20

Signing off

Aeri was discharged after staying 2 more days in the hospital. It's been a week since we got home sa condo ko. She's now living with me. She gave her condo unit to Mika and Archie since wala silang permanenteng place dito sa Manila.

Nag plano na kaming mag settle down pagka lipat niya rito. Things are all going well except the her relationship to her parents. They haven't talked yet.

We decided to go on a beach date. We're here in a beach resort, somewhere in Batangas.

We're sitting in front of the beach, talking about life. Aeri's head is on my shoulder. My right arms snaked on her waist.

Pinagmasdan ko siya. Nanatili ang tingin niya sa dagat. She looks beautiful everyday. Nawala na rin ang mga sugat sa mukha niya. Her short hair was blown by the sea breeze. Inayos ko ang windbreaker jacket na suot niya.

I sipped on my wine glass tsaka siya nagsalita habang nilalaro ang yelo sa wine glass niya.

"I miss my parents," nagulat ako sa sinabi niya.

"Why?" I asked.

"Kahit naman ganun sila eh mga parents ko pa rin sila... I love them, so much. And I know that they cannot love me back. I never knew why..."

Inalis niya nag pagkakasandal sa balikat ko tsaka hinarap ang dagat. Uminom siya sa baso niya bago ulit nag salita.

"I just need somebody who can understand and love me when I am at my best, also when I'm  at  my worst. Sila ang unang taong inaasahan ko sa bagay na iyon. Pero wala. Ginawa ko na ang lahat, I always do what they want kase ang iniisip ko, pag ginawa ko 'yun, they'll give me love and attention. It's not enough pa rin pala..."

"My days were dark, and then you came. You brought the light to brighten up my life. You were so bright to the point na kapag kasama kita, I always shine. Ikaw ang nagbigay liwanag at saya sa mundo kong puno ng kadiliman at lungkot. Kaya nga I always thank god because he gave me you..."

Nakita ko ang mata niyang kumikinang habang tumititig sa buwan. May kaunting mga luhang namumuo roon. Hinagod ko ang balikat niya tsaka hinalikan ang sentido niya.

"Pero lahat ng 'yun nagbago simula nung iniwan kita. Takot, ang naramdaman ko ng sinabihan ako ng mommy ko na hiwalayan kita or else, I will not be what I am today. Napakatanga ko sa part na mas pinili ko ang sarili kong kagustuhan kesa sayo. I'm such a coward..."

"Si Elisha, nanjan siya palagi sa tabi ko. Hindi niya ako iniwan. He gave me all that I wanted. But hindi ko binigyang pansin iyon.  I appriciated him naman for his patience and understanding. Nakita niya kung paano ako nahihirapan sa sitwasyon ko. Pati iyan, saksi sa mga pag iyak ko during cold nights."

Tinuro niya ang buwan. Nilingon ko iyon. Napakabilog niya at napakaliwanag.

"I always feel relief when I tell my problems to her, because I always remember what you said back then, that you'll be my moon who will light up my darkest hours..."

Nilingon niya ako. Napangiti ako. "Hindi ko alam na inaalala mo pa rin pala ako sa mga oras na iyon." I said na ikinatango ng ulo niya.

"Sa totoo lang, nung una, inisip kong kaya ko ng wala ka pero hindi pala. Siniguro kong hindi na tayo magtatagpo pero tingnan mo nga naman ang tadhana, talagang mapaglaro. I wanted you back when I saw you again. Pero inisip ko, do you want me back, too?"

"I thought mahal mo pa rin ako. So I hold on to my feelings. Pero nung nalaman kong girlfriend mo si Bea which is hindi pala, nawalan ako ng pag asa." Natawa siya.

"Ngayon, nandito ka na ulit sa tabi ko. I will never let you go again, love. Ngayon mas gusto ko ng piliin ka sa bawat araw. I want to love you and spend my days here on this world with you, Jacob. I'm so sorry for everything. Sorry for the pain I've caused you years ago. I regret that." She started crying.

"Shh, it's okay, baby. I understand. Wag mo na isipin yun. Ang importante, magkasama na ulit tayo." I hugged her sideways. Dinungaw ko ang mukha niya at pinunasan ang luha niya.

"I made up my mind. I want to give you all my time at mamuhay ng normal kasama ka. Maybe I was just hungry of love and attention kaya ko siguro pinasukan ang industriyang ito. Gusto ko ulit mag explore ng new things. I want to secure my future with you so I'll make things permanent para hindi na ako mahirapan."

"Mahirapan? Saan? Eh nandito naman ako, magtutulungan tayo."

Wala siyang sinagot. She look up to me, serously. Tiningnan niya ako diretso sa mata.

"I love you, Jacob. I always will." She whispered.

"I loved you then until now, Aeri and It will never change." I whispered back before giving her a kiss on her lips.

After that, we went to our hotel suite. Lumalalim na ang gabi at inaantok na rin si Aeri. Bukas na bukas ay uuwi rin kami dahil may presscon si Aeri. Bukas pa lang siya babalik sa studio after what happend.

