Clarity 27

Chapter 27
Richard

I was so worried about Maya. I kept calling her the whole morning but she doesn’t even answer, not even a single text. I was about to go to her house when I read a text from my phone. It’s from the admin of my old condo. They are asking me to come over so I could inspect if there’s anything missing from my unit. One of the rooms got robbed and they are wondering if there are other rooms that got robbed.

I rubbed my face with my hand. I really need to check up on Maya but I also have to go to my unit. I grabbed the keys of Papa’s Audi and drove. I really need to check if something important to me got stolen. I can’t afford to lose something that belongs to Maya after her box got stolen.

“Sir, good morning. Sorry po for the short notice. Gusto lang po naming makasigurado na wala na pong nanakawan bukod do’n sa unit sa unit po malapit sa inyo.” Andrew said.

“You got robbed?” I asked.

He embarrassedly nodded. “Pero ang sabi naman po nung may ari nung unit, bagong katulong niya yung nagnakaw. Kaya po may access na talaga dun sa unit lang. Pero tinitignan na rin po namin yung option na baka nakapasok siya sa ibang unit.”

I nodded my head. “I’ll just go to my unit. Titignan ko kung may nakuha.” I said and opened the door to my unit. When I stepped inside, I knew right away that nothing got stolen. Everything is still on their place. But I still went inside the rooms to make sure.

When I got inside my home office, I saw that all of my files are still there and what caught my eyes is my trash can. The same crumpled papers are still inside while some are lying on the floor. I picked one and uncrumpled it. I sat on my chair and read the words that I’ve written two years ago.

I’ve been writing letters for Maya since the day she left. I was planning to send it to her house when I figure out where she lives but I didn’t really find her. I ended up writing a bunch of drafts about how we met, how I took care of her and how we fell in love. But my heart is still in pain back then. I couldn’t write about how she left me and how I ended up like this. So to sum it up, I never finished any letter. I picked out the good ones and stashed it inside the box. And since the box was stolen, there’s really no reason for me to still be thinking about it.

I leaned back on my chair to think things through. I really have a bad feeling about the person who stole that box inside my car. I have a gut feeling that he has a motive. But who could it be? It’s impossible to be Luke, or even James or even Papa or someone who helped making our relationship work. They could’ve just asked me that they need those things instead of breaking our firm’s CCTV cameras and damaging my car just so he or she could get it. It doesn’t make any sense.

I couldn’t help but feel that whoever did that needs something from me, or from Maya. If he’s after the money, like any robber, he should’ve just taken my car and drove away but no, he only kept his eye on the box. That’s it. I’m going to tell Maya the whole truth. I don’t care if she doesn’t believe me. I have to do this before it’s all too late.

When I reached their house, no one was inside. Nobody’s answering the door and Cris’ car is not there either. I’m guessing Maya went out. But where? She hasn’t even told me she has any plans today. I decided to stay in front of their house. I need to make sure she’s okay. It’s just a little bit after eleven in the morning and I’m hoping that she’ll be home bound anytime soon.

It’s already one in the afternoon and I’m still sitting on the same spot. Damn, where is she? I haven’t eaten my lunch because I don’t have any appetite, not unless I assured that she’s safe. I want to call Cris but I decided against it. I don’t want her to get worried if Maya is supposed to be at home during this time.

I heard the sound of a car running. When I looked at its direction, I saw a cab and then the back seat opened, revealing Maya. She stopped when she saw me and I immediately engulfed her in a hug. She’s safe, she’s safe, she’s safe, she’s safe.

“Maya! Where have you been? You have no idea how worried sick I am. I thought something happened to you! I thought –“

“Richard, mag-usap tayo sa loob.” She interrupted. I was taken aback by her tone. It’s all strict and bland, like she doesn’t care why I am here.

“W-What’s wrong?” I asked. She got out of my hug and opened the gate. She didn’t look back and instead, walked until she reached the door, she kept it open and I’m guessing it’s because of me.

