What would Caleb do to finally recover the love of the woman he once called his shining star?

Transcription

1 BOOK DETAILS [BOOK NAME] The one [TOTALPARTS] [ BOOK DESCRIPTION ] Caleb Jireh had been waiting for someone to come back. He had spent the last seven years of his life, waiting patiently for that someone. And one day, she did comeback - his Shining Star came back. Pero sinasabi naman nito na hindi ito bumalik para sa kanya... What would Caleb do to finally recover the love of the woman he once called his shining star? ******************************************* [1] The one ******************************************* Everyday, we wake up believing that somewhere,somehow, in this world full of strangers, we will find our THE ONE. We live and breathe, thinking that they are just around the corner waiting to be discovered... But what if, your THE ONE left? What will you do? If she had left you, will she still be your THE ONE? Or will she just be a memory from the past? The one... The one... That one person who will complete your whole universe. ******************************************* [2] Prologue ******************************************* "What is your story Caleb?" My smile froze when I heard the host's question. "I mean, behind those dramatic lyrics and melancholic melodies, what is the real story?" I gave a half hearted smile. The blinding lights from the cameras distracted me, but it isn't enough to lure me away from the memory of the past. "Caleb!" Lex nudged me. "We are live! Say something." He hissed at me.

2 "Are you okay?" the host asked me. I just nodded. "Yeah, I am." I sighed. She repeated the question again. Like what happened earlier, I was out of words. I don't know what I should say. Ano ba dapat ang isagotko. She's asking me about a story ---- to be more specific, she was asking me about MY story. My mind is racing. I'm thinking of an answer ---- a sentence or a paragraph that wouldn't be controversial. I was thinking of words to describe HER... Yes, there is a woman involved. And I didn't want to tell these people about her for she's the most important memory of the past I have always treasured. I didn't want to share her to the world, because though were not together, I've always believe the fact that she is mine --- forever. "Caleb?" the host was trying to catch my attention. "What's your story?" I sighed again. What's my story? Shall I tell her my story? Do I have to share to the public the reason why I'm writing all those songs or why I'm singing all those sad melodies? Shall I tell her about the woman who had the guts to change my life but didn't have the decency to stay? Shall I tell the world her name? But if I do that, what will happen after? Will she come back to me? Will she finally have the confidence to come back to me and stay? "Caleb, please answer the question." Lex whispered. I nodded. I took a deep breathe and smiled again. "If I answer you, it might take more than your air time to tell the story," I said jokingly. The live audience laughed. Little did they know, I am not kidding. It's true, if I answer her question it'll be a long and very traumatic story. The audience may find it boring or worse they might find my story very pathetic. I don't want to be pathetic. Hindi iyon ang image nasinusubukangi-build up ng Revert Records para sa Pastels. And plus, I didn't realize that I would be asked that question. That was the most dreaded question of all. It's not that I am actually avoiding it; it's just that, I didn't want the people to know about her. Who is HER? As I said earlier, she is the woman who changed my life but left me afterwards. She made me believe in the things I thought were only pigments of people's imaginations. She left me hanging on the thread of danger. She left me believing that she loved me. She said that she'll back but she never returned. But although I know that she will never come back, I have this pathetic belief that one day, our roads will cross again, and if that day comes, my waiting will be over. I will be whole once again. And that sink hole in my heart will be gone. Gasgas na gasgas na ang linya. Nagamit na nang halos lahat ng taong katulad ko ang sitwasyon, pero, naghihintay ako. Hinihintay ko siyang

3 bumalik para muling buuin ang puso ko, ang mundo kong nagunaw nang iwan niya ako. Corny mang aminin, pero gagawin ko pa rin. I am the prince chraming in distress, the one who needed some saving. I am Caleb Jireh Ronaldo, and I am waiting for my princess in a shining armor. ******************************************* [3] 1. Faulty beginning ******************************************* "What happened at the interview, Caleb?" Rika called Caleb the morning after the airing of the said interview. He didn't know how to answer her question. Even Rika --- Pastel's manager--- is clueless about the real story behind his music. Nobody knows about his Japanese Princess --- we'll except for his brother and his band mates. Pero sa mundong ginagalawan niya ngayon, ang Industriya ng Musika, walang nakakaalam ng tungkol sa dito. He never talked about her. Kahit pa nga laging ito ang laman ng isipan niya, ayaw niyang pinag-uusapan ito. Para sa kanya, the memories he had with her are his jewels. It can never be replaced. "I was," what was the word that he was thinking? "Caught off guard." He heard Rika's laugh. "Bakit? Masyado bang nakakabigla ang tanong ni Wilhelmina sa'yo? Calen's questions were really surprising but your twin managed to answer them coolly." "We'll he's the stubborn one." He sighed. "I'm sorry if I disappointed you." He apologized. Rika laughed again. "Don't worry, Caleb. Sa tingin ko nakabuti pa nga iyong nangyari sa interview ninyo. People --- especially the ladies and the press--- finds you more interesting now. They were all thinking about Wilhelmina's question. They're minds are twisted kakaisip kung ano nga ba talaga ang istorya sa likod ng bawat letra ng kanta ninyo. One article about it was proposing that behind your boyish smile, lays a story of a girl." He could imagine Rika's smile kahit na hindi naman sila magkaharap. Para kay Rika, this kind of publicity only means one thing, ALBUM SALES. "Anyway, I have to go. I promised Anton that Sunday will be our family day. I'll just see you at the office on Tuesday for the band's MV brain storm. "Okay, bye." He threw his phone on the bed. He sat on the recliner and looked outside the window. How long has it been? Five years? No... it's been seven years since he last saw her. Kasing tagal na rin noon ang kahibangan niya sa paniniwalang tutuparin nio ang pangako niyang babalikan siya nito. She can still see her face. He can still remember every word she said to him that day.

