"Eternity was in our lips and eyes."

-Shakespeare on Antony and Cleopatra

"You have the softest lips, Sarah, you should know that..."

"... And I love how it felt brushing against mine."

I said, looking straight into her eyes with all the loud pounding in my heart. Swerte ko nalang at hindi niya ako sinampal dahil sa paghalik ko sa kanya. Hindi ko naman talagang intention na halikan siya, but her bloody red lips is tempting the hell of me. And given the chance, I just wager my luck, never really expecting that it will brush against her lips. But indeed, the odds are in my favor tonight.

Alam ko kasing wala siyang balak na tanggapin ang offered hand ko dahil bigla siyang nag leaned forward para bumeso siguro at dun na pumasok ang kapilyahan kong salubungin ang pag beso niya.

I am looking at her intently, sa mukha niya ngayon para siyang teenager na ninakawan ng halik ng crush siya. Pink stains are visible in her cheeks. She is really beautiful lalo na pag ngumingiti, she gave me a heart warming smile na lalong nagpapakilig sa akin.

"Maganda ba?" pukaw niyang tanong sa akin.

"It is an understatement. I can't reduce your beauty into mere words, to say so is an insult." I said giggling.

Tinakpan niya ang mukha niya, nahihiya siguro dahil sobrang pula na niya o baka hindi lang sanay sa ganitong compliments si Sarah. I can even see na pati tenga niya ay namumula na rin. Hindi ko naman maitago ang satisfaction sa smile ko ngayon, napasaya ko siya at sobrang malaking bagay na sa akin yun. Seeing her happy is also my happiness. Ganun naman talaga yun diba? When you love the person you will desire nothing, except her happiness.

"Matutunaw na ako niyan kakatitig mo. Tara labas tayo?" yaya niya sa akin.

"Are you asking me out? Sobrang bilis naman babe?" panunukso ko sa ka niya.

"Yes, I am. Labas tayo sa garden." masaya niyang sagot while winking.

Bless my heart! Sarah G. what are you doing to me...

Tatayo na sana kami papunta sa garden ng biglang may nagsalita sa likod niya.

"Good Evening, ladies." pagbati ni kuya sa amin.

"Kuya! You're here. Buti nakahabol ka?"

"Hijo, Theo, good thing you made it tonight." Nakabalik na rin pala sila dad.

"Of course dad. I am looking forward to something tonight." masayang sagot ni kuya.

"Sir Jaime! Nice to meet you finally." bati ni kuya sa dad ni Sarah.

"Oh boy! I'm ecstatic to meet you, I've heard a lot from you." sabay tingin ni tito Jaime kay daddy namin.

"Most of it are good." dagdag pa niya.

My kuya smiled while giving glances kay Sarah, silently hinting na ipakilala si Sarah sa kanya. Parang hindi ko magugustuhan ang mangyayari ngayong gabi, at parang pati kuya ko ay magiging karibal ko pa ata.

"Theo, Son, this is my daughter, Sarah." Pagpapakilala ni Tito Jaime kay Sarah.

"Son, agad tito? Ambilis naman pero gusto ko yon."

"Doon din naman yun diba papunta? Diba Ariston?"

"Of course Jaime."

Wow! Ang galing noh? Sayang saya sila sa pinaguusapan nila. Ang sarap mangaway ngayong gabi, nakakabwisit! Bakit kaba kasi pumunta pa dito kuya!!! Sinira mo lang ang gabi ko!

"How do you do Sarah? It's a pleasure to meet you finally." buong sayang sabi ni kuya to the point na mapupunit na yung mukha sa ngiti niya.

Inextend ni kuya ang kanyang kamay kay Sarah at agad naman niyang tinanggap eto. Para akong sinaksak sa nakikita ko, ang sakit. Gusto ko ng umalis sa lugar na to. Shut* nakakabadtrip yung nakikita mong lantarang minamatch make yung taong gusto mo sa kapatid mo pa. Bwis*t talaga!

Hello! Andito po ako, para naman kayong walang Tanch na nakikita ang busy niyo eh.

