Poetic Justice

Temporary

Naging mabilis ang preparasyon sa kasal ni William at Laylah dahil na rin sa kagustuhan nang matanda na agad na idaos ang kasal nang mga ito. Sa isang hotel nang Guillermo idinaos ang kasal nang dalawa na dinaluhan nang kanilang mga malalapit na kaibigan at kamag-anak nang bawat pamilya at kaklase nang magkasintahan.

“Masyado mo naman kaming ginulat sa biglang pagpapakasal ninyo.” Wika nang kaibigan ni William at kanya ding kaklase. Hindi naman maitatatago ang pagkabigla nang mga ito dahil sa biglaang pagpapakasal nang dalawa.

“I was really thinking I can pursue you after graduation. It was a shame that you have already tied the knot to this guy.” Wika nang isang kaklase nila kay Laylah. Siya ang High school heartthrob at matagal nang may gusto kay Laylah.

“Ano naman ang Nakita mo sa martial arts geek na ito at siya ang pinili mo?” tanong nito kay Laylah. Sa halip na sumagot ay ngumiti lang si Laylah. Matagal na rin naman niyang binasted ang binata. Noon paman si William lang ang laman nang puso niya. Nang una niyang malaman ang tungkol sa pangako nang lolo niya sa lolo ni William labis siyang natuwa. Mas naging lubos naman ang kaligayahan niya nang sabihin ni William sa kanya na matagal na siyang gusto nito. It was that time during the high school entrance ceremony. Iyon din ang araw na nagsimula siyang pormahan nang high school prince.

“Just tell me when he is unable to make you happy. You can always come to me, you know.” Wika nito kay Laylah.

“Stop flirting with my wife, Idiot. You are blabbering nonsense. Of course, I intend to make her happy. Why else would I marry her.” Wika ni William at hinawakan ang kamay nang asawa. “It is her that I want to live my life with.” Wika ni William dahilan upang pamulahan nang pisngi si Laylah.

“C’mon! bluntly flirting in my face. I get it. She is your wife.” Wika nito at tumalikod. “I am happy for you.” Wika nito saka naglakad papalayo.

“He is an Idiot and a good for nothing pretty face prince. But he is a good guy.” Wika ni William. “I was afraid you would fall in love with him.”

“That’s the reason you confess your feelings to me during our first year in high school right?” wika ni Laylah saka humarap kay William at ngumiti. Biglang pinamulahan si William nang Makita ang matamis na ngiti nang asawa.

Tama naman ito. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit niya inamin ang nararamdaman sa kaibigan. He can’t imagine her being with someone else. Kaya bago pa man malayo si Laylah sa kanya, he already crossed that bridge between friendship and lovers. It was a total relief that she also feels the same way. He was anxious the whole time that she might reject her.

Biglang nagulat si Laylah nang inilapit ni William ang mukha sa kanya. At nang sandaling iyon, biglang pumasok sa isip nila ng halik na pinagsaluhan nila sa harap nang altar during the wedding ceremony. It was their official first kiss. William is too much of a gentleman and it took them 3 years for their first kiss. Sa mga date nila. They can only hold hands. At masaya na siya sa mga gesture na iyon ni William. Dahil sa pagkabigla ni Laylah bigla niyang inilayo ang mukha sa asawa. Isang pilyong ngiti naman ang sumilay sa labi ni William.

“B-bakit?” Tanong ni Laylah.

“Don’t show me that kind of expression. I might not be able to control myself and break my promise.” Wika ni William saka ginawaran nang halik sa pisngi si Laylah saka agad na lumayo. Nakita naman nang mga bisita ang ginawa nang binata dahilan upang umalingaw-ngaw sa loob nang bulwagan ang malakas na palakpakan. Maging ang lolo ni William ay hindi maitago ang labis na tuwa dahil sa katuparan nang pangako sa kaibigan. Bukod doon Nakita din niyang nagmamahalan ang dalawa.

“I promised not to touch you until we came of age. Though it will be very diffifult on my part. I don’t intend to break that promise.” Wika ni William sa asawa. Napangiti naman si William nang hawakan ni Laylah ang kamay niya.

