Zadie's POV:
It's already 11:45 am, malamang nagsisimula na ang ceremony ng kasal nito. Pinunasan ko ang mga luha ko at nakangiting humarap sa mga kasama ko.
"Thank you guys sinamahan niyo ako," pagpapasalamat ko sa kanila at isa-isa silang niyakap.
"We will miss you so much, Zad!"
"Mamimiss ka namin, Zadie!"
Ningitian ko naman ang silang dalawa at muling niyakap sabay harap kay Levi at James na kasalukuyang boyfriend ni Camille.
"Kayong dalawa, alagaan niyo 'to, ah? Kapag nalaman kong pinaiyak niyo 'to lagot talaga kayo sa 'kin," sambit ko sa kanila.
"Oo na, mami-miss din kit,a liit!" sagot sa 'kin ni Levi at ginulo ang buhok ko. Napabusangot naman ako ngunit agad ko rin itong niyakap.
"James, ah, sabihin mo rin sa kapatid mo, huwag niya akong masyadong ma-miss!" sambit ko pa rito na ikinatawa nila. Mortal enemy ko kaya ang kapatid niya, pero ganoon pa man, I still care for her. Biruan lang naman ang pang-aasar ko sa kaniya.
"Kayong dalawa," tawag ko kay Cloud at Klein saka ito niyakap. "Huwag na kayong umiyak, mga bakla ba kayo?"
"Damn, make sure to comeback here, liit!" sambit pa sa'kin ni Cloud at muli akong niyakap. Natatawang niyakap ko naman ito pabalik.
"I will, kaya wag nang umiyak, para namang tanga, e!" sagot ko pa, naiiyak na rin.
"Zad..." tawag naman sa 'kin ni Klein. Muli ko itong niyakap. Kahit hindi kami madalas magkasama ni Klein, para ko na ring kapatid 'to. Dahil sa kaniya, nakilala namin ni Cloud sila Levi. "I'll miss you."
"I will miss you too. Take care of yourself, hm?" saad ko pa na ikinatango niya. Nakangiting tiningnan ko silang anim bago ko kuhanin ang maleta ko.
"Amin na si Scott at Taki. Kaya ko na 'to," sambit ko pa at kinuha ang dalawa.
Yes, kasama ko sila sa flight ko. They already used to be in their carrier for a long time. Hindi lang naman ito ang unang beses naming sasakay ng eroplano. Besides, Philippine Airlines allows passengers to transport animals, such as dogs, cats, and household birds, but only as checked baggage.
Hindi pwede sa cabin.
"Bye, Zadie!"
"See you soon!"
"Mag-iingat ka roon!"
Kinawayan ko na lamang sila at matamis na ningitian. Mahina pa akong natawa nang makita ko ang mga luha ni Klein at Cloud. Mamimiss ko talaga silang pareho.
Before I check in for my flight, napatigil ako at napalingon sa likuran ko. This is it! Wala nang atrasan 'to. Ito na 'yung hinahanap-hanap kong lugar. Away from sadness, away from pain, judgement, and from people who keeps on blabbering about my life. This is a break that I need and wanted.
I really need a break from this society.
Bigla ko tuloy na-realize na 'yung pain na nararamdaman natin may porpose 'yan, may reason 'yan kung bakit natin nararanasan, at darating at darating 'yan. All you have to do is to let it visit, cry it out, vent it out, bleed it out and then sabihin mo sa kaniyang umalis na siya, tama na.
If something causes us pain, like hell or like a hot stove, we have to remind ourselves and mind na we don't need to touch that hot stove or to leave that hell again para lang maalala ulit natin how painful it was sa simula. Bubukas lang muli 'yung sugat at hindi maganda iyon.
The pain will come and there are times that you'll shed tears too, but you don't have to be afraid or worry about that. It's just a little proof that we're humans.
Natawa ako sa sarili. Ano bang pinagsasabi ko? Pft! Ganito pala kapag sawi ka, 'no?
I heaved a long sigh as I pass through to the security and find my boarding gate. Ngunit bago ako tuluyang mag-board ay bigla ko na lamang naalala si Vince Asher. Mapait akong napangit.
Goodbye, Vince Asher, my man, my everything, my sky... I maybe not be your stars now, but you'll always be my sky... Always.
***
Ara's POV:
"Tara na kasi! Puntahan na natin si Vince!" pagpupumilit ko sa kanilang apat.
