The formerly clean large aquarium was barely visible inside because of the blood splattered on it. My mouth was wide open and quickly searched if Ken's body was in there.
“Jelcy!”
I rushed over Bea and the others when I heard her call me. Tinignan ko kung saan sila nakatingin. I had wiped my eyes so much they were red and swollen. But there I saw Miss Alvarado and Ken standing inches before the cliff. She was holding a rope that was tied on Ken’s body. I couldn’t afford to look at his eyes as I failed to save him as soon as possible.
“Free him! Nakuha ko na ‘yong logo!”
“Oh, dear. Seems like you still haven’t got the point.” She sighed before continuing. “I figured you don’t want your friend to die there.” Itinuro niya ang malaking aquarium.
“Please… Just…” Streams of tears flowed faster than my heartbeat.
“Too late.”
“You sent him, didn’t you?”
Nangunot ang noo niya.
“I beg your pardon.”
“’Wag ka nang mag maang-maangan. You sent that guy to attack me para hindi ko mailigtas si Ken, hindi ba?”
Natahimik siya.
“I sent one?” Patanong na sabi niya.
“Stop fucking with me. Why do you have to do this?”
She rolled her eyes.
“You’re so annoying.”
As if my world stopped spinning when she kicked Ken on the cliff. I ran so fast and grabbed the little piece of rope that Miss Alvarado was holding earlier. Masyadong masakit sa kamay ang lubid na hawak ko at unti-unti itong dumudulas. Sa kabilang dulo ay naroon si Ken.
I pulled the rope kahit pa sa bawat hila ko nito ay siyang pagdulas naman nito.
“You’re bleeding.” Rinig kong sabi ni Ken.
“Shut up.”
“Just leave me, Jelcy. Kung itutuloy mo ‘yan baka parehas lang tayong mahulog sa bangin!”
“I don’t care.”
“Let go, Jelcy!”
He tried moving pero hindi ko parin binibitawan ang lubid.
“No one help her or I’ll shoot you dead!” narinig kong sigaw ni Miss Alvarado sabay kasa ng baril.
“I’m sorry.” An involuntary whimper escaped my lips. “I’m sorry I couldn’t save you on time, I tried my beast, I tried my b-best believe me.” Napapaos na ako sa kaiiyak. Blood rushed thru my palm as I tried to grip it harder. I tried lifting him up again but all it does was make me move closer to the cliff.
“Don’t say sorry.”
Umiling-iling ako.
“Let go.” Mahinahong sabi niya.
“I won’t.” pagmamatigas ko.
“I said let go!” umalingawngaw ang boses niya.
“Shut the fuck up! I won’t let go not even my hands fall off!”
That was the loudest yell I’ve ever heard to think that it came from my own mouth makes me cry more.
“Jelcy! Ken!” that was Bea.
A minute later, someone grabbed the rope in my hand and tried pulling Ken too. But his strength wasn’t enough to pull him up.
“Are you fucking crazy, Jelcy? Do you want to die?!”
Porsche was shouting at my face but I couldn’t care less as long as he’s helping me to lift Ken up. Seconds after, a group of footsteps came rushing forward and grabbed the rope as well. Unti-unti naming naiangat si Ken at kinalas sakanya ang nakapulupot na lubid. I hugged him. Cried on his shoulders and fainted while doing that.
I’m glad I saved you.
May narinig akong nag-uusap sa tabi ko kaya naman iminulat ko ang mata ko only to see Ken at Bea at my bedside.
“Jelcy, are you okay?” bungad ni Bea.
“I am.”
Sinubukan kong umupo at inabutan naman ako ni bea ng tubig. Nakita kong nakabandage na ang palad ko. Pagkapa ko sa mukha ko ay naramdaman ko rin ang ilang pasa dito.
I gaze at Ken’s direction he was worriedly looking at me.
“I’m fine.” I gave him a smile.
“I’ll leave you two, para makapag-usap kayo.”
Tinanguan ko si Bea at uminom sa tubig na ibinigay niya kanina.
Ken held my hand gently.
“I’m sorry, I’m the reason why this happened to you.” Paghingi niya ng pasensya kahit wala naman siyang kasalanan.
“Hindi mo ‘yon kasalanan. I can never forgive myself kung hindi kita maililigtas no’ng time na ‘yon.”
“Thank you for saving me.”
I shook my head.
“I just want to say sorry. Sorry if you felt terrible because of me. Wala akong ideya. I was so naïve.”
“That doesn’t matter. Actually, hindi naman talaga ako nagsisisi na I looked up to you all those years na magkakilala tayo. For me, ikaw ‘yong pinaka magandang bagay na dumating sa’kin. Before, hindi ko naman talaga pinangarap na mapansin mo ‘yong nararamdaman ko or mabalik mo sa’kin ‘yong pagmamahal ko, but time changes and so as the person. One day, I just want you to notice me not just a friend but someone else.”
Suddenly, he pulls me toward him and kisses me with his head bowed. His fingers tangle in my damp hair and I melt against him. My lips expand to meet his, and our tongues briefly connect before he pulls back.
"I love you." he whispered to my ear.