Kabanata 24
Confession
We are talking the whole afternoon, nanghihina si Laurence at sinabihan ko na siyang magpahinga muna. But he contrade, he wants to be with me this whole afternoon. Hindi narin ako kumontra dahil ito ang gusto niya.
"Aleng," he said as he tapped the space beside him. I stared at him and frowned. Heto na naman siya, nakasanayan na talaga niyang hihiga ako sa tabi niya. We usually do this when his parents were not around.
"Your mom is here." I said as I looked his mom who is busy in reading a newspaper.
He shrugged. "So?" sambit pa niya.
I rolled my eyes at his playful voice. Maya-maya pa ay tinawag niya ang mama niya.
"Ma, do you allow Lauren to lay down beside me?" he asked with a grin.
Sumulyap naman si tita Tes sa amin at ngumiti. "Sure."
Nalaglag ng tuluyan ang panga ko dahil sa sinabi niya. I shook my head unbelievable. Laurence face became more light up.
"See? Tumabi kana kasi sakin Aleng." pangungulit pa niya.
Tumango na rin ako at kinuha ang remote sa mesa saka nahiga sa tabi niya. We watched a movie, and if we finished watching it, we browsed another channels.
"Aleng, punta tayong rooftop," Laurence asked in the midst of it.
Lumingon naman ako sa kaniya. Muntik na akong magulat dahil sa lapit ng mukha niya sa akin. Nakatitig siya habang nakangiti.
"Bakit?" mahinahong tanong ko.
"Let's watch the sunset." he recommended.
Sumilay naman ang ngiti sa mga labi ko. "Tara," I said with excitement. He grinned because of my reaction.
Kinuha ko ang jacket niya at pinasuot sa kaniya. Nagpaalam kami ni tita Tes at pumayag naman siya. Nakasakay si Laurence sa wheelchair at ako naman ang nagtutulak. Nang narating namin ang rooftop, bumungad agad ang sariwang hangin galing sa norte. The sun is very alluring and captivating. We were silently watching the receding sun.
"Do you feel relaxed?" I asked in the middle of our sunset's gazing.
Naramdaman kong lumingon siya sakin. "As long as you're here, I feel relaxed." he honestly answered.
Tipid akong ngumiti. Tiningnan ko siya at sinuri ang mga mata niya, nasasaktan itong tiningnan ako. "May problema ba?" tanong ko ulit.
He shook his head. "Nothing,"
I nodded. "I know when you're lying." I said as a matter of fact. Ramdam kong may tinatago ulit siya.
He chuckled helplessly. "Okay, I will tell you." he ended up saying.
He cleared his throat, "Pero doon muna tayo," saad niya sabay turo sa kaliwang bahagi ng rooftoop. I can't clearly see kung ano ang meron don dahil may nakahantad na tela.
"Bakit naman?" I asked once again.
He smiled sincerely. "Basta," he gasped.
Hindi na ako nagsalita at tinulak ang wheelchair niya papunta sa bahaging iyon. Nalagpasan na namin ang puting kurtina at agad akong namangha sa nakita. It setted up a lot of candles and colorful lights. There is also a small table that is good for two people. There were also foods. It was like, we're in a restaurant.
"Ikaw gumawa lahat ng ito?" I asked with amazement.
He chuckled. "No, our friends from the camp helped me to do this." sagot niya.
"Wait, what? Sila Aimee? They came here? Kailan?" sunod sunod kong tanong. Paniguradong nakauwi na sila sa Fina dahil last week pa natapos yung camp.
Tumawa ulit siya. "Yes, I called them yesterday to prepare all of these. Hindi naman sila tumutol."
I got mesmerized and asked. "B-But why? Para saan lahat ng ito?"
Napansin ko na ang mga mata niya ay kuminang. Mariin niyang ikinagat ang kaniyang labi bago naglabas ng malalim na hininga. "I don't know how to start… pero…" he paused and looked at me while the eyes are sparkling.
"The first time that we ever met, your name was all I want to know. But as we got to know each other daydreaming about you was all I could do." huminto ulit siya at parang kinakabahang tinitingnan ako. "Akala ko nagkakamali lang ako sa nararamdaman ko dahil nakikita kita bilang kapatid, but days passed, I do always think those cute brown eyes staring down at me and reassures me that you and I were always just meant to be." patuloy niya.
I cannot contain what he was saying. My heart is now racing like horses. He hold my hand and smile.
"Aleng, you don't know how grateful I am when I met you. I love the way you smile, the way you speak, the way you paint. I love everything about you. Each passing day, my feelings for you became deeper, and It's really hard to hide. I got stuck in that time when our sights first collapsed." he paused. "Lauren Jean Beaunavista, I love you."
I looked at him with teary eyes. Naiiyak din siyang sinabi niya ang mga katagang iyon. But I can see how happy he is for what he said. I suddenly felt the treacherous butterflies shamelessly flying around on my stomach!
"I love you too, John Laurence del Real." I said with full of emotions.
Tears spilled in my eyes when he stood up and held my cheeks. He lowered and gently kissed my lips. This confession will forever be awesome and memorable. I'm glad that our feelings are mutual. He gave me a one long kiss. Isang halik na tahimik. Tanging ang mga dahon na nagalaslas dahil sa pagkakahampas ng hangin ang maririnig. His kiss stop long after.
"Take this as a gift." saad niya at may ikinuhang regalo galing sa likuran. "Note, just open that when you're going to arrive in your house." he said and kissed my forehead.
Wala sa sariling napangiti ako sa kaniya. Everything we experienced together is worthwhile. Umupo ulit siya sa kaniyang wheelchair at pumunta sa likuran ng lamesa. Doon ko lang napansin na may gitara palang inilagay doon.
"Before this wonderful day ends, I would like to sing a song to you." sambit pa niya at ipinuwesto na ang kaniyang gitara sa mga kamay niya. He started to sing with his good quality voice.
If you're not the one then why does my soul feel glad..today
If you're not the one then why does my hand fit yours, this way
If you are not mine then why does your heart return, my call?
If you were not mine would I have the strength to stand, at all?
Mas lalo akong napangiti dahil sa ikinanta niya.
I never know what the future brings
But I know you were here with me now
We'll make it through and I hope you are the one I share my life with……
He prolongs and smiled at me.
I don't want to run away
But I can't take it I don't understand
If I'm not made for you then why does my heart tells me that I am
Is there anyway that I can stay in your arms……
Tahimik ko lang na pinakinggan ang boses ni Laurence. I'm hoping that the time will stop so that I can spend more with him. I don't want this to stop.
Song: If you're not the one by Daniel Beningfield
YOU ARE READING
Seeking Serendipity
Random[COMPLETED] A story about friendship, hope, passion, adventure, and dreams. The art of finding the unsought in music, but what if the rhythm can no longer be traced? What if the song can no longer be played? Would she forever be deaf in finding her...
