Villaverde Brothers Series 2: Jilting the Fearless✓

Epilogue

"It's so unusual to see you painting a girl. Who's the unlucky girl?" Zairus asked when he saw me in our garden.

I was painting the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my existence. The first time I saw her when I was in high school, I ended up sketching her. Hindi ko siya nakalimutan magmula noon pa man at ngayon nabigyan ng pagkakataong makita siya ulit, gano'n pa rin ang ibinigay niyang pakiramdam sa akin.

He made my surrounding turn slow motion while she's looking at me, air was gently dancing her hair. Everything feels magical that time. Hindi ko na naalis ang paningin ko sa kaniya hanggang sa tuluyang mawala ang kotseng sinasakyan niya.

"She's going to be the luckiest girl when I love her, Zai. Leave out of my sight if you don't have anything good to say," I said while gently stroking the brush on the white surface.

When I visited Raya's agency, which was part of my plan because I know she's there, I can't help but dig deeper a hole. Ako mismo ang gumagawa ng paraan para lalong mahulog sa kaniya kahit na hindi siya katulad ng mga babaeng nakilala ko.

Muntik na siyang matumba nang makita ako, that's when I know I have a effect on her. Hindi ko alam pero parang nanalo sa bingo ang pakiramdam ko no'n kahit hindi ko naman alam kung paano yon laruin.

Ang hirap niyang paaamuhin. Wala akong maalalang may ginawa akong masama sa kaniya pero kung sungitan niya ako'y para bang napakalaki ng kasalanan ko sa kaniya. Hindi ko siya maintindihan pero natutuwa ako sa tuwing makikita ko siyang kumukunot ang noo o hindi kaya' y nagsasalubong ang kilay sa sobrang pagkairita sa akin.

"Your girl just winked at me," Zai said beside me.

I hit him on his arm lightly. "Alam ko, nakita ko," sagot ko naman sa kaniya.

I suddenly felt jealous and by that, I knew I was in danger.

I just found myself asking Mil everything about her. She's like a drug I can't avoid.

When she smiles, it is like I'm high. She's sending me to the clouds without her knowing.

Every time I am with her, I spent most of my time just looking at her. Ang ganda-ganda niyang tingnan. She looks like an angel while smiling and telling me stories about random things. Simula no'n, gusto ko na siya laging pakinggan. Gusto ko na laging makinig sa mga kwento niya. Her voice is so sweet like a lullaby lulling me to sleep. Lahat para sa kaniya'y perpekto para sa akin.

Mas lalong lumalalim ang pagtingin ko sa kaniya sa bawat araw na dumadaan.

Simula't sapul alam ko nang gusto niyang maging abogado pero hindi niya matuloy dahil pinipigilan siya ng ama niya. I knew because Mil told me. I just did not mention it to her because I want her to be comfortable. Gusto kong siya mismo ang magsasabi sa akin ng bagay na 'yon.

She became my safe space. My home.

When she introduced me to her family, I knew her father didn't like me. I just acted like I didn't notice but the way he stares at me tells it all.

"Beautiful as ever," I commented as I watched her own the floor of the runway.

Oras-oras, minu-minuto, at bawat segundo ay lalo akong nahuhulog sa kaniya at ayaw ko nang bumangon.

When she's in pain because of her family problems, I was hurt too. It hurts to see her cry. Parang nadudurog ang puso ko habang naririnig ang kaniyang mga hikbi at hinaing. Hindi ko kayang makita siyang umiiyak kaya magmula ng araw na 'yon, pinangako ko sa sariling ako ang pupunas ng bawat luhang papatak sa kaniyang mga mata. Ako ang aalo sa kaniya. Ako ang magpapakalma, at ako ang magpapaalalang magiging maayos din ang lahat basta maging matatag siya.