TNP's 1st One-Shot Story Writing Contest Pt. 1

Entry #102

THE ART OF LETTING GO

by cathrionne

Umihip ang malamig na simoy ng hangin at tumama ito sa mukha ko. Sumabog ang buhok ko dala ng pagtama sa akin ng hangin.

As I stare at the pristine waters of the beach resort where I'm currently at, the cold breeze kept on rippling through my clothes. My thoughts were interrupted when a pair of warm hands held my bare waist.

"What's on my baby's mind, hmm?" Claudian whispered in my ear and gave it a light, feathery kiss.

Dinama ko ang mainit niyang akap sa akin dahil alam kong huli na ito. This is the last time I'll feel his presence, his touch, his warmth. The last time I'll ever hear his baritone and gentle voice.

Masama ba kung hilingin kong sana'y huminto ang oras para makasama ko pa siya ng mas mahabang panahon? Gusto kong maging makasarili pero alam ko sa sarili ko na mali ang maging makasarili. Para sa ikabubuti naming dalawa itong desisyon ko.

"I wanna be selfish, Claud. I want you to be mine for the rest of my life. Pero hindi puwede." Mahinang ani ko, nasa malayo pa rin ang tanaw.

Claud made me face him. He cupped my face and kissed the tip of my nose.

"I am always yours, Renesmee. Even when you'd want to let go, my love for you will never fade away. Hindi mababaw ang pagmamahal ko sa iyo." He rested his forehead on mine.

Mariin siyang napapikit, siguro'y iniisip na rin kung tama ba itong ginagawa namin. Kung tama bang magpaubaya kami para sa ikasasaya ng lahat.

Narito kami sa isang pribadong beach resort upang tumakas sa responsibilidad naming dalawa. Sa ilang linggong pananatili namin rito, nakapagdesisyon ako sa kung ano ang tamang gawin naming dalawa upang hindi na kami makasakit ng iba pa.

"Gusto kong mamuhay ng payapa at masaya, pero hindi ko magawang maging masaya kapag alam kong mayroong mga taong nasasaktan habang ako ay nagpapakasaya sa buhay ko." I closes my eyes and felt the warmth of his touch that I'd probably miss after his heartbreaking talk we're having.

Claudian Aguirre is my long-time boyfriend. He's the one who stayed with me through thick and thin. He's the one who always understood me even though I cannot. We've been together for eight long years.. and now it's time to finally let go of him, of us.

"We can just runaway from everything, Nessy. Please, don't do this to me, baby." Nakapikit na pagmamakaawa niya, ang mga luha'y hindi na napigilan la at tuluyan na itong umagos sa pisngi niyang dati'y paborito kong hinahawakan at hinahagkan.

"But my sister needs you, Claud.. Ranae needs you.." I trailed as tears were slowly forming at the side of my eyes.

Ibinuka niya ang kaniyang matang mamula-mula at bahagyang inilayo ang mukha niya sa akin.

"Pero.. paano naman ako, Nessy? Kailangan kita.." Nabasag ang boses niya. "Hindi ko kayang pakasalan ang kapatid mo dahil lang sa mahal niya ako, Ness. Hindi ko naman siya mahal. Ikaw lang ang babaeng minamahal ko." He cried and hugged me tighter.

Hindi ko na napigilan ang mga luhang rumagasa sa magkabilang pisngi ko. It hurts so much but I have to do this, or I'll lose him and my sister.

And for the last time, I kissed his lips goodbye. I kissed him in the most passionate way I could ever. A kiss that was full of love. A kiss that ends what we have now.

Humiwalay ako sa halik. This is it, Renesmee.

"I'm sorry, Claud.." And with that, I left him on the beach resort he bought for us. I left him kneeling in the sand while in tears.