The Heart Never Forgets

Chapter 7

After dropping Gella at Ignacio's building ay dumiretso ang taxi sa Pablito's. Agad naman akong bumaba pagkatapos magbayad. Nang mapansin ng mga waiter ang pagdating ko ay agad nila akong binati ng paggalang. I walk straight to the office located at the back of the counter.It's door was just beside the counter and it's wall were made of darkly tinted one- way fiber glass. Kita ko mula sa loob ang lahat ng kaganapan sa labas. But those who were outside can never get a peek kung ano ang nasa loob nito.No one would ever thought that this was an office because the outside walls were decorated with fake vines. And we put holographic

waterfalls na nagsilbing highlights sa lugar.Our concept for this restaurant is more like a glimpse of natural paradise. Naglagay kami ng koi pond sa gawing entrance and accentuate the sorroundings with maintained Japanese Bushida trees. Our modern designed huts were accentuated with white sheered cloths that adds drama to the setting. We also put artificial crawling vines in every columns. Once darkness starts to set in,different colored lights will add more life and vibrance to the place. This made this place more dreamy. If I were to say,this place is so romantic.Most of our customers are couples who are looking for some quite yet have that dreamy effect sa place.We also played romantic instrumental music to complete the atmosphere. Nakakadagdag musika ang natural na huni ng mga ibon during daytime.Butterflies sometimes make it's visit.At sa gabi naman ay sumasaliw din ang nag kikislapang fireflies na namamahay sa paligid. Napakaganda ng lugar na ito.

Pagkaupo sa swivel chair ng opisina ay agad kung tinext si Mira.I informed her that I am already in the restaurant. And that if she has nothing else to do,she can drop by earlier than agreed.

While waiting for her reply,I ask for the supervisor to talk about some matter dito sa restaurant.

Di naman nagtagal ay pumasok naman si Nev. Nev has been with us for 2 years and he's been doing his job excellently.I can also say he has good relationship with the staff dahil talagang mahuhusay ang mga ito magtrabaho.And since he started,wala ni isa pa ang nag resign sa mga hired namin unlike nung isang supervisor na nauna rito na halos di abutin ng ilang buwan ay mag reresign na dahil sa hindi magandang pamamalakad nito.I applaud how good Nev has done in my restaurant.His service is one of the reason why my business has prospered.

Pagkatapos ng discussion namin ni Nev ay agad na itong lumabas ng opisina.Sakto namang kinatok ako ng isang staff at sinabing may naghahanap daw sa akin.When I come out of the office,I saw Mira right away ,sitting in one of the huts situated not far from the pond. I walked my way to where she is.Na-noticed nya siguro ang paglapit ko ay agad naman itong lumingon at tipid ang ngiting tumingin sa akin.

Umupo ako sa tapat nya at pinakatitigan sya. She never changed a bit.In fact,she looks prettier today than the last time we saw each other.When was that?..3 mos ago on our last trip and vacation to Thailand.We went there for 3 days. Well,she has always been beautiful. She wouldn't have caught my heart if she was not. Bahagya akong tumikhim upang makapagsalita.Para kasing may nakabara sa lalamunan ko.Parang ang hirap magsalita ng kaharap ito. Akala ko kanina ay kaya ko itong amuin at sabihin ng walang kahirap hirap ang damdamin ko.Pero iba pala talaga kapag kaharap mo na.Bahagya naman itong nagbaba ng tingin at saka yumuko.

"You look great Babe.I miss you." marahan kong sabi sabay gagap sana sa mga kamay nyang nakapatong sa table.Napansin siguro nito ang balak ko that's why she suddenly put it in her lap.

"I'm sorry ..I'm so sorry Chase for being so immature.I shouldn't have done that. Breaking up with you over a phone call seem so childish. "

nakikinig lang ako dito.Gusto kong marinig lahat ng sasabihin nya.

"I know it's all so sudden but I know it's the right thing to do.I thought things will get okay after our Thailand trip. And that what I felt for you will still be the same ...but,... going on that trip with you made me realize one thing." Nakatitig lang ako sa kanya at pigil ang sariling maluha. Nasasaktan ako sa mga sinabi nya.Pero nasasktan rin akong makita syang nahihirapan ng ganito.

"I have to be honest Chase,I do love you.You knew that." napayuko ako dahil tuluyan ng kumawala ang luha sa mga mata ko.

"But with you not being by my side most of the times that I need you, parang unti-unti din iyong naglaho. I appreciate everything you did for me.The effort you endlessly show....but I can't help myself for feeling this way.I'm sorry"

alam kong nasasaktan din ito dahil nakita kong tumulo ang luha nito na agad din naman pinahid. Nanginginig ang mga labing pinilit kong magsalita. Alam kong malaki ang pagkukulang ko rito. Kaya ramdam ko ang pinaghuhugutan nito sa akin.

"May iba na ba Babe? tanong ko rito.Di naman ito agad sumagot kaya alam ko na ang magiging sagot nito.

