TINANAW NI RENANTE si Maximillian sa loob ng hospital ward na iyon. Nakatayo ang binata sa pinto. Napangisi ang lalaki at parang natatawa na nao-OA-an kaya napailing. Stacey knew what those gestures and looks meant. Why wouldn't she? She dedicated all the past years in loving and getting to know Renante.

Stacey took in a deep breath. She should not smile, even if seeing him always give her that feeling.

Not this time.

"Renante," makailang ulit niyang tawag bago siya nito binigyan ng atensyon sa wakas.

As usual, she was not the first thing on his mind. He would make her wait and wait, before he laid his eye on her. Lumapit si Renante.

"Uuwi na ako," nangingilag ang mga mata niya rito.

Ngayon kasing magkaharap na sila ng lalaki, nagbalik sa kanya ang namagitan sa kanila nung gabing iyon.

Nung gabing nagkita sila noon sa isang club.

She was conflicted with this feeling. Renante had hurt and disrespected her. The most rational and natural reaction was to get mad. To leave. To hate him. But why was she feeling regretful from the idea of leaving Renante? Ito ba ang nararamdaman ng mga babaeng hindi makaalis-alis sa isang abusive relationship? Ang pakiramdam na kung may sarap namang kapalit ang bawat sakit, magtitiis na lang?

So wrong.

This is so wrong.

Renante lowered his eyes. Renante knew how Stacey felt toward him, why her eyes looked at him that way. "Okay."

Hinarap niya si Sam at nginitian. "Sige po, Tito Sam. I'm going."

Ngumiti ang ginoo. Sabay na tinanaw ng dalawang lalaki ang paglayo ni Stacey. Hindi na niya nilingon pa ang mga ito. Tinahak niya ang paliko ng pasilyong iyon.

What was she supposed to feel? Nagsisisi siya na hindi man lang binigyan ng huling sulyap ang lalaki. 'Yung huling lingon, tulad nung sa mga love stories. 'Yung klase ng titig na magpapalambot sa puso nito at babasag sa pagpipigil nito. 'Yung magtutulak sa lalaki na tumakbo para pigilan siya...

But she believed in herself more that in the power of love. She believed she was strong and better on her own.

That's why it was thelast time she saw Renante.

.

.

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***

[ TO BE CONTINUED SOON ]