Kinabukasan, nagising ako ng maaga. I felt my right arm numb kasi nandun ang ulo ni Aeri sakin tsaka ang kamay ay nasa dibdib ko nakayakap. Napangiti ako at hinaplos ang pisngi niya. Mornings are better when I wake up next to this beautiful lady.

I slowly put away her arms on me and kinuha ang unan ko sa ulunan tsaka inilagay sa tabi niya. I kissed her head before going out of bed.

I just got a small suite since were just staying here for one night. Isang room lang yun. May bed, tv, bathroom, kitchen and dining area na. Meron din sliding door sa may ng kama na patungo sa balcony.

Nagpa room service lang ako for our breakfast. After a few minutes, the food arrived. Inayos ko iyon sa dining table tsaka ko ginising si Aeri.

"Goodmorning love, Wake up, Breakfast is ready. Aalis din tayo kaagad." I leaned and tapped her shoulder.

"Hmm," she just hummed and slowly opened her eyes. Her lips automatically curved after she saw me.

Hinagis niya ang nilagay kong unan kanina and she pulled me towards her. Napahiga tuloy ako sa kama. Siniksik niya ang sarili sakin tsaka tumakap sakin. She wants to cuddle.

We cuddled for a minute tsaka pareho na kaming tumayo para makapag breakfast.

Nang matapos mag breakfast, I offered to wash the dishes so she can take a bath and get ready. Alam kong matagal siya dahil magmamake up pa yun. We're going straight to the studio before we go home.

Tapos na akong mag hugas ng lumabas siya sa bathroom. She's only wearing a robe and a towel wrapped on her hair. Lumapit siya sakin tsaka hinalikan ako sa labi bago naupo sa vanity.

Napangiti ako tsaka pumasok na sa bathroom para maligo.

"How do I look, love?" She asked while I am putting on my black pants.

"You look beautiful, as always," I said. She's wearing a striped jumpsuit. She help me button my dress polo. After that, nag check out na kami sa hotel room ans head on the studio.

It was a little traffic so we arrived a little late sa studio. Pagkadating namin ay sobrang dami sa labas so sa likod na kami dumaan para hindi pagkaguluhan si Aeri.

I opened the shot gun seat for her and snaked my arm around her waist. Nagpunta na kami sa conference room. There we saw Mika, Archie and Tita Ashley. Bakas sa mukha nila ang lungkot.

"Sure ka na ba talaga sa desisyon mo, Aeri?" Tanong ni Tita.

Tumango si Aeri bilang sagot.

"Mamimiss ka namin, Miss Aeri." Si Mika.

Archie started to cry. Lumapit sa kanya si Aeri at pinatahan. May kung ano siyang sinabi doon na hindi ko marinig sa sobrang hina.

Maya maya pa ay pinapasok na siya sa conference room. Nanatili ako doon sa likod nakatanaw sa kanya. Hinawakan niya ang mic tsaka tumingin sakin at ngumiti bago magsalita.

"Goodmorning, I'm here to clear everything out. For all of you guys know, Elisha is happy with the girl of his dreams, Beatriz Acosta. Sinabi niya na iyon sa interview niya kahapon. I'm really happy for the both of them. And ngayon, I've made up my mind..."

She stared at me for a moment and tumingin siya sa mga reporters.

"I'm quitting showbiz for good... I want a secure and permanent life for my future. I want to spend most of my time with the people I love, especially Jacob. For now, I want to choose to be with him. And also, to my parents, I forgive them. I want to let you know that I love you, despite of your imperfections..."

Tumikhim siya bago ulit nag salita.

"I want to explore new things to help me grow more as a person. Sa tagal ko sa industriyang ito, I learned so many things sa mga nakatrabaho ko and I am really thankful doon. Maybe that 'long time' of my service here is enough."

"To my fans and admirers out there, I'm sorry for disappointing you. But I want to thank you all for your love and support. I appriciate it all. I wouldn't be like this today if it were'nt for you."

"Today is not actually the end, simula pa lang 'to. Thank you for all the people who stayed with me while I'm working here. I'll miss all of you, lalo na ang manager, PA and hairstylist ko. We'll see each other pa naman, on or off cam."

She laughed while looking at the people beside me.

"Thank you for this opportunity, this is really one of a greatest achievement and experience na nakuha ko... Once again, this is Aeristell Garcia, now signing off..."

Nagpalakpakan ang mga tao including ang mga crews sa studio. May halong saya at lungkot doon. Aeri walked towards the door.

Pagkalabas niya ay pumunta siya sakin at yumakap.

"I'm so proud of you, Aeri. You really are so strong." I whispered.

____♥♥♥____

Hi, sorry for the delay. I run out of ideas yesterday kaya ngayon lang ako nag update.

Anyways, were half way through, malapit na matapos itong story na ito. Hope you'll stay til the end <3

I'm planning to finish this before October kasi magiging busy na ako next month because of online classes.

That's all, TY & ILY

Stay safe♥

✌,

rehinyuhh