Chasing the Sun (College Series #1)

Chapter 31

Muntik ko nang mailaglag ang hot chocolate na hawak ko sa biglaang tanong niya.

Iniwas niya ang tingin sa akin. "I... I didn't court you back then. G-gusto ko lang simulan 'to nang tama, Sol."

I wasn't able to answer. Ramdam ko lang ang mabilis na tibok ng puso ko. Para itong lalabas sa dibdib ko. Napayuko na lang ako at napatingin sa ibinigay niyang cup at namula nang husto ang aking pisngi nang makitang may nakasulat doon.

'For My Sol'

"Uhh... mamaya na lang ulit sa shop mo, Sol... matulog ka na."

Sa taranta ay napatango lang ako. Hindi ko pa rin siya nililingon at wala akong balak tingnan siya gayong alam kong pulang-pula ako!

"Good night, Solene," he said in his baritone voice.

"Good night..."

Nang makaalis siya at maisarado ko ang pinto ay napasandal ako sa pader. Mabilis ang aking paghinga na akala mo ay nakipagkarera ako.

He would court me?!

Duke?!

I gulped as I calmed myself. This wasn't my reaction when Atreus told me he'd pursue me! Ngayong may bagong gustong sumubok, bakit ako kinakabahan?!

Should I give him a chance?

What about Atreus?

With a lot of thoughts in mind, I didn't know how I managed to sleep that night.

Kinabukasan ay gumising ako na parang nakalutang. I did my morning routine, but I stayed in bed, contemplating my life decisions. Papasok ba ako sa shop? Duke said he'd be there.

I texted Jelay. Hindi ako makakakilos kung hindi ko sasabihin sa kanya ito.

Me:

bitch guess what

Me:

liligawan daw ako ni duke, wtd wtd wtd huhu im panicking

I waited for a few minutes before I heard my phone rings. Jelay was calling!

"What the fuck, Sol?!" bungad niya nang sagutin ko ang tawag.

I bit my lower lip. "I don't know what to do!"

"Dalawang linggo lang tayong hindi nagkita, naglalandian na agad kayo?! What happened to "stop appearing in front of me" mo?!"

"He didn't listen!"

"Umamin ka nga sa akin..." she trailed off. "Do you still love him?"

"H-hindi na, no!" I uttered nervously. "I was just... shocked!"

"Kung hindi mo nakikita ang sarili mong boyfriend siya, don't prolong his agony. Bastedin mo agad," she said casually.

Napalunok ako. Basted? Si Duke? Nagbago na kami pareho. Hindi na ako ang dating Solene na patay na patay sa kanya at hindi na rin siya ang Duke na hinangaan at minahal ko noon. He was more successful and dangerous now. He was like a poison waiting for someone to drink him without hesitation.

"Oh, bakit natahimik? Hindi mo kaya?"

Tumikhim ako. "D-do you think that's... fair? I mean... I will not give him the chance to prove himself?"

"Sol, desisyon mo iyan. Basta, ang akin lang, kung hindi mo naman gusto ang tao, 'wag mo nang patagalin ang panliligaw."

I sighed. "You're right... hindi ko rin makita ang sarili ko na... boyfriend ulit siya."

Tumikhim ito. "Eh si Atreus, do you see him as your partner?"

Natahimik ako roon. For almost eight months, Atreus had been courting me. We were sweet and casual. He was honest about his feelings for me, but I didn't think I was ready to be in a relationship with him at this time.