"Nakita niyo na ba si Cloud? Hindi ko pa kasi siya nakikita. I've been looking for him since I was arrived," tanong ni Yna habang nakasunod sa amin ni Keid.
"Of course, he was with Zadie! Mas pipiliin niyang samahan si Zadie kaysa pumunta rito, 'no! Huwag ka nang umasa na makikita mo siya saka si Zadie ang gusto niya. Accept the fact na hindi ka na niya ika-crushback!" sagot sa kaniya ni Keid. Palihim ko naman itong hinampas at saka inirapan.
"Ang sama mo sa kaibigan natin!" sambit ko pa. Kaya lang naman siya ganiyan ay dahil hindi siya ang napiling bride's maid ni Rin kun 'di si Yna.
To be honest, nag-expect din ako. I really thought it was me, but when Rin's announced that Yna will be her bride's maid imbes na magdamdam sinuportahan ko nalang sila. Yes, na-disappoint din ako pero it's not a big deal naman.
"At bakit? Nagsasabi lang ako ng totoo, 'no! Kaysa naman iiyak-iyak siya!" sagot naman nito sa'kin at nilapitan si Yna. "Joke lang, babes!"
"Here they are!" sigaw ko nang makita ko ang team boys na papasok rin sa room kung saan naghahanda ang leader nilang ma-pride!
Sabay-sabay kaming nagsipasukan. Syempre, supportive friends here!
"Congrats!"
"Congrats pre!"
"Best wishes!"
"Kabado ata tayo?"
Nakangiting pinagmasdan ko na lamang sila habang binabati at inaasar nila si Vince. Hindi lingid sa kaalaman ko na peke lamang ang tinutugon nitong ngiti sa kanila. Sino ba namang magiging masaya kung hindi mo naman talaga mahal 'yung bride mo? Sinong matutuwa kung napilitan ka lang?
Maybe Vince is out of his mind that's why he doing this. And also his soon-to-be wife. Parehas silang tanga! As in. Sobrang tanga nilang pareho at gusto ko nalang ipukpok ang mga ulo nila sa pader.
"Hoy, Ara, rito ka nga! Ikaw 'tong nag-aya-aya rito tapos nandiyan ka lang!" tawag naman sa'kin ni Keid. Agad naman akong sumunod dito at naupo sa kama.
I suddenly remember when Kuya Khalil talked to me...
"I will do everything to stop that fvcking wedding!" inis na singhal nito na siyang ikinakunot ng noo ko. Nagulat pa ako nang malakas niyang sinuntok ang lamesa.
"Buo na ang loob nila, Kuya. What will you do now? Kahit kami hindi namin sila makumbinsi na huwag nang ituloy 'to," tanong ko.
"We have already planned it, Ara. Tito and I have already done everything we can to stop that wedding. All I have to do now is to convince my girl," he answered na siyang mas ikinagulat ko.
"What do you mean by that? Si Tito Zoren?"
"Tito Zoren is also against with that," he answered and looked at me. He used his hand para iparating sa'kin na lumapit ako na siyang ginawa ko naman. "Listen to me very carefully, Ara..."
"... all you have to do is to explain everything and convince my brother."
Gulat akong napatingin dito at sumandal sa inuupuan ko. Damn it! Totoo ba?! Tita Ivory forced Rin to marry Vince and if she will not marry him, kukunin niya lahat ng property ng Dad niya at iiwan sila. Damn! It's blackmailing for Pete's sake! Pero bakit? Bakit si Vince ang gusto nitong ipakasal sa anak niya? Siya ang kauna-unahang tutol sa dalawa noon!
"W-Wait, alam ba 'to ni Zadie?" I asked. He just shook his head. Oh my gosh! Mas lalo tuloy akong naawa para kay Zadie! She doesn't deserve all of this. She only thought gusto talaga ni Rin si Vince that's why she let go of him!
"Earth to Ara! Hello? Nadyan ka pa ba?! Saang planeta ba lumipad 'yang isip mo?!"
Gulat akong napatingin kay Keid nang sigawan ako nito. Magsasalita pa sana siya nang unahan ko ito at tanungin si Vince.
"Are you sure with this? Are you really sure with this?" I asked him. Diniinan ko pa 'yung salitang 'really'. I hope magsabi siya ng totoo.
