Bewildered 🌸 (kja)

Parting Time

Warning: This chapter is for 18 years old and above only.

Umiyak si Liza buong gabi, hanggang sa makatulog. Ngayon niya lang nakasama nang mahabang panahon si Harry at hindi pa man ito nakakaalis ay nakakaranas na siya ng separation anxiety. Hindi niya maipaliwanag ang nararamdamang takot as if there is something that will be going to happen while he is away. She shook her head and dismissed that thought. "Nope. Nothing will happen."

Namaga ang mga mata niya kinaumagahan at napansin din naman iyon ni Harry, ngunit mas pinili niya na lang na huwag iyon isatinig dahil baka mas lalong malungkot ang dalaga. Kung pwede niya lang sana maisama ito sa kanyang pag-alis ay gagawin niya. Pero papatayin muna siya ni Ronwel Mortoni bago niya iyon magawa. Napangisi at napailing siya sa naisip.

Naging tahimik ang kanilang byahe papuntang Juletos. Pagkababa nila ng sasakyan ay hindi napigilan ni Harry ang sarili at agad niya itong niyakap nang mahigpit. Napangiti si Liza. She buried her face in his muscular chest and inhaled deeply, taking in his distinctively masculine scent. "Hmm.." he smelled so heavenly! "Harry, can I embrace you like this forever?" she whispered, unaware that she was voicing her thoughts.

He laughed softly, letting his fingers glide through her delicate curls. "Doll..." he whispered tenderly, kissing her hair and nuzzling in. "You smell like strawberries and cherries."

She giggled softly. "That's my shampoo," Liza explained, turning up to him with a playful pout.

Why is she so adorable?

He fought the urge to kiss her on the spot, aware of the onlookers. He knew he'd have to pick her up early just to kiss her later.

"Please pick me up early, OK?" she pleaded, looking on the verge of tears.

He nodded, feeling the same way. "Yes, love, of course."

She beamed at the familiar term of endearment, which she loved. Harry gave her a few tight hugs before letting her go.

"Alright. You better head off now before I decide to take you away from school."

She giggled. "You know I wouldn't mind, Harry."

He chuckled softly. "Sorry, but I can't condone skipping classes," he said with a sigh. "Bye, doll---"

"I love you, Harry," she said, her words slipping out unexpectedly.

Bagamat nagulat ay napangiti si Harry. Iba talaga ang saya na dala niyon sa kanya tuwing naririnig niya iyon sa dalaga. Naiiling na pinagmasdan niya ang maganda nitong mukha. "You're  really something else, doll..." aniya "I'll shower you with kisses later for being so incredibly sweet," he said with a loving wink before finally waving goodbye.

********

Gerald tried to talk to Liza, but she ignored him. Binabakuran din siya ng mga kaibigan niyang lalaki kaya hindi rin ito makalapit. It was during lunchtime na na corner siya nito sa cafeteria.

"Liza—hey—wait, please—" She tried to walk away, but he grabbed her elbow and stopped her from leaving. "Liza, just a moment," he begged.

Liza looked at him sternly. "What?"

Gerald sighed. Nasa mukha ang labis na pagsisisi. "I'm sorry—"

Inis na napabuntong hininga si Liza. Para matapos na ay nagwika siyang, "Alright. Apology accepted," and tried to walk away from him, but he stood in her way.

"Liza, look..." anito at napabuntong-hininga "Tanggap ko na okay? Tanggap ko na na ayaw mo sa'kin because you love Mr. Fortaleza." The pain was visible on his face. "Hindi na kita pipilitin. But please, huwag mo akong iwasan."