Gone Forever (1/4)

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

'That's it. That's what I'm waiting for.' I released my arms and turned my back to face him. I looked at him apologetically.

"I'm sorry, Dana. I really am." Pauli-ulit siyang humingi ng tawad.

The sight made my heart hurt. He was holding back his tears. He keeps apologising without even knowing that he did nothing wrong.

I felt my own eyes began to well up. I smiled at him and ran the space between us. I hugged him tightly and repeatedly said my sorries.

"You didn't do anything wrong. I'm sorry for hurting you, Miguel."

His shoulders shook and he sobbed the moment I said that. I felt more guilty because of his state right now. I caressed his back and apologised again and again.

Nasa loob na kami ng Mang Inasal, naghihintay sa pagkain. Binawi ko na ang pag-uwi dahil sa totoo lang ay ayoko pa naman talagang umuwi. Not after what happened a while ago. Definitely not.

Because of what happened today, I made a promise to myself that I will never do the same thing and hurt him again.

His eyes were still red even though it's been half an hour now. I even told him the truth because he wouldn't believe me. He kept taking the blame.

I leaned closer and cupped his face. "I'm really sorry."

Tumango siya. "I understand why you did that. I'll be better, Dana. I promise."

I smiled. Hindi ko na kailangan pa ng mas mahabang palugit para tuluyang mapinal ang desiyon.

I usually spend ample time to decide on something. I can be also impulsive. But I'm sure with my final decision now. It wasn't out of impulsiveness or sympathy. But merely based on facts. The fact that he likes me and can handle my worst attitude says it all.

Umayos ako ng upo. I removed the ring from my ring finger on my right hand. I had been wearing this when I was still in high school. Finally, I found the deserving owner of this ring.

"Give me your left hand," sabi ko sa kaniya. He put it on top of mine without asking why.

I inserted the ring on his pinky finger and kissed it afterwards. I raised my gaze to see his surprised reaction.

"Wear it or throw it away, I don't mind. Just know that since I've given you my ring, there's no turning back. I'm not going to break up with you. Unless... you cheat on me. I will never have a second thought of letting you go if that time will come," I said looking straight into his eyes.

He shook his head. "I won't. I will never find another Dana in this lifetime. I won't destroy my life."

"You're exaggerating now." I chuckled. "Don't worry, I think of you highly. I doubt that you'll ever do that. However, if that day will come when you ask me to let go of your hand... I will... If that's what you really want. I can't force myself to someone who no longer find my existence important, can I?" I smiled as I looked at him, sadly. "I'm not a fan of martyrdom and I'll never be."

He held my hand and intertwined our fingers. He then looked at me like I was the most precious thing in his life. A tear escaped his eyes as he kissed the back of my hand.

"You'll never regret letting me in your life, Dana. Thank you, love. Thank you."

Two weeks had already passed since the day I made our relationship official. Those two weeks that quickly passed... Totoo nga ang sabi na kapag masaya ka, mabilis ang takbo ng oras. Pero wala naman kaming hinahabol kaya ayos lang. We still have a lot of days ahead of us.