THE CEO'S DEEPEST REGRET

A Bet

"What are we doing here?" Kumunot ang aking noo habang ako ay nagtanong kay Adrian na nakaupo sa harapan ko .

Nagugulumihan ako, hindi ko maintindihan kung paano kami nakarating sa isang beach resort gayong isang oras na lamang at kami ay nagmartsa na sa stage .

Hindi familiar sa akin ang beach na ito , malayo sa mga beaches na dati na naming napuntahan ni Adrian .

Sa loob ng dalawang taon naming pagsasama ay masaya Kong nasasabi na nagtagumpay kaming dalawa . I mean , nagawa naming makapagtapos sa pag-aaral . The truth is , hindi naman alam ng aking mga magulang na may ka live in ako dito sa Bacolod City habang ako ay nag-aaral pa . I am from Carlos City , yet I choose to study here in the City of Smile - Bacolod City .

Yes , today is our graduation day . Weird nga lang at dinala pa ako ni Adrian sa dakong ito . We need to prepare for today's ceremony. Ang pinakaaasam -asam naming dalawa , and of course our parents expectations .

"Are you even listening to me ? " I snapped out . Adrian is simply sipping his coffee and lazily gazing at his cellphone laying on the table .

" Adrian !" Napalakas ang sambit ko sa kaniyang pangalan , hindi ko alintana ang ibang customers ng restobar ng resort na aming kinaroroonan .

Finally , nakatingin na sa akin ang kumag . Inilagay ang mug ng kape sa mesa . He smirked at me .

How I love to wipe that smirked on his face .

"Hmmm..." He hummed , " Why are you shouting ?". He was leaning on the chair and lazily bore his eyes on me. Can you believe this guy?

Pinandilatan ko siya ," Are you f***ING kidding me ? Kanina pa kita tinatanong kung anong ginagawa natin dito ? Isang oras na lang ay graduation na natin . Bakit tayo nandito sa beach resort ? Anong ginagawa natin dito ? Ang layo nito sa ating apartment ." Sunod -sunod na tanong ko sa kaniya .

Adrian smiled , the smile he used to capture my heart . Iyong uri ng ngiti na makalaglag pa*ty . Tinitigan Niya ako .

I'm sure I was blushing . Ang titig kasi Niya ay may kakayahan na tunawin ang aking galit . "Relax baby , I'm here with you , bakit Ka ba mag-alala?" Tanong Niya sa akin .

I rolled my eyes." Why are rich men jerks ? " I said . " The same reason why all beautiful women are b*tches ." he grinned .

Lumuwang ang kaniyang ngiti . "What ? " Tumawa si Adrian . "Oh , George baby , " umiling siya habang nagsasalita .

Inabot ang kaniyang cellphone na kinuha ko mula sa mesa . " In case you haven't noticed , tumatakbo ang oras , mahuhuli na tayo sa graduation natin , kailangan ko pang mag -ayos , at ikaw din .." George , " he cut me off . " Listen here, hindi tayo mahuhuli dahil walang graduation na mangyayari . Same thing na walang tayo . " The way Adrian uttered the words makes me sick .

It was insanely cold and penetrated deeply to my spine . Nakaawang ang aking labi na nakatingin sa kaniya . What the heck is wrong with him today

"What the hell.. are you.. talking about?" Nauutal Kong tanong sa kaniya . Hindi ko malaman kung sasampalin ko ba siya o babatukan dahil sa sinabi niya .

"You heard me , George , walang tayo . There's no us ...walang tayo ...there's no us ..walang tayo ..."

Rrrriiing....riinnggg.. rrriiinnngg ! Napabalikwas ako ng bangon ng biglang tumunog ang alarm clock na nasa bedside table katabi ng lampshade .

The light coming from the lampshade is enough for me to see the alarm clock . I grabbed the damn thing and turned it off . It's 5 in the morning . Sinadya ko talagang i-set ng maaga ang alarm clock bilang paghahanda sa graduation namin ni Adrian .

Napalunok ako ng laway , ano bang klasing panaginip iyon , it was so vivid.So raw . Ang lakas ng kaba ng dibdib ko ay taliwas sa mahinahon na paghinga ng lalaki na nasa aking tabi --si Adrian . I sigh deeply .

" What was that all about ?" I murmured softly. Pinahid ko ang pawis na nasa aking noo, kahit malamig ang air conditioning ay hindi nito napigilan ang mga pawis ko .

Nakakatakot ang panaginip ko , parang totoo , it was so real , except that it was not . Thanks heaven .

Hindi totoong nasa beach resort kami ni Adrian. Hindi rin totoo na umiinom siya ng kape . He is peacefully lying on the bed where I am sitting .

Walang totoo sa panaginip ko . It was just a bad dream , nothing more . Ang tanging totoo ay ang araw na ito .Today is our graduation day . Nagbunga rin sa wakas ang aming pagsisikap .

