FROM LUST TO LOVE (Reluctant Bride No. 2)

CHAPTER 26

CHAPTER 26

Naiinip na tinanaw ni Frank ang walkway expecting Lyn, Joy, Joyce and the boys to come out any moment now.  Ngunit, mag-tre-trenta minutos na ay hindi pa rin ito bumabalik.  Sasamahan ni Frank ang pamilya na umikot sa Cebu to see the sights in the city.  Magpapa-iwan si Lyn dahil may mga expected guests siya na darating.  Pero, dahil nga sa gusto na niya matapos ang Gazebo ay kinailangan niyang hintayin si Lyn to see it para magawa na ang adjustments today.  This is the reason why Joy decided to personally look for her daughter dahil gusto na nilang maka-alis.

Naalala ni Frank ang nakitang eksena kanina sa garden area ng reception lobby.  Para siyang naubusan ng hininga ng nakita si Lyn kasama si Zed.  Gusto niyang agawin si Lyn kay Zed, ngunit nagtitiwala siyang maganda na rin na nandito si Zed para magkaroon na ng closure ang dalawa.  Nanumbalik kay Frank ang isang conversation nang minsan silang nagsabay magdinner sa resort.

“How about Zed?” tanong ni Frank.  Ang topic nila ay tungkol sa pagkakaroon ng partner in life.

“What about him?” tanong ni Lyn habang patuloy nitong nilalantakan ang isang llanera ng leche flan na nilagyan niya ng hinog na mangga.

“Well, aren’t you considering him?” pagusisa pa ni Frank.

“Frank, if you truly know me we should not even be having this conversation.  Masaya na ako.  I told you I do not need a man in my life.  I’m happy I have this baby coming and it’s just going to be me and the baby.” Lyn said matter-of-factly.  Hindi maintindihan ni Frank kung ikakatuwa niya ang sinabi ng dalaga o malulungkot dahil parang nakasara na ang kung ano mang pag-asa na magkakaroon sila ng kinabukasan.  Frank mustered the courage and decided to go for it.

"So, Zed is out of the picture?" tanong ni Zed hoping for a positive answer.

"Yes.  No chance at all.  I told you I'm happy." patuloy pa rin sa pagkain ng leche flan si Lyn.  The statement made Frank hopeful.  With Zed out of the picture, his chances would be better.

“Eh ako Lyn, can you not consider me?” may kahinaan ang boses ni Frank na sinabi ang pangungusap, ngunit rinig na rinig yun ni Lyn.  She paused, kutsarita in hand and looked at him smiling.  The smile got bigger and developed into a laugh.

“I’m sorry….” Lyn said through her laughter.  “Frank baby, aren’t we happy we’re together this way?”  She put the kutsarita down and took his hand.  “Alam mo Frank, sa buong history ng love life ko, ikaw na ang pinaka-maswerteng lalaki sa buhay ko.  I allowed myself to be your friend and indulge in that friendship without hesitation.  This is a first for me Frank.  Kilala mo ako, I never let myself go with anyone.  As you always say, I am such a cold-hearted bitch.  So cold-hearted that the song Pusong Bato must have been composed specifically for me.  But then, here I am, loving you as any good friend loves another.”  Parang punyal na naman na sumaksak sa dibdib ni Frank ang sinabi ni Lyn. Friendzoned punyeta!

Frank wanted to shrink into his seat.  But this is the love of his life he is talking to.

“Loving me as any good friend loves another…” inulit ni Frank ang sinabi ni Lyn.  Sinubukan ni Lyn na itago ang tawa niya ngunit hindi niya talaga mapigilan.  “At tinatawanan mo pa ako like it’s something really funny.  I can’t believe you Lyn.”  Tinapon ni Frank ang lace table napkin sa mesa.  Uminom ito ng red wine.

“C’mon Frank.  You can’t seriously consider me…” tumatawa pa rin si Lyn na nagsimula.

“Fuck Lyn!  What do you think I am doing here everyday?  Of course I am considering you.  Like hell I am considering you.  I keep on dreaming about the day when it will just be me, you and the baby which I’ve been planning to adopt once you say yes and you have given birth.  I love you Lyn.  Hindi mo ba nakikita ‘yun.”  Frank’s serious tone suddenly made Lyn silent.