"I'm good Theo! The pleasure is mine." Sarah said smiling while she accepted the offered hand of my brother.

Arrrgggh! Nakakainis ha! Mukhang gustong gusto naman ng babaeng to ang nangyayari.

"Oh Tanch! Honey, what's with the frown on your face? Aren't you enjoying the night?" worried na tanong sa akin ni daddy.

"I'm okay Dad. Don't mind me." I assure him with a smile.

"You know what. Let's dance. I missed dancing with my baby."

"Sure." I answered my dad as I took his offered hand.

"Jaime, Sarah, Theo." pagpapaalam ni daddy before kami pumunta sa dance floor.

.

.

.

"Kanina pa kita napapansin. Ano bang problema anak? Okay ka naman before namin kayo iwan? Bigla-bigla nalang nagbago ang ihip ng hangin mo?"

"Dad, okay lang talaga ako. Hindi pa kayo nasanay sa mood swings ko. I can manage kaya kong iraos ang gabing to."

"Are you sure about that? We can go home right now, if you want."

"No dad. Just forget about it. The night is long and we can still enjoy this."

"Let's go, my princess. Let's shake this party." enthusiastic na tugon ni Daddy.

I really adore this side of my dad, he really knows how to lighten my mood. I can't hide anything from my dad, he knows me very well. Kaya tonight I had to make up a straight face para hindi niya mahalata ang pagkainis ko sa sudden turn of events.

Pinilit kong hindi ilingonin sila Sarah at si kuya na naiwang naguusap sa table. Ayaw kong mahalata ni dad na si kuya ang dahilan ng pagkainis ko ngayong gabi. Pero from time to time ay sumusulyap ako sa kanila, I can't help sobrang nasasaktan akong nakikita silang dalawa na masayang nagtatawanan. Maya maya pay biglang tumayo si kuya at niyayang sumayaw si Sarah. She took the offered hand as my brother led her to the dance floor.

Pumwesto sila just in front of us kaya tanaw na tanaw ko sila from my view. My brother pulled Sarah closer to him and put one of his hands on Sarah's slender waist. Gusto kong magwala sa nakikita ko ngayon but I can't so I just hugged my daddy to hide my face from his view because I am sure if looks could kill my brother would be dead by now. Dumagdag pa sa inis ko yung mga giggling ni Sarah as if she's been enjoying kung ano man ang sinasabi ng brother ko sa kanya. Bwis*t! Gusto ko ng umuwi. I can't bear seeing them together na sobrang nageenjoy. Konting tiis nalang Tanch matapos lang tong song na ito pwede kanang magpaaalam sa dad mo at magexit.

[Piano intro plays]

I was about to face my dad para magpaalam but pinigilan niya ako he insist that we will stay by this song kasi paborito niya to. Wala akong magawa kundi magtiis ng konti pang minuto. At this time nakatuon na ang buong attention ko kay Sarah dahil nakaharap na siya sa akin ngayon, nagswitch na pala sila ng position ng brother ko. Sobrang saya nilang dalawa tingnan at hindi ko maiwasang hindi magselos. Sa makuha palang ni Sarah kitang kita na sobrang saya niya pero yun lang hindi ako ang dahilan ng saya na yun.

[... We're the King and Queen of hearts

Hold me when the music starts,

All my dreams came true, when I danced with you...]

Nakita ko kung paano nagchange ang facial expression ni Sarah from being so happy to parang namatayan just by hearing the first stanza of the song.

Halatang the song gives her so many bitter memories. She must have been through a lot kaya ganun nalang ang mukha niya noong marinig niya ang kanta.

Narinig ko siyang nagpaalam sa brother ko.

"Theo, I have to go. Thanks for tonight."

At naiwan sa dance floor ang brother ko. Gusto kong maawa sa kanya dahil nakakahiyang iiwan ka sa gitna ng dance floor but in my case parang naka ganti narin ako sa paninira niya ng gabi ko. Alam kong gusto niyang pigilan si Sarah pero he's too late to do so. At sa nakita ko tila hindi rin magpapapigil si Sarah. I've seen pain and extreme sadness in her eyes just the moment she heard the song. And she can't help but wonder kong ang taong behind the memory of that song was the reason kung bakit sobrang ilap ni Sarah sa pag-ibig, siya kaya ang dahilan kung bakit nagbuild ng napakataas na walls na hindi matibag tibag ang tinaguriang Ice Queen ceo ng Pilipinas.

Sinundan ko nalang siya ng tingin habang bumabalik siya sa table namin. Don't worry babe, better days are coming. I thought to myself. Sa nakita kong yun, I promise to myself na I'll do everything to make her happy again sa abot ng makakaya ko.

I am smiling like an idiot at the thought. I am really looking forward sa mga araw na ako na ang dahilan ng mga ngiti at saya niya.

Natapos ang kanta at agad akong bumalik sa table namin to be with her. Buti nalang naiwan kaming dalawa alone because the men are busy with the business associates.

"Yung mukha mo hindi maipinta. Why so sad babe?" I started.

Nilingon niya ako and gave me the smile.

"Wala lang ito. May naalala lang but I am all good." pagpapaliwanag niya.

"Andito lang ako lagi if you need some fresh air to breath. Remember we are friends now. So if gusto mong magunwind or gusto mo ng kausap, know that I am here. Idial mo lang ang #87000 at si Jollibee na ang bahala sa order mo. hahaha"

Parang may kung anong nag caress sa puso ko noong makita ko siyang tumatawa sa corny kong joke. Sobrang ganda niya kasi talagang tignan lalo na pag tumatawa at naka ngiti.

"Tignan mo! Napatawa rin kita, dapat ganyan lang parati. Mas lalo kang gumaganda when you laugh and smile. Hindi ko tuloy maalis yung tingin ko sayo."

"Tanch, thank you."

"Nah! It's nothing. Ako nga ang dapat magpasalamat." sabay kindat ko kay Sarah.

"Baliw talaga to! Matawagan nga ang Psychiatric Hospital baka may nawawala silang pasyente." panimulang pangaasar ni Sarah.

Bigla naman akong nagmake face, marunong ding manginis tong babaeng to ha. Buti nalang special ka sa akin or else dragona ang makakaharap mo ngayon.

"Ouch! Ang sakit naman nun babe! Eto baliw? Kay ganda ko naman ata baliw." sabi ko sa kanya sabay tawa mimicking kung paano ang act ng isang baliw.

"Oh tignan mo! Baliw nga talaga." dagdag pang pangaasar ni Sarah.

"Ou na. Baliw na! Ikaw kasi dahilan nito. Kung di ka lang kasi dumating sa buhay ko. I wouldn't be like this." Seryoso kong sabi sa kanya.

Ramdam ko yung kaba niya dahil sa binibitawan kong salita. But I just can't help and let this pass. Sabi nga nila, you lose your chance, you lose the person forever. Kaya mas mabuti ng sumugal tayo malay natin, gusto din pala tayo ng tao.

"Tanch..."

Agad ko siyang pinigalan.

"You don't have to react or what. I am thankful for your existence, you've brought so much happiness in my life. Masaya na akong nakikita ka at enough na yun sa akin. Don't worry babe, wala itong kapalit." I said looking straight into her eyes while holding her too tight.

"Masaya din ako Tanch, na nakilala kita." She said with the heart warming smile, mga ngiting sobrang nagpapasaya sa akin.

.

.

.

I was enjoying Theo's company. Nakakatuwa lang kasi si Tanch ang pinaguusapan namin at kung paano niya akong sinugod sa office earlier today. He said that her sister is a little bit impulsive sometimes kaya nakakagawa ng kung ano ano.

Based from his brother's revelation, I can say na maalaga at protective lang talaga si Tanch sa mga taong mahalaga sa kanya.

"Mahal ka lang ng kapatid mo, that's why." mahina kong tugon kay Theo habang sumasayaw kami.

"Of course, kahit ako din naman mahal ko ang kapatid ko and I'll do everything in my power to protect her."

I can't help but to smile, knowing that they adore each other so much. With the relationship they have as siblings, it brings so many memories to me. Sobrang nakakatuwa, hindi ko tuloy maiwasang hindi mamiss ang isang taong mahalaga sa buhay ko.

Then...

That blasted song played in the background. Not again! I thought to myself.

I don't want to appear rude but I just can't stand to dance to that song. It brings bitter memories from the past na pinipilit kong ibaon sa limot.

Kailan kaya ako makakahilom mula sa sugat ng kahapon? Basta! Isa lang ang alam kong I need all the strength that I have right now to excuse myself from Theo. Ayaw kong hintayin pang humagulgol ako sa iyak so I have to stop this dancing at magpaalam sa kanya.

"Theo I have to go. Thanks for tonight."

Hindi ko na hinintay ang sagot niya. I left immediately, saka nalang ako magso sorry sa ginawa kong pag iwan sa kanya.

Bumalik ako sa table namin at dumampot ng baso ng wine sa dumaan na waiter. Nakakadrain talaga whenever there is something from the past that reminds you why you can't be happy at the moment. At times, there's a point na napapawhat ifs ako and how could it have been if things were to happen according to how I wanted it. Masakit lang na I had a lot to lose along the way pero hindi parin pala ako magiging masaya at the end of the day.

Konti nalang talaga at magbbreak down na ako. Napayuko nalang ako sa sakit but I have to be strong kasi sarili ko nalang inaasahan at may ibang taong umaasa sa akin. It's a good life Sarah Joy! You're enough. You're loved and cared for. I always remind myself and that's my daily affirmation so I could keep going on...

"Yung mukha mo hindi maipinta. Why so sad babe?" pukaw na tugon sa akin ni Tanch.

Akala ko tuloyan ng nasira ang gabi ko because of a f*cking memory but no. Just a sight of her, biglang nagbago lahat. It's funny how a single person could change everything in a second. I couldn't hide my smile anymore, she fills the void that I felt deep within.

"Wala lang ito. May naalala lang but I am all good." I said smiling assuring her that I am all fine. Kasi basically, okay na ako kasi nandito na siya.

"Nandito lang ako lagi if you need some fresh air to breath. Remember we are friends now. So if gusto mong magunwind or gusto mo ng kausap, know that I am here. Idial mo lang ang #87000 at si Jollibee na ang bahala sa order mo. hahaha" nakakatouch niyang suggestion I mean joke.

She got me there. Now I am all smiles kasi bentang benta yung joke niya not to mention yung pagiging concern pa niya.

"Tignan mo! Napatawa rin kita, dapat ganyan lang parati. Mas lalo kang gumaganda when you laugh and smile. Hindi ko tuloy maalis yung tingin ko sayo." dagdag pa niya habang nakatitig sa akin.

Bigla akong kinabahan kasi bahagyang sumeryoso yung mukha niya pero agad niya rin itong winaksi.

"Tanch, thank you." seryosong saad ko sa kanya.

Kung wala siya dito ngayon I am sure umuwi na ako and crying myself while i'm on my way home.

"Nah! It's nothing. Ako nga ang dapat magpasalamat." sabay kindat sa akin.

Here she goes again with her bubbly and sweet side na sobrang nagpapakilig sa akin. Kakakilala ko lang sa kanya but as if I knew her for a very long time.

"Baliw talaga to! Matawagan nga ang Psychiatric Hospital baka may nawawala silang pasyente." pangaasar ko sa kanya.

"Ouch! Ang sakit naman nun babe! Eto baliw? Kay ganda ko naman ata baliw." sabi niya habang nagmamake face as if nasaktan siya sa binitawan kong mga salita.

"Oh tignan mo! Baliw nga talaga." dagdag ko pang pangaasar.

Sobrang saya din pala itong asarin kasi halatang pikonin eh.

"Ou na. Baliw na! Ikaw kasi dahilan nito. Kung di ka lang kasi dumating sa buhay ko. I wouldn't be like this." Seryoso niyang sabi.

"Tanch..."

Agad ko siyang pinigalan. Ayaw kong magulo ang isipan at puso ko. I am not ready for this.

"You don't have to react or what. I am thankful for your existence, you've brought so much happiness in my life. Masaya na akong nakikita ka at enough na yun sa akin. Don't worry babe, wala itong kapalit." she said lovingly while looking straight into my eyes as she grip my hand, silently assuring me that everything will be fine.

"Masaya din ako Tanch, na nakilala kita." Yun lang ang tanging nabitawan kong salita. I couldn't function well with all the loud pounding of my heart.

.

.

.

"I'll be damned! Sarah Garcia!"

Nadisturbo kami ni Tanch ng isang familiar na boses na halatang gulat na gulat na makita ako dito.

"Ashley Han! Congratulations!

Tumayo ako sa seat ko sabay bumeso sa kaibigan kong matagal ko ng hindi nakikita.

"I didn't know that you like parties now, Sarah. It's been a long time. Di ko inaasahan na magkikita tayo dito."

Yes. You heard her right, matagal tagal na din since I attended parties like this. Simula ng naging magulo ang buhay ko, mas gusto ko nalang mapagisa.

"Ash, this is Tanch, daughter of Mr. Lobete from T-Squared Mobile." pagpapakilala ko Tanch kay Ashley.

"Hi! I didn't know na may dyosa palang anak si Sir Ariston. Pleasure to meet you Tanch. I hope you're having fun." masayang pagbati ni Ashley kay Tanch.

"Tanch, this is Ashley, the owner of this restaurant chain." Pagpapakilala ko kay Tanch sa kaibigan kong si Ashley.

"Hi! Nice place. Congratulations on your new branch." saad naman ni Tanch kay Ashley.

"Thanks. Please enjoy the rest of the night." Ashley added sabay pagtuon niya ng pansin sa akin.

"Sarah, it's really good to see you. I know this might not be the right time but you know, you promised me sometime ago and I intend to collect your dues." nakakalitong sabi ni Ashley sa akin.

"Huh? Can you enlighten me please?" I asked, wondering what the hell is she referring to.

"You promised to play the piano in any of my future branches upon the grand opening. And so you owe me this one." she explained enthusiastically.

"No! I am not doing that. I'm not prepared for this. Maybe some other time? What do you think?" I suggested.

"Nah! I'm sure Tanch here would love to see you play and serenade us tonight. Right Tanch?"

"Of course. May tinatago ka palang talent care to share it with us, just for tonight please?" Pangungumbinsi naman ni Tanch sa akin.

I bet there's no way out here. Pinagtutulungan na nila akong dalawa but hindi ako handa, hindi na ako sanay sa crowd. Napakamot ako ng ulo ko, nakapout na sila ngayong dalawa sa akin. Bakit ba kasi nahanap ako ni Ashley dito? Mapapasubo na talaga ako nito.

"Because I know that I can't say no anymore, so I would. But just one song, okay?" pakiusap ko sa kanila.

"It's up to you. Know that the stage is yours if you want to play more." sabi naman ni Ashley.

"You can do it Sarah. We will cheer for you. Best of luck!" pabaong sabi ni Tanch sa akin.

"Thank you." I smiled at her.

"So Tanch, I will borrow Sarah for a while muna hah?" paalam ni Ashley kay Tanch.

Iniwan na nga namin si Tanch sa table at iginaya ako ni Ashley patungo sa stage. Akala ko, tutugtog lang ako and just it pero may pa introduction pa palang nalalaman tong Ashley na to, mas lalo tuloy nakakahiya kasi kinuha niya attention ng crown. Hay naku Sarah! I sighed to myself.

"Ladies and Gents, I hope you are having fun. A friend of mine owes me to play in one of my grand openings so she will serenade us tonight. Sarah Garcia, everyone" she said as she introduced me to the crowd.

Nakaupo na ako ngayon sa Duet, humuhugot ng lakas. Nakakapanibago it's been a really long time since the last time na nagplay ako sa harap ng maraming tao. But there's no turning back now.

"Good Evening everyone one. This song is special to me since this is my mom's favorite who is not around tonight. This is for you."

I closed my eyes and started to run my fingers in the keys, as I hit the first note, right there I knew, there's no way to stop...

Yesterday...

All my troubles seemed so far away

Now it looks as though they're here to stay