Change Your Mind [Completed]

Chapter 16

Dahlia was staring at herself in the mirror. Nagkulong siya ngayon sa powder room because she couldn't stop herself from crying.

After the announcement, nakita niya kung paano mabilis na bumaba ng stage si Aspen, clearly looking for Katrina everywhere.

She wasn't hurt because he left her on the stage. She was hurt because she didn't know why she couldn't find a love like that in this lifetime. Mabuti naman siyang tao. She tried to be of help to everyone.

She tried to love and wait for the man she loves which turned out to be an endless waiting game that will never happen. She just hoped that one day, she'll eventually be okay with being alone.

Pinalis niya ang mga luha at inayos muli ang sarili. She has to get out of this with dignity.

She tried to smile at herself in the mirror to start the pretense once again. Pero pagkabukas niya ng pinto palabas ng powder room, she saw Miguel waiting for her outside.

"Dahl...," he said and quickly pulled her in for a tight embrace.

She quickly pushed him away, afraid that someone might see them. Nagpalinga-linga siya sa hallway and good thing, wala doong ibang tao. "What are you doing here?"

"I was looking for you," he quickly responded.

"Bakit?"

"You agreed to that announcement?" galit na galit na tanong nito. "Are you really that stupid?"

"This is my life. I'll do what I want-"

"You know Aspen loves her!"

"I know. I'm just trying to help Aspen with his parents. Kakausapin namin mamaya si Katrina to tell her the truth that nothing will ever happen between me and Aspen. That this is just a business agreement between us so that I could help him."

"So you let yourself be used again? Masaya ka ba sa ginagawa mo sa sarili mo? You're letting yourself be a doormat for other people to step on! I know you have a golden heart but at least, save some for yourself."

Sinampal niya ito. How dare he talk to her like that! "Ang kapal ng mukha mo." And finally, she wasn't able to stop the tears any longer. "You, of all people, used me! For eight years! Hinayaan lang kita dahil akala ko... akala ko magigising ka rin one day para sabihin sakin na mahal mo ko. I gave you all the chances in the world to tell me what I want to hear but I never heard it."

She saw how shocked his face was.

"You never told me what I wanted to hear, Miguel. And I was hurting for the past eight years because of it."

"Dahlia... I didn't know you love..."

"That I loved you? It's fine. I don't ask for anything in return. I love being a saint, don't I?" She wiped away her tears and was prepared to leave him and walk out pero naharangan siya nito.

Lumuhod ito sa harapan niya at yumakap sa bewang niya.  "Forgive me, Dahlia... Please."

Nagulat siya sa ginawa ito. "Get up! Ano bang ginagawa mo!"

"I'm sorry, Dahlia. I'm sorry for all the pain I've caused you. I'm sorry," paulit-ulit na wika nito. He was so strong that she couldn't push him away.

"Baka may makakita sa'tin. Let go now, Miguel," she firmly said.

"I won't," he whispered. "I won't let go now."

Nagulat siya ng biglang buhatin siya nito at ilagay sa balikat nito. Her head was now hanging upside down with a view of his broad back na pinagpapalo niya sa gulat.