“Come on, Monique! Let’s enjoy the party after a tiring day.” Eunice grabbed my hand and lead me to her table.
Earlier, I told Eunice na hindi na ako sasama dito sa party sapagkat pagod ako. But since kami ang make up artists, at wala naman akong magagawa dahil pinilit ako ng kaibigan ko, sumama na lang ako.
“I don’t know but I think, I already saw that man. I just don’t remember...”
“Illusiyon mo lang ‘yan.” I said while pouring my glass with red wine.
I need to find some distractions or else-
“Aww, they’re so sweet!” napatingin ako sa stage kung saan nakaupo ang bagong kasal.
I saw how happy he is while singing a song to his wife. I saw how his eyes glimmers, how his smile turn wide when he saw his wife smiling at him.
His wife held his hand after a romantic song and uttered “I love you so much, love. Vraime.”
The man hugged him. The crowds cheers for them.
“Are you okay?”
Doon lang ako natauhan nang marinig ang boses ni Eunice.
“Are you crying?”
Pinipilit kong pigilan ang pagbagsak ng maliliit na butil mula sa aking mga mata, siguro dahil na sa nakikita ko. Masaya lang ako sa kanila.
Pero hindi e. Ang bigat, ang sakit pala.
“I’m just glad!” I gave her a wide smile to assure that I’m fine but she just looked at me like she’s examining my facial expressions.
Hindi ko na napigilan ang mga luhang kanina’y pinipigilan ko. Ilang oras akong nakapagtiis na hindi maapektuhan pero bakit sa mga huling oras na naririto ako, ngayon ko pa naramdaman ang pait, ngayon pa talaga nag flashback lahat ng mga ala-ala?
“OMG, you are really crying, Monique.” I just felt her tumbs wiping my tears.
I got the courage to tell her the reason.
“She’s got the man, I got the boy.”
“He was my first lo--”
“Shiii-- what? Kaya pala familiar.”
“Your childhood friend, your ex boyfriend.”
Naramdaman ko ang mahigpit na yakap ni Eunice na siyang naging sandalan habang nakikita ko kung gaano kalaki ang nagbago sa sa lalaking minsan ay naging akin.
He’s a man now. A grown up man.
“Tara, let’s go home .”
The reality of life hits me so bad
She’s got the man, and I got the boy.
picture source: canva
written by: avis dale (my pen name in my facebook account)