"Here..." Napatingin ako sa nagsalita mula sa tabi ko bago bumagsak ang tingin ko sa kamay niyang nag-aabot sa akin ng panyo.
Kaagad ko naman iyong kinuha para punasan ang mga luhang gumapang na pala sa pisngi ko.
"Gusto mo ba talagang tino-torture ang sarili mo? You know, they're not worth your tears."
"Hindi ko naman kasi kayang lapitan sila. All I can do is to watch them." Tumingin akong muli sa dalawang taong masayang pinagsasaluhan ang romantikong gabi sa isang restaurant.
That girl was supposed to be me.
Every time that I saw them happily enjoying each company, I can't stop myself from thinking that...if only I can turn back the time I would stay. I would chose dying knowing that there's Kai who love me until my last breath than living watching him love other girl. I would chose to be brave telling him my condition than leaving him with the lies, than leaving him with my sister who I never know would take him away from me.
"Do you really love Kai that much? Why don't you just try to move on?" Napalingon ako kay Claw nang tanungin niya iyon. Nakatingin lang din siya sa dalawang taong iyon.
"Kai is the only man I truly love aside from my father. Kaya kahit nasasaktan ako at may chance na mas lalo pa akong masaktan, pipiliin ko pa rin na hindi mag-move on. Not that I can't but I just don't want to."
"Knowing Sheen, she's not an easy opponent. There's a big possibility that you'll lose the game of your sister."
"Well, at least I did my best to fight. Yeah, at least I will fight her."
Just wait, Kai. Ilalaban kita kahit pa ang kapatid ko ang maging kalaban ko. I won't give up fighting for you.
Claw's POV
"Are you sure about this?" Jarred asked.
"Do you think I'm joking?"
"Pero, Claw, baka masyado mo lang ini-involve ang mga tauhan natin."
"Right, they're my people so they are involved in my business from the day that they chose to enter here!" I sip on my wine.
"I thought you already liked Shei?" My eyes automatically bore on him.
"Yes, I do." I said without hesitation, "That's why I'm doing this for her."
Funny to think, it was like a siblings feud...
Loving Shei was like throwing dart on the  dart board with blind fold. I may possibly hit the bull's-eye but the chance was too little.
The day I asked her if she loves Kai and she said that he's the only guy he truly love aside from his father, makes me realize something. She's also the only girl that makes my heart shattered without her knowing. Yes, I can fight for her but how can I win a game if I already lose from the very start?
"Alright, I'll do it as you said." Jarred took my attention "I'll clear the area and do your plan."
I watched him walked out of my office door. While, I was left staring at my phone deciding who should I call.
"Sheen, still remembered me?" I asked when she picked up the call.
"Of course I do, Mr. Malvar," she answered back and I bet she's smirking right now.
"I missed you..." I missed messing around you.
"Hindi ka pa rin sa akin nakaka-move on? I thought you already liked my sister? Don't worry she's all yours just like what we have talked before."
"Yeah, and speaking of that. Can we meet? I have a plan..."
Silence filled the line after I threw my question. She's still not changed, she still thinks about everything.
"No need. I already have Kai in my grasp. Hindi ko na siya papakawalan at wala nang magagawa doon si Shei."
"Really huh? You don't know how Shei can play a game. She still have Kai's heart and you can't possibly do anything if Kai believe her. Remember she's still the REAL Shei. So let me ask you again, are you sure that—"
"Tell me when and where, darating ako," she immediately answered after what I've said before ending the call.
Just what was in the plan, you will fall in my bait, Sheen. Sorry but I do only liked you and I already love Shei. It was corny yet I am willing to be in pain just to help Shei find her happiness.
Oh men! I really fell hard!
After some minute after that call, I decided to call my brother. The brother I never knew I have and I never expected him to be.
"Hey, why did you call, kuya?" he then asked as soon as he answered the call.
"I'm just thinking if you still want to see my businesses?"
"Oh, I would love to."
A smile formed in my lips. "Well, that's great to hear."
"Just tell me the time and place, Kuya, and I'll clear my sched for you."
Right in time after our call ended, another caller registered on my phone screen. After seeing the name, I immediately pressed the answer button.
"Shei..."
"Claw." My heart feels like it skipped a bit for some second after I hear her say my name, "Can we......meet.....now?"
"Of co—"
"But if you're busy it's okay. Pwede naman bukas?" she cut my words.
I slightly chuckled at her tone. She never failed to make me smile with every single thing she's doing.
"I'm not busy." I always have time for you.
I immediately go downstairs after the call and headed to the place she told me. Jarred was about to asked me before I finally got out but I just passed on his front and left him behind.
Coffee aroma welcomed me as soon as the guard of the coffee shop door for me. She's really addicted to coffee, no wonder why she chose this place.
Unexpectedly, a crew came on me telling to follow him. I hesitated at first but later followed him when he said that Shei's waiting for me. She was still far from my place but her figure was already clear in my sight.
"I'm sorry, I'm late," I apologized and sat on the couch in her front.
"No you're not. Actually, kanina pa ako nandito, mula nang tumawag ako sa iyo." She bow down her head. Cute.
I cleared my throat. "So, what are we going to talk about?"
"I'm...I'm planning to face Kai." She looked at me before bowing again to sip on her coffee. Before I could answer back, a crew put a cup of coffee in front of me.
"Are you ready? Be careful with your decisions. You always have time to think of everything."
"I am now running out of time. Every time I tried to go near Kai, Sheen was always there. At sa bawat beses na iyon, pakiramdam ko unti-unti nang nakukuha ng kapatid ko si Kai." She became a teary-eyed so she looked up.
"Pero natatakot ako na baka hindi siya sa akin maniwala, na baka magalit lang siya pag pinagpilitan kong paniwalain siya." The tears she's holding finally escaped from her eyes. "Natatakot akong baka hindi ako ang piliin niya."
This state of Shei is the thing I can't afford to see and just watch. Seeing her cry is the reason why I am willing to be the bridge of her happiness even if it means I will just hurt myself. Now I understand, loving someone is not about thinking if it'll benefit you at the end, it's about giving without waiting for something in return. You're giving because you love.
"I already have a plan," I said making her focused her eyes on me.
"What plan?"
I told her the plan I also told Jarred earlier. The reason why I called Sheen and my brother. Everything that will happen if everything will fall perfectly as planned.
"Masasaktan ang kapatid ko. Maiipit siya and I can't take seeing her in that situation".
As expected, she disagreed on my plan. But I can't think of any that would possibly make Kai believe that Sheen is an impostor especially now that she already got Kai on her hand.
"But she already hurt you. Yes, hurting someone intentionally wasn't right but sometimes a dog won't bite unless a person will do the first move that will trigger the dog," I said making her forehead creased.
"What do you mean?"
"It wasn't right to hurt her but she already hurt you first, so it'll be just fair if you're going to fight back."
We fell into deep silence after what I have said. We can only hear the sound made by our lips sipping on our coffee and other noises inside the coffee shop.
"Maaayos ba niyon lahat ng gulo? Sigurado ka bang gagana ang plano mo?" she broke the silence.
Her question makes me think again and asked myself. Would my plan really make  things right?
"I guess so." Hesitation was visible in my tone. "If everything will fall on their perfect place then, there would be a great chance that it will make things right".
"I hope it will..."
"Are you now agreeing with my plan?"
She slowly nod her head. "Pero paano mo mapapapunta si Kai?"
"He'll come." I said with assurance.
I am sure that he will come.