Cupid Stupidity (Love Material Series #1)

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Napatulala ako sa inasta ni Joaquin. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit kailangan niyang sabihin iyon. It seems that my heartbeat is so strong, it almost wants to come out of my heart. I don't know how I will feel about his spoken words; should I be excited or should I be nervous?

Masolo? Bakit parang kasalanan ko? Bakit ganito nararamdaman ko? Bakit nasasaktan ako sa tuwing nasasabi niya ang inanakit niya? Bakit iba ang pakiramdam ko?

"A-ano?" utal kong sabi.

Hanggang ngayon gulat pa ako. Hindi pa rin ma-proseso sa aking utak ang lahat na narinig ko mula sa kaniya.

"Shainny. . .w-why are you doing this to me?" he choked out, his distress evident.

His cheeks were still stained with tears from our earlier encounter.

"Just tell me, Shain—" he interjected.

Approaching him, I softly pressed my index finger against his quivering lips.

"Shhh. . . It's what you think," Ibinaba niya ang aking kamay at tinignan niya akong sa mata. "Bakit ka nagsinungaling?"

"Wala lang," I responded.

Sa pagkakataon na ito humakbang akong paatras.

"Ano'ng walang la—" sa pangalawang pagkakataon pinutol ko ang sasabihin na ito.

"Ikaw," nagbuntonghininga ako ng sandali. "Bakit ka nagsinungaling sa akin?"

Oras na siguro para malaman ko ang totoo. Nandito na rin kami para magsabi ang mga bagay-bagay. Gusto ko malaman. Gusto ko maging malinaw ang lahat. Gusto maging maayos. Ang dami kong gustong itanong pero lahat ng iyon ay walang kasiguruhan kung alin ang totoo at ang tama.

Ganu'n naman palagi. Susugal ka para sa bagay, kahit wala naman tamang sagot. 

His two eyes widened as if he didn't expect what I was going to ask, but the question was still there on his face.

"H-huh? A-ang alin?" he uttered.

"Wala! Joke lang." I fake my smile.

Shainny, this is not the right time to ask about the food. Act like you don't know it.

"Alis na ako." pagpapaalam ko.

He was turning away when he abruptly pulled me towards him, my body resting against his chest. I could feel the steady thud of Joaquin's heartbeat beneath my cheek.

"Remember, take care of yourself, okay?" I whispered softly.

He held me tightly, but I hesitated to reciprocate the hug, still caught off guard by his sudden affection.

"If you can't look after yourself. . ." he trailed off, releasing his embrace to meet my gaze directly, ". . .I'll take care of you, I promise,"

I struggled to contain a smile, feeling warmth flood my cheeks. Speechless, I simply nodded in response.

"I don't want you to fall I'll again," he murmured, his tone gentle and caring.

Returning his smile, I turned to walk away. As he moved out of sight, I couldn't help but reflect on my own actions.

"Shain!" he called out, stopping me in my tracks.

I waved back, meeting his gaze and I smiled widely.

"I'll be here whenever you're ready," Lance's voice echoed after me.

My eyes widened because I didn't understand what that meant. I don't want to assume because maybe in the end I will also be hurt and hope for nothing.