Unwritten (Summer Of Taking Chances Sequel)

Secret Love

6

PRIS

It was taking all of Pris' strength and will to stop herself from kissing and hugging Dominique whenever she see her. She wanted to touch her and caress her the moment she woke up but she couldn't. She wanted to tell Dominique how much she loved her. Pris missed her so much. She was tempted so many times to tell Dominique who she was.

Ginustong sabihin ni Pris agad kay Dominique kung sino talaga sya pero pinigilan sya nina Mary. Kinausap sya nina Tita Edith na huwag munang sabihin kung sino sya. Ayaw nilang mabigla si Dominique. She had to wait for the right time to do it.

It was painful for Pris when Dominique refused to see her. Nagkasya na lamang syang sa labas ng kwarto nito manatili para magbantay at maghintay kung kelan sya nito kakausapin. She had to be patient. Hindi ginusto ni Dominique na makalimutan sya. Hindi ginusto ng kasintahan na mawala ang ala-ala nito tungkol sa kanya. Nakakalungkot lang na hindi nila nai-celebrate ang first anniversary nila.

"The Dominique we knew from three years ago, was the Dominique who attempted suicide. She was broken-hearted. She was hurting. She was still in love with Marcus. Since that's her last memory, she might get confused and reject you," Kristine explained after the doctor diagnosed Dominique with Retrograde Amnesia. "I know it's difficult but be patient with her." Hinawakan ni Kristine ang kamay ni Pris nang makita ang lungkot sa mukha ng kaibigan.

"What if, hindi na nya ako maalala kahit kelan?"

"Don't say that. Let's hope and pray na bumalik ang ala-ala nya," Mary said and gave her a hug. "We need to be strong for her. You need to be strong. Dominique needs you."

Pris felt like destiny was against her. Pinaparusahan ba sya? Ano bang nagawa nyang kasalanan? Bakit ang pinakamamahal pa nya ang nanganganib na mawala sa kanya? No, she had to remain optimistic. Dominique was talking to her again and she started remembering something.

"What are you doing here alone?" Tanong sa kanya ni Dominique, who looked exquisite on her long sleeved white button down blouse and tight black jeans. Pinanood nya ito habang papalapit ito sa kanya.

Nakaupo si Pris sa steps ng gazebo, na nasa gitna ng garden ni Mrs. Encina. Pagkatapos kumain ng tanghalian, nagyayang magswimming si Devon sa pool. Napag-usapan nilang kumilos ng normal para kay Dominique. Hindi nila ipapakita ritong naaapektuhan sila sa sitwasyon nito. They all knew that Dominique hated being pitied.

"I love looking at your mother's flowers. Especially those gardenias," pagdadahilan ni Pris. She loved Tita Edith's flowers but that wasn't the reason why she was here. Lumayo muna sya kay Dominique dahil baka hindi na siya makapagpigil at masabi dito ang lahat tungkol sa kanilang dalawa.

"I thought I said something to upset you." Dominique looked relieved. Umupo ang dalaga sa tabi nya.

"Why would I be upset?" Pris tried to smile. She was actually upset but not with Dominique but with their situation.

Nakikipaglaro kanina ang dalaga kay Athena. Kahit hindi maalala ni Dominique ang bata, magiliw pa rin ito dito. Pinapanood ni Pris ang dalaga habang yakap-yakap nito si Athena.

"You are such a smart young lady. Gusto ko maging kagaya mo ang magiging baby ko," sabi ni Dominique at hinigpitan ang yakap sa bata habang nakatingin kay Pris. "Simple lang ang pangarap ko. I want to have my own family. Be a good mother and a good wi..." Hindi na nito naituloy ang sinasabi. Gumuhit ang lungkot sa mga mata nito. Marahil sumagi sa isip nito si Marcus.

Pris couldn't stop herself from feeling frustrated and hurt. Kita sa mga mata ni Dominique na mahal pa rin nito ang dating boyfriend. Gusto man sabihin ni Pris na sya na ang mahal nito at naka-move na sa lalaking yun, hindi nya magawa. Hindi sya nito maalala. Dominique couldn't remember her feeling's for her.