4 "I am breaking up with you, Caleb." Her voice was soft. "Is this about me being on that band?" I asked her, I was shivering. I don't like this conversation. She looked at me, and those chinky brown eyes gave me the impression that she was serious. "I feel like every time you take on the mic, lumalaki ang posibilidad na makalimutan mo ako." "But that's never going to happen! You're my shining star! You're my dream. Mas nauna kitang naging pangarap kaysa sa magbanda." She stood up and looked at me. "Alam mong hindi totoo iyan, Caleb."Huminga siya ng malalim. "This has always been your dream. And maybe I'm selfish but I don't want to be a part of your dream anymore. Natatakot ako na baka ako ang maging dahilan ng pagbagsak mo." "Hindi mangyayari iyon. Ikaw nga ang inspirasyon ko." At iyon ang totoo, ginagawa ko ang lahat ng ito para sa kanya, para sa aming dalawa, tapos sasabihin niya sa akin ito? Hindi ko maintindihan. Again she took a deep breath. Pakiramdam ko, judgement day ko ngayon, at unti-unti nang kinukuha mula sa akin ang source ng enerhiya ko. "We can never be together. Ayokong maging selfish, but I don't want to share you. Hindi ko pwedeng sabihin sa'yo na kalimutan mo ang pangarap mo para sa akin. I can never me your shining star anymore." "Pero..." tumitig siya sa akin. "Ayoko na." I swallowed hard. "Don't you love me anymore?" Tears started falling from her eyes. "Ano ba namang klaseng tanong iyan? Mahal kita.mahal kita ng sobra. Pero kong gawin ito. Ayokong maging dahilan ng pagbagsak mo.." I reached for her hand. "And I love you too. But please, do not leave me. You will never be the reason of my fall." She wiped her cheeks. "I have to do this." She firmly said. I felt thousands of sink holes forming inside my being. Tinabig niya ang kamay ko. "Bye, Caleb. You're a free man now. Be happy." How can I be happy if she's going to leave me? "I'll wait for you..." bigla siyang tumigil sa paglalakad. Pinakatitigan niya ako. "Please stop." Nanginginig ang kanyang tinig. Nilapitan ko siya at saka kinuha ang kanyang kamay.

5 "I'm letting you go... but I'm going to wait for you. No matter how long it takes. I'm going to wait. Just please promise me that no matter what happens, you'll come back to me." She looked at me, her eyes filled with tears. "I love you..." But she didn't comeback. He have waited for seven years and still there was no sign of her. He tried looking for her but he always end up failing. Siguro nga tama si Kerky, mahirap hanapin ang taong ayaw magpahanap, pero mas lalo namang mahirap hanapin ang taong ayaw nang bumalik "Okay, so tomorrow, I expect to see your papers about DNA structure and replication. Make sure that every sentence in everyt paragraph has sense. Kung hindi naman, huwag na lang kayong magpasa. Understand?" Aiko Nakashima turned to her second year college students after erasing the white board. She made that "wala akong pakialam kung hindi kayo magpasa" look as she stares down to all her students. "Kapag hindi nagpasa. Singko ang peg. Bongga?!" she asked. "Bongga!" Her students answered back. Napailing siya nang isa-isang maglabasan ito. She took her things and left the Lab too. It was a busy day at the university. Halos kakasimula lang ng second sem at parang hilong talilong pa rin ang mga estudyante. Iyong iba, kapapa-enroll pa lang, iyong iba, nagko-complete pa lang ng requiremets, ang mga kabataan nga naman. "Good afternoon, Mis. Nakashima." Nakangiting bati sa kanya ng co-teacher niya. "Good afternoon, Mr. Alvarez." Mr. Rafael Alvarez, the university's hot biology teacher, ka-department niya ito at isa rin ito sa mga itinuturing niyang kaibigan. Sinabayan siya nitong maglakad. "Adjusted ka na sa loads mo? I hope you're having a great time here..." wika pa nito. "Oo naman. I mean, mas maluwag pa rin ang schedule ko sa Seoul U, pero mas masarap iyong feeling na nagtuturo ka sa kapwa mo Pinoy." "Wow, you're so mapagmahal sa bansa." Tumawa ito. Napangiti naman siya. Ang gwapo talaga ng mokong na ito. "Uhm, paano mauna na muna ako? Pupunta pa ako sa library." "Bye, Mr. Alvarez." wika iya.

6 "Just call me, Rafael." He winked at her and waved her goodbye. Halos mag-leap ang puso niya dahil sa ginawa nito. Kinikilig talaga siya dito. Ang lapad ng kanyang ngiti habang naglalakad papunta sa high school department ng univeristy. Dumaan siya sa shortcut at pagkatapos ay tinungo ang teacher's lounge ng high school department. Agad na limibot ang mga mata niya upang hanapin ang isang pamilyar na pigura. She smiled even wider when she saw her childhood friend - Jenny Salaveria sitting at the table near the window. "Kitchie!!" Agad siyang umupo sa tabi nitoo. Jenny looked at her with that funny face of hers. "Kitchie ka diyan! Suntukin ko iyang mukha mo eh!" Naiinis na naman wika nito sa kanya. Pinahaba niya ang kanyang nguso at saka niyakap ito. "Kaysa naman iyong tawag ni Ella sa'yo, Bebang... Ang panget kaya noon!" "Ay naku nga Aiko! Ang kulit mo! Nakakainis ka! Bumalik ka na lang sa Korea at hanapin mo iyong Infinite doon! Tapos uwi mo dito si L!!!" Binatukan niya si Jenny. "Uhm! May Trey ka na, inaagaw mo pa si L ko!" "Sa'yo? Huh! Diba si Sung Yeol sa'yo! Mapagpanggap ka! Mang-aagaw!" "Luka-luka!" sigaw niya kay Jenny. "Panget!" sigaw naman ni Jenny sa kanya. "Excuse me, ako panget? Huh! Ang ganda ko kaya. Beauty queen ako noong high school baka nakalimutan mo na." Nginusuan niya si Jenny. "Oo na, ikaw na ang maganda pero tandaan mo, kahit gaano ka kaganda, Aiko, wala ka namang love life! Bleh!" Natigilan siya. Hindi agad siya nakaisip ng isasagot kay Jenny. Totoo naman kasi iyon. Jenny have found her match - si Trey at kahit nga si Ella na parang walang pakialam noon sa mundo ay may Nathan na rin. Samantalang siya, she has nothing but her dam of works, and family matters. Wala siyang katuwang sa buhay, walang nag-aalala sa kanya - except for her mom anm friends - wala iyong isang taong bigla na lang siyang maaalala in the middle of the day. Wala, she's alone. "Oo na, ako na ang panget." nakangusong sabi niya. She sighed. Kahit ayaw niya ay may bigla siyang naalala. She remembered the boy who made her fall in love for the first time. She suddenly remembered his face, those dark brown eyes, the sweet warm smile that used to make her heart flutter with so much kilig, the feel of his hands against hers, his kisses, suddenly it was as if she could actually see him standing in front of her. "Kainis..." bigla siyang tumayo. Napatingin si Jenny sa kanya. "Oh, saan ka pupunta?"