***

Hey!, come on don’t show me that sad face. I will just be away for 4 years. Before we know it. Four years will already be over and we’d be together forever.” Wika ni William sa asawa at hinawakan ang pisngi nito. “Kaya nga ayaw kong sumama ka dito sa airport. I don’t want you to see me leave.” Wika pa nang binata. A week after their wedding, he received his admission to a renowned Business school. It was just after their honeymoon vacation. Bago pa sila ikasal ni Laylah, alam na nitong pupunta siya sa ibang bansa upang mag-aral. Nagkasundo ang pamilya nil ana kapwa nila tatapusin ang pag-aaral nila bago sila bumuo nang pamilya. William is yet to talk over his grandfather’s business. Si Laylah naman ay gustong magtapos nang Nursing gaya nang pangarap nang magulang nito sa kanya.

Malungkot si William na iwan ang asawa niya. Bagong kasal sila. Hindi ba dapat they are enjoying their time as a newly wed couple. But they are not. They have to fulfil their duties to their family.

“I’ll call you. May not be every day. But I will.” Wika pa ni William saka hinawakan ang kamay ni Laylah saka hinalikan. “It is difficult for me to leave you but I have to. You know that right?” Tanong ni William sa asawa saka pinahid ang luha sa mata nito. Simple namang tumango si Laylah. Walang salitang gustong lumabas sa bibig niya dahil sa sikip nang dibdib niya. It was so painful to be apart from the person who love. Since they were kids they were unseparable. Ito ang unang beses na malalayo sila sa isa’t-isa at sa loob pa nang apat na taon.

“This won’t do. Should I just cancel my admission? I can always find a good college here.” Tanong ni William nang makitang hindi tumitigil ang luha sa pagtulo mula sa mat ani Laylah. Alam niyang nasasaktan ito. They haven’t done anything as husband and wife yet they will be separated. Sa totoo lang, he is feeling insecure to leave her. She is young and beautiful. Walang lalaking hindi magkakagusto sa kanya. Natatakot siyang wala na siyang babalikang asawa. But, we kept that insecure feelings in him. He have to trust her. Thet’ve been friend since they were five. Alam niyang matapat si Laylah. He can trust her. It is the environment that he can’t trust.

“It’s no good! Let’s just go back home.” Wika ni William at hinawakan ang kamay ni Laylah saka tangkang inakay palabas nang Airport. Ngunit pinigilan ni Laylah ang kamay nang asawa.

“I didn’t mean it like that.” Sa wakas ay nagawa na niyang makapagsalita kahit na medyo karagal ang boses dahil sa labis na pag-iyak. “Nalulungkot ako na malayo saiyo. Pero hindi ibig sabihin ay magiging hadlang ako sa katuparan nang pangarap mo. I am sorry for acting like a brat. I am insecure. I don’t know what to think. What if you find someone else’s there? What if---” biglang naputol ang sasabihin ni Laylah nang sakupin ni William ang labi niya. It was sweet and quick. Agad naman niyang natuptop ang bibig nang humiwalay si William sa kanya saka napatingin sa mukha nang asawa.

“Your what if’s have no basis. I told you before, if it’s not you, I won’t fall in love. I have my own insecurities too. You are too beautiful and too loveable. Guys will be lining up behind you.” Ani William.

“But then, I choose to leave it behind and trust you because I know how much you love me. We have been waiting for each other for more than 10 years. Another 4 years won’t hurt. Don’t you think?” wika ni William.

“You’re insecure?” tanong ni Laylah.

“I am. And it’s painful thinking that you are away from me for four whole years. I can’t hold you and kiss you until we are able ro achieve something. That’s the promise we gave to our parents. I can’t really consider myself as your husband until I am already acknowledged by them as a full grown man. I am trying to be strong for the both of us. Because I know you are there. So---” biglang naputol ang sasabihin ni William nang bigla siyang yakapin ni Laylah.

“I will be waiting. I love you William.” Wika ni Laylah habang yakap ang asawa. She have come to that resolve na magtitiwala sa asawa. Dahil alam niyang mapagkakatiwalaan naman ito. Her insecurities are of no basis. What she have to do is to trust on their love. Trust that love that will bring them together again.

“You are bold, Mrs. Guillermo.” Wika ni William, saka hinawakan ang mukha nang asawa at bahagyang iniangat. Saka hinalikan ang matang may luha. His kiss went down to her cheeks. And then he gently angled his face and kissed her lips passionately. As husband and wife. They have only shared passionate kisses.