Switched

9

9

Pangako

I stared at Phonix for what seemed like a very long while. He was standing weakly infront of me, head down, while breathing hard.

"Anong ginawa ng Mama?" I whispered. Phonix shook his head before clenching his jaw. 

Umangat ang kamay niya at inihilamos ang palad sa kanyang mukha bago siya muling umiling. The man look so utterly broken and devastated as he stared back at me. I cleared my throat and faced the sea. The salty air filled my lungs as I try to search for the words I need to tell this man. 

Magsasalita na sana ako noong naramdaman ko ang mga hakbang ni Phoenix sa aking likuran. He stood beside me before facing the ocean as well.

"What did my mother tell you?" 

Huminga siya ng malalim bago mapait na ngumiti. 

"She offered me a life, Noelle. She offered me everything that my riches can never buy. She offered me love," he huskily said. Marahas akong napatingin sa kanya. Anong ibig niyang sabihin? 

"How long have you been here?" he asked. Kinagat ko ang labi ko bago niyakap ang aking mga braso. 

"Two months." 

He smiled bitterly before nodding. 

"And two months ago, your mother presented to me another Noelle Madrid."

Kumunot ang noo ko sa gusto niyang ipahiwatig. How can my mother present me to the Fuegos two months ago if I am here in El Nido? 

Phoenix probably saw the confusion in my face and he spoke once again. Sa bulsa niya ay kinuha niya ang kanyang cellphone. He tapped on it for a few times before showing me a picture of a couple. Kinuha ko ang kanyang cellphone at tiningnan ang litrato. 

It was a silhouette picture, but I am sure that the man there was Phoenix. Sa tabi niya ay may isang babaeng nakaangkla ang mga braso sa kanyang leeg. They were kissing while the place was illuminated with thousands of lanterns.

"Who's this?" 

"That was Noelle. Or so I thought," Phoenix murmured. Binulsa niya ang kanyang phone bago muling humarap sa dagat. He breathe hard again as he stared at the vastness of the sea. 

"I ran away from home, Phonix, when my mother announced our marriage. I don't know how my mother was able to present another Noelle to you but I am very sorry for whatever you have been through because of her," I sincerely said. Hindi ko alam kung paano nagawa ni Mama ang kumuha ng babaeng magpapanggap na ako pero nararamdaman ko kung gaano nasaktan si Phonix dahil doon. I know I didn't have any part of the lie but he wouldn't be hurt if I didn't run. Nasasaktan siya ngayon dahil tinakbuhan ko ang kasunduan ng mga pamilya namin. 

Humarap siya sa akin at tinitigan ako. His deep grey eyes bored holes into me as he stared at me with great intensity.

"Why did you run, Noelle? Answer me. And it better be good or else..." 

Napalunok ako sa banta niya. My tongue got stuck as I realized the threat he is giving. My eyes felt painful as tears start. 

"Sasabihin mo sa Mama kung nasaan ako?" 

He smiled sardonically before nodding. "You're mother brought unmeasurable pain to me, señorita, kaya tamang saktan ka rin, hindi ba?" anas niya, tiim na tiim ang bagang habang nakatitig sa akin.