Light Up The Sky

Chapter 35

I would be lying if I say that I didn't like what I hear because I do. I really do.

I love hearing him say that he loves me. I love the sound of his voice as he utters those words one by one. I love how they make me feel I deserve to be loved... by him.

But...

How could he say that he loves me after what he did? That night. In Thailand.

"Perfect!" K happily stated as she claps her hands in a childlike wonder, while she was looking at the camera.

Tinitingnan niya ang mga nakuhanang litrato ni Engineer Costanilla. They both look crazy while giggling as they point out what they have taken.

"You guys could make a perfect couple," K commented.

Dahil doon, muli akong napalingon kay Liam. Muling nagtama ang mga mata namin dahil nanatili siyang nakatitig sa akin. Ang kamay niya rin ay nanatiling hapit ang baywang ko. Kaya ako na ang nangunang lumayo. Natigilan siya roon pero wala siyang nagawa nang bumitaw ako sa pagkakahawak niya.

I heaved a deep sigh before leaving him, leaving them. I walked towards the cabin without excusing myself. Call me rude but I don't really like what he did. I felt disrespected when he said that.

Because how on Earth could he say that he loves me when he cuts off all our communication without explanation?

Ganoon ba siya magmahal?

Kasi ang labo.

Ang labo ng pagmamahal niya.

"Vivienne..."

Napapikit ako nang marinig ko ang boses ni Liam sa likod ko. Muli na namang umulit sa isip ko 'yung sinabi niya kanina.

I love you, Vivienne.

I love you, Vivienne.

I love you, Vivienne.

Pero kahit anong ulit ng mga salitang 'yon, ang hirap paniwalaan... kung totoo pa ba. Ang hirap paniwalaan kahit galing pa sa kaniya.

"Vivienne..." pag-uulit niya sa pagtawag sa akin.

Huminga ako nang pagkalalim-lalim bago ko siya hinarap. I saw those pair of eyes again looking at me softly. His lips were parted as if he wanted to say something but there was a thought in his head that stopping him from doing so.

He looks fazed and puzzled. Na para bang hindi niya alam ang magiging hakbang niya.

"I—"

The moment I heard that word, I immediately shook my head because I don't want to hear those three words again. I don't want that the very idea of those words will begin to lose its meaning, the way a word does when said too many times, breaking down into useless sounds and syllables.

"Uulit-ulitin mo ba talaga 'yan sa harap ko?" inis kong tanong dahil hindi ko na mapigilan.

I couldn't help but get mad at what was happening right now. I couldn't help but get irritated that he has the urge to repeat what he said earlier... as if okay lang na ulit-ulitin 'yon... as if hindi niya ako nasasaktan sa mga salitang binibitawan niya.

Because, yes, his "I love you" is hurting me... big time.

"You what, Engineer Acosta?" I asked as I look straightly into his eyes. They became softer as they look at my left eye, then at my right eye.

Liam became vulnerable all of a sudden. And I don't know why!

"Sasabihin mo na namang... m-mahal mo 'ko?" tanong ko gamit ang basag na boses. "Sasabihin mong mahal mo 'ko kahit alam mo sa sarili mong walang kabuluhan 'yang sinasabi mo?"