The Uber arrived and Gab went out of the car. Audrey came out to welcome him. She ran to him and held his face and kiss him briefly.

By: Akhi Ryu Go

Sorrowful Occasion

*In the apartment where Gab and Audrey is staying*

The Uber arrived and Gab went out of the car. Audrey came out to welcome him. She ran to him and held his face and kiss him briefly.

Audrey: Welcome home baby.

Gab didn't respond and he just stood there looking so down.

Audrey: Look, I know you really don't like the idea of living with me and being with me but you gotta get used to this.

Gab ignored her and then he carried their stuff from the car to the house. As soon as they have settled in, he went on ahead to their bedroom ignoring Audrey.

Audrey: *Talking to herself* Everything's gonna change tomorrow Gab. After tonight you're gonna be all mine.

At sinundan na ni Audrey si Gab papunta sa kwarto nila. Inside, nakahiga si Gab. pretending to be asleep at nakatagilid sa right side ng kama. Then tinabihan sya ni Audrey but he didn't even move. Niyakap ni Audrey si Gab and they're in a spooning position now and as the night grows deeper, nakatulog na si Audrey but he remained awake. He opened his eyes and he remembered everything that happened before he left our apartment.

The sad look on my face is deeply engraved in his memories and he just can't shake it off. After a long while, he fell asleep still feeling the sorrow of being away from the one person he loves the most.

Kinabukasan, Audrey woke up early to prepare breakfast for both of them. Nang matapos syang mag prepare, ginising na nya si Gab para kumain.

Audrey: Baby, wake up. I made you breakfast. Halika na kumain na tayo.

Nang dumilat si Gab and saw Audrey first thing in the morning, nalungkot nanaman sya then he sat up slowly. Audrey kissed him in the lips but he never moved. Still ignoring Audrey, he headed outside the room. Walang nagawa si Audrey kung di sundan lang ng tingin si Gab and feel unwanted and unloved. Deep inside she starts to feel stupid. As she went out the room nasa dining area na si Gab then she joined in. They both ate quietly.

Maya maya pa, biglang naduduwal si Audrey. She hurriedly went to the sink and threw up. Gab saw that, then he got worried.

Gab: What's wrong?

Audrey: Gab, I forgot to tell you. Yesterday, I was also like this. Feeling sick and I have strange cravings. Then I suspected that I was pregnant so I took a pregnancy test.

Upon hearing that, pakiramdam ni Gab he's been crushed by a big boulder. Napa atras sya and then he carefully asked.

Gab: So what's the result?

Audrey: Positive Gab. We're gonna be having a baby!

Gab's suddenly in tears. Because this time, he's done something irreversible. He knows what's next to this. Kailangan na nyang panindigan ang bata sa sinapupunan ni Audrey.

Audrey: Aren't you happy? You're gonna be a father now.

He didn't even say a word. he just stood there crying quietly. Then Audrey stood closer to him and held his face.

Audrey: Hey! Don't be sad. I actually saved you from having a miserable life with Akhi. Do you really think that kind of relationship would work? I'm pretty sure your parents would never agree and you're just gonna keep hiding it from them. Then one day the inevitable will come. They're gonna wanna have grand children and see you get married. Akhi can't give that to you but I can. So yeah, "thank you so much Audrey" is the least that I could hear from you.

Gab: Audrey, you know I don't love you.

Audrey: Then start learning! I don't give a shit if you're still in love with Akhi. This time there's a child on the line. You can't just turn your back Gab. Be responsible! Eventhough I practically forced myself on you, we still did what we did. You could've refused but you didn't.

Gab: I didn't have a choice.

Audrey: That's bullshit. If you really wanted to be with Akhi, no matter what it costs, you're gonna fight for it but your love for him isn't strong enough. You actually have a choice. You're just so much of a p*ssy to even choose what you really want and you just let a woman like me blackmail you. You're weak Gab and this exactly what you get for being like that.

Napaluhod nalang si Gab ng umiiyak and he just clenched his fist. Niyakap sya ni Audrey and spoke softly

Audrey: Gab, don't worry. We're gonna do things right this time. I'm gonna be a good girlfriend and I'm gonna make you love me. Darating din ang araw ma rerealize mo na ito ang tama at tutulungan kita don.

Then they stayed in that position for a long while.

*At our apartment*

Rocel: Hindi parin lumalabas ng kwarto si Akhi.

Harold: Should we check on him? Invite him for Lunch? Hindi pa sya nag be breakfast diba?

Rocel: Maybe. I think he really needs us right now. Ang mga kaibigan nyang nasa tabi lang nya no matter what.

At pinuntahan nila ang kwarto namin ni Gab then they knocked.

Rocel: Akhi, halika na at mag lunch. Kanina ka pa dyan sa kwarto nyo.

No one answered.

Rocel: Akhi, please don't shut us out. If you need someone to talk to, like I told you, andito lang kami. pwede mo kaming kausapin.

Harold: Akhi kung hindi ka talaga sasagot papasok kami.

Bago paman masaway ni Rocel si Harold pinihit na nya ang door knob and he opened the door. It was unlocked and there they saw me sitting by the window tulala lang sa kawalan. lumapit si Rocel and she rubbed my shoulders and asked

Rocel: What's wrong Akhi? Tell me.

Akhi: Ross, Today is our anniversary. Me and Gab's.

Rocel: Oh my Gosh! Is it already?

Akhi: *sigh* Anniversary namin kung saan iba ang kasama nya at heto ako malungkot at nagiisa.