Pinagmasdan ni Pris ang dalaga. Gusto nyang haplusin ang magandang mukha nito at iparamdam na narito sya. Na sya ang mahal nito at hindi si Marcus. She fought the urge to kiss her. Baka sakaling maalala sya nito. Because deep down, the Dominique who loved her was just there, sleeping.

"Excuse me," biglang sabi ni Pris. Nabigla si Dominique nang tumayo sya. "I have to..." walang maisip idahilan si Pris kaya tinalikuran na lang nya ito saka naglakad palayo bago pa man makagawa ng bagay na pagsisisihan nya.

"You are unusually quiet," Dominique teased smiling.

"God, she's so beautiful," naisip ni Pris. "I am quiet in nature," she said smiling back.

"Really now?" Natawang sabi ni Dominique.Her laugh was music to Pris' ears. "Seriously though, are you okay?" Hinawakan sya nito sa braso. Pris felt electricity. She longed for her touch. It took all of her will power to prevent herself from pulling Dominique towards her and kiss her.

"I am okay," Pris said and saw confusion on Dominique's face when she suddenly stood up.

Pris had to get away from her. She moved towards the Gardenias instead and busied herself from smelling the fragrance coming from them. However, Dominique's Very Sexy Victoria Secret perfume penetrated her sense of smell. She was standing behind her.

"Baka hindi na ako makapagpigil," Pris closed her eyes and breathe deeply. "You know during the Victorian period, flowers were used to convey messages between people. You can use any flowers but if you want to express your love and devotion to someone but don't want your identity known, the gardenia is the flower to give as a present."

"And why is that?" Dominique asked softly.

Pris looked into Dominique's eyes and said, "It signifies secret love or an untold love."

Dominique's eyes were also locked into hers. Tila hindi rin nito maalis ang paningin kay Pris. "D-do you have a secret love?"

"I do," Pris said and looked away. She carefully ran her fingers through the flowers.

"Do I know the lucky guy?" Dominique asked. Pris noticed that she seemed a little sad. "Have you told me about him?"

Lucky guy? Pris almost laughed. "No."

"Why is that? I thought we are best friends?! I may not remember it, but we are supposed to tell everything about each other," protesta ni Dominique. "Sino sya?" Hindi sumagot si Pris. Dominique paused to think then suddenly whispered, "Don't tell me he's married!"Pris tried to suppress her smile but couldn't. "He's married isn't he?" Dominique looked intrigued.

"You're cute," Pris said and lightly pinch Dominique's cleft chin. Siguro may epekto sya sa dalaga dahil nagblush ito sa ginawa nya. "And a gossip." Dominique glared at her. Nangingiting pinitas ni Pris ang isang gardenia flower na purong puti at inilagay sa kanang teynga ni Dominique. She's lovelier than the flower. "White shade is the perfect representation of purity. But if the gardenia flower has a yellow tinge near its base..." sunod na pinitas ni Pris ang isang yellow tinged gardenia. Kinuha nya ang kamay ni Dominique at ipinahawak dito ang bulaklak. She missed touching her. "...it means, secret love." Makahulugan nyang sabi.

Hindi nakapagsalita si Dominique. Nakatitig lamang ang dalaga sa kanya.

"Don't be mesmerized by my vast knowledge. I just googled it," birong sabi ni Pris saka tumawa to break the spell. Muntik na naman kasi nyang halikan si Dominique, na natawa na rin.

May narinig silang tumikhim. Nang nilingon nila kung sino yun, si Tita Editha pala. Kanino pa ba sila nito pinagmamasdan?

"She made me do it, Tita." Turo ni Pris sa nabiglang si Dominique. "I swear hindi ko pipitasin ang mga bulaklak mo nang walang paalam."

"What?!" Pinandilatan sya ni Dominique pero natatawa. "You really are crazy."

Napangiti na lamang si Mrs. Encina sa dalawa. Pris knew that Dominique's mother didn't mind her picking flowers. "Ready na ang merienda. I had it prepared by the pool. Kristine cooked salt and pepper chicken wings for you two."

Biglang natakam si Pris. "Let's go."

Dominique didn't protest when Pris took her handand pulled her.