Promise of Beating Hours (Sunset Avenues #2)

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Kiss

Too much for a summer hallucination mistaken for love.

My cheeks flushed in embarrassment when I realized what I just did. Mabilis akong tinablan ng hiya at kumawala. Regrets dawned upon me and I turned my back. Pulang-pula na siguro ang pisngi ko dahil sa hiya.

We kissed!

I even initiated the kiss! And the top of it all, sinagot ko na siya. