22/11/2023
Grabe, ang sakit. Di pa nga nangalahati feel ko na, iiyak ako. Huhuhuhu sakit sa heart. Tulo luha ko.
SACRIFICES
"Ma'am, in your own opinion, should we stop dating a person who cannot even afford basic things?"
One of my classmates dropped such timely question that caused so much clamour in our room.
"Of course! Based on my own experience, palaging nag-aaway 'yong mga magulang ko at minsa'y humahantong sa pisikalan. Dahilan? Financial problems!" seryosong sabi ni Chelsea.
"True! Let's be practical, guys! Believe me, you can never mend someone's hunger by just merely saying I love you to her!" segunda naman ni Mark, ang Vice President ng room.
After that remark, everyone cheered for them because somehow, their notions are indeed relatable. Kahit ako ay sang-ayon sa mga sinasabi nila.
Everyone was still arguing not until...
"Well... you have a point there, Mr. Gomez."
Ma'am Cathy, who is our class adviser made us fell in silence with her words. She's already in her mid 30's but her beauty is still ceaseless, I must say.
She then adjusted her blackrimmed eyeglasses and continued.
"I respect those who are being "practical" but I think, it's not right to tell the word "STOP DATING" because it sounds so anti-poor to me. It seems like you were saying that broke people are not allowed to love someone. Remember, the purpose of "dating" is for you to fully know the person more. It's the phase where you had the opportunity to know the person's potential as a good partner."
Ma'am Cathy stared at us and her watery eyes didn't escape from my sight.
"Mahirap siyang i-explain, but when you meet someone who has dreams and goals in life tapos nakikita mo siyang nagsusumikap, bakit hindi? Bakit hindi mo siya tulungang umangat ang buhay? Not financially but emotionally and mentally. If you think that that person is not striving to have a better life? Then yes, I agree with you to stop dating that person! But if you witness him working so hard kahit kapos o mahirap lang sila just to prove to everyone that he's worth it, then why not? Bakit mo pipigilan ang taong magmahal lalo na kung nagsusumikap ito?"
Ma'am Cathy looked at us again and this time, the tears in her eyes are now visible. She then broke a smile and continued.
"What I'm trying to say to you class is that, it's not wrong to look for someone who can fill your necessities but it's also not wrong to be with someone who is just starting to build something in their life. Help each other grow. Not because your partner cannot provide today, doesn't mean he cannot provide in the future."
She faintly smiled at us and the next words she uttered created a loud bang in my chest.
"I think, in relationships, we all need to find a person who is willing to grow with us— a person who respect each other's room for growth, a person who is willing to join the battle with you and a person who will love you without setting any conditions. Remember, true love takes place when you love someone unconditionally. That's why some fail, because they love with condition."
And there, I cried silently. Even my classmates were left in tears.
"Eh, ikaw maam? Nahanap mo na ba 'yung ganiyang relationship?"
She was about to answer the question when she received a packaged delivery.
While unwrapping the box, Ma'am Cathy bitterly smiled at us.
"Well, to answer your question, I was in a relationship for eight years with someone else. I was the provider between us within those years at never akong nagreklamo. To tell you honestly, as in, ang hirap! But I waited for his break. I supported him all the way until he finally became a seaman. He thanked me for all of my sacrifices and that's worth more than billions to me."
There, I saw the tears slowly gushing down her cheeks and later, we all saw how she hugged the simple white dress she got out from the package.
"Ma'am, para saan 'yan?"
"W-Well..." Her voice broke a little.
I heard her taking a deep breathe as if she's preparing herself to be damaged by the next words she will utter. Madiin siyang napalunok bago nagsalita.
"I-I'll be wearing this on his wedding," she smiled painfully and what she said next completely broke my heart.
"Because class, after he achieved all his dreams— he left me and celebrated every piece of success with her soon to be wife."
And there, she finally broke down. Sobra yung panginginig ng mga k**ay niya habang hawak-hawak ang white dress na parang hindi niya pa rin tanggap ang nangyari.
She continued wiping her tears but it never stopped from flowing.
And for the last time, she still managed to smile at us and there, she cried once again.
"Sa akin lang siya nagtagal pero hindi ako ang babaeng pinakasalan niya.
Natagpuan ko lang siya pero hindi ako sa kaniya nakatadhana."
(TO BE CONTINUED ON NEXT PART BELOW)
Part 2: https://bit.ly/wwwfacebookcomfb121732323723000posts1148482208590000
Part 3: https://bit.ly/wwwfacebookcomfb121732323723000posts1148482208590000
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Credits | Words by: Nammy Ramos
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