He looked at me, confused. "Y-Yea—"
"Don't fool us, Mr. Vince Toxillo. We all know na kaya mo lang ginawa 'to kasi akala mo hindi ka talaga mahal ni Zadie!" I cut him off. Hindi ko naman pinansin ang mga kasama namin. Alam kong gulat din sila sa mga sinasabi ko. "Am I right?"
'... all you have to do is explain everything and convince my brother.'
Okay, let's do this!
"Hindi naman talaga siya minahal ni Zadie. So, nah, no, you're wrong," sagot sa 'kin ni Yna na ikinataas ng kilay ko.
Damn it! I want to curse her for what she has said! Why do I have a gut feeling that she hated Zadie so much?
"What are you trying to say ba?" Keid asked me. Kinuha ko naman ang phone ko at ipinakita 'yon sa kanila.
"I think all of you need to hear this, especially you," sambit ko pa at ninguso si Vince.
'Tell me the truth, Zad. Ano roon ang totoo? Ano ba ang totoo? Do you really love him or not?'
'Yes, I do love him. I really do.'
Bakas ang gulat sa kanila ngunit gano'n na lamang ang pagkadismaya ko when I saw his reaction. Seryoso at walang ka ekspre-ekspresyon. Damn you! Ni-record ko pa 'yan tapos ganiyan lang makukuha kong reaction mula sa 'yo?!
'Z-Zadie—"
'For once, I want to be honest to you. So if you're going to ask me if I truly love him, yes I do. If you're going to ask me how am I, I wouldn't lie to you anymore and tell you I'm okay.'
'B-Because for once, I want to tell you that I'm not. I'm not okay, Ara.'
'I want to be honest with you, to myself, to everyone.'
'Then tell me the whole truth, Zad. I think honesty is the only left in you that you could offer to. Isipin mo ako si Vince, now tell me kung ano talaga 'yung nararamdam mo.'
Oh my gosh! Ito 'yung pinaka-climax!
'N-None of that was a mistake, a misunderstanding, or a lie. T-The w-way I treat you is real. T-the way I feel about you is all real. B-But I hope you understand why I'm doing this. I hope you know that I haven't left you.'
Nagulat kaming lahat nang biglang tumakbo si Vince matapos niyang hablutin ang phone ko. Nangunguna naman ako sa pagsunod dito kahit pa sobrang taas ng heels ko. Hello? Iphone ko lang naman ang hawak niya and it's freaking luxury! Baka mamaya kung saan-saan niya iyon ilapag! Knowing Vince, kapag frustrated siya or hindi mapakali, hindi na niya alintana nangyayari sa paligid niya. He might leave my phone somewhere or worse throw it.
Napahinto kaming lahat nang makita namin si Rin at Kuya Khalil. At ang mga taksil, magka-holding hands pa. Hello? Nababaliw na ba kayo?! Holding hands talaga sa harap naming lahat?
"Vince, balak na sana namin kayong punatahan," sambit sa kaniya ni Kuya Khalil.
"Vince, I'm really sorry. I'm really sorry for ruining your life," sambit naman ni Rin matapos niyang lapitan si Vince at hawakan ang mga kamay nito. "I was forced in this marriage, and I really don't want to do this. I'm sorry."
We were all shocked by her confession. What does she mean? Oh my gosh! Don't tell me na-convince na ni Kuya Khalil si Rin?
"I followed my heart and I want you to follow your heart too. I know mahal mo ang kapatid ko."
Bago pa sumagot si Vince ay agad akong lumapit sa kanila. Nang makuha ko ang phone ko ay saka ako nagsalita. "Of course, yes! Mahal na mahal na mahal niyan si Zadie! Kaya ano pang hinihintay mo? Puntahan—"
"That's the problem, we need to hurry. Nasa airport si Zadie and she's going to Canada!" putol sa 'kin ni Rin. Para naman kaming binagsakan ng planetang Mars.
"Pvta! Kilos na! Kailangan natin habulin babes ko!" sigaw ni Keid.
Mabilis naman kaming nagsitakbuhan papunta sa parking. Para kaming mga nakatakas sa kulungan. Sobrang hirap tumakbo nang naka-heels at gown, ah! May hawak-hawak pa kaming bulaklak!
"Damn it! Hintay, hoy!" sigaw ko at itinapon ang bulaklak na hawak ko.
