Ecstasy of the Heart

XXIII

#EOTHHoldMyHand

Chapter Writer: @cie_writes
Editor: @riyanejoy
Proofreader: @reallymargarett101

Sorry for the grammatical errors and misspelled words. Thank you, enjoy reading!

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REGINE.

I set aside my thoughts of what Lea and I talked about. I am not just sure if it's a good move. Is it right to keep my mouth shut and did not even defended myself and what Ariel and I have as of now, over Lea? Usually, we really argue about certain things, hindi ko rin alam kung anong meron sa mga sinabi niya at natahimik ako. Baka kasi tama nga siya. Baka nga pagkatapos ng masasayang araw na ito, maiiwan lang din rito at pagsisisihan ko lahat ng naging desisyon at mga nagawa ko kasama si Ariel. Hindi ko na rin talaga alam.

Basta ang pinanghahawakan ko sa mga oras na ito, we still have it. The love we had before. The fire that we once started na hanggang ngayon pala ay hindi pa rin namamatay at lalo pang nag-aalab. Sinful may it sounded, but this is what makes me happy, this is what makes us fufill the gap we longed for atleast some time.

Lea's words were always like an alarm clock to me, an eye opener, snapping through my senses and making me realize things that I knew I'd keep for myself. Pilit lang ata akong nagbubulag-bulagan sa mga bagay-bagay na kahit nakikinita ko na ang kahihinatnan, ipagpapatuloy ko pa rin na kahit sa huli, alam kong may masasaktan.

A selfish, self-centered, wasted woman I am.

"May problema ba?" a familiar manly voice spoke. I looked around and as I was expecting, it was him shrugging with his both hands on his pockets. "I saw you and Lea kanina. Is there any problem?"

"Uhm... w-wala, may sinabi lang siya." then I smiled. He smiled back at me so I guess, he's convinced with what I answered.

"Let's go? They're waiting for us." he smilingly uttered and paved his hand, signaling me to accept it. Malugod ko naman itong tinanggap at hinawakan ang kanyang kamay, as tight as I could.

Since Aga's already here, pinili nina Lea at Pops na humiwalay sa amin ng sasakyan. Nagbilin lang si Matteo ng magiging itinerary namin para sa araw na ito bago namin lisaning lahat ang hotel.

I sat on Ariel's passenger seat, alangan naman kasing pumwesto pa ako sa likod, dadala-dalawa na nga lang kami sa sasakyan. It'll be totally an odd-awkward moment.

He started the engine smoothly and drove away. Silence was bracing the both of us, ni walang gustong umimik. But not until he held my hand and clasped it with his. He even left small kisses on top of it. Goodness, how I missed him doing this to me.

"I love you." he muttered and again, planted a soft smooch on my hand. Agad akong napalingon sa kanya na puno ng kilig at pagtataka. I know he really loves me, at alam ko ring may nasasaktan sa mga ginagawa naming ito.

"How about Gelli? Paano mo sa--" I wasn't able to finish what I was about to say when he cut me off.

"I said I love you." he looked deeply to both my eyes. He caught my them, amused, fighting with his gazes. Really.

"I-i love you... too." were the only words I answered. He smiled and kissed me on the forehead, still holding my hand tightly, na para bang ayaw na niya itong bitawan.

Ibinaba ko ang salamin ng bintana kung saan ako nakaupo, kasabay nito ang malakas na pag-ihip ng malamig na hangin. Hinayaan ko na lamang na tangayin nito ang nakalugay kong buhok.