Taming Red

Chapter 28

"Kamusta?" I asked. He looked better, neater, and more serious. I once envisioned him to look like this, pormal at mukha talagang professional. If my younger self saw him this good-looking, baka hindi na talaga ako naka move on sa kanya.

Nanatili ang titig niya sa'kin, his brown eyes are still as attractive as ever. Kapag tinitigan ka ng mga matang 'yon, kikiligin ka kahit wala ka namang feelings for him. He really matured, he got taller, and probably wiser.

"I'm glad to see you," sabi niya, still looking straight to my eyes. It was sincere that it made my heart soften.

I smiled, everything suddenly crossed my mind. The bittersweet memories. Kung tutuusin, he's my almost, we were almost lovers.

"I'm happy to see you doing well," I said, smiling while avoiding his direct gaze.

Dumating ang kape at inilapag iyon sa lamesa ng waiter, but he got it switched, napunta sa'kin ang order ni Gray.

"Here." When we attempted to switch it, our hands slid into each other. It was electrifying, I'm not gonna lie, matagal na 'tong epekto niya sa'kin pero halos wala nang impact ngayon kumpara noon.

"Red," panimula niya. I predicted what will be the next sentences he'll say.

"It took me too long and maybe too late to say these to you..." he paused.

"But I want to say it, so please listen," he said, eyes suddenly turned desperate. Hindi ako sanay. Ako kase 'yung clingy at palaging emotional noon. Nagbabago talaga ang panahon, if his old fans sees him like this, maiinggit sila sa'kin.

"Okay," tanging sagot na lumabas sa bibig ko. Nandito na. All I have to do is listen to it so I will be at peace, so I can fully move on.

Kinuha niya ang kamay ko na ikinagulat ko, hindi ko na nagawang bawiin 'yon dahil nagsimula na siyang magsalita, and all the words he's saying are occupying my head.

After a minute of silent, his eyes suddenly showed hints of tears.
"I didn't want to leave you hanging...F*ck, I love you so much to do that."

Natulala ako, he cursed which he never did before, and he told me the words he also never said before.

"August..."

Nagsimula nang sumikip ang dibdib ko.

"My sister saved her, we had to keep her hidden from his uncle. I'm sorry--"

I already know that.

"Are you two...together?" I interrupted him. Higit sa lahat, ito ang pinaka gusto kong malaman. It's been bothering me for some time now, it's getting too much to handle.

Kumunot ang noo niya. "What? No," he denied, umiling pa.

Ang sama ko ba kung natuwa ako? Na after all, wala namang namagitan sa kanila?

"Have you ever slept with her?" I pushed it, okay, I had to know.

"No, Red. I'll never---"

"Have you kissed her?" I probed. This time, nanahimik siya. The idea of it is already painful, but nothing beats knowing the truth. While I was so hurt that everyone left, they were playing house and even if it's just a kiss...

"I was drunk, it only happened once," he confessed, eyes pleading for understanding.

I nodded, like I got the answer I needed. Natural, nagsama sila sa iisang lugar at pareho naman silang single, that's expected.

As if I never kissed anybody, I even slept with his neighbor.

"It was a mistake, and I only have one person I've ever loved." His gaze intensifies, and it's asking for the same passion, but I'm afraid I cannot give it to him.