HE DIDN’T CHEAT BUT HE STILL A TRAITOR
I’ve been in a relationship with my boyfriend for 3 years already.
I didn’t like him at first because we both came from the same circle of friends and having a relationship with one of my friends was extremely uncomfortable for me. But he was so determined to pursue me that he tried everything he could just to break down the walls I’d put up between us.
In the end, I still said yes to him.
We’ve been so consistent in our relationship kasi napaka-matured niya in everything. Hindi na namin pinag-aawayan ‘yong maliliit lang na bagay kasi alam naming lalaki lang ito lalo. We don’t want a messy kind of relationship that’s why, we are trying to do our best to make our relationship runs smoothly.
Our families, relatives, friends and people around us were just so supportive in our relationship.
“Sure ka na ba sa ‘kin?” I asked him all of a sudden.
Kita ko ang pagngisi niya bago siya magsalita. “Of course, you’re the only person in my life whom I am certain about. I can’t imagine my life without you, Anna.”
Upon hearing those words coming from him, it seems like a plethora of butterflies migrated to my stomach.
Noon, takot na takot ako magmahal ulit dahil sa trauma na ibinigay sa ‘kin ng past relationship ko. But now, hindi ko pinagsisihan na binuksan ko ulit ang puso ko sa lalaking ito.
“You know what… you are my cup of tea, babe. Hindi magbabago ang nararamdaman kong ito sa ‘yo. Pangako.” Napangisi ako sa sinabi niya.
God, napaka-corny talaga ng lalaking ‘to. Pero in fairness, kinikilig pa rin ako sa mga banat niya.
He then planted a soft kiss on my forehead as he hugged me tightly.
Our relationship is already on the level which is so hard to find nowadays. It was like an enormity of contentment. Wala na ata akong mahihilang pa. Kontento na kami sa isa’t isa.
Sigurado na ako sa kaniya at sigurado na rin siya sa ‘kin.
Time rolled up so fast. Naging busy kami sa kaniya-kaniya naming studies. He’s a psychology student while I’m an engineering student.
Our future was already all set. Gusto naming maabot muna lahat ng pangarap namin na magkasama bago kami magpatali sa isa’t isa.
“Bes, parang nakita ko ‘yong ex ni Robert,” agad na sambit ni Zoe.
Mariin akong napalunok dahil sa ibinalita sa ‘kin ni Zoe. Alam ko naman na wala dapat akong ipangamba dahil ako na ang mahal ni Robert, pero ‘di ko mapigilan… siya ang first love ng boyfriend ko at nagtagal sila ng limang taon.
I looked at her and gave her a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, Zoe. Mahal ako ni Robert at alam kong hindi niya na mahal iyong ex niya.”
Hanggang pag-uwi sa tinutuluyan namin ay hindi ako nilubayan ng ex ni Robert. I don’t know. Wala naman siyang ginagawa sa ‘kin pero bakit parang takot na takot ako sa kaniya?
I just averted my attention at the thought of her and just continued writing my research paper as soon as I could.
Hindi ko na namalayan na nakatulog na ako bigla. Pagkagising ko ay tapos na kaagad iyong research na ginagawa ko.
He finished my research for me. He always did.
Damn, how lucky I am to have him in my life!
Gusto ko nga sanang magpatulong sa kaniya kagabi kasi magaling siya sa mga ganito at sobrang talino niya kaya lang naiisip ko na naman ‘yong ex niya.
Right after a few weeks, our relationship is still the same as before. It still went well.
He didn’t disappoint me. His actions always impress me that only means one thing… hindi niya na mahal ang ex niya dahil AKO na.
“Sasama ka mamaya sa lakad?” tanong niya sa ‘kin.
“Oo naman. Pero mauna kana papunta doon kasi parang mala-late ako,” sagot ko.
Tumango siya at lumapit sa ‘kin para halikan ako sa noo. “Okay, I’ll go now. I love you.”
He gave me a heart-warming smile once again before he leave.
Every end of the month, we were used to having a get-together with friends. It was like a reunion at every end of the month. Since everyone is already busy...

with their lives that’s why we chose this arrangement.
Dumating ako na nagkakasiyahan na sila. If I am not mistaken, naglalaro sila ng lie detector.
Tama nga ako. I immediately walk as fast as I could because I really miss this… I really miss my friends.
