Please, Forget me Not

CHAPTER 33

Maaga akong nagising kinabukasan dahil may lakad ako. Saimon invited me to his photography show, and I decided to go since that would be his last because he got a job offer abroad, and he’s going to leave the next day. After ng event niya, mayroong pa-despedida na inihanda ang pamilya ni Frea para sa kan’ya.

I wore a knee-length silver spaghetti strap dress that hugged my body perfectly, partnered with a black stiletto. I put light make-up that matches my dress and did my hair on a high ponytail. After doing all my stuff, I glanced at the mirror for a final look. Satisfied, I grabbed my pouch and went out of my room.

Habang naglalakad ako pababa ng hagdanan ay siya namang pagpasok ni Zach sa bahay namin. Natigilan siya nang makita ako at nang makalapit sa pwesto niya ay agad niya akong hinagod ng tingin mula ulo hanggang paa.

“Wow, you look extra lovely today.” I smiled softly when he gave me a peck. I also looked at him from head to toe. He was wearing a midnight blue button-up shirt and black slacks partnered with brown loafers. He was so handsome as usual.

“You, too,” I said when I met his gaze.

“Let’s go... before I change my mind and just keep you here.” He chuckled before placing his hand on the small of my back and ushered me outside toward his car.

When we reached the venue, he handed his keys to the parking valet before we went inside.

Nang makita kami ni Saimon ay agad niya kaming nilapitan at binati. Nakipagkwentuhan muna siya sa amin saglit bago siya nagpaalam para ientertain ‘yong iba pang guests. Nakahawak lang ako sa braso ni Zach habang nag-iikot kami at nagtitingin ng mga litratong kuha ni Saimon na nakasabit sa mga dingding. I can’t deny that Saimon was good. He got both talent and skills. I’m so happy for him having an amazing career kahit na bata pa lang siya. I’m sure malayo pa ang mararating niya.

“Kaiah, I will just take this call,” paalam ni Zach bago naglakad palayo. After few minutes, bumalik rin siya kaagad. Nag-alala ako nang makita ang pangungunot ng kaniyang noo.

“Zach, may nangyari ba?”

“I need to go to Laguna. The head engineer of our project there called me. We will have a meeting with our client who just came back from New York this afternoon. I told him I will just send one of the best architects on my team, but the client refused.” He frowned.

“Maybe the client wants you because he knows you’re the best. You should go, Zach.”

“But I don’t want to leave you…”

“Andito naman si Aly at Frea. I’ll be fine here. Don’t worry about me. You have more important things to do.”

“Don’t say something like that, Kaiah. Nothing’s most important to me but you. Always remember that.”

“I know, I’m sorry…”

“Okay, I’ll just talk to Aly to look after you while I’m away.”

After talking to his brother, I walked him outside to bid him goodbye. While waiting for his car, he was just staring at me. I arched my brow.

“What?”

“I really don’t want to leave you.” I laughed.

“I know, but you have to… Andyan na ang kotse mo, you should go. Take care, ha? Text me kapag nakarating ka na roon.” The valet handed him back his keys, and he thanked him before glancing back at me.

“I really don’t have a choice but to go there.” He sighed. “Okay, I’m leaving now.” I nodded and waved my hands at him. I watched him open the door of his car, but he didn’t get in. Instead, he turned around and strode towards me.

Natigilan naman ako nang bigla niya akong yakapin nang mahigpit. Nang makabawi sa gulat ay niyakap ko na rin siya.

“Wait for me, I’ll be back.” He pulled away a little and planted a kiss on my lips. “I love you,” he said before hugging me again. Napangiti ako sa sinabi niyang iyon bago siya sinagot.

“I love you, too.” I don’t know why, but he was extra sweet and clingy today.

“Zach, magkikita pa tayo mamaya,” natatwang saway ko nang hindi pa rin siya bumibitaw sa pagkakayakap sa akin.

I pulled away from his hug and pushed him towards his car.

“Go na, baka hinihintay ka na nila.” He finally got inside his car. “See you later.” I smiled as I waved my hands at him. He stared at me for a few minutes before he drove away.

Nang mawala na sa paningin ko ang sasakyan niya ay tsaka palang ako bumalik sa loob. Ipinagpatuloy ko ang pagtitingin ng mga pictures sa loob. Bandang ala una nang magtext sa akin si Zach, informing me na nakarating na siya sa Laguna. After replying to him, I looked for Saimon to congratulate him for his achievements. Natapos ang show bandang alas singko ng hapon at dumiretso na kami sa bahay nila Frea para sa farewell party ni Saimon.

Nang makarating sa bahay nila Frea, I received a text from Zach telling me that he’s on the way back to Manila. I told him to go straight to their house para makapagpahinga siya, but he insisted that he’ll pick me up kaya wala na akong nagawa kung hindi ang hintayin na lang siya.

Medyo maraming tao at hindi ko mga kilala ang mga nasa party kaya nasa isang gilid lang ako kasama si Aly. Busy kasi si Frea dahil siya ang nag-organize ng party’ng ‘to kaya hindi niya masamahan ang boyfriend niya.

Saimon came and offered me a drink, but I refused. I don’t want to offend him kaya juice na lang ang hiningi ko.

“Buti na lang hindi mo tinanggap,” bulong sa akin ni Aly.

“Why?”

“Kuya asked me not to let you drink. I wonder what you did last time.” Nakagat ko ang labi ko dahil sa sinabi niya.

“I never did anything last time. Nakatulog lang ako.”

“Pa’no mo nasabi, e nagkaka-amnesia ka kapag nalalasing ka? Hindi ka pinagbabawalan ni kuya na uminom dati kaya sigurado akong may ginawa ka last time.”

“Wala talaga,” pagmamaang-maangan ko.

“Okay, if that’s what makes you sleep at night.” He shrugged, obviously not believing me. “Basta wag kang iinom ngayon.”

“Hindi talaga!” sagot ko sabay inom doon sa juice na kalalapag lang ni Saimon sa lamesang nasa harapan ko.

Maya-maya pa ay tinawag na ni Frea ang pinsan niya upang magbigay ng farewell message sa harapan. Agad namang lumapit si Saimon at tinanggap ang mikroponong nakalahad sa kan’ya. Nang nasa kalagitnaan na siya ng kaniyang mensahe, biglang nag-ring ang cellphone ni Aly na nakapatong sa lamesa. Tumatawag si tita.

Dahil maingay dito, kinailangan niyang lumayo upang sagutin ‘yong tawag. Itinuon ko muli ang atensyon ko sa sinasabi ni Saimon nang biglang bumalik si Aly at tinapik ako sa balikat.

“Sariah…” Kumunot ang noo ko sa paraan nang pagtawag niya sa akin. Parang may kakaiba sa boses niya.

“Bakit?” Nakatitig lang siya sa akin at hindi nagsasalita. “Aly, bakit? Anong sinabi ni tita?” I asked again. Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero bigla akong kinabahan.

“Si K-Kuya…” Biglang kumalabog ang dibdib ko. Napatayo ako at tiningnan siya sa mga mata niyang halo-halo ang pinapakitang emosyon.

Hinawakan ko siya sa magkabilang balikat gamit ang nanginginig kong kamay.

“What h-happened, Aly? Tell me!” Parang sasabog ang dibdib ko sa kaba habang inaalog-alog siya upang magsalita.

“Kuya got into a…c-car accident.”