17

End

"Are you sure about this, Aeri? I'm sorry I couldn't be there. I'll wait pa kasi sa opening nung ginawa kong project dito." Elijah said, ka VC ko siya ngayon.

"Yeah, I'm ready, Elisha. It's okay, andito naman si Jacob. Asikasuhin mo muna iyan."

"Did you know that your parents are here? Kahapon sila dumating dito nakita ko sila sa conference. Ngayon ata sila uuwi jan. Alam na ba nila ito?"

"No, hindi naman sila nagsasabi pag aalis sila eh, nababalitaan ko na lang. Hindi pa nila alam pero I'm sure pagkabalik nila rito eh malalaman nila dahil paniguradong nasa news healines na ako mamaya."

"Eli, let's go?" Pamilyar na tinig ng babae ang tumawag kay Elisha.

"May lakad ka pa ata? Sige na, bye Elisha, take care. See you soon." I smiled and he smiled back before ending the call.

I went to the kitchen to check on Jacob. He's still cooking breakfast. I walk towards him and hug him from the back. Hanggang balikat niya lang ako kaya tumilhay ako at inamoy ang leeg niya.

"Love, ano ba, nagluluto ako." He chuckled. I kissed his shoulder and his neck.

I was still hugging him and watching him to cook the bacons when his phone suddenly rang.

Bumitaw ako sa yakap at nilingon ko ang breakfast table kung saan nakalagay ang phone. Bea Acosta ang name na nakalagay ng caller.

"Sorry, love. I have to take this call." Tumango naman ako bilang sagot. Pumunta siya sa balcony tsaka doon sila nag usap.

Ako na ang nagtuloy ng niluluto ni Jacob since patapos naman na iyon. Nilagay ko na siya sa plate tsaka ibinaba sa brealfast table. Saktong pagtapos ko ay pagbalik naman ni Jacob.

"It's Bea, she's just asking about the Palawan project. Siya ang Architect nun pero hindi na siya nakabalik kasi pumunta siyang Spain dahil may mga conference daw sila." Paliwanag ni Jacob habang kumakain kami.

"I didn't ask." Mapait na sabi ko.

He chuckled. "My baby is jealous."

"I am not, Jacob. Please stop."

"Oh, look who's mad?" He laughed.

Natahimik ako at hindi na siya pinansin. Nang matapos kumain ako na ang naghugas.

Si Jacob naman ang yumakap sakin habang naghuhugas.

"I'm sorry, love. Don't be mad please? Sinabi ko lang naman na tumawag siya eh. I didn't mean to tease you. You look cute kasi." He kissed my cheeks.

"How can't I be jealous eh siya yung ex mo?" I sighed.

He laughed again. I glanced at him to give him a glare. He cleared his throat before talking again.

"You believed in that rumors, love? Beatriz is just a close friend of mine. Hindi ko siya naging girlfriend or fling so stop being jealous, okay?" Hinarap ko siya nang matapos na akong mag hugas.

"Okay, I won't" I said and give him a soft kiss on his lips.

"I love you," I said and he just replied me with a kiss, again.

I am now on the conference room. Jacob is on the back with Tita Ashley and Mika. There are so many reporters in front.

I am wearing a plain black sweetheart top and a mom jeans. I am also wearing a white sneakers.

"Say what you want to say now, Aeri. Were just here." Lumapit sakin at bumulong si Tita Ashley tsaka ngumiti.

Tumikhim ako sa mic. "Good day, Everyone. I am here to clear everything out. I know a lot of you are confuse and angry about the issues between me, Elisha and Jacob. Kasalanan ko naman yun dahil hindi ko kaagad ipinaalam sa mga tao. This is what really happened..."

"My parents arranged my engagement to someone that I don't love, Elisha Gonzales, for their business. Yung pinagsamahan naming mga taon ni Elisha ay one sided love lang kasi mahal ko pa yung ex ko. Jacob was my past and iniwan ko siya para lang masunod ang gusto ng mga magulang ko. I chose my carreer over him and I regret that..."

"Bago pa umalis patungong Spain si Elisha, nag usap na kami and decided to part ways for good. He is now happy with someone who is worthy of his love. And yung sa Palawan po, si Jacob po iyon. And I'm happy to announce that Jacob and I are together again."

"I hope nasagot ko ang nga tanong sa isip niyo. And I hope you'll understand my situation. Sana wag nyong hadlangan ang bagay na nagpapasaya talaga sakin. That's all. Have a great day ahead."

Iyon na ang huling sinabi ko tsaka lumabas ng conference room. Pinuntahan ko si Jacob tsaka humawak sa kamay niya.

"Mabuti at naayos mo na 'yang issue mo, Aeri. I'm happy for Elisha and also to the both of you,"  bati ni Tita Ashley.

"Miss Aeri, pano yan, maraming nangbabash sainyo? Two timmer and a... Bitch?" Ani Mika habang nag iiscroll sa social media.

