang susuotin at dadalhin ko papunta kanila Max.
“Val, mag-ayos kana. Kami na bahala dito.” sabi ni Tita habang gumagawa ng milktea.
“Sorry po Tita, ha.”
“Nako, ayos lang. Dapat ka nang mag ayos kasi first time mo ma meet parents niya. ”
Oo nga. Ngayon ko na makikilala parents ni Max. Kaya bumili talaga ako kahapon ng mamahaling dress kahit na masakit sa bulsa. Gusto ko kasi presentable akong tingnan.
Kailangan ko nang mag-ayos. Pero sa tingin ko matatagalan talaga ako dahil 30 minutes pa ang byahe papunta sa bahay nila. Text ko nalang si Max na matatagalan ako.
Pero pansin ko lang, wala man lang siyang update sakin simula kaninang umaga. Kagabi lang kami nag usap tungkol sa gagawin ngayon. Siguro busy lang, o baka sinasadya niya para i-surprise ako?
Napangiti nalang ako sa iniisip ko.
—
ZEEK
I’m already here outside Audrey’s house.
Looking outside their house, I can already see they are starting the party because of the party lights and sounds.
The gate is just open so I went inside bringing my gift and the bouquet.
I noticed unfamiliar faces outside the door, drinking tequilas, as I went inside.
They are people I’ve never seen before.
I thought she would only invite people we both know, but I don’t know them.
As I got closer to them, they stopped drinking.
“Hi, I’m Zeek, Audrey’s boyfriend. ”
“B-boyfriend?”
“May I know where she is?”
I asked them, but they simply exchanged glances. They couldn’t tell me where she is right now.
I just went inside and saw a lot of people dancing and drinking.
I began to feel uneasy because this is not the type of party she told me.
I was about to go and find her when someone suddenly approached me.
“Z-zeek?”
“Troy?”
I got shocked the moment I saw him. He’s my friend and he’s now drunk.
“What are you doing here?”
I am so confused and upset now. She even invited my friend without telling me.
“Bro! Kailan ka pa dumating?” he asked as he put his hand on my shoulder.
“Where’s Audrey?”
“A-ah si Audrey? Lumabas muna siya kasama friends ni–”
I didn’t wait for him to finish his words and started going upstairs. I know he’s lying.
Oher guys are stopping me from going there, but I keep telling them to back off. I know there is something going on. I know there’s something Audrey didn’t tell me.
My heart continues to race as I get closer to her room.
I was about to open the door when someone grabbed my hand, causing the bouquet I was holding to fall to the ground.
“Dude, she’s not inside. Baba na tay–”
I punched him on his face before he could finish.
My heart keeps pounding.
I hope the negative notions in my head are all wrong.
I slowly opened the door.
But as I opened it, what I saw shattered me into small pieces.
“Z-zeek?”
I’m at a loss for words.
My fist clenched, and my mind stopped working.
For few seconds, I just locked my gaze on them. I couldn’t take my gaze away from them.
I couldn’t take my gaze away from my girlfriend and my stepbrother, alone in a room and naked.
“Z-zeek it’s not what you thi–”
I didn’t let him finish his words and just went straight to him and punched him hard in the face.
“Zeek! Stop!”
I keep punching him. I’m so outraged that I want to kill him.
“Zeek!”
People are trying to stop me, but I refuse to stop. I’m desperate to kill this jerk.
I’m not concerned if he’s bleeding. He’s earned it. He deserved every punch thrown at him.
“Please..stop…”
I stopped as I saw Audrey’s crying.
But as I continue to stare at her, tears stream down my face. I can’t believe she did this to me. I can’t believe she would do such a thing to me.
“Zeek, let’s tal–”
“For God’s sake, get dressed!”
I yelled at...

her for the first time. I couldn’t help myself. I’m so mad.
“Zeek, it’s not what you think, ok–”
I didn’t let her finish her words by punching her table.
“Bro, calm down.”
I looked at the person speaking.
It’s my bestfriend. My f*cking bestfriend.
“How could you do this to me?!”
“Bro, wag kang mag is–”
“F*ck! What is this? Why is my girlfriend and my step brother in a bed, alone and naked?! Am I just gonna shut up and let it slide?! F*ck you, Justine!”
Audrey then grabbed my hand.
“Zeek, let’s talk.”
I slowly pushed her hand away from me.
And before I could speak, I remained silent for a few seconds and took a deep breath. I don’t want to be mad at her.
“I would never have known about this if I hadn’t come here to surprise you.”
Audrey began to cry once more. I can’t look at her this time.
“You know what, Audrey? I hope this is just a stupid nightmare, and that when I wake up, you’re there by my side, like we used to.”
“Zeek…”
“I don’t want to be mad at you because I genuinely love you. But why, Audrey? How could you do this to me?”
“Zeek I–”
I didn’t let her finish her words and walk away.
And the moment I saw the bouquet outside her door, I couldn’t help, but cry.
—
VAL
7:40 na. At nandito na ako sa labas ng bahay ni Max. Almost 1 hour akong late. Kung nag-jeep pa ako papunta dito baka abutin na ako ng alas otso, kaya nag-taxi nalang ako kahit na ang mahal. Nakakahiya rin naman kung dumating ako dito na haggard dahil sa pagsakay ng jeep, eh ang bilis ko pa naman pawisan.