7 "Uuwi na." Kailangan niyang umalis, ayaw niyang magmukhang tanga. "Bigla akong nahilo. Wala naman akong klase. Bye, Jenny." Mabilis pa sa alas kwatro na tinahak niya ang daan paalis ng teacher's lounge. Binagtas niya ang daan patungo sa main gate ng university. Hindi niya alam kung bakit pero ang bigat sa loob. Ganoon ang nararamdaman niya sa tuwing naaalala niya ang taong iyon. Siguro nga ay may kasalanan siya; siya ang umalis, siya ang nang-iwan dito, pero mas masakit ang ginawa nito, he promised that he would wait for her no matter what happens, pero noong mga panahong binalikan niya ito ay wala na ito. Hindi nito tinupad ang pangako nito sa kanya at dahil doon ay nasaktan siya ng sobra. She hated him for what he has done to her. She hates him so much she wanted to slap him in the face. Bago pa man siya makalabas ng university ay namataan niya ang isang lalaking sa kanya nakatingin. Her lips parted. Bigla siyang kinabahan, could it be? Has he found her? Pero hindi naman siya nito hinahanap. Nakita niya papalapit ito sa kanya, after a while they were facing each other, noon lamang nawala ang kaba niya. "Gray eyes", she said in relief. Standng in front of her was Calen Eugene Ronaldo - the twin brother of the man who had caused her so much pain. "Bakit? Are you expecting to see Dark brown eyes?" tanong nito. She shook her head. "Anong ginagawa mo dito?" She asked him. Umiling si Calen. "Kailangan ko kasi ng kausap. Usap muna tayo..." Nag-isip muna siya. Kakausapin niya ba ang kakambal ng taong nanakit sa kanya noon? But then, everytime she's with Calen, she kind of reminds her of him... In some twisted way, kapag nakikita niya si Calen, parang si Caleb na rin ito... Pero... "Sige, pero saglit lang. Marami pa akong gagawin." "Hey Nate." Iyon ang bungad ni Caleb kay Nathan matapos nitong buksan ang pinto ng unit nito. Tuloy-tuloy siyang pumasok sa loob at naupo sa couch nito. "Ang tagal mong buksan ang pinto. What the fuck is wrong with you?" He asked. "Wow ha! Ganyan din ang tanong sa akin ni Calen noong isang gabing sumugod dito. Teka, kailan ka dumating?" Nathan asked him. He was a way

8 for a while, he went to London to help his dad on some matters. He was away for almost two months at wala siyang kabalibalita sa kung anong nangyayari sa mga bagay-bagay. "How's Calen?" He asked Nathan. "Bakit hindi siya iyong tanungin mo? Mas alam niya iyong sagot diyan." Nathan said. He smiled kung ganoon lang sana kadali, sana si Calen na lang ang pinuntahan niya, miss na miss na rin naman kasi niya ang kanyang kapatid. Matagal na siyang hindi kinakausap ni Calen. He was mad at him for something he did in the past at sa tingin niya kahit gaano pa karaming sorry ang ibigay niya dito ay hindi siya mapapatawad nito. But he didn't had a choice back then. He just did what he had to do. He knew he had hurt him but he didn't had a choice. "Hanggang ngayon ba galit pa siya?" Tanong niya kay Nathan. "Bok, hindi mo naman masisisi si Calen, mahal niya iyon eh. Tapos... alam mo na..." He sighed. Seven years ago, he married Jin Hye, Calen's girlfriend, at mula noon, things between him and his brother were never the same anymore... ******************************************* [4] 2. Tonight ******************************************* Caleb stood in front of the mic while he was looking at his brother. Ngingiti-ngiti ito habang nakatingin sa hawak nitong blackberry. He wanted to know why he was acting that way. He sighed, kahit gusto niyang tanungin ay hindi naman niya magawa, Calen never talks to him the way he talked to him back when they were still... brothers. "Wow ha!" narinig niyang wika ni Lex. "Tae, kambal, ngiti ka nang ngiti! May katext ka noh!" Calen just looked at Lex, ngiting-ngiti ito, but then that smile froze when he looked at him. "Pasira ng mood. Kaasar." He said while still looking at him. Pinigilan niyang mapikon. Kung paiiralin niya ngayon ang init ng ulo niya, magaaway na naman sila. "Tara, game na practice na," wika niya. Calen stood up and took his place. He is the mbase guitarist kaya sa tabi niya ito pumwesto. Lex sat down behid the drum set habang si Kerky naman ay tumayo sa kanan niya.

9 "My shining star?" Tanong ni Kerky. He nodded. Iyon ang kantang tutugtugin ng banda sa anniversary ng Revert records next this Saturday. Lex started with the drums, Kerky and Calen came after, matapos iyon ay siya naman... He closed his eyes trying to remember the face of the woman he once called - until now - his shining star. "We had our fair share of a love story...i'm in love with you, you're in love with me. We were invincible, we were happy...baby we both want a happy ending..." Every word, every single not of that song, he dedicate to Aiko. If only she could hear him sing all those song he wrote for her, maybe she would realize that it's time to comeback, that maybe it's time for them to be finally happy together. He kept his promise. Kahit hindi ito sumagot noong panahong sinabi niyang hihintayin niya ito ay naghintay siya. All those years he longed for her, he wished for to come back, he waited so long and he loved no one but her... "Im weeping baby, please comeback and stay You're my shining star, my one and only My heart it beats for you and only you I'm still waiting for you to complete me..." The song ended. Everyone was silent. Maybe they felt the things he's been feeling. He looked at them. "What?" "Bok, sorry for you loss." biglang sabi ni Lex. "Yeah... you'll see her again." wika pa ni Kerky. "Bumalik naman na siya last year, hindi ka lang sinuwerte. Things will be okay, diba Cal?" Dahan-dahan siyang tumingin sa kanyang kapatid. "We'll I'm not sorry at all." he said smugly. "I'm not hearing this." wika niya. He stepped down the stage. "Hey, maybe Miss Japan left because your too selfish, you only think about yourself." Calen pushed through. "Calen, tama na." Sabi ni Lex. "Mas nasasaktan si Caleb sa sinasabi mo." "Bakit noong inagaw niya si Jin Hye, naisip niya bang nasasaktan ako? Noong pinakasalan niya si Jin Hye, naisip niya bang ikamamatay ko iyon? Frankly speaking, what Caleb feels right now, wala pa sa kalingkingan ng sakit na dinulot niya. He's the asshole - not me."