She’s standing in the middle of the living room when I got in. Her hands fidgeting like she’s wants to say something and her head is bowed down, but I can see that her brows are furrowed. “Maya, what’s wrong? Tell me?”

She looked up and opened her mouth to say something but quickly closed it. Then she took a deep breath as if to calm herself down. “Richard, I don’t know any other way to say this, but .. but we have to stop seeing each other.”

“What?”  It was the first word that came from my mouth. It’s like a reflex action that automatically happened. “W-Why? What did I do wrong? Okay naman tayo ‘di ba? Wala naman akong nagagawang masama –“

“Richard, it’s not your fault. It’s mine.” She said.

“Screw that line! Ginagamit lang ‘yan sa mga teleserye, Maya. We’re living in reality. I need a better explanation. Please tell me what’s wrong. I know it’s not too late for me to clean up that mess I made. Whatever it is, I’m sorry, I-I’m sorry, just please don’t do this, Maya. Don’t do this.” I pleaded as I got near her. I held her hands in mine and looked directly into her eyes so that she could see that I meant every word.

Her eyes looked at me back, but not with love, but with regret. “Dumating na siya.” She said.

“Who? Sinong dumating?” I confusedly asked. What the hell is happening?!

“Siya. The man in my dreams. He’s here, Richard. He’s real.” She said with a glint of smile but didn’t turn into a full smile. My heart started pounding fast. She’s saying that he’s here? Of course he’s here! I am him!  Does this mean that she can now remember? “Nagkita na kami kanina, bago ako umuwi.”

“What?” I muttered. That’s the moment when I knew that I’m not the man she was pertaining to. I can’t believe someone is pretending to be me!

Maya nodded her head. “Richard, natatandaan mo pa ba ‘yung tinanon mo sa’kin nung nagkaro’n tayo ng pictorial kay Hanna? Tinanong mo ako na kung isang araw, dumating talaga ‘yung lalaking ‘yon, tapos sabihin niya sa’kin na mahal niya ako, would I run away from him? Or would I run away with him? Tanda mo pa?” She asked, her eyes hopeful.

I didn’t respond. This is wrong. This is so wrong! I can’t believe this is happening. I’m going to kill this guy who ever he is! I can’t believe that the question meant for me is being used against me! And I do have this feeling that whoever this guy is, he might be the one who stole the box from my car. He’s going to pay for this!

“Ang sagot ko, kung mangyari man ‘yon at siya na talaga ‘yung bubuo ng kulang sa buhay ko, I will run away with him. Richard, I –“

“You will?” I interrupted, burned by my outrage. I let go of her hands and ran a hand through my hair. “Maya, think about it! Por que ba sinabi niya na siya ‘yung lalaki sa panaginip mo, siya na talaga?” I madly asked. “Sino ba ‘to?”

“S-Si Simon.” She said.

My mouth gaped. Of course it’s him! I gripped my hair in anger and groaned. Damn it! Then I nodded like I understand everything. “Si Simon? Maya, do you really think he’s the man in your dreams? Does he fit all of the qualities?” I asked and before Maya could utter any word, I spoke again, “Does he make you happy? No! Of course not! Sinaktan ka niya, Maya. How could you let someone like him enter your life again? Harap-harapan niyang pinakita sa’yo na may iba siya. How can you be so sure na hindi na niya gagawin ulit ‘yon?” I asked.

“Richard, that’s not the point –“

“It is! It is the point! Ang sabi mo sa’kin, yung lalaki sa panaginip mo, walang ginawa kundi pasayahin ka. Na wala kang nararamdaman kundi masaya ka kasi nandun siya. Sige nga, nung nakita mo si Simon, sumaya ka ba? Of course not! Nandito ako nung sinaktan ka niya, Maya! And you’re nowhere near happy! I’m telling you. He’s not the man in your dreams! I swear to God, he’s not the one.” I continued.