Chi-neck ko text messages ko pero wala man lang text si Max. Baka susurpresahin talaga ako nito.
Bago ako lumapit sa gate nila, inayos ko muna sarili ko. Kinakabahan din ako kasi first time ko ngayon ma-meet parents niya.
Huminga ako ng malalim at pipindutin na sana ang doorbell ng biglang bumukas ang gate.
“I’ll call you when I get home, babe.”
Nabigla ako sa nakita at narinig ko.
“V-val?”
Tumingin ako sa babae at nakita kong suot niya ang jacket na binigay ko kay Max.
“Val, wag kang mag isi–”
Hindi ko na siya pinatapos sa kanyang sasabihin at pumasok agad sa kanilang bahay.
Pag pasok ko, nakita ko na maraming tao sa loob.
“Val, usap mun–”
“O, Max, nahatid mo na ba girlfriend mo?”
Hindi ko maipaliwanag ang nararamdaman ko ngayon.
“Sinabi mo ba sa kaniya na bumalik siya susunod? Gusto ko pa naman siya.”
Hindi ko maintindihan.
Hindi ako makapagsalita.
Akala ko ako ang ipapakilala niya, pero bakit iba…
Gusto kong umiyak, pero hindi ako makaiyak dahil nasa harapan ako ng mga magulang niya.
“Sino nga pala siya, Max? Papasukin mo naman kaibigan mo.”
Kaibigan.
Ang sakit. Ang sakit talaga.
Nakatayo lang ako habang tinitigan sila. Pilit kong ngumiti sa kanila pero gusto nang lumabas ng mga luha ko.
Pero gusto ko nang umalis. Ayokong makita pa nila akong umiiyak.
“A-ah, may gagawin pa po pala ako. Alis na po ako.” Pilit kong ngumiti na nagpaalam sa kanila. At sa pag alis ko, bumuhos na agad ang luha ko.
Pag labas ko sa gate, hinawakan ni Max ang aking braso at napatigil ako.
“Val…”
Ayokong lumingon sa kaniya. Ayokong kausapin siya. Gusto ko lang umiyak. Ang sakit ng nararamdaman ko ngayon.
“Val..” Pilit niya akong pinaharap sa kaniya. Pero hindi ko talaga kaya. Kaya siya na mismo ang humarap sa akin.
Tumingin ako sa mga mata niya at bigla nalang pumasok sa isipan ko ang maraming katanungan.
“Anong ginawa ko para gawin mo sakin ‘to…”
Hindi ko kayang magalit sa kaniya. Mahal na mahal ko siya.
Tiningnan ko ang paper bag na hawak ko na naglalaman ng ginawa kong scrapbook para sa kaniya. Napatingin din siya at biglang umiwas.
“Alam mo ba’ng pinaglaanan ko talaga ‘to ng oras?”
“Val p–”
“Nevermind.”
Ayoko nang marinig ang mga sasabihin niya. Ayoko siyang makita.
Papalayo na ako sa kaniya at hindi man lang niya ako pinigilan. Ang sakit.
Ang sakit sakit.
—
ZEEK
I can’t focus driving. I can’t stop crying.
I still can’t accept everything.
“Audrey…”
My thoughts are entirely focused on her.
“Audrey, Audrey, Audrey”
I can’t stop calling her name.
I can’t stop
“Audr–”
What was that?
I stopped my car when I suddenly saw something in front of me.
Did I accidentally hit someone?
I keep looking in front, but there’s nothing there.
I took a deep breath and was about to continue driving when someone stood up suddenly.
It startled me.
I look at the person who stood up and realized it’s a woman.
I dash out of my car and rush over to her.
“Are you okay? Are you hurt?” I asked while checking if she is injured.
“I am”
I checked once more but it seems like she’s not.
“Can you tell me w–”
“My heart,” she said while pointing to her chest, then sat on the ground and sobs.
“Did I hit your chest?”
“Gago ka, Max. Gago ka…”
I’m not sure what she’s saying, so I just let her cry and talk. She keeps mentioning someone.
I was about to say something to her when she abruptly stood up and walked away.
“Hey!”
She didn’t look back and kept walking, so I just returned to my car. She’s still walking and I don’t know where she’s going.
I look away from her and focus my attention on my phone. I fixed my gaze on my phone’s wallpaper.
It’s Audrey.
Then I remembered what happened.
I want to call her, but my mind tells me not to.
I started driving and starts thinking about getting wasted tonight.
I want to stay up all night drinking until I forget what happened.
Until I wake up from this nightmare.
I never thought I could feel this pain…
—
VAL
G*go ka, Max. Muntik na akong masagasaaan.
G*go ka talaga. Hindi ko mapigilan luha ko.
Gusto ko nang umuwi. Gusto ko nang magpahinga.
Hindi mo man lang ako hinatid pauwi, g*go ka. Anong klaseng boyfriend ka? Ba’t hinayaan mo lang girlfriend mo maglakad ng mag-isa sa kalsada sa ganitong oras? Wala ka talagang kwenta pero t*ngina, mahal na mahal kita, g*go ka.
Grabe ang sakit. Ang sakit talaga…
Hindi ko inaasahan na masasaktan pala ako ng ganito..
—
(to be continued)