Let Me Love You

Chapter 18: Bright

"I think we should stop this na." matapos kong sabihin yon ay natigilan siya, at saka dahan-dahang gumuhit pagkagulat at pagtataka sa kanyang mukha habang ako ay tumungo nalang at huminga nang malalim.

"W-Win—" utal niyang saad at sinubukan pang magsalita ngunit walang lumabas sa bibig niya kaya isinara niya nalang ulit ito.

"I mean- don't get me wrong hahaha... Wala kang kasalanan or nagawang mali, I jus think this will suit better for the both of us." lakas-loob kong sabi at ngumiti pa kahit na sa kaloob-looban ko'y nanginginig na 'ko.

Nakita ko siyang bumuntong hininga at tumungo, bago dahan-dahang tumango sa akin at maliit na ngumiti. It seems like there's this 'panghihinayang' sa kanya, but not sadness.

Right. Ako lang naman talaga ung malukungkot what did I expect?

"I'm going to assume this is about the person you like?" biglang tanong niya kaya ako naman ngayon ang gulat na napatingin sa kanya at tila iyon ang reaksyon na inaasahan niyang makuha mula sa akin.

"So I guess you're going to pursue that person na?" dagdag pa niya na mas nagpawala sa akin sa katinuan, dahil ano bang dapat kong isagot at maramdaman? Tanga ikaw kasi ung taong gusto ko ganon?

"H-hindi." and I let out an awkward laugh after that one-worded sentence na utal-utal pa bago kumamot sa batok pero tumawa naman siya.

"It's okay... I really think you like that person noh? Siguro siya ung inspiration mo doon sa pagsulat ng lyrics sa kanta?" at sa puntong iyon ay gusto ko nalang siyang talikuran dahil baka hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili ko't umiyak ako sa harapan niya, something I've never done before. I've never cried because of a person.

And here he is asking questions, when he is also the answer. Nakakatangina.

"H-hindi nga haha wala lang yon..." tanggi ko pa and he just nodded, now with a small genuine smile on his stupidly handsome face.

"Okay I'll stop na... Pero Win?"

"Hmm?"

"I wish we could still be friends. If you just know, I really like your company. Outside the doors of a bedroom or what, I really like you as my friend. I hope pwede pa rin tayong maging magkaibigan." right. Friends. Napangiti ako nang mapait dahil don saka dahan-dahang tumango, causing his small smile to grow bigger.

"Of course. Friends."  sagot ko at pilit na ngumiti. And just when I already started to have legit feelings for him.

"I-ikaw? Will you go to your ex...? Or?" tanong ko, dahan-dahan at maingat as if not wanting to say anything offensive or what, in which he answered with a laugh at mahinang pag-iling.

"About that, not really sure. Haven't thought about it, really." sagot niya na muli ay tinanguan ko and forced out a smile on my lips.

"I see... And last thing, I think I'll not be able to come with you to Korea." dagdag ko pa na muli ay mukhang ikinagulat niya at saka kumunot ang kanyang noo.

"T-that too...?" I nodded. "I'm sorry..." I can't spend more time with you, baka mas lalo lang akong mahulog. Patawad.