10 "Shut up!" sigaw niya dito. For years Calen had been so quiet about their cold war, matagal siyang hindi kinikibo nito at ngayon na nagsasalitan na ito ay para namang gusto niyang umayaw. Why would Calen say those things. Ganoon ba kalaki ang galit nito sa kanya? He never wanted to hurt him. He didn't have a choice. "I didn't had a choice!" "You could've said no! I begged you to say no! I asked you nicely I even said please pero nakinig ka ba?!" Hindi siya nakasagot, he just turned his back on him and walked out the room. "Sige! Turn your back on me again! Lagi naman ganyan ang ginagawa mo! Fuck you, Caleb! I hate you!" "Cal, tama na!" Sigaw ni Lex. He closed the door and as he walked down the hall of Revert Records, he found himself crying. Tama ba ang sinabi ni Calen? Was he selfish for marrying Cinderella and for not telling him the reason why he couldn't say no to their father's plea? Was he that selfish? Does he deserve every pain that he's feeling right now? Does he? Cause if he does then maybe, he is indeed a bad person "Aiko!" Napakunot ang noo ni Aiko nang buksan niya ang pinto ng kanyang bahay at makita niya si Ella. She was smiling pretty wide that moment - she looked so happy - parang nakita niya pa ngang nag-twinkle ang mga mata nito. "Please, stop smiling like that, para kang si Joker." Niluwagan niya ang bukas ng pinto. Ella was on her usual skinny jeans and oversized shirt, naka tsinelas lang ito, habang siya ay naka sleeveles blouse at nakashort lang. Linggo kasi noon at walang pasok kaya hindi na siya nag-abala pang magbihis ng maayos, ni hindi pa nga siya naliligo. "Eh? Kailangan lagi kang nakangiti, para positve lahat ng vibes." Katwiran pa nito. "Tse... kung iyong ngiti mo naman ganyan kalapad, creepy na diba?" She said. Naupo siya sa sahig at ipinagpatuloy ang pag-a-unpack ng kanyang mga gamit. Kahapon lang dumating ang boxes niya galing Korea at ngayon lang niya inaayos ang mga iyon. She stayed in Korea for six years, doon na siya nagpractice ng kanyang teaching profession at doon na rin niya tinapos ang masters degree niya. She was a college professor in Seoul University for five years and that experience was very unforgettable. Umuwi lang siya muli ng Pilipinas dahil kay Ella. She went home last year because she learned that Ella's life was in danger, akala niya talaga ay

11 mawawala na lang ito basta but then Ella is a fighter, she fought her way back and here she is now. She smiled at her. "Nasaan ang asawa mo?" She asked Ella. She was talking about Nathan Varres - former member of The Pastels - she sighed. "Nasa hospital." She smiled. "Nathan wanted us to live together na..." "Oh, ayaw mo pa?" tanong niya. "Siyempre gusto ko. Pumayag na nga ako eh.." Natawa ito at saka hinawakan siya sa braso. "Aiko, kinikilig ako!" "Gaga!" Natawa siya. Bigla ay nagbago ang ekspresyon ng mukha nito. "Teka, kilala mo ba si Nathan?" She asked. Napalunok siya. "Huh? B-bakit mo naman natanong? I knew him because he's your husband." "Kasi I remember one time, he asked me kung kamusta ka na daw and he also asked me kung nasaan ka daw. It's as if he wanted to know for some reason." Ella wondered tapos ay biglang lumingon ito sa kanya. "EX MO SI NATHAN NO!!!" "Grabe ka naman!" Sigaw niya. Ang tagal niyang nawala tapos bigla siyang naging EX ni Nathan? What the? "Ihh joke lang iyon!" Tumawa si Ella. "Ay, oo nga pala, kaya din ako nagpunta dito kasi ito..." May kinuha ito sa bag nito, isang sobrang kulay purple. "Inivitation iyan, 10th anniversary ng Revert Records, iyong label nila Trey, pinabibigay niya iyan sa'yo, dapat daw magpunta tayong dalawa. Costume party iyan, Aiko, kailangan naka-costume." "B-bakit kailangan tayong magpunta?" tanong niya. She took the invitation. May pangalan nga niya doon. Miss. Aiko Nakashima. "Proposal ni Trey kay Bebang eh." She said. "What?! Si Jenny? Ikakasal? Seriously?! Si Jenny?!" "Paulit-ulit? Unlimited?" "But it's too soon!" Sigaw ko. "Aiko, in love nothing is too soon. If you have the chance grab it. You should never let that love moment slip away." She fell silent. What Ella told her was the exact opposite of what she did years ago. He let the love moment she has with Caleb slip away. Now she's hurting - not because she had left him but because he didn't stayed true to his words. She held on to his promise, kahit na hindi niya sinabi dito na maghintay ito at kahit hindi niya sinabing babalikan niya ito ay umasa siyang hihintayin siya nito...

12 But then when she came back for him, she realized that she had no one to come back for because her Caleb married someone already at dahil doon ay wala na siyang karapatang tawagin "Akin" ang lalaking minsang nagpatibok ng puso niya Tonight was Revert Records 10th year anniversary party. Marami rin ang nagpunta, halos lahat ay kilala sa larangan ng musika. The guests looked good on the different costumes they were wearing. Halos hindi mo masino ang iba. Rika and the Neon boys were really glad that the guests that they invited came in. On the other hand, Caleb was just sitting alone at the backstage thinking about what Calen had told hime the other night. Was he that selfish? Kung alam lang nito kung gaano niya ginusto na muli silang magka-ayos na dalawa, kung pwede lang sana na bumalik ang lahat sa dati, mababawasan ang lungkot niya. "Caleb?" He looked up and she saw Ian wearing a Maid Marian costume -- Robin Hood's love interest in the movie. Gayang-gaya nito pati ang buhok. Napangiti siya. "You look nice." He said. Ian turned around for him. "Ikaw din. Who are you supposed to be?" She asked. "I'm a lonely man." He answered. "No, I mean your costume. Who are you?" "Oh, I'm supposed to be a prince charming." He was wearing a Prince Charming uniform, white and blue, to add up to his wardrobe, meron pa siyang sword. "Oo nga pala. Have you seen Robin hood?"she asked. Umiling siya. "Are you still waiting for Ms. Japan?" Umupo ito sa tabi niya. Huminga lang siya ng malalim. "Uy, wag kang susuko. Tingnan mo ako happy na ako ngayon." Itinaas pa nito ang kaliwang kamay kung saan naroon ang wedding ring nito at saka ni Robi. "After almost a decade, finally, we're together, so you don't have to be sad. Don't you dare give up Caleb." "I'm not giving up. I'm just... tired." Iyon ang totoo. Napapagod siya, napapagod na siyang maging malungkot, gusto na niyang maging masaya. Gusto na nga niyang i-fast forward ang lahat ng pangyayari sa buhay niya doon sa masaya na lang. That moment where Calen and him are okay. The moment where he can finally be with Aiko...

