Before I Hold You (Haciendera Series #1)

Kabanata 27

Kabanata 27

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"Anong laman nito?" excited kong tanong habang nakatingin sa paper bag na regalo niya sa akin.

Kahit papaano ay kumalma ako dahil sa tulong ni Samuel. I have no reason to cry in front of him now. Hindi muna kami umalis dito para makapag-usap ng maayos at para hindi makita ni Mama na magkasama.

"Uh... can you open it later?" may bahid ng kaba sa boses niya.

"Bakit?" my eyebrows furrowed.

"Basta. Mamaya mo na buksan," aniya at sinubukang agawin sa akin.

My lips parted to what he did. Pansin kong medyo namumula ang tenga niya at hindi makatingin sa akin. My eyebrows raised and I grabbed it away from him.

"Bakit ko pa mamaya titingnan kung pwede na ngayon? Regalo mo ito para sa'kin at ayaw kong ihuli ito," I smiled.

I gently opened the paper bag. Bumungad sa akin ang isang white tote bag with strawberry prints on it. I also saw small rectangular box inside and I took it. When I opened it, I saw crochet styled-bracelet in a pink and gray combination and it has a silver wave-like pendant attached to it.

"Hindi ko alam kung ano ang gusto mong regalo kaya iyan ang binili ko. I'm sorry if it looks too simple compared to your other gifts..." I heard him. 

Umiling ako. Parang may munting kirot sa puso ko. Kahit ganoon, parang may humaplos sa puso ko dahil nag effort pa rin siya. I smiled at him warmly. 

"It's not simple, Samuel. They are cute and I love it! Sa'yo ito mismo galing kaya naaapreciate ko," I said honestly as I my heart pounded fast.

Tiningnan ko ang detalye ng bracelet. Naalala kong binigyan niya ako noon ng bracelet at hindi niya alam na sira na iyon. Kahit hindi ako ang nagsira n'on ay nagi-guilty pa rin ako.

He moved closer to me and held my wrist gently as if I'm a porcelain that is needed to be handled carefully. Hinayaan ko siyang isuot sa papulsuhan ko ang bracelet. I smiled widely when it fits perfectly na parang alam niya ang eksaktong size ng papulsuhan ko. 

I guess he doesn't want to see my reaction because he's ashamed that his gift for me isn't like from others.

"I chose this pendant because I remembered the last time we went to the beach. You looked beautiful while you were staring at the waves and how it crashed to your feet," he confessed.

Pinilit kong makaalala. Bago makarating sa Mangrove Plantation ay dadaan muna sa dalampasigan. I remembered that I took pictures at dahil masyadong excited ako ay lumapit ako sa tubig dagat at sinalubong ang bawat hampas ng alon.

"Tinitigan mo ako ng palihim? Ikaw, ha...." I teased him as I tickled his waist.

He smirked. "You can't blame me. You were too beautiful. Who wouldn't stare at you?"

My face heated. Tingnan mo ang lalaking 'to. Masyadong honest. Pero totoo naman. 

"Mambobola talaga..." I whispered. 

"And it suits you so much. Just like the waves, you're calm, confident, sometimes aggressive because of anger but you know how to balance your emotions. The waves are strong just like your personality."

"Thank you," I smiled. 

Napakamot siya ng ulo at ngumiti na medyo nahihiya. "I thought you wouldn't like it. It's not expensive. I wish I could give you more than that," he looked away. 

I bit my lower lip. I feel like there's a lump on my throat. He chuckled to hide the pain in his face. 

"I'm not asking for more, Samuel," I said gently as I stared at him.