Atherelle's POV
Pressured
Nanatili akong nakatitig kay Gaviel matapos niya sabihin iyon. I don't know how to response. Half of me is telling that this isn't right. That I shouldn't let his words affect my being. Walong taon na ang nakalipas kaya imposible ang mga sinasabi niya.
"You should go." nasabi ko.
I pushed his chest away but he didn't move an inch. Mas humigpit pa ang pagkakahapit niya sa baywang ko para mas ilapit ako sakaniya.
"You don't know what you're saying. Umalis ka nalang."
"I came here to see you at papaalisin mo lang ako?" Aniya sa tonong nagtatampo.
"Kasi hindi nga tayo pwede magkasama." giit ko.
"Because you heard fake news?"
Kahit naman walang issue na gano'n ay ayaw ko pa rin siyang nandito. What's the point of visiting me here? Wala ring saysay ang lahat.
"Have you forgotten that we aren't in a relationship anymore?"
"Then we can be together again." mabilis niyang sagot sa akin.
Napamaang ako. "Are you crazy?"
"Hindi." he calmly said "I am serious."
I pushed him hard and this time, he let me off. Tatalikuran na sana siya pero pinigilan niya ako sa braso. Pagod ko siyang binalingan ng tingin.
"Hindi 'yon gano'n kadali." sabi ko sakaniya.
"Alam ko 'yon. I know you're confused, you're doubting me, but I want you back. I am not asking you to answer me right now, and I will give you time to think. I know how to wait, Atherelle."
"Then, go home now." hamon ko sakaniya.
"I'm already in my home." malambing niyang sambit at hinigit ako palapit sakaniya para yakapin.
My heart softened. The tone of his voice was so soothing, and he sounded so sincere.
Hindi kagaya kanina ay hinayaan ko siyang yakapin ako, because for some reason, I love how he gave me warm through his embrace. I slowly hug him back pero hindi kasing higpit ng yakap niya sa akin.
"And you still don't want us to be together again, huh?" mapang-asar niyang sinabi sabay tawa ng mahina nang maramdamang niyakap ko siya pabalik.
"Shut up," I muttered, stifling a small smile.
He chuckled as his hug went tighter. Nakaharap ako sa streetlights habang yakap niya ako ng mahigpit. I can feel his long for me in the way he hugs me this tight.
I hate to admit but for the first in those 8 years, I have finally felt the warmth I haven't felt for a long time.
"I'm waiting for this day to come." he muttered after the long silence "And now that I can hold you again, I won't miss this chance."
Napangiti ako sa sinabi niya. I don't know that this is possible. Hindi ko alam na mangyayari ito sa napakahabang panahong hindi kami nagkita.
"Nakakagago pero ayaw ko ng bumitaw." he hissed.
"We aren't together yet. H'wag ka masyadong maging baliw." sabi ko "And it's almost midnight, you should go home."
"Tinataboy mo na naman ako. We're having a moment, Atherelle. Talent mo atang sirain 'yon."
Natawa ako. I actually want him to stay here but it's not a good idea. Sinabi ko nga kanina na hindi pa kami ulit at hindi iyon gano'n kadali kaya papanindigan ko.
BINABASA MO ANG
Till the Last Game Do Us Part
Romance"He became my home when everything in me fell apart. He adopted my abandoned heart, hugged all my pain, and danced with my flaws like they were his favorite part of them all."