13 Pero imposible, kailangan niya pa yatang pagdaanan ang lahat ng ito. "Ilang dam of tears ang iniyak mo kay Robi?" Tanong niya. "Marami, pero hindi ako sumuko. Dapat ikaw din. You'll get there, Caleb." "Ian-yan!" Sabay silang napalingon ni Ian sa pinanggalingan ng boses. Si Robi iyon. Nakangiti itong lumapit sa kanila at tulad ng inaasahan niya ay naka-robin Hood costume si Robi, may dala pa itong bow and arrow na nakasukbit sa likod nito. "Dito ka lang pala. Tara na, simula na ng proposal ni Trey." wika ni Robi. "Oh, kakanta na pala kayo." sabi pa ni Ian sa kanya. Grupo niya ang napili ni Trey na kumanta ng proposal song nito para kay Jenny. Dapat Neon ang kakanta at sasama kay Trey sa stage, pero umayaw ang mga ito dahil baka daw masira ang diskarte ni Trey. They were afraid that as Trey makes his romantic speech, maging emotional ang mga ito. "Ready?" Ian asked. Tumango siya. Namataan niya ang mga kagrupo niya. He saw Lex - who was wearing a dracula costume - not like Count Dracula - but like Tom Cruise in Interview with a vampire, then there's Kerky who was wearing a --- he wasn't sure so he had to ask him. "What are you supposed to be?" tanong niya nang makalapit ito sa kanya. Kerky grinned. "A rockstar!" Nag-rock sign pa ito at nilabas ang dila. Natawa siya. Then he saw his brother, he was a dark knight. "Tara na, let's rock na." sabi pa ni Kerky. "Hindi kayo, magra-rock. Soft muna. It's for Trey and Jenny." sabi pa ni Ian. "So are you ready boys?" "Ready!" sabay-sabay na sigaw nila. They emerged on the stage, one by one. Nagpalakpakan ang mga tao. He stood in front of the mic. He saw Trey standing on the left corner. Sinenyasan na niya ang mga kasama niya. "We are The Pastels and we are going to color your world." Panimula niya. "GO!" Narinig niyang sigaw ni Trey. He started singing. "She rolls the window down, and she talks over the sun. Of the cars that pass us by, and I don't know why but she's Changed her mind... " One by one, the neon boys emerged. Isa-isang bumaba ang mga ito sa stage na may hawak na dilaw na rosas. Ali came down first, nilapitan nito si Jenny na nakaupo sa isang tabi. Then, James came down, Zach, Anton, then

14 finally Robi gave her another rose then took her hand and guided her in the middle of the room. Napangiti siya habang kumakanta, kitang-kita niya ang pagtataka sa mukha ni Jenny. "Would you look at her she looks at me... She's got me thinking about her constantly, but she don't know how I feel... And if she carries on without a doubt, I wonder if she'll figure out I'm crazy for this girl..." Finally, it was Trey's turn, he saw him walkingn towards Jenny. Jenny's face was full of confusion. Kung ido-drawing ang mukha ni Jenny, may malaking question mark iyon ngayon. Trey gave her another rose and that was when he stopped singing. Everyone was looking at Trey and Jenny. Trey went down on his knee and asked Jenny the question; on the other hand he was imagining something else. Inisip niya na siya si Trey at si Jenny naman si Aiko at ito ang gabing pinakahihintay niya. He was imagining that this night is the beginning of their lives together., the night when he will make her his queen. People clapped their hands when Jenny said yes, he saw that both Trey and Jenny were crying. Nakadama na naman siya ng inggit. What if hindi umalis si Aiko? Sila pa kaya? He smirked at the thought. Nang matapos ang set nila ay nagtungo siya sa backstage, napansin niyang nawala na naman si Calen. He looked for him, kailangan niya itong makausap. He was wishing that this time, kakausapin siya nito ng maayos. Hinanap niya ito. He saw him walking at the corridor, then he called him. Pero tulad noon ay hindi siya nilingon nito. Napapailing na sinundan na lang niya ito. He saw him go outside of the building. But when he went outside, wala na ito. He just sighed. He wondered kung darating pa ang oras at panahon na magkakayos sila. He decided to go back inside again but before he could make another move, a familiar figure caught his eye and just like that, his heart missed a beat. Natigilan siya, parang naka-mighty bond ang paa niya roon habang titig na titig sa babaeng palabas ng pinto. The sky was full of stars that night, the moon was full and big, the wind was blowing softly while everything around him went in slow motion. It was indeed a good night, and he thought to himself, is everything that's been happening today a preparation for what;s going to happen to him tonight?

15 It was her. At kahit na medyo malayo siya rito ay alam na alam niyang ito iyon. It was really her. His mouth fell open; hos heart beat a hundred times faster than the normal rate. He felt like a teenager who had just seen his crush for the first time, the only difference is, this is not a simple crush; what he's feeling is a million times deeper than than. And because of that feeling, he now understand why he's feeling so anxious, confused, and hurt all at the same time. It was because he was still head over heels in love with Miss. Japan. "Aiko..." He called her. She looked at his direction, and when their gazes met. He was sure. It was really her. ******************************************* [5] 3. My Shining Star ******************************************* "Tumakbo ako..." Aiko was talking to herself again in front of the mirror the morning after the Revery Records' party. She sighed. Ang dami-daming gulong nangyari nang gabing iyon. Ang inaakala niyang simpleng proposal party para kay Jenny ay naging isang magulong boxing show. Yes, that night turned out to be a boxing show when his ex-boyfriend - Calen Ronaldo and his twin brother Cale Ronaldo got physical. She couldn't belive how damaged the other twin was. She sighed ang hindi niya lang kasi maintindihan ay kung bakit nangyari iyon? After that - after Calen - the gray eyed brother left - Caleb turned to her. Hindi niya alam kung anong naramdman niya ng mga sandaling iyon. Nanunumbat ang mga mata ni Caleb sa kanya at nagtataka siya sa bagay na iyon. Bakit magagalit ito sa kanya? She was the one who was supposed to be mad, niloko siya nito - we'll technically, he didn't cheat on her - break na sila noon so there was no cheating that occured but she was really hoping he'll stay true to his words, pero nagpakasal ito sa iba... She hated him - until now, she hated him for that. Ilang baldeng luha ang iniiyak niya para dito, ilang gabi siyang hindi makatulog thinking about him and the new life he had with that woman he chose to marry. Masakit sa parte niya dahil umasa siya sa pangakong nito pero alam rin niyang may kasalanan siya. Kung hindi sana niya iniwan si Caleb noon marahil ay masaya pa sila. Kung sabagay ay hindi rin niya masasabi ang mangyayari, all she knew was that Caleb married another woman and that pained her like hell. She was still looking at the mirror when she realized that her tears were falling, she smiled sadly. Seven years pero hindi nagamot ang sakit. She sighed again while wiping her tears. Binuksan niya ang gripo at saka

