Tadhana's Real Game

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Third Person's P.o.V.

"I first saw you crying here and until now you're crying, Istel?"

That familiar voice made Akiexhia stiffened on her seat. She slowly raised her head and saw the guy who never left her mind for days.

"Steven" She can only utter his name as her tears threatens to fall again. He just gave her a small smile before sitting on the swing beside her.

He quietly watched the kids playing on the other side of the park. Kanina alam niya kung anong sasabihin niya pero nang makita na niya si Akiexhia nawalang parang bula lahat ng salita, lahat ng tapang na pilit niyang inipon. Mapait na ngiti ang umukit sa kanyang mga labi nang maalala ang mga oras na kasing saya pa sila ng mga batang pinapanuod niya.

As if her stares are adhered to him her eyes never left him. Akiexhia watched him sat beside her, matapos ang ilang araw na hindi nila pagkikibuan na ito ngayon si Steven. Hindi niya alam kung ano bang dapat niyang asahang mangyayari. Hindi niya alam kung anong dapat niyang maramdaman, matatakot ba siya o magiging masaya.

"Sabi na nga ba dito kita makikita" Natigilan si Akiexhia sa sinabing iyon ni Steven. Hindi niya inaasahan na hahanapin siya nito.

"You're looking for me?"

Dahan-dahang humarap si Steven kay Akiexhia para sagutin ang tanong niya. He stopped for a bit to stare at her eyes, pain consumed his system as he stared at her. He stared at her more despite of the pain, hinayaan niya lang ang sarili at ang puso niya na namnamin ang pagkakataon na magkaharap sila at malaya niyang titigan ang babaeng mahal niya.

Sa pagkakataong iyon ramdam na ni Akiexhia. Pinilit niyang ngumiti kay Steven na nakatitig pa rin sa kanya. Pinilit niyang salubungin ang mga tingin ni Steven. Hinayaan niyang ang mga mata nila ni Steven ang mangusap sa isa't-isa.

Eyes are indeed a window to our soul. Ang sakit at pighati na hindi lubos mailabas ng bibig ay bumabakas sa mga mata nila. Kayanin mang magsinungaling ng kanilang mga labi at ngumiti pilit pa ring magsusumigaw ang sakit sa kanilang mga mata.

Steven reached out his hand to her cheeks and wiped her tears.

"Tahan na, Istel" he said biting his lips to stop his tears. Akiexhia can only close her eyes as she hold his hands tightly. Isang iling lang ang ibinigay ni Akiexhia habang mahigpit na hinahawakan ang kamay ni Steven. 

"Akiexhia, mahal kita, alam mo naman 'yon diba?" Tanong niya. Sa pagbigkas niya ng mga salitang 'yon ay siyang pagtulo ng luha sa kanyang mga mata. Nakapikit na dahan-dahang tumango si Akiexhia sa kanya.

"Sorry" umiling lang si Steven at saka ngumiti sa sinabi ni Akiexhia.

"Sabi ko mahal kita bakit nag-so-sorry ka?" He cupped her face and stared at her eyes lovingly. Akiexhia bridged the gap between them and hugged him tighly. And there when Akiexhia couldn't see him anymore his tears burst out. He planted soft kisses on her head as he hugs her back.

"I love you" he repeated.

"Huwag namang ganito, Steven"

"I love you"

"Ayoko sabi ng ganito" Akiexhia freed herself from the hug. She wiped her tears and stared at him, she tried to toughen herself in hopes of being able to save their love.

"Alam mo namang may habambuhay na responsibilidad ako diba?" He asked caressing her cheeks.

"Mahal kita" Akiexhia said but this time Steven didn't answered back.

"Kailangan nila ako"

"Kung hindi ko ba ginawa 'yon, pipiliin mo din ako?" Akiexhia asked. She waited for his answer but she never received one.