Chasing Captivated Dreams (Part Time Series #1) | (On - going)

Kabanata 28

Kabanata 28

I didn't expect my third year to feel like it would be the death of me.

"Shit," I muttered, unable to stop myself from banging my forehead against the table.

Parang kahapon lang ay bakasyon pa. Pero parang dumaan lang ito sa akin. Inubos ko ang oras ko sa pagtatrabaho, at ngayon, pakiramdam ko ay halos hindi na ako humihinga. I didn't think third year would be this overwhelming. Inaasahan ko naman na noon, pero sabi nga nila, expect for the worse.

Those past few months were full of peace and comfort. But once school started again, it felt like I was constantly walking on eggshells. I could still manage my academics, but it felt like there was always more to carry. More pressure. More expectations.

"Mahal..." malambing na tawag mula sa harap ko.

Napatingin ako kay Liander, abala pa rin sa paggawa ng kanyang plates.

We were in my apartment. It was almost 11 p.m., and my siblings were already asleep. Cyan was exhausted from class, while Sian was already on their semester break. Kanina gusto ni Cyan manood kasama si Liander, kaya inilipat na lang ni Liander ang trabaho niya dito para mag multitask.

Iniisip ko nga kung paano niya gagawin iyon, ang mag guhit habang nanunuod kasama si Cyan, at sinabi niya na ang kaliwang mata niya ay nakatingin sa kanyang ginagawa, habang ang kanyang kanang mata ay nakatingin sa papanoorin nila, dahilan para batukan ko siya kanina.

"You've been studying since six. Take a break," he said gently.

Mahal. Simpleng salita, pero ang sarap pakinggan.

When I said the past few months were bliss, I meant this. Spending time with Liander. Growing together as partners, and also as individuals.

We've had our share of misunderstandings, a few silent words and minor arguments, but our relationship is built on respect.

Something steady. Something real.

"Hindi ko pa rin maintindihan," iritang sabi ko. "Grabe, mahal. Bukas na 'to!"

Tangina talaga nitong subject na ito, sana hindi kakarmahin ang nagpanukala nito!

He gave me a warm smile, stood up, and walked behind me. His hands gently pressed into my shoulders, then worked their way down my back in a calming motion.

"You can't think clearly if you don't rest," he said softly. "You're doing your best. And that's enough. Alright?"

Liander has never once raised his voice at me. He's always gentle, never says anything to hurt me, and never made me feel small. No foul words. Sometimes, it feels too good to be true. I can only hope he never changes.

Dati, naiilang pa akong tawagin siyang mahal. Ang awkward, parang cringey. Pero ngayon, sa kanya, pakiramdam ko ako na ang pinakamasayang tao sa mundo tuwing tinatawag niya akong ganun. Tangina kinikilig na nga ako pag tinatawag niya akong mahal, eh.

Kahit nga sa mga pinapanood ko sa penikula noon ay naririndi ako, pero ngayon ay may karapatan na siguro akong kiligin.

"Tara," bigla niyang aya sabay hatak sa akin patayo.

"Ha? Saan tayo pupunta?" tanong ko.

"Tara sa 7-Eleven. Kape tayo."

Hindi ko na kayang tumanggi. Basta kape, game na ako agad. Kinuha ko agad ang jacket ko habang natatawa siya sa bilis ng kilos ko. Ilang saglit pa, nasa labas na kami.

Pagdating namin sa 7-Eleven, ang una naming nakita ay si Ruby. Tahimik siyang nakaupo, nakapatong ang isang paa sa mesa, may hawak na libro.

"Ruby," tawag ko.