16 naghugas ng kamay, after that, lumabas na siya ng rest room at muling naglakad sa university. She was feeling so hollow. "Aiko!" Napatigil siya sa paglalakad, when she turned her head she saw Rafael Alvarez running towards her. "Mr. Alvarez." she smiled. "Miss. Nakashima." wika nito sabay tumawa. She smiled too. "Oo nga pala, gusto mong lumabas mamaya?" "Monday night ah, bakit lalabas ka?" Tanong niya. "Prelims week na sa Wednesday, baka gusto mo munang mag-unwind." "Unahin ang unwinding sa stress? That's a good idea!" she said. "So you're in?" He asked. "Sure... Pick me up at seven? Alam mo iyong bahay ko diba?" "Yup! I'll see you..." wika nito sabay umalis. She was still smiling, may date siya mamaya kay Rafael alvarez - the hottest Biology Professor in the University. Oo nga at broken hearted siya - for almost seven years - pero hindi masama kung mag-mo-move on na siya hindi ba? It's time to let go of Caleb's memories. Hindi naman niya pwedeng panghawakan ang bagay na iyon dahil lang sa pangakong binitiwan nito na hindi naman natupad. Hindi niya ikukulong ang sarili niya sa isang bagay na wala na. Kailangan naman niya sigurong mag-move on. Wala naman na sila ni Caleb, matagal na so what's the point of waiting? Wala... So that evening she got dressed - hindi naman bongga - iyong tama lang. She wore her best jeans and her good looking yellow lacey sleeveless bluouse with matching white cardigan. She looked at heself and smiled. "Ang ganda mo talaga, Aiko!" natatawang sabi niya. At exactly seven o'clock, may kumatok sa pinto niya. Nakangiting binuksan niya iyon. Naroon na si Mr. Alvarez at kasama nito si Mr. Sandejas - iyong P.E. teacher sa university nila. "Rafael, Mavin..." Bati niya. Bakit kasama ni Rafael si Mavin? "Hello, lika na?" Yakag nito. She sighed. Akala niya date iyon, iyon pala, hindi. Nagbuga siya ng hangin at saka isinara ang pinto. Sumakay siya sa kotse ni Rafael, siya ang nasa likod habang si Mavin naman ang nasa passengers seat. "So, are you like friends?" She asked.

17 "Best of friends." Si Mavin ang sumagot. She smirked. Tama ang hinala niya... Umaamoy ang lansa ng dugo nito. Hindi na siya kumibo, mataman na lamang niyang pinakinggan ang usapan ng mga ito, she realized that Mavin adn Rafael were gym buddies, and that the were really good friends, she just don't know if Rafael knew that Mavin is a pink butterfly. Maya-maya ay pumarada sila sa tapat ng isang bar. They all got out of the car to enter the bar bago siya pumasok ay nakaagaw ng pansin niya ang poster sa labas ng bar na iyon. "The Pastels are going to color your world." "Shit!" Napamura siya. Mukha namang nagulat ang dalawa niyang kasama. They both turned their heads on her and their faces were in wonder. "Teka, diyan tayo papasok?" Tanong niya. Pinamaywangan siya ni Mavin. "Ay hindi, sa kapitbahay." Tumatalsik pa ang mga daliri nito, tapos ay parang natigilan ito. "Ibig kong sabihin, may problema ba?" "Toss coin tayo." Sabi niya. "Ano?" Tanong ni Rafael.Napapadyak siya. "Ayoko kasi diyan. Toss coin tayo, kapag tao, papasok tayo, kapag ibon, aalis tayo." "At bakit?" Tanong ni Mavin. "Sabit ka na nga lang, choosy ka pa!" Pinanlakihan siya nito ng mata. "Ibig kong sabhihin, bakit?" "Basta..." Naglabas siya ng piso. Pinitik niya sa ere ang piso at bago pa iyon bumagsak sa lupa ay kinuha na niya. Nang buksan niya iyon ay ganoon na lamang ang pagkadismaya niya. "Tao." Sabay na sabi ni Rafael at ni Mavin. "Lika na, Aiko?" Yagak ni Rafael sa kanya. Nakangusong sumunod siya. "Bahala na talaga..." Naisip niyang ayain ang dalawa na maupo sa isang tagonmg lugar, sa may sulok, iyong mahirap makita mula sa stage. Sigurado kasi siya na naroon si Caleb, Pastels nga diba? When they were already inside the bar, hinanap niya ang pinakamadilim na pwesto. They ended up sitting near the smoker's area. Wala namang masyadong tao roon. Dapat ay wala siya doon. Dapat ay umalis na siya, pero hindi niya magawang utusan ang sarili na tumayo roon at umalis. Alam niyang may dahilan siya kung bakit siya naroon at hindi na niya kailangan pang itanong sa sarili niya kung bakit siya naroon. She was there because of Caleb. Gusto niya itong makita. Gusto niyang malaman kung okay siya; kung

18 sa pitong taong nakalipas ay naging maayos ang buhay niya at gusto lang niyang malaman kung sa pitong taon na iyon ay nakalimutan na siya nito. Tatanga-tanga talaga siya. She hated Caleb for what he had done to her seven years ago and yet she's here, wondering what happened to him for the last seven years. Tahimik siyang naghintay. Hindi na siya nagsalita. Maya-maya ay lumabas na iyong drummer nila - si Lex. Matapos iyon ay isa-isa nang nagsulputan ang miyembro ng Pastels sa stage. Nagpalakpakan at nagsigawan na ang mga tao sa loob ng bar, isang patunay na may pangalan na talaga sila. "Good evening fans!" Kerky took te mic. From where she was standing she cold see Caleb, ito ang may hawak ng gitara at nakatayo lang ito sa isang gilid. Hindi niya kilala ang isa pang gitarista ng mga ito - wala ang kakambal ni Caleb sa stage - siguro ay masakit pa ang katawan nito. Maya-maya ay nagpalit na nng pwesto si Caleb at si Kerky. Naaninag niya ang pasa sa gilid ng bibig nito ay ang sugat nito sa kilay. Halata pa rin ang bugbugang naganap. Caleb flashed his boyish grin and because of that, the ladies gone wild - pati na si Mavin. "AHHHHHHH!!!" Iyon ang umalingawngaw sa lugar. Nakakatulig na sigawan, nakakairitang mga tinig, but that wasn't enough to distract her from looking at Caleb. He has changed. He looked more mature, wiser and he looked much better now. They were singing a cover of Yellow card's only one. "Broken, this fragile thing now And I can't, I can't pick up the pieces. And I've thrown my words all around, But I can't, I can't give you a reason." Muli ay napabuntong hininga siya, She had seen enough. And she was right, tonight, the realization came in. It hit her right on the face. Though she tried her best to avoid this, ngayon hindi na niya pwedeng takasan. SHE WAS RIGHT. Leaving him seven years ago was the best decision I've ever made in my life. Ngayon siguro matatahimik na ako. Ngayon siguro pwede na talaga akong bumalik sa normal kong buhay, iyong buhay na wala siya, iyong buhay na hindi ako natutuliro dahil lang sa kaalaman na nariyan siya sa tabi-tabi. Pero bakit nasasaktan siya? Alam naman niya na ganito ang madadatnan niya sa oras na balikan niya ito. Hinanda na niya ang sarili niya sa ganito, pero bakit ngayon ay parang hirap na hirap siya? Siya naman ang umiowan dito, siya naman ang umayaw, siya ang umalis, pero bakit ngayon ay nasasaktan siya?