"I don't intend to.But I just woke up one day falling for him.And I kept falling for him even after something had happened to him. Ako nalang ang meron sya ngayon Chase.And I am happy being with him.Please understand..."

kung sino man ang tinutukoy nito ngayon ay napakaswerte nito.Dahil ramdam ko kung gaano ito pinahalagahan ng babaeng minahal ko. Masakit man ay kailangan kong tanggapin. Masaktan man ako,magiging masaya naman ang mahal ko sa kalayaang ibibigay ko. Pakakawalan ko sya ng bukal sa kalooban kahit pa kapalit nito ay sugat sa puso ko.And I'll treasure the pain this caused me,dahil kapalit naman nitoy kaligayahan ng minamahal ko. This time,she reached for my hand and looked me in the eyes while saying "you are such a wonderful person Chase.You deserve someone better than me." for the last time

she caressed my face and I tightly hold her hands.

"Thanks for all the memories you share with me Babe. I will freely let you go. I wish you happiness with the man you are now with. "

"Thank you Chase...thank you so much."

her sincere words to me ,as she stood up and give me one last hug. I hugged her so tight for the last time.And surprisingly,I was not hurt all of a sudden.I felt relieved after that hug.Maybe because I have no bitterness in my heart for Mira. How can I be?...She has been so good to me and I have nothing against her. I sincerely hope in my heart that she'd be happy. Maybe this is what true love really feels. You are willing to endure the pain for the happiness of someone you love.Love is indeed selfless.

Inihatid ko si Mira hanggang sa makasakay ito ng taxi. Tanaw ko papalayo ang sinasakyan niya.Ng mawala na sa paningin ko ang sinakyan nya ay kinapa ko ang dibdib at ramdam ko ang kapayapaan nito. Nagpasalamat ako sa pagtatagpo naming ito ni Mira dahil nabigyan ng formal closure ang relasyon namin. May kahungkagan man akong naramdaman ngayon ay alam kong itoy dahil nawala sa akin ang isang taong mahal ko.Pero katumbas man nito ay sakit, ay worth it naman sa lahat ng magandang ala-ala namin noon. At e tre-treasure ko iyon.

Nang makabalik sa opisina ay agad kong inasikaso ang dapat trabahuin.At dahil hapon na ay dadalhin ko nalang sa bahay ang mga files na need e review.I was a bit busy ng mapagawi ang tingin ko sa entrance ng restaurant. Gella was about to step in and Nev met her with much enthusiasm. Sinundan ko lang ang bawat galaw nito hanggang nakapili ito ng pwesto na uupuan. I was looking at her from my office with full amusement.She seem so amaze with place.I can see it in her eyes that she's loving the place. I observe her althrough out and I find myself smiling while looking at her. Nakakahawa rin naman kasi ang smile nito.I gaze at Nev's expression and noticed na mas masigla ito ngayon while serving Gella. I'd like to think he's doing this to serve as an example sa mga staff namin.But it annoys me that he is this close to Gella. And I hate those smiles they exchanged for each other.

Maya-maya pa ay napansin kong may lumapit kay Gella na lalaki. Nang titigan ko ito ay di ako nagkakamali.It was Brad! Chelsea's boyfriend.Kilala ko ang lalaki dahil maraming beses ko na itong nakita na ihatid si Chelsea sa unit nito. I got confused.I remembered mom mentioned Brad is helping Gella get into their company.Does that mean these two were having a relationship and Chelsea didn't know? Were they betraying Chelsea? Parang biglang umakyat lahat ng dugo sa ulo ko. Anong klaseng babae ka ba talaga Gella? What were you trying to conceal behind those innocent face? Ilang sandali pa ay humugot si Brad ng red box sa bulsa nito.Parang nanginginig pa ang mga kamay na binuksan ito sa harap ni Gella. Para namang kinikilig na kinuha nito iyon. Lalong nag-uumapaw ang galit sa puso ko ng makita ang expression ni Gella. Wala ba itong delikadesa??? Ganito ba talaga ito ka desperada na tatraydurin nito ang kaibigang si Chelsea? For her selfish intention.Brad must be a good cathc for someone like her.So unbelievable.

I watched their every move from afar.Ng hindi makatiis ay lumabas na ako ng opisina ko dahil biglang nag init ang ulo ko sa nasaksihan. Napansin kong tumayo si Gella from their table and made her way to where I'm standing. Tumalikod ako para di niya ako mapansin.She was talking on her phone and I can't believe what I just heard

"Chels,san na kayo" anito. Si Chelsea ang kausap nito.I can't help but listen to the conversation they were making on the phone. Para pa itong kunwari malungkot sa narinig na di makakapunta si Brad sa dinner when infact she was with Brad already. Where is this woman's decency? I was in intense emotion and hardly know how to act behind her.Gusto ko nalang umalis dun.Nagmamadali ako at di sinasadyang nasagi ko sya.Parang wala lang naman nito ang nangyari dahil masyado itong fucos sa pagsisinungaling nito.Walng lingon-lingon at mabilis ang mga hakbang ko habang papalayo sa lugar. Di makapaniwala sa lahat ng narinig at nasaksihan. She's such an actress.So unbelievable! Gella is a damn user.