For two years that we are living together , nagawa naming makapagtapos ng pag-aaral . Hindi naging hadlang ang aming pagmamahalan , sa bagkus ay naging inspirasyon pa ito upang magpursige kaming makatapos.

Adrian comes from a wealthy family in Manila Philippines. However, he was sent by her parents in Negros Island Region because according to him , it is part of his training . In which , I do not understand .

Bakit kailangan niyang mag training sa Negros ? I mean , Manila is far more developed compared to other areas in the country . But, I didn't question his upbringing . In fact , kung hindi iyon ginawa ng parents Niya , hindi sana kami magkikita , I should be thankful .

I giggled when I remembered the way and the day we met . But , I brushed the thought away . Wala ng oras para kiligin sa umagang ito . Dumako ang tingin ko sa aking tiyan , ang aking kamay ay bumaba sa aking tiyan , muli Kong ibinaling ang aking mata at akoy nakatingin sa guwapong mukha ni Adrian .

Mamaya sa paaralan ko na sasabihin sa kaniya ang sorpresa ko , I murmured.

"Congratulations , George .." bati ng mga kaklasi ko . Binati ko rin silang lahat .

Mom and dad were not able to attend the ceremony, inatake kasi ng rayuma si Daddy . Severe rheumatism .

Nag video call sila sa akin , asking for my forgiveness . Nakokonsensya ang dalawa dahil bihira lang silang makadalaw sa akin .

Simula ng mag third year college na ako hanggang gumradweyt ay hindi na nila ako dinalaw pa .

Pabor naman sa akin , dahil nga sa nagsasama na kami ni Adrian. Siguro , naaalala ng aking mga magulang noong first year and second year college ko rito sa Bacolod , dinadalaw nila ako dalawang beses sa Isang buwan kapag hindi ako makauwi .

Though , I understand na nakakapagod din ang magbiyahe , kahit pa may sariling driver sina Daddy at Mommy . It takes four hours to travel from San Carlos to Bacolod via car.

Aabot pa nga ng lima hanggang anim na oras depende sa daloy ng trapiko . I winced thinking about those who travel na walang sariling sasakyan . I'm sure , mas nakakapagod iyon , baka abutan sila ng siyam na oras sa biyahe , including transfer of course .

So yeah , I totally understand my parents for not attending one of the important events of my life . They had a valid reason . Ngumiti na lang ako ng maluwang ng maisip ko na kasama ko naman si Adrian . Which reminds me, naghihintay na pala siya sa akin sa parking lot .

"Hey George , Congratulations to you.." napalingon ako sa bumati sa akin . " Hey , Mike .. congratulations to you too . "

Inabot ko ang kaniyang kamay . " You look gorgeous ," he said . "Really ?" Tumaas ang aking kilay . " With this ...toga?" I said .

" Oo naman, kahit anong suot mo bagay naman sa iyo ." Mike said . " Hmmm, thank you ."

Si Mike ay kaibigan ng pinsan ni Adrian na si Jerome, kaya naging kaibigan na rin siya ni Adrian . But lately , hindi ko na siya nakita na kasama ang aking boyfriend .

" Picture tayo ?" Aya ni Mike sa akin . "Sure .." kinuha ni Mike ang kaniyang phone at nag selfie kami .

" Cute , "Mike whispered as he checked the photos on his phone .

" George..."

" Yea,?" Tinitigan ako ni Mike , it seems that he was struggling to say something , but decided against it .

" Nevermind , where's Adrian? " He asked instead . " Oh , yeah ...hes waiting for me in the parking lot . " I joyfully said .

Something flashed in his eyes , I couldn't comprehend, but he seemed sad .

" See you around George , call me when you need something , anything .." he said .

" I will , thank you . " I replied . That was weird and random . I thought .

Finally , natapos din ang halos hindi matapos na pagbati ng iba pang mga kaklasi ko.

Lumabas na ako ng coliseum at dumiretso na ako sa parking lot kung saan naghihintay si Adrian sa akin .

I couldn't wait to tell him the good news . Ano kaya ang magiging reaksyon Niya kapag nalaman Niya na buntis ako .

I smiled inwardly , I'm sure na matutuwa siya . Sinabi Niya sa akin na pagkatapos ng aming graduation ay ipakilala Niya ako sa mga magulang Niya . I know na seryoso siya sa akin .

Nagmamadali Kong tinahak ang daan patungo sa parking lot . There he is, standing tall and mighty beside his expensive car. Looking handsome and debonair as ever .

"Adrian," I called softly . Ang bilis naman niyang nakabihis . Gusto ko pa sana na mag picture taking kami wearing our togas .

" Ang bilis mo namang magbihis .." I smile at him . At this moment , lumakas ang kaba ng dibdib ko , hindi ko malaman Kong paano simulan na sabihin sa kaniya na nagdadalang-tao ako .

I know he loves me , pero ...hindi ko maiwasan ang kabahan . I mean , sa loob ng dalawang taon na nagsasama kami sa iisang apartment , Adrian was nothing but a sweet and loving boyfriend . He was perfect for me . I couldn't ask for more .

