Her Eyes #Wattys2018 Winner

Chapter 34

[Ryoichi]

Nagtitipa ako sa aking computer nang tumunog ang doorbell. I installed a security camera in front of the door kaya isang pindot ko lamang sa keyboard ko ay makikita ko na kung sino man ito. And what a surprise it's Dieve.

Tumayo naman ako sa aking swivel chair at naglakad papunta sa pintuan. Nang buksan ko iyon ay para bang lugmok na lugmok ang itsura niya.

"Wow! You look like a zombie." I joked. He has dark circles under his eyes. Namumugto ang mga mata at ang buhok niya na madalas na nakaayos ay gulo-gulo. "I would like to retort something with you remark, Ryoichi, pero wala ako sa mood."

Nagdire-diretso siya papasok ng unit ko and I didn't say a word. Agad siyang umupo sa sofa at itinukod ang braso niya sa kanyang hita. Hindi na siya nagpakita noong gabi na hinatid niya pauwi si Reed nang hindi nagpapaalam sa amin.

Nalaman ko na lamang na nagmamadali sila at para bang nagkakaroon ng argumento but I wonder why this guy looks like a walking boogie man.

May inilabas siya sa bulsa niya na kahita. "Give this to her." Wika niya. Seryoso siyang nakatingin sa kahita na iniaabot niya sa akin. "What? Why?"

"Hindi na muna ako magpapakita sa kanya." He whispered. Agad ako napaisip kung bakit nga ba ayaw niyang magpakita kay Reed where in the first place siya itong laging bumubuntot kay Reed.

"You don't need to think of a reason. I broke up with her." Para bang nababasa niya ang iniisip ko na wika. But his statement took me by surprise. "You what?"

"I broke up with her." Ibinaba niya sa lamesita sa harap ko ang kahita. "Give her that. Please, deliver that on my behalf."

I looked at her face as she adored the place. It was the highest peak of the place. It's a garden by the end of the city. It's a park filled with flower beds and trees.

Mataas man ang tirik ng araw ay hindi ito dama sa parte ng siyudad na ito. Tinatakpan ng mga nagtataasang puno ang lugar.

"Bakit mo ako dinala rito?" Tanong niya. Her eyes twinkling by the view. "I heard what happened."

Naramdaman kong napadako na ang tingin niya sa akin. "I heard that Dieve and you broke up. Nah, I don't heard of it. He said it to me." Agad namang nabalutan ng lungkot ang mga mata niya. Her eyes like a jewel that should be taken care off.

"Yeah. He broke up with me." Idinantay niya ang kanyang mga braso sa railings ng parke. "He said he's tired already, that he should let go of me." Tumingin siya muli sa siyudad at nakita ko ang lungkot sa kanyang mga mata.

Naglakad ako patungo sa motor ko at kinuha ko ang kahita na bigay ni Dieve. "He wanted me to give this to you." Abot ko sa kanya ng kahita. She stared at it for a few seconds. "He begged me to deliver it."

Her hands shaking as she receives it. Agad siyang naglakad patungo sa isang bench na malapit sa viewing deck ng parke.

Umupo rin ako sa bench at nakita na nagdadalawang isip siyang buksan ito. "He'll be happy if you peek inside of it."

Tinignan niya ako habang bakas ang lungkot sa kanyang mga mata. "I don't think I can still accept this."

"He won't give that to you if he didn't have a reason, Reed."

She looked at it intently until she decided to open it. Agad namang napalitan ang lungkot sa mukha niya ng adorasyon sa kung ano ang laman ng kahita.

It's a ladybug charm bracelet. The simple rose gold band of the bracelet makes the silver ladybug charm standout. Its spots are in white crystals.

Her eyes are again starting to well up. Tears are forming at the side of her eyes. I came next to her and put my arm around her shoulder to pull her closer to me. I let her head rest beside mine resting it on my shoulder. "Wag ka na umiyak. Di ka ba napapagod? Lagi ka na lang umiiyak."

Kahit sinong tao mararamdaman na nasasaktan siya. Her eyes filled with sadness and even with the mask she wears all the time I can see through her soul by her eyes.

[Reed]

I stared at the charm bracelet. Hindi ko alam kung matatanggap ko ito. Pag sinubukan kong isoli ito kay Dieve maaaring lalo ko pa siyang masaktan.

My heart hurts by the thought that I might hurt him more than I hurt him. More than the way we separate ways with a broken heart.

"Might as well put that on." Ryoichi said. Tinitigan ko lang ito. I'm too deep with my thoughts. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko.

Kinuha ni Ryoichi ang charm bracelet mula sa kahita. "It'll be a shame if you won't wear this." He said. His usual stern and serious self gone. His lips with a hint of a small smile.

His hand find my left hand. Nang hawakan niya iyon ay para bang may bolta-boltaheng maliliit na kuryente ang kumiliti sa buong katawan ko. His touch is different.

Isinuot niya ang charm bracelet na sukat na sukat lang sa pulsuhan ko. "There. It looks regal and elegant on your wrist. He sure have taste." He said while looking at my eyes.

Agad kong iniwas ang aking paningin sa kanya ngunit napansin ko rin ang isang letter na naka ipit sa kahita.

The ink are smudged from drops of water but still it's readable.

Dear Reed,

May this ladybug charm bracelet give you all the luck and happiness I wish for you to have in your life.

A ladybug will help you discover who your true self is, Reed.

You're my ladybug in my life. Nang dumating ka sa buhay ko alam kong ikaw ang biyaya na ibinigay Niya sa akin. Ikaw ang kasiyahan ko. Pero sa pagkakataon na ito narealize ko na hindi ako ang biyaya para sa iyo at lalong hindi ako ang nagbibigay ng kasiyahan sa iyo.

Hindi ko naman ikinakaila na hiniling ko rin na sana ako ang ladybug mo sa iyong buhay. But I guess life is too unfair that I couldn't have you for myself, but instead of forcing you to be with me I'd rather give you to others. To someone who will love you the way I love you and to the person who you will love equally. Hindi mo man ngayon marealize pero alam ko malalaman mo rin balang araw.

Reed, I wanted you to know that a ladybug also symbolizes dreams. And Reed you are my dream and my dream for you is that you can be happy without me by your side. Be happy with him.

sarai sempre il mio sogno.

Those aren't smudges from water. Those are tears. I looked at the ladybug charm. It symbolizes blessings, happiness and dreams. I found all of those with Dieve but why don't I feel contended with him by my side?

Niyakap ko ang letter na kasama ng bracelet nang maramdaman ko ang yakap ni Ryoichi sa akin. "Kung matatanggal lang nito lahat ng sakit. Yakapin mo lang ako hanggang sa matanggal 'yan lahat. Hindi na kita nakikitang ngumiti every time na kasama kita lagi ka na lang umiiyak. May that ladybug brings good luck to 'you even the happiness from these garden filled with thorns."