Gone Forever (1/4)

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Nanatiling nakapikit ang mga mata ko habang hinihintay ang sagot niya. He remained silent that I began to regret blurting out my thoughts.

"Nevermind-"

"Yes."

My eyes flung open in shock. 'Does he... really?'

"But I don't want to put it like that. I did what I did because I like you." He said that without even blinking.

I fell silent. I pinched my arm before raising my gaze and looked at him.

"You... like me?" I asked, hesitantly.

He nodded, touching the back of his neck.

I couldn't help but smile at the sight. It is the first time that I get to see him this shy. He was always smiling at me. I haven't seen this look. Well, it's rare to see these expressions of him.

"Dana..."

He called my name like it was the most beautiful name around the world. 'I didn't mean to exaggerate.' Iyon kasi ang the best way to describe how my name sounded from his lips.

I cleared my throat and avoided his eyes. "Hmmm?"

"...Will you be my girlfriend?"

I looked at him, surprised with what he just asked. I couldn't get myself to speak.

'But isn't it too fast?' We just basically met three weeks ago. He couldn't have been fallen in love at me first sight.

"It's not love at first sight, Dana." He said that like he read what's on my mind. He smiled shyly and bit his lip.

Nahiya ako sa naisip. 'Sabi ko nga.' Napatitig ako sa labi niya. 'But why are you bitting your lip? Are you seducing me right now?'

Tumikhim ako bago inilipat ang tingin sa kaniyang mga mata. "...Pero three weeks pa lang tayong magkakilala."

I put a stress on how long we know each other. Yes, three weeks. Who would believe that he have already developed the required feelings in entering such relationship... in a short period of time? Me, I don't.

However, it is true... I admit, I've got a crush on him since Day one. But crushing someone is synonymous to infatuation. Liking someone is far a different story.

"Three..." He didn't continue what he was going to say and just sighed. "...Just know that I like you, Dana. Really, really."

His words sounded sincere, kahit na tila nahihirapan siya sa pag-express ng nais sabihin. However, he was smart enough to point out what's important.

He reached for my hands and held it like it was the most precious thing in his life. 'I think I was exaggerating again on describing that.'

I sighed. "Why do you like me?"

I didn't know but I always had to ask that question. I always doubt them... As I doubt myself. 'Totoo ba talaga iyang nararamdaman mo? Totoo bang may gusto ka sa akin? Sa akin? Bakit?'

"I like you because it's you." He tightened his grip on my hand. "...I've pondered upon it for a long time."

'At most three weeks?'

He raised his gaze and looked at me. "So long you can't dare to imagine." He smiled. "...Before I dared to confess to you, I verified my own feelings first. I didn't want to be a jerk so I had to settle it with myself before coming to you."

Three weeks? 'So long you can't dare to imagine.' Gaano ba talaga katagal?

"Does it mean you know me even before the first time we met? Officially? That time with Yela?"

He looked at me shyly. "Can I tell you some other time?"

He's almost thirty but he looked like a baby at that moment. He definitely caught me off guard. 'Is he putting his good looks into use now?'

I sighed. I can't force him to tell all the details. I didn't want to. Ayokong mamilit. That's the last thing I want to do.

"Okay, tell me later then," I said and gave him a smile.

He was still holding my hands. He brought it near his face and kissed it, looking at me. "Thank you, Dana..."

Nago-overheat na yata ang pisngi ko sa pinaggagagawa niya. I'm new to these things so I'm completely clueless to how should I react. But it was surprisingly good. The mixed feelings I have right now because of him.

"So what should I do now?" I asked in soft voice as I sighed.

'Why did I even ask that?' Like I didn't even think of rejecting him.

"I hope you don't turn down me this instant and give me a chance instead..." His gaze fell at my hands.

"...What do you want me to do?" I asked him in trembling voice.

He raised his gaze.The wind blew to his hair. Napalunok ako. 'He looks so good.' My gaze lingered at his beautiful face.

He opened his mouth but suddenly closed it. He gulped. He met my eyes.

"Date me, Dana."

It sounded like it was not a suggestion but a command I must follow.

My heart pounded vigourously in excitement and fear. 'What should I do? Should I date him? Or not?'

"But..." I trailed off. I do not know what to say.

"Date me for a month as a trial," he said, playing with my fingers. "You can make our relationship official or break up with me after the last day. But the latter is not even an option for me." He smiled. "I only included it to assure you that you have the sole power in this relationship."

I'd be lying if I say I didn't like that idea. I suddenly remembered about the time I offered the same thing to my friend when I was younger. We entered the so called relationship but it ended not long after. It is because the whole thing made him cringe and I didn't have any romantic feelings for him. To better elaborate, I'm a girl and he's gay.

'It won't hurt me to try the same setup again, right?'

'There's no harm in trying, right?'

'But what if I will end up being hurt after I accept his offer?'

'Dana, you're just afraid. You didn't even try. Give him a chance first. Hindi ka makakausad kung palagi mong pinapairal ang takot.'

I firmly closed my eyes before I nodded. "...Okay."

He closed his eyes tightly like he was stopping himself from screaming. However, the joy he was feeling was written all over his face. He smiled happily and repeatedly kissed the back of my hand.

Hindi ko mapigilan ang ngiti ko habang pinapanood siyang nagsasaya. Napahinga ako. 'Masaya rin ako.'

"Thank you, Dana. Thank you," he said and kissed my hand once again.