A Night with a Stranger

Chapter 18

Time heals but everything is still fresh on her mind. She tried her best to forget everything and just let it go but she can't. They said acceptance is the key to moving forward and starting a new life, but it is really hard for her to accept everything. Binuksan ni Jamaica ang kanyang dating apartment. Nandoon pa rin ang iba niyang mga gamit. Hindi naman iyon maalikabok kasi may binabayaran siyang maglilinis doon buwan buwan.

She opened the door to her room. Sa kabilang side ay ang larawan nilang dalawa ni Light. Kuha iyon nong nagbakasyon sila sa isang Isla. Nakayakap si Light sa kanya sa likod at hinalikan siya sa pisngi. That was the happiest moment that they were together but she never thought that was the last day that they would spend their time together.

Flashback

"Babe,how was it? Do you love this place?" tanong ni Light sa dalaga habang magkahawak ang kamay na naglalakad sa dalampasigan. They love going to beach together.

"Yeah, I love it.Thank you , babe." masaya niyang sagot kay Light. Light always makes her happy.

"Anything for you babe. Someday, I am going to buy this resort for you. We are going to live here and with our kids."masiglang sabi ni Light sa kanya.

"Anak agad?" aniya saka kinurot ang kasintahan sa gilid.

"Hahaha. ouch. Oo naman. I want to spend my life with you, babe. You are the only woman that I want."sabi nito.

"Hmmmmp."

"I promise. Ikaw lang ang babaeng iibigin at mamahalin ko habang buhay at wala nang iba pa." sabi ng binata. Niyakap siya mula sa likuran at hinalikan sa pisngi then he took a picture on it.

"Ang pangit ko niyan." reklamo niya.

"You are always the beautiful girl in my eyes, babe. " sabi ng binata sa kanya.

"Hmmmmp. Bolero." aniya and she rolled her eyes. Kinurot naman ng binata ang kanyang mukha. Binatukan niya rin ang binata at saka tumakbo. Hinabol naman siya nito. That day was filled of laughter and happiness.

Maganda ang panahon nong gabing iyon. nakahiga silang dalawa sa buhangin. Tiningala nila ang kalangitan. Maliwanag ito dahil sa buwan at mga bituin.

"Babe, ang ganda ng mga bituin no? sabi niya sa binata habang nakapatong ang kanyang ulo sa braso nito.

"Mas maganda ka pa diyan." nakangiting sagot naman nito.

"Sos. yan ka na naman. Bolero ka talaga." sabi niya.

"Babe, pag may sarili na akong company. magpapakasal na tayo at bubuo ng masayang pamilya." seryosong sabi ng binata.

"Ikaw talaga. Mga bata pa naman tayo eeh."

"Bakit? Ayaw mo ba makasal sa akin?" tela nalungkot na sabi ng binata sa kanya.

"Hindi naman sa ganon babe. Of course I just want to spend my life with you pero abutin na muna natin yong mga pangarap nating dalawa."malambing niyang sagot.

" I always support you babe. Whatever you want susuportahan kita. Just promise me to stay by my side no matter what happens." sabi ng lalaki.

Tiningnan niya ito sa mga mata at hinalikan sa pisngi."I will." she said.

"Please wear this one. This is our promise ring. Sootin mo to lage. Sa susunod wedding ring na ang isosoot mo." sabi ni Light sa kanya at isinoot ang gold ring na may naka -ukit na pangalan nilang dalawa. Hinalikan naman siya ng binata ng maisoot na nila angkanilang promise ring. That was the most unforgetabble moment that they had.

Hindi mapigilan ni Jamaica ang kanyang mga luha na tumulo ng maalala ang nakaraan. Gusto niyang malaman ang dahilan bakit biglang nawala si Light at nakalimutan siya nito pero hindi niya magawa harapin ang kasalukuyan. Hanggang ala-ala na lang ang lahat and that was the saddest part of their story. She is not brave enough to face the reality.

She wiped her tears ng tumunog ang kanyang cellphone. Si Bliss ang tumawag. Dali-dali niya itong sinagot.

"Ate....." sabi ni Bliss sa kabilang linya. Nataranta siya dahil para itong umiyak.

"Bliss? Oh my gosh. What happened? How are you? Where are you?" sunod-sunod niyang tanong sa kaibigan.

"I am fine, ate. Pwede mo ba ako mapuntahan dito?" malungkot na sabi nito. She knew something was wrong with her.Dali-dali naman siyang umalis para mapuntahan si Bliss sa sinabing lugar nito.

Hinanap agad ng kanyang mga si Bliss. She saw her on the bench. She felt sad and lost. She immediately went closer to her.

“Bliss?” she said. Bliss looked at her.

“Ate,” Bliss uttered that word and tears flew down from her eyes. She hugged her tightly without saying a word. Her presence means a lot to Bliss right now.

“Just cry if you want. Just release all the pain that you have. I am here. Ate is here, okay?” sabi ni Jam habang yakap-yakap si Bliss. She did not ask her what happened. Hinayaan niya muna itong umiyak. She knew everything was not right when Bliss calls her ate.

A few minutes later, medyo kumalma na si Bliss.

“Thank you for coming to me. Hindi ko alam ko sino tatawagan ko.” sabi ni Bliss ng kumalas ito sa yakap niya

“You can always count on me, Bliss.” Jamaica said. She wiped Bliss’ tears. “ Feeling better now? She added. Tumango naman si Bliss.

“Do you want to go home or do you just want to stay in my condo for a while?” tanong ni Jam kay Bliss.

“Pwede bang sa condo mo muna ako? I don't want to see them. I want to be away from them for a while.” sabi ni Bliss sa kaibigan.

“Alright. Let’s go to my place.”

She maneuvered her car to her condo. She parked her car in the parking lot and let Bliss wait for her in the lobby.

“It's just a small area enough for me to stay not far from the office.” Jamaica said to Bliss when they entered her condo unit. Actually kalilipat lang din niya sa nasabing unit kaya wala pang masyadong gamit. Pinaupo niya si Bliss sa couch and kumuha ng tubig sa Ref niya

“you need to drink water first.” she said

“Thank you ate.” Bliss said.

Jamaica sat beside Bliss right now. She looked at her and smiled. Then, Bliss told her everything about what she discovered in her life.

“Maybe they have reasons why they hide it from you, especially tita. Tita Amara loves you so much. She just wanted to protect you. Whatever it is, you need to listen to them whatever explanation they have. Yes, it is not easy to accept the fact about it but you need to face it. Whatever you feel right now is valid but think about the positive side of the story.” Jamaica said to Bliss.

She did not condemn her because that is her life though. She just said what could be better things to do in that situation.

Nang mahimasmasan si Bliss hinayaan na lang muna ito matulog para makapagpahinga ang kaibigan at upang makapag decide ito kung ano ang dapat gawin. Kahit sinabihan niya ito kung ano dapat gawin but si Bliss pa rin ang makapag decide kung ano ang final decision niya.

“I hope everything will be alright with you.” sabi niya habang inayos niya ang kumot para kay Bliss.