Adrian is the epitome of the word perfection . He stands 6' 5" and he has a super bod that is suited for a male supermodel. He has a fair complexion and a shoulder length hair .

Minsan nga , nagtataka ako kung paano na tolerate ng paaralan na makapasok siya with his hairstyle . Siguro , ito ang kaibahan ng mayaman at mahirap . Money speaks , Ika nga .

Napangiti na lang ako habang ang isip ko ay naglalayag . I felt stupid actually , bakit ba ako kinakabahan , this is my man for crying out loud .

And yet , ang lakas ng kaba ng dibdib ko . "Adrian ,.." inabot ko ang kaniyang kamay , and it was then, that I realized that he was folding his arms to his chest .

He stared at me rather coldly. Ang aking ngiti at excitement ay bahagyang napawi . " Is ... something ...wrong ? " I stutter .

Makapaghintay naman ang sasabihin ko sa kaniya , I thought to myself . Pwede namang sa apartment ko na lang sasabihin ang sorpresa ko sa Kaniya .

"I'm leaving ." He said . I looked straight into his eyes .

" What do you mean ? " I'm confused. Did he mean he's leaving with me or without me .

Did he mean to say , uuwi na kami ?

Sumandal si Adrian sa kaniyang sasakyan . This time ,his hands are on his pants . " I'm leaving ...for good . " He smirked at me .

A cold run down my spine , " Is this some kind of joke ?" I asked him , pretending na hindi apektado . But the truth is , I felt numb. Uminit ang aking mukha .. The way he said it , the way he delivers the message . It was so cold and tactful .

"For the third time around , I'm leaving ...away from you . " He said matter-of-fact .

Pinikit ko ang aking mga mata . I must be dreaming . I slowly opened my eyes , si Adrian ay nasa harapan ko pa rin , nakasandal sa kaniyang kotse , both hands are in the pocket of his pants .

" What ..did you..say ?" I asked , panicked in my voice . Kinurot ko ang aking mga kamay , baka nanaginip ulit ako . Isang malutong na tawa ang narinig ko mula sa kaniya .

" Please , Adrian , stop ...hindi na nakatutuwa ang joke mo .." I said na pilit ko na pinakalma ang boses ko .

I inhaled deeply . Tama , nagbibiro lang siya . This is just a prank !

" Tsk, tsk ..." Umiling siya . " Who said I'm joking ? Do I look like I'm fooling around ? Huh ! You are still the brat girl that I knew from two years ago . You think too highly of yourself mademoiselle ." He said in a manner of tone that is full of authority .

My jaw dropped at his outbursts. I'm on the verge of tears .

"Adrian , " I touched the collar of his polo shirt but he smacked my hand away from him . It was then I realized , he's not joking around .

"What do you mean you're leaving ? Paano ako ? What about me ? I thought ...I thought..." I choked the words and I lost them .

" Georgina , George ...poor George, do you really believe that whatever we had is real ? " He said , slightly raising his voice .

"You're a pathetic brat ! Naniwala ka ba talagang totoo ang ipinakita ko sa iyo ? Everything was a bet , a game . Ngayon mo alalahanin kung paano tayong dalawa nagkakilala . Alalahanin mo kung paano mo ako pinahiya noon , balikan mo ang pangyayari two years ago ! " Adrian said fiercely . Nagbabaga ang kaniyang mga mata habang nakatingin sa akin .

"No, baby ...no one dares to offend me , not in my place and definitely not here in Negros . Tapos na ang balat kayo . Let's call it quits . I hope to never see you again . " Pagkasabi Niya ay agad na itong tumalikod sa akin, binuksan ang kaniyang sasakyan .

Bagama't para akong itinulos na kandila ay nagawa ko pa rin ang dumalaw .

Dagli ko siyang pinigilan .

" Wait .." hinawakan ko ang kaniyang braso . Agad naman niyang winaksi ang aking kamay . " Get your hands off me ." He said coldly .

I couldn't believe it . Ang dating Adrian na mapagmahal , malambing at mahalaga sa akin ay parang Isang estranghero sa harapan ko ngayon .

" So , everything ..was ...fake ..." I said . It was more of a statement, rather than a question .

Naninikip ang dibdib ko habang lumalabas ang mga katagang iyon sa aking bibig .

" You bet .." he answered . I closed my eyes and thought of the happy memories that we've been sharing together . I thought about all the promises he's been whispering to me . I thought about all the promises he uttered solemnly while I wholeheartedly listen to every word that comes from him .

Habang umaandar na papalayo ang kotse ni Adrian ay naiwan akong parang estawa sa parking lot ng paaralan . Ang Isa Kong kamay ay mahigpit na nakahawak sa purse na naglalaman ng aking pregnancy test.

Hindi ko na napapansin na habang humarurot palayo ang kaniyang sport car ay nag-uunahan na sa pagpatak ang luha sa aking mga mata.