Midnight Momento (Astalièr Series I)

MDT 20

Chapter 20

You can't do that. You can't come to me and find me. This is our escape and all of these have their own endings.

Our time. Connection. Comfort. Lahat ng ito. Hiram lang. Next week, sigurado ako meron at meron sa amin ang magbabago ang isip. It's either he'll hate me or I'll hate him. One of us is lying. Isa sa amin ang walang alam kung ano ba talaga ang nangyayari. Kung sino ang nagpapaikot ng lahat ng ito.

Alam ko 'yon. I am already prepared for those possibilities. That's why I am taking advantage of this time. Kasi baka ito na 'yon. Baka huli na ito.

And do I even know what I am doing? No. This is not Callista Monteves. The ruthless lawyer and heir. This is the woman Rohen created while I am here. Indecisive, childlike, dependent and shows emotions.

I never knew this side of me. That I have this. Not until I met him.

Sinubukan kong matawa na para bang 'yon talaga ang nararamdaman ko. Like I was excited to hear that, and I'll look forward to it.

Humigpit ang kapit ko sa basang railing at natigilan. Unti-unting naglaho ang ngiti sa aking labi nang may mapagtanto. Maybe... maybe, I am.

"You think it's gonna be easy?" Hamon ko.

Tumaas ang kilay niya, "You think having you here is easy? Handling you was easy?" Hamon niya pabalik. Ako ngayon ang hindi nakasagot. "But did I give up? No." Habol niya.

Nagtiim bagang ako. Tinitigan niya ako ng mariin sa mata para iparamdam sa akin na desidiso siya. Kumalat ang init mula sa aking dibdib pababa sa aking sikmura. I can't explain if I am happy. It feels illegal to be thrilled and happy.

Dahil sigurado kapag nalaman niya kung bakit ba talaga ako nandito. He will hate me.

"Masyado pang maaga para magsalita ng tapos. Wag kang mangako ng mga bagay na hindi mo naman magagawa sa huli."

His gaze darkened. He went closer making me leaned back on the railings, but before I could even protest na baka malaglag ako sa kabila nilagay niya na ang kamay niya sa may bandang likod ko upang harang.

My eyes widened with our distance. He bent down more as if we're still not close enough. "I am not gonna promise anything, Cali. There are a lot of things I was not able to fulfill... but when I say I'll come and find you... I'll do it. Even if you're in another part of the world... I will make sure we will see each other again." He muttered with so much conviction I was almost carried away.

Parang tumayo lahat ng balahibo ko sa katawan. Knowing Rohen, if he set his mind on something gagawin niya talaga.

Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga dahil mas lalo akong hindi makapag-isip ng maayos dahil sa distansya namin. Bahagya ko siyang tinulak at umatras naman siya.

Hinuli ko ang mga mata niya. "After everything that will happen, then we'll see." Humalukipkip ako. "Let's just enjoy this moment. Shall we?" Ako ngayon ang humakbang palapit.

He tilted his head watching my every move. He eyed me like a hawk as if he's memorizing something he does not want to forget.

"Rohen?" I probed to the side and reached for his hand.

His brows moved and nodded slowly. Ngumiti ako at ngumuso. Sinakop ko ang kamay niya at hinila na siya paalis. We still have a long night to spend. Inisa-isa namin lahat ng tindahan na madadaanan namin. Ngayon na nandito kami naisip ko na rin na bumili ng mga souvenirs para sa pag-uwi ko ng Maynila.

I was holding his hand and he just let me drag him everywhere. Dala-dala niya ang payong naming dalawa. Huminto ako sa isang souvenir shop upang tingnan ang mga tinda. Mayroong mga shirts ng may tatak ng I love Astalier. Handmade bags, hats and mugs. Also keychains.