19 Naisip tuloy niya bigla kung nakaramdam ba si Caleb ng ganitong pakiramdam sa loob ng nakalipas na panahon. Napangiti ako, nauwi ako sa isang konkulsyon na marahil ay hindi siya nakadama ng kalungkutan. Paano mangyayari iyon, he's too busy making a name for his band, and maybe along their way to success, nakalimutan na nito ang babaeng minsan ay tinawag nitong SHINING STAR Aiko... Marahil ay pinaglalaruan siya ng kanyang imagination. Para kasing nakita niya nakaupo si Aiko sa isang silya malapit sa smoker's area. Parang gusto niyang matawa. Bakit naman pupunta dito si Aiko? she ran from him the other night at the party tapos ay pupunta ito ngayon? That doesn't even make sense. Nangtama panandalian ang kanilang mga mata pero hindi siya nakakita ng recognition doon. Sabi nga ni Lex nang gabing iyon, kung gusto siyang makausap ni Aiko, ay hindi ito aalis. She would've stayed and explain why Calen knows where she was samantalang hintay siya ng hintay dito. "Let's do a tagalong song." He said after finishing the cover of the Yellowcard's song. "You like that..." nakangiting wika nya. Muli na namang nahagip ng kanyang mga mata ang babaeng nakaupo sa smoker's area. nakasuot ito ng dilaw na blouse. "Caleb!" Lex hissed. Natulala na naman kasi siya. "As I was saying, let's do a tagalog song." Muli na naman siyang natigilan ng bigla tumayo ang babae. He saw her look at him tapos bigla na lang tumalikod ito. Kunot na kunot ang noo ko. Was it her? "I'm sorry." Biglang sabi niya. He knew that the guys will hate him after this but he really needs to make sure if that woman was indeed Aiko. Bumaba siya ng stage at sinundan ito. Narinig ko si Lex na na sumigaw pero tuloy-tuloy siyang lumabas ng bar. Bahala na, he just have to know. Palinga-linga siya nang makalabas ng bar. Tingin dito, tingin doon. Pero hindi niya ito nakita. Napabuntong hininga siya, malamang pinaglalaruan lang siya ng imahinasyon niya. "Anong gagawin mo ngayon?" Tanong niya sa kanyang sarili. Napailing na lang siya. Mukha na naman siyang tanga, akala niya kasi talaga ay si Aiko iyon. Pero kung iisipin, bakit pupunta si Aiko dito? Para ano? Muhka naman ayaw na siyang makita nito. Mas pinili pa nga nitong kausapin at tingnan ang kakambal niya kaysa sa kanya. So why would she come here? Nagdesisyon siyang bumalik na lamang sa loob. They still have three songs line up and after that, tapos na ang gabi, pagkatapos noon ay pupunta siya sa freedom wall niya. He was about to go inside when he caught a glimpse of a waman wearing a yellow blouse. He stopped dead and he tried to look closer. The woman was standing near the bus stop. Slowly, he walked towards her. And when he wa

20 finally beside her, pilit niyang inaninag ang mukha nito. It was dark and the lights were dim so he was having a hard time looking at her. "Aiko..." Tila natigilan ang babaeng nasa harap niya. Slowly, she turned her head around and looked at him. He felt the urge of embracing her and he did just that. He embraced her so tight, he was actually afraid that he might break her bones. And just like what I felt that night when I fist saw her after seven long years, his world, stopped revolving and all he could hear was the fat beating of his heart. HE felt like he was having a heart attack. It was her. She's here. It was Aiko Nakashima, his shining star... ******************************************* [6] 4. Never ever ******************************************* Caleb was still hugging Aiko very tight. Ayaw na niya itong pakawalan. He won't let her runaway from him now - not ever, bigla siyang tinulak nito. "Ano ba!" Sigaw nito sa kanya. He stared at her. All he could think was the fact that he died when she left him and now.. she's here, she's really here, she's finally here where he could actually touch her. He felt like he had gone to heaven, and back again. He had died and he had been resurrected. They we'ew just looking at each other's eyes. No one, not even him dared to break the silence, no one dared to move. They were just standing there, facing each other. They were -- he thought - both scared that if someone moves, the moment will be gone. On the other hand, he was thing of the right words to say. But it seems like words were out of reach right now. He could only think of one thing, but he was arguing with himself. Gagawin niya ba o hindi? If he took a step forward, hold her tigthly again, he might not let go. But what could he do? He wated for seven years, he's not going to let this moment pass by. NO. He will not let the moment pass by. The conclusion came before he could even think of it. He acted by his instinct. He took a step closer, pulled her near him and tilted her head. Bahala na si batman was all he could think about. He closed his etes and felt the moment - that moment when his lips crushed into here. Her lips were still as sweet as he could remember, it was intoxicating. He felt like he was slowly coming to life. Pitonmg taon ng paghihibtay, matagal na panahon ng pagiging malungkot and he couldn't believe that a kiss could ease all the pain away. He wanted this moment to last but then, aiko pushed him away. "Caleb!" naeeskandalong sigaw nito. Pagkatapos noon ay pinadapo nito ang kamay nito sa kanyang pisngi. "What the hell do you think your doing?!"