Harold: Hindi ka nag iisa Akhi. Andito kami. Kung gusto mo, let's celebrate this day. Ako muna ang acting boyfriend mo for the day.

Rocel: Harold, everytime you speak you just come up with another stupid Idea ano?!

Harold: And what about you Ross? Anung magagawa mo?!

Akhi: Guys stop it! I appreciate that you're here to comfort me and that's enough for me. I feel a little better now.

Harold: So you agree? Na e celebrate natin ang araw na ito? I don't mind not going to work today kung para naman sa prinsesa ng kaibigan ko. Ako muna boyfriend mo ngayong araw. Pero ano ha, walang kiss sa lips. Holding hands at yakap lang pwede.

Natawa ako kahit papano sa sinabi ni Harold.

Akhi: Okay bahala ka Harold.

And as they saw that I smiled, they looked at each other and smiled as if to say na "good work!"

Rocel: Okay then that is set to be in the afternoon pero ngayon, kailangan ka namin sa hapag kainan dahil nakakalungkot kumain na dalawa lang kami.

Harold: Okay lang sana sakin eh kase parang nag di date narin kami ni Rocel pero malamang date na most of the time she repeatedly curses me.

Rocel: Hoy Hayup ka Harold next time na bumuka pa yang bibig mo and say such a stupid thing sasampalin na kita ng padlock sa mukha!

Harold: Hahaha pwede mo naman akong e kiss nalang para pati ikaw masaya. Pakipot ka pa kase sa akin eh.

Then binatukan ni Rocel si Harold at hinampas sa braso.

Rocel: Bwiset! Dyan ka na nga. Akhi sumunod ka nalang ha?

And it made me laugh somehow then I responded

Akhi: Okay Ross I'd definitely be there. Hindi ko pwedeng hayaan kayong dalawang kumain na kayo lang at baka mapatay mo si Harold.

Nang makalabas si Rocel kinausap ako ni Harold

Harold: Akhi, wag ka mag alala. kilala ko si Gab. Minsan lang nagmahal yun ng ganito ka seryoso. Hindi sya maaagaw ni Audrey sa'yo. Dahil ikaw ang tunay nyang mahal.

Akhi: Thanks Harold. That means a lot.

Then he tapped on my shoulder and went outside.

Lumabas na ako ng kwarto at magkakasama kaming tatlong naglunch and then we got changed and as we did, we went out to verdant gardens park para e "celebrate" ang anniversary namin ni Gab. It was a huge park, full of people. Maraming nag pipicknick, mga stalls ng street foods and baloons and icecream. I see some people walking their dogs, children playing around and some old people reading newspaper in the benches. Then I saw couples na sobrang sweet sa isa't isa. may magkayakap habang naka upo, may mga magka holding hands at may mga nagsusubuan ng icecream and it really made me sad. Nakita ni Harold na nalungkot ako kaya hinawakan nya ang kamay ko and said

Harold: Hey Akhi! Don't be sad. Remember I am your boyfriend for today and we can do those things na ginagawa nila.

I smiled at him and said

Akhi: Okay Harold. I'll try not to be so depressing to see.

Harold: That's my girlfriend, or rather gayfriend... I mean nevermind.

Magka holding hands kami ni Harold na naglakad habang si Rocel ay bising busy sa mga stalls ng street foods.

Harold: What do you say Akhi, let's join Ross.

Akhi: Sure thing Mr. Boyfie.

Then we joined Rocel sa kanyang food trip. We spent the whole afternoon eating, walking and admiring the park's scenery, talking about silly things and laughed out loud. We bought some newspapers and sat on a bench mimicking the elderly on the other benches then we laughed. Naghabulan kaming tatlo sa may damuhan then we rented some bikes at nagpalibot libot kami sa buong park then after that Harold bought a baloon and a cupcake and he gave it to me.

Harold: Ahem! I know it's not much but you know what they say, "it's the thought that counts" so, Happy Anniversary to you my GF!

Rocel: Nako Harold lagyan mo naman ng feelings anu ba yan!

Akhi: Hahaha thank you Mr. Boyfie. This day was truly fun and memorable.

It was almost getting dark at paunti na ng paunti ang mga tao sa park.

Rocel: Well, the night is about to set in. Let's call it a day. I hope you enjoyed our company Akhi.

Harold: I hope I wasn't an awful fake boyfriend. Sana napasaya ka namin.

Akhi: Oo naman. I'm so lucky to have friends like you.

Harold: Anytime Akhi.

Rocel: Kailangan ko naring makauwi at magpeprepare pa ako for my gig tonight.

Akhi: You guys go on ahead. I think I'm gonna stay here for a little while longer.

Rocel: Are you sure?

Akhi: Sige na Ross okay lang ako.

Rocel: Okay. sabi mo eh. Just don't stay out so late.

Akhi: I won't.

Harold: Do you want me to stay with you Akhi?

Akhi: Oh no. You don't have to Harold. I just need some time alone.

Harold: Okay just give me a call if you need anything.

Akhi: Thanks Harold.

And then they left. I am now all alone at madilim na. The people are thinning out and the lamppost are lighting up. The night sky was very clear. Ang kakaunting natira doon ay halos puro magkasintahan. I bought four bottles of beer and sat at one of the benches.

As I was drinking, I started crying...

I long to see Gab before the day ends...

I was hoping na kahit saglit lang ay makita ko sya on the day that's supposed to be our anniversary. So I just sat there in tears and drowning in pain and sorrow.