“Paano ka nakakasigurado, Richard? Paano ka nakakasigurado na hindi siya ‘yung lalaki sa panaginip ko? Paano mo nasasabi ‘yan eh hindi naman ikaw ‘yung nakakaramdam? Ako ‘yung –“

“Kasi ako ‘yon.” I declared and she went mum. “I’m the man in your dreams. I’m the one who rescued you on the road and then I took you to the hospital.  I’m the one who was there for you when you woke up and you can’t remember a thing. I’m the one who took care of you. I’m the one who fell in love with you two years ago before you bumped your head and left me. It’s me, Maya. I’m really the R in the MR on your camera. It’s me.” I said. I could feel my knees go weak like I just gave up all the strength I have inside of me. I want her to believe so badly so that all of this pain and agony will be over.

“P-Paano mo nalaman ‘yan?” She asked, her brows furrowed like she’s annoyed, an expression far she would do in hearing the truth.

“It’s what happened, Maya. I was there. I’m the blurred man in your dreams and it’s not a dream. It’s all true. It happened. Everything happened.” I weakly said.
To my surprise, her brows furrowed even more. “Paano mo nalaman ‘yung kwento ni Simon?”

I felt my heart stop. WHAT?! “Maya, it’s not his story –“

“Paano mo nalaman ‘yung nangyari? Umamin ka nga, Richard, sinusundan mo ba si Simon?”

“No! Of course not! Hindi ko siya dapat sundan, in fact siya nga ‘yung sumusunod sa’kin! Siya yung nagnakaw dun sa kotse ko. Siya yung kumuha nung kahon na sinasabi ko sa’yo. Nandun lahat ng pictures na pinapadala ko sa envelope. Everything’s there! Lahat ng landscape shots mo, lahat ng litrato nating dalawa!” I said. “Simon stole it from my car. Kinuha lang niya ‘yung kahon, ni hindi nga niya ginalaw yung sasakyan ko –“

“At ngayon, inaakusahan mo pang magnanakaw si Simon? Richard, umalis ka na.” She said.

“I’m not accusing him! It’s the truth!” I exclaimed. “Kanino ka ba maniniwala? Sa’kin o sa manlolokong ‘yon? He already lied to you, Maya! He’s doing the same thing again and you’re letting him! Bakit ba ayaw mong maniwala –“

“Kasi hindi ko na alam kung sinong dapat kong paniwalaan!” She yelled. “Litong-lito na ko! Lahat na lang ng tao sinasabi kung anong nangyari sa’kin dati! Hindi ko alam kung alin ang tama, kung sinong tama, kung alin ang totoo at kung alin ‘yung hinde! Nahihirapan na ko!” She said and tears streamed from her face. “Gusto ko lang naman makilala ‘yung taong ‘yon dahil ayoko nang mabuhay ng ganito! Gusto ko nang matandaan lahat! Ayokong habambuhay akong gumagawa ng mga kasinungalingan sa mga tao kung anong nangyari sa’kin! For once in for all, I want to know the truth! Pero paano ko malalaman ‘yung katotohanan kung lahat kayo sinasabing ‘yun ang tama?!”

“Maya .. “ I called her name, not knowing what to say next. I took a step so that I can hug her, but she held out a hand to stop me.

“Umalis ka na.” She said.

“Maya, please.” I said as I took a step again.

“Umalis ka na!” She yelled. I know how she feels right now. I just couldn’t believe that Simon would ruin this! How dare he? I slowly turned around and took a step outside the door. When I looked back, Maya was sitting on the couch with her head buried on her face. She’s crying again. I wanted to comfort her so bad like I used to but the whole messed up situation doesn’t allow me to.

I lost her again.

I messed up.

I’m too late.

..

Thoughts?

A/N : This chapter is so heartbreaking. Clarity will soon come to its end.
Well, what could you say about Maya?

How about Richard? I need violent reactions!! Haha
SoliDeoGloria