QuaranDestined

THIRTY-NINE

"B-bakit nandito ka?" Sa dami ng gusto kong sabihin, iyon lang ang naitanong ko sa kanya.

I felt my heart wrench. This is the first time I felt missing someone so, so much that it hurts. I feel like crying just by seeing him, pinigilan ko lang.

"Ayaw mo ba? Aalis na lang ako," sabi niyang seryoso pa rin ang 'itsura.

"Hindi. Hindi," I immediately said since he was about to turn his back. "Who wouldn't be surprised? You're supposed to be back next month, right?"

"Halika nga. Lumapit ka dito," he commanded, still, without a smile on his face. May nakapagitan kasing bench sa aming dalawa. Umikot ako to stand in front of him kahit medyo natatakot na 'ko sa paraan ng pagkakatingin niya sa akin. Siguro nga, sobrang laki ng galit niya sa akin.

But how could this man look so ruthless and still be so freaking gorgeous at the same time?

"Sorry if I have to use your face in my installation. It's because I actually dedicate my first exhibit to you," I explained to him. I'm expecting he'll be happy upon hearing it, but the blank expression in his face remained.

"W-well, in the first place, those pics are mine. Ako ang kumuha at gadget ko ang gamit. It just so happened that you are my subject," dugtong ko no'ng hindi pa rin siya kumibo.

To my surprise, Christian held me by the hand, swiftly pulled me close to him, and wrapped me inside his arms tightly.

I embraced him back. Sinulit ko na. Baka pagkatapos nito tungkol na sa hiwalayan ang pag-usapan namin. At least I was able to be close to him this way for one last time.

Pero lalo ring humigpit ang yakap niya sa akin. Na para bang kapag hindi niya ginawa 'yon ay mawawala ako. So tight that I have to catch my breath.

"Christian, are you going to kill me in this way?" I asked him. Saka lang niya yata na-realize kung anong ginagawa niya. He released me from his arms.

He held on to his nape and smiled. "Sorry. Na-miss lang kita."

My eyes widen at him. "Huh?"

He hugged me once more, this time it's much gentle, and more loving.

"Sorry, honey," he almost whispered the words while his hand tenderly caressed my back, "ang laki ng kasalanan ko sa 'yo."

What's happening? This is not something I am expecting when he arrives. 'Di ba't kanina lang ay galit siya sa 'kin?

"Wait, wait." I moved a little away from him so I could look at his face. "Anong kasalanan? Hindi ba at iniisip mo na ako ang may kasalanan sa 'yo? Kaya nga nagalit ka sa 'kin."

"Na hindi ko dapat ginawa," dugtong niya sa sinabi ko.

"No'ng araw na nagpaalam ka sa 'kin na babalik ka muna sa inyo, ang sama ng loob ko no'n," he suddenly opened up something from the past. "Nakalimutan mo na kasi 'yong usapan natin na sasama ka sa 'min ni Kristel sa Zambales."

Napa-isip ako. "Oo nga. May usapan tayong gano'n na pupunta tayo sa hometown niyo. Nawala na sa isip ko. One week mo naman na kasi akong dine-deadma-deadma no'n."

"Kasi naman kahit nag-aaway na tayo, 'di mo pa rin talaga tinitigilan 'yong pakikipag-usap mo kay Jake. Tigas din ng ulo mo, eh." He chuckled. "Pero okay na 'yun."

"Sorry," I said in a low voice.

"Ssshhh." Iniharang niya 'yong hintuturo niya sa mga labi ko.

"So, did you pushed through with your Zambales trip?" I asked him when he removed his finger from my lips.