21 He looked at her. Her cheeks were red. Now he knew that he has still the same effect on her, pero, hindi sapat iyon. Nandito siya, nandito rin ito, pero bakit sinampal siya nito? "What? It was a welcome back kiss." He smiled smugly. Nanlaki ang mga singkit niyang mata. "Why do you need to do that?" tanong nito sa kanya. He just shrugged. "Girlfriend kita. You've been gone for a long time. Natural na na-miss kita." He answered. Aiko shook her head. "Nagkakamali ka. We broke up. I left you." Malumanay ngunit mariin ang pagkakasabi nito. He shook his head. "Hindi naman ako pumayag noon diba? I waited for you. Ngayong nandito ka na. tayo na ulit." "Oh no!" she hissed at him. Pinamaywangan pa siya nito. "You got it all wrong!" "Ikaw ang nagkakamali!" Nainis na siya. How dare this woman? PInaghintay siya nito ng matagal na panahon tapos sasabihin nito na he got it all wrong? "Pwes anong ginagawa mo dito?!" He demanded. Aiko just shook her head. "I have no time for this." Umiiling na sagot nito. She turned around. "I have to go, Caleb. Nice seeing you." Pinal na pahayag nito. Mabilis na hinablot niya ang braso nito. "Wait, Aiko! Please don't be like this! Matagal na akong naghintay, wag ka nang magpakipot!" Sigaw niya dito. Itinulak siya nito. "Hindi ako nagpapakipot. To make it clear, hindi na tayo. You should've realized that seven years ago, after I turned my back on you!" Parang nakarinig siya ng tunog ng basag na salamin. He was looking at her, namumula ang mga pisngi nito sa sobrang inis. Ganoon na ganoon rin ang expression nito noon sa tuwing maiinis ito sa kanya. "To make it clear, hindi na tayo..." Paulit-ulit na nag-e-echo sa kanyang tainga ang mga katagang binitiwan nito. "Kung hindi tayo, anong ginagawa mo dito?"n "Caleb, public place ito, hindi mo pag-aari. I am here with a date. We just had to leave early because we have a morning class tomorrow." "You're lying, where's your date?" He asked her. Alam naman niyang nagsisinungaling si Aiko sa kanya. Wala itong date. Wala. Then to his dismay, may tumawag na isang lalaki dito. He watched as the man approach them. "Aiko, okay ka na ba?" He asked her.

22 "Caleb, si Rafael, date ko." sabi nito sa kanya. He felt as if his world was falling apart. Why the hell did this happen? "You came back for me." Sabi muli niya. Aiko shook her head. "Kung bumalik ako para sa'yo, sana last year pa lang noong umuwi ako para kay Ella, hinanap na kita." She sighed. "Why are you re-opening the wounds of yesterday, Caleb? Wake up, wala na tayo. We are never ever getting back together." "Lika na, Rafael..." She looked at him before turning away. He was watching her as she walked away from him. A strong sense of Déjàvu kicked in. Ginawa na nito iyonnoon at ngayon, inulit na naman nito ngayon. And just like before, all he could do was stand there and feel his heart as it breaks into million tiny pieces. ==================== "I haven't seen you in days, now you're asking me kung anong ginagawa ko dito?" Lex said when he asked what he was doing in his unit. Basta na lang itonng pumasok sa unit niya at tuloy-tuloy roon. "Ma-miss mo ako, ganoon?" He asked. Lex shook his head. He sat down his on his couch again and continued drinking. Nagpapakalasing siya, iyon lang naman ang magagawa niya sa ngayon, ang lunurin ang sakit na nararamdaman niya dahil sa tingin niya, kahit anong gawin niya ay hindi na babalik ang babaeng mahal niya sa kanya. "I am worried about you! Kambal, ano bang problema? Si Calen hanggang ngayon nagtatago, ikaw MIA ka din, anong mangyayari sa atin niyan? Galit na galit na si Rika." "I want to be alone." wika niya. Lex shook his head. "Si Aiko ba?" Biglang tanong niya. He just sighed. Kahit naman yata magkwento siya kay Lex ay hindi nito maiintindihan ang nararamdaman niya. Masaya si Lex eh, may Keith ito, may Rafael pa, tapos siya wala, nganga. Iniwan siya ni Aiko noon at ngayong bumalik naman ito ay wala naman na pala talaga sila. "I just want to be alone." He said. He just needed some peace and quiet pero hindi naman niya magagawa iyon dahil nandito si Lex, buti nga at wala si Kerky kundi lalong sasakit ang ulo niya. "We just want to know what's happening, Kambal." Lex started again. Gusto nitong malalam. Bakit? Kapag ba nalaman nila ay magiging maayos ang lahat? Paano niya sasabihin na all alonbg ay tama ang mga ito - na dapat noon pa lang ay pinakawalan na niya si Aiko? How will he tell his friends that he was in so much pain right now?

23 "If it's about Miss Japan, wala talaga akong mahihita sa'yo." biglang sabi nito. Ayaw naman talaga niya kasing pag-usapan. Pero alam niyang wala siyang choice. "Nagkita kami ni Aiko." pag-amin niya. "Saan?" Lex asked. He srugged and he took another beer from the table. "Sa bar, noong huling gig natin. I saw her." The pain from that night flashed through his being. Ang hirap, ang sakit. Hindi niya talaga matanggap. "She was there? I didn;t see her. How did it go?" He asked. Ininom niya ang beer na hawa niya. "We'll... I thought after seeing her, things will fall into their rightful places. Pero noong nakausap ko siya, she made it clear to me." He sighed. Alam niyang nag-aabang na si LEx sa susunod na sasabihin niya. "We're thru." Malumanay ang mga salitang iyon nang lumabas sa kanyang bibig. Lex didn't say anything. Naroon lamag ito at nakatingin sa kanya, tila naghahanap ng mga salitang dapat sabihin at bitiwan. He knew what's going on Lex's mind right now. Alam niya kung anong gusto nitong sabihin, marahil ay natatakot lamang ito na sabihin iyon dahil masasaktan siya. "Caleb..." Lex crossed his arms. "That's very brave of you." sabi pa nito. "But how did you feel?" Hindi niya alam kung matatawa ba siya o maiiyak. Hindi lang basta si Lex ang kaharap niya, it was Lex the psychologist. "Like hell, like I couldn't move, like nothing else matters because she finally said the words that I am afraid of hearing. "Ngayon lang nag-sink in sa kanyta ang lahat. Ngayon niya pa lang nararamdaman ang hang-over ng pag-iwan sa kanya ni Aiko. "But you did move," Lex said again. "You were able to get home in one piece. You are safe. So, subsconcious mo lang ang nagsasabi sa'yo na hindi ka okay, pero ang totoo, okay ka na talaga. MAtagal mo na kasing natanggap na wala na kayo. You just needed a confirmation, a confirmation only Aiko can give you..." "I'm still in love with her." Walang kaabog -abog na wika niya. "Pero tapos na kayo." sagot sa kanya ni Lex. Nakadama siya ng inis, sinipa niya ang paa nito "Aray! Para nagsasabi lang ng totoo!" It's over... He looked at Lex. He wasn't angry or anything he was just stating a fact. And he hates it. Sinasabi kasi nito ang mga bagay na para bang napakadaling tanggapin. Eh hindi nga niya matanggap at ayaw niyang tanggapin na tapos na sila.