"Okay lang, Mika. Hayaan mo na sila. Basta ako, nagpakatotoo lang ako sa nararamdaman ko."

"Grabe, ang tatag niyo talaga Miss Aeri." I smiled at Mika.

"Let's go, love?" Ani Jacob.

"Asus, sige na mukhang may date pa kayo. Ingat ha?" Ani tita.

"Sana all!" Si Mika.

I just laughed. Nang nasa kotse ay hindi na ako nag salita. Akala ko uuwi na kami ni Jacob pero nakita kong ibang daan ang tinatahak niya.

"San tayo pupunta, love?" Tanong ko.

He glanced at me before looking at the road again. "You'll see."

I didn't ask again. I knew that he won't tell me where were going even if I ask him a thousand times.

Nagulat ako ng mapagtantong sa bahay nila kami pupunta. What are we doing here?

"Have you forgotten the day today?" He arched his brows.

Napaisip naman ako. "Right! It's Tita Tasha's birthday today!" I said. Tita Tasha is his mom.

Pumasok na kami sa bahay nila. His hand is on my waist. Nakakahiya kasi ang suot ko ay jeans lang pero sabagay si Jacob naman eh naka plain black polo shirt and a pair of gray pants. Simple but elegant. Kahit saan talaga eh pogi siya.

Matagal na ang huling punta ko sa bahay nila. Nagbago na ang exterior and interior ng bahay. Siguro ay pinarenovate. Ang garden at pool area ay ganoon pa rin ang itsura.

Sa garden ginanap ang party. Maraming naroon. Mga doctor ang nakita kong nandun dahil parehong doctor ang parents ni Jacob. Nandun rin ang mga pinsan niya.

Lumapit kami ni Jacob kay Tita Tasha na nakaupo sa tabi ni Tito Zach. Tito Zach is his dad.

"Look who's here, hon." Nagulat si Tita Tasha sa presence ko.

"Hi, Tita, Happy Birthday po!" I greeted her amd kiss her cheeks. Bumaling ako kay Tito Zach at yumakap sa kanya.

"How are you, Hija? Antagal na simula ng huling dalaw mo rito. To be honest I felt sad nung nagkawalaan kayo."

"I'm doing fine, tita."

"I saw you on magazines and tv. You look prettier na ha! And congrats nga pala. You doing great sa showbiz."

I smiled. "Have you heared the news, Mom, dad?" Ani Jacob.

"Why? Ano meron?" Si Tito Zach.

"Oh, sige ipapakilala ko na lang." Jacob laughed.

"Mom, dad, Aeristell Garcia, my girlfriend,"

"Wow, finally after all this years." Her mom said happily.

"Tingnan mo nga naman, maghihiwalay pa eh magbabalikan rin naman." Si tito Zach.

Nagkwentuhan pa kami ni Tita ng kaunti tsaka ako inaya ni Jacob sa mga pinsan niya.

Kilala ko na sila pero ngayon ko lang sila mamemeet.

"Si Aeri, kilala nyo naman na siya diba? We're together, again." Jacob announced.

"Wow, congrats dude." Si Keizer.

"Sa wakas, may jowa ka na rin, dude." Si Hades.

"Oh my, Aeristell? The celebrity? Gosh!" Si Alyannah.

"You look pretty in person," si Arianna. Kakambal ni Alyannah.

Nagkwentuhan din muna kami ng mga pinsan niya tsaka nag picturan. Nag inuman rin kami since may mga liquors doon. Nang mag gabi na ay tumawag sakin si Mom. I nervously answered the phone.

Lumayo muna ako kayna Jacob para hindi masyadong maingay.

"Mom?" I said nevously. I think I know what is this about.

"Aeristell! What the hell are you thinking?!" Galit na galit na sabi ni Mommy.

"Why?"

"Anong why?! Get your ass here now! Umuwi ka! Mag uusap tayo!" She hang up the call. Galit na galit talaga siya.

Tumawag ako sa condo at pinadala sa vallet ang kotse ko. Patakbo akong lumapit kay Jacob.

"Love, I have to go home, mom wants me to be home now." Paalam ko.

"Oh, I'll drive you. Le-" I cut him off.

"No need, love my car is on its way here. Tumawag ako sa condo."

"You sure? Okay ka lang? Ihahatid na nga kita." Umiling ako.

"Wag na mapilit love ha? Mabilis lang yun. Okay?" Tumango na lang siya pero alam kong gusto niya talaga akong ihatid.

Nang dumating ang kotse ko sa labas ng bahay ay nagpaalam na muna ako kayna Tita Tasha tsaka sa mga pinsan niya. Inihatid ako ni Jacob sa labas kung nasaan ang kotse ko.

"Take care, love. Tumawag ka sakin ha?" Sabi ni Jacob.

"Yes, I will. Enjoy the party, love. I'll come back to you, I promise." I planted a soft kiss on his lips before going inside my car.

Binaba ko ang window glass ng car ko. "I love you," I said looking straight in his eyes.

