Shot by You [COMPLETED]

Chapter 24

I stared at the ring. This was Tita Sam's ring before. Their heirloom ring.

It somehow warmed my heart---No scratch that. It melted my whole being.

I pulled out the ring and wore it. Tinitigan ko ito habang bahagyang nakaunat ang braso. It looked good on me. I know I should be the one wearing it. I want to be the one who wears it every day.

It wasn't a rejected proposal. It wasn't a successful one, too. It's.... complicated.

I didn't give him an answer and he respected it. Anito'y maaga pa nga naman daw. I didn't say anything. At hanggang ngayon ay in state of shock pa rin ako. How can he ask me that question so easily?

I love him. I really do. But marriage isn't my priority for now. I'm into his safety more than anything else. Gusto ko mang tanggapin ang alok niya ay kailangan ko pa ring isipin ang mga bagay-bagay.

He gave me the ring, but he did not insert in on my fingers. It's like he gave me the upper hand to decide when I want to wear it... when I want to accept the proposal.

But knowing the circumstances, it's not that easy.

Ibinalik ko sa box ang singsing. I kept it inside my luggage and went to sleep.

Nasa stone house na kami. He's sleeping silently habang nakatalikod sa banda ko. He did not make me feel uncomfortable, pero ako naman ang hindi hinahayaang maging komportable ang sarili ko.

The next day was a little chill. We decided to stay in a highland where we can chill the whole afternoon. The way he treats me and talks to me didn't change. Parang walang nangyari. Maybe he just wanted me to feel comfortable despite the epic scene yesterday.

We brought some chips and wine with us. May dala rin kaming tela na pwede namin upuan. That day we rented a local transportation to take us to that spot.

"You want me to bring your instax?" I asked as I saw his cam on the desk.

"Yes, baby. Please," he answered with a small smile.

Inilagay ko sa bag ko ang intax camera nito. He was fixing his black shirt while I was preparing for some stuffs that we might need like powerbanks, cash and card. Ang susi naman ay nasa kaniya.

We walked hand in hand as we approach the transpo we rented.

"Kapian ka pa nu Dios sichamavukas!" Pagbati sa amin ng guide na nakatoka sa amin.

We greeted him back kahit na alam kong 'di naging maayos ang pagsasalita namin ng Ivatan. It's kind of complicated to pronounce their words."

Pagkarating sa nasabing mataas na lugar ay bumaba na kami sa sinakyan. We went inside a kubo where we can rest later at noon.

We played, chatted, and slept.

It was peaceful.

"Where will you spend your Christmas?" Tanong nito sa akin habang nakatingin at hawak ang kopita nito.

"Paris," tipid kong sagot.

He was surprised by my answer. "When's your flight?"

"Tomorrow morning, around four," sagot ko at sumimsim sa hawak na baso ng wine. "Kayo?"

"Sa bahay lang," he shrugged.

"Talaga? Walang plano sila Tita umalis ng bansa?"

"As far as I know, wala naman."

We talked more that night. Bago umalis ay nagpatugtog pa ito ng kanta at sinabayan. Kalaunan ay sinabayan ko rin naman.

We stood up and danced to the music where no one else is watching. We swayed and drowned ourselves to the melody and enjoyed every moment of it.