"Ampvta! Run away bride, groom, and run away abay ang peg natin, ah!" sambit pa ni Keid, ngunit imbes na matawa kami, sinamaan lang namin siya ng tingin. At nakuha pa niyang magbiro sa sitwasyon namin ngayon?!
"Sayang naman! Balak ko pa namang sumigaw mamaya nang 'itigil ang fvcking kasal na ito'!" sambit pa ni Keid na siyang ikinatawa ko. "'Di bali na, sa kasal nalang ni Ara!"
"Ewan ko sa 'yo, halika na!"
***
Vince's POV:
I drive as fast as I can. Keid and Ara were with me and we're on our way to the airport.
I want to bang my head for being such stupid. I should have let her explain that night. Now that I know the truth, wait for me, my love. I'm on my way. Please, don't go. Not again, not this time.
"Wala na bang mas ibibilis pa 'to?" Ara asked. I was about to answer nang bigla akong mapapreno dahil sa haba ng traffic.
"Ay pvta! Ang sarap niyong pag-untugin ni Zadie! Bigla-bigla nalang pumepreno!" reklamo naman ni Keid.
"Umuusad na, dali! Huwag mong pansinin 'yang si bruha at baka 'di natin maabutan si Zadie!" saad naman ni Ara. I tried to calm myself, kung pwede lang paliparin 'tong kotse ko ginawa ko na. But we all know I can't.
I couldn't help but mutter a curse. As time passing my heart beats fast and fast. I have already lost her, I can't do that again. I don't want to make the same mistake over and over again. I have to do everything to stop her.
I took my phone and lend it to Ara. "C-Call her."
"Mabuti pa nga! Ano bang name?!" she asked.
"B-Bubwit—"
"Nakita ko na!" she shouted at itinapat ang phone ko sa tainga niya, ngunit ilang segundo lang ang lumipas ay ipinukpok nito sa ulo ko 'yon. "Tang*na mo Vince! Walang load g*go ka!"
"Pvta naman! Ako na nga lang!" Keid presented. I just continue driving. Hindi ko naman alam na wala na pala akong load.
"What now?" I asked on Keid on look at her on the rear view mirror. Maging ang mga kamay ko ay namamawis na dahil hindi ako mapakali.
"Ayaw sumagot ni Zadie! Baka nasa eroplano na 'yon—"
"Tang*na mo! Kapag si Zadie hindi natin naabutan iiwanan ka namin sa airport, ah!" sigaw sa kaniya ni Ara. Mas binilisan ko naman ang pagmamaneho ko hanggang sa makarating kami ng airport.
"Hurry up!" sigaw ko sa dalawa at tumakbo papasok sa loob.
"Pwede ba mamaya na 'tong security check!?" rinig ko pang sambit ni Keid, but we can't do anything about it.
I ran towards the flight attendant nearby. "Excuse me, do you know about.. saan ba pupunta si bubwit—"
"'Yung flight ng Canada, ate? Alam niyo po ba kung saan?" tanong ni Ara.
Damn it! We ran towards the direction she pointed.
I lied to you, my love. I lied when I said I regretted loving you. Please come back, please don't leave your sky.
"Sir, Ma'am, may ticket po ba kayo?"
"Sir! Kailangan naming pigilan 'yung kaibigan namin!" Keid answered but still, he didn't let us entered.
"Damn it! I will pay you! Just let us in, fvck!"
"Excuse me, sir, ma'am wala na po kayong aabutan sa loob. Nakalipad na po ang eroplano."
I felt like my world just stopped. Wala sa sariling napaluhod ako at gulat na napatingin sa babae.
"W-What did you just say?" I asked, my eyes blinking.
"Wala na po ang hinahabol niyo sir. Kakaalis lang po nila," she answered.
"N-No, no, that's not true! Let me fvcking enter! Bullsh*t! Do you know who I am?!" I shouted.
"Vince, tama na! Halika na!" Ara stopped me.
"Hindi, kung gusto niyong umalis, umalis kayo. Dito lang ako..." I answered.
"V-Vince, wala na si Zadie, hayaan mo nalang siya—"
"G-Guys! Si Cloud!" Keid shouted. Napatayo naman ako kaagad at nilapitan ito.
"Bro, where is Zadie? I need to see her, tell me—"
"Oh my gosh, kanina pa nakaalis si Zadie, ah?" his friend said. My tears started to fall down as my jaw dropped.