He smiled. "I love you," after that I drove away.

"Ano yun, Aeristell?! Nakipagbalikan ka sa ex mo tapos iniwan mo si Elisha?!" Galit na sabi ni mom. Nakaupo ako sa sofa sa living room while she is standing beside me. Dad is sitting in front of me.

"Mom, as I've said sa conference maayos po akong nakipag hiwalay kay Elisha. Hindi ko po makita ang saya sa twing kasama ko siya. Naiintindihan niya po ako Mom."

"Hindi mo nakikita ang saya?! Eh kasi jan ka sa ex mo naka focus! Paano na ang kasunduan naming business?!"

"There you are again, mom. Hinahadlangan mo nanaman ang kasiyahan ko just for that business?! Mom naman! Ilang beses ko bang sasabihin na hindi ko nga mahal si Elisha?! And I can't find happiness with him!"

"Ito ang makakabuti sayo, Aeri!"

"Makakabuti? Why don't you trust me, Mom?! I am old enough to make my own decisions. I know what's the better and best for me. Hindi sa lahat ng bagay tungkol sa inyo mom. May sarili rin akong buhay kaya please, let me live my own life, hayaan nyong ako ang mag desisyon para sa sarili ko."

"You don't understand-" I cut her off.

"No, Mom. You. Don't understand. You don't know what I've been through. What I felt for the past years. Now, stop telling me that I don't understand. Because I, I always understand you, but you never did the same for me. Ako ba naintindihan nyo ni isang beses? Hindi.."

"All my life mom, I've been following you! I hurt the person I loved the most just to follow you. Lahat sinunod ko! Tapos minsan na lang nga ako maging masaya, hindi niyo pa maibigay sakin?! Fuck! Am I not enough?"

"Pagod na po ako. Pagod na akong maging sunod sunuran. Pagod na akong umiyak gabi gabi asking why I can't be the perfect daughter, why can't I get the love that I deserve? Mom, gusto ko naman po maging masaya, gusto ko lang naman pong magmahal. Hindi po ba pwede yun?"

I cried. Humikbi ako. My chest feels so heavy.

"Athena, that's enough. Hayaan mo na si Aeri." Si dad.

"No, Troy." He glanced at dad tsaka lumingon sakin ulit.

"I want you to get rid of Mich and Ara diba? Bakit hindi mo sinunod yon?!"

"It's beacuse I don't want to lose those person who made me feel important and loved. They were my family. Sila ang naging sandalan ko sa oras na down na down ako na dapat ay kayo. Pero wala kayo."

My mom sarcasticly laugh. "Go break up with that Jacob and bumalik ka kay Elisha."

"No, mom. I. Will. Not. Do. The. Same. Mistake. That. I. Did. Before. I will not let Jacob go now that I have him back. I don't want to lose someone in my life dahil lang sinabi mo."

"Starting today mom, I will choose Jacob. I would rather live with him than living here in hell with you!" She slapped me.

Napahawak ako sa pisngi ko at napaupo. Napahikbi ako dahil sa sakit at bigat na nararamdaman ko.

"Athena!" Awat ni Dad.

Tinayo ako ni daddy.

"Lumayas ka, Ayaw kong makita ang pagmumukha mo. Simula ngayon, I am not considering you as my daughter, Aeristell. Keep that on your mind."

"I don't have to, Mom. Alam ko na yun dati pa. So stop telling me that you're mot considering me as your daughter because you never did..."

"I hate you, I fucking..." I sobbed. "Hate you!"

Iyon ang huling nasabi ko bago ako lumabas ng bahay.

I went inside my car and dialed Jacob's number. Nagdrive ako. i don't know where to go.

He quickly answered. "Love," I cried.

"Where are you?" He said.

"Love, ang sakit. Hindi ko na kaya,"

"Love,calm down. Okay? Tell me where you are. Pupuntahan kita. Please, baby.

"Love, I want to rest. My heart is so heavy. I'm really.." i sobbed again. "Really.. tired."

"Yes, love. We'll go home and we'll rest so tell me where you are so I can go to you."

Nanahimik ako. Hirap na akong makita ang daanan dahil sa luha ko. Nasa highway pa naman ako damn!

"Love, are you still there?"

"I love you, Jacob. I did it. I finally fought for you."

"I love you,too. Yeah, napakatapang mo, mahal ko. But please don't say that like your leaving me. I don't want to lose you now that I have you, love. Gusto pa kitang makasama. Sabihin mo na sakin kung nasan ka, please?"

Pumikit ako ng mariin. Naalala kong nagdadrive pala ako. Pagmulat ko, hindi ko nakitang lumipat ako sa kabilang lane. May makakasalubong akong truck damn it.

Hindi ko mapreno kasi mabilis ang takbo ko. I heared the truck's horn. Shit. Maybe this is the end.

"Love, what is happening?!"

"I love you, Jacob. Please be happy." I said as my a tear drop down on my cheeks. Afyer that, I felt a blood on my forehead before everything went black.

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