“Virgin ka pa ba o hindi na?” rinig kong tanong ni Justine kay Joe.
“I am here!” I shouted.
Umupo ako sa katabi ni Zoe dahil may rule kami rito. Kapag magkakasama kami, walang jowa-jowa, kaya hindi kami hinahayaan na magtabi ni Robert.
We all laughed when Joe got electrified. Virgin pa raw kasi siya, when in fact, siya ang laging papalit-palit ng babae sa tropa namin.
It’s Robert’s turn.
Without any second thought, Zoe asked Robert a high-stake question.
“Sure ka na ba kay Anna? Oo o hindi?”
Kita ko ang mariing paglunok niya. Lahat ng mata ay nakatingin sa kaniya at hinihintay siyang sumagot.
Habang tumatagal ay kinakabahan ako. Why did he take so long to answer?
He told me that he was really sure about me, but now… I don’t know.
Hindi pa rin siya makasagot! Why? Why Robert?
“H-hindi,” maikling sagot niya.
Nangingilid ang mga luha sa gilid ng mga mata ko. Ilang segundo pa ay babagsak na ito.
I waited for the lie detector to react, but… It didn’t shock him that made my heart in excruciating pain.
I instantly bowed my head in shame as I felt my tears start pouring down my face. My hands were badly trembling and my lips became pale.
Tinignan ko siya and he just stared at me coldly. Sunod kong tiningnan ang mga kaibigan ko. They were all looking at me.
Tumatawa na naaawa.
With trembling knees, I tried to stand up. Nang makatayo na ako kahit blurry ang paningin ko dahil sa mga luha ko, pinilit ko pa rin tumakbo palayo.
“Anna!” They shouted in unison.
“Anna, stop!” sigaw sa ‘kin ni Zoe.
Tumigil ako habang mabilis na yumakap sa kaniya nang sobrang higpit at umiyak nang umiyak.
“I am sorry for asking that question to Robert. I am just worried about you because I saw him and his ex one time at the mall. Kaya nilakasan ko ang loob kong tanungin siya nang gano’n.”
“Did he cheat on me?” Tanong ko.
“Di ko alam, Anna. Tanungin mo nalang siya… mauna na ako.”
Nakita ko siyang papalapit sa ‘min. Paniguradong nakita rin siya ni Zoe kaya gusto niya nang umalis para bigyan kami ng oras upang makapag-usap.
He just coldly stared at me. “S-sorry, b-babe…” He said.
“Are you cheating on me?” Tanong ko.
“No, of course not. I’m not cheating on you…” I suddenly slapped him. Hindi ko na siya pinatapos sa pagsasalita.
Humagulhol na ako sa harap niya.
“B-bakit gano’n?…” I paused. “You always told me that you are really sure about me and all of a sudden… wala na! Dumating lang ‘yang ex mo bigla agad nabago ang pananaw mo? Are you fvcking kidding me?!” I continued.
“Maniwala ka sa ‘kin, Anna. Wala kaming relasyon. Nag-usap lang kami sa Mall noong nakaraang araw. I don’t know, pero hindi ko siya matiis. Totoo nga atang may nararamdaman pa ako sa kaniya.”
And there, I cried a river again as my whole world collapsed.
“Kahit naman ‘oo’ ang isagot ko do’n, maku-kuryente pa rin ako. Kaya wala rin. Kaya sinabi ko nalang ang totoo. Hindi ko alam kung bakit nagkagano’n,” he said and started crying.
Tuluyan na akong nadurog. I looked directly into his eyes, and there, I could no longer see my man.
“H-hindi pa ako lumalaban pero wala na agad akong laban…” hindi ko matapos-tapos ang sinasabi ko dahil sobrang sakit.
“Ang daya mo, Robert. I didn’t see this coming kaya hindi ko ito napaghandaan. Ang daya mo! Ang daya-daya mo!”
“Sorry. Hindi naman kita iiwan e,” saad niya.
I slapped him with all of my force for the second time around. Ibinuhos ko lahat ng lakas ko sa kaniya.
“You didn’t cheat, but you broke my heart into pieces! You know what… you didn’t really love me because you just don’t want to be alone. Fvck you for all your lies, traitor!”
THE END.
WORK OF FICTION
Photo credits to the rightful owner.
Words by: John Cruz