Damn, my love why did you leave? Why did you do this to me?
"B-But I hope you understand why I'm doing this. I hope you know that I haven't left you,"
I thought you haven't left me?
"I know you only permitted all of this even if you don't want to."
Nah, I did not permit this fvck! You know I will never let you go!
"Y-You asshole, you always give me what I ask for."
I closed my eyes as I keep walking back and forth, didn't know what to do. I was groaning and brushing my hair repeatedly, calming myself down.
"Vince, stop it. Wala na tayong magagawa—"
"Damn it! Damn! Damn!" sunod-sunod kong mura at hindi pinansin ang pagtawag sa 'kin ng mga kasama ko.
"Tumayo ka na r'yan Vince, let's go!"
"Bro, babalik si Zadie. She will just finish her studies there," Cloud said.
"Tumayo ka na riyan, Vince. Please lang," Ara uttered and helped me to stand. Nakayukong naglakad ako palabas ng terminal.
It hurts so much knowing that she's gone. Ni hindi man lang ako nakakuha ng chance para makausap siya, makita siya. If you only know that although I don't want to see you, I'm fvcking missing you so damn much, that I still love you so much that I can't even put it in words. But I will hold into the last hope...
Babalik ka.
Alam kong babalik ka, bubwit. It will not be easy to endure this waiting but even if it takes longer and longer, I'll wait...
Just come back to me again, bubwit.
Even I could not figure out the answer if we will meet at the end, maghihintay ako. Once your time and my time meet, I promise to hold you. I promise that I will hug you tight.
I'm sorry for hurting you. I'm sorry for my stupidness. I'm sorry... I'm really sorry. I hope you forgive your sky. I hope you forgive me.
"Bumalik na tayo, Vince. May haharapin pa kayo, si Tita Ivory at ang parents mo."
"Tama si Keid, Vince. We'll try to contact Zadie and talk to Mr. Villin," Ara told me. "For now, let's go back and face the witch na siyang puno't dulo ng lahat ng ito."
I looked back once again, hoping that Zadie would appear and call my name while waving her hand, but nothing came out. Mapait akong natawa sa aking sarili. Wala na siya, Vince. Wala na.
"Goodbye, world! Till we meet again!" I heard Keid shout. When Ara noticed that I was watching them, she quickly hit Keid and whispered something to her.
"Tara na?"
They both nodded. "Sana lang hindi tayo kulamin ng ina ni Rin, ano? Mahal ko pa ang buhay ko," Keid uttered. Both of them cracked into a laugh.
Even I want to laugh with them, I couldn't. How am I supposed to laugh knowing that the girl I love the most left me? She left with a bleeding heart. She left with so much pain we caused to her and I'll never forgive myself for that.
"Ihanda mo 'yung sarili mo, Vince. Magtutuos pa kayo ni Tita Ivory," Ara uttered, tapping my shoulder. "Huwag kang mag-alala, hindi kita pipigilan. That old woman ruined our friendship. She ruined her own daughter's life and yours too. Hindi ko siya mapapatawad sa lahat ng ginawa niya sa atin, lalo na kay Zadie at sa 'yo."
-The End-
***
Lie Again
by: thesweetest_thing
Hello, dear readers!
Let me extend my sincere gratitude to every one of you. I really do appreciate your effort and support for my works and I couldn't say more. Sobra-sobrang pasasalamat po talaga.
Today, Zadie, Cloud, and Vince together with the rest of the team bawal lumabas and team pwedeng lumabas are signing off with a big thank you. Thank you for being part of my journey and their journey too. I know it's kinda sad dahil hindi sila nagkaroon ng chance to talk, but I know you guys are still happy because they both follow their hearts, Zarine and Vince.
I hope I leave an important lesson for everyone. It is not just about telling the truth. It's also about being real to yourself and to others about who you are. Zadie may fail to do that, but we all know that she did her best still. And as an author who builds her, I'm very proud. She's very strong and selfless.
Anyway, I want to tell you guys that it is possible that it will be having season 2. I want to bring you to ten years after, what do you think? Please let me read your thoughts about it. But for now, I'll just take a break and finish my ongoing story first.
Again, thank you all so much, and please, stay safe! May God bless us with good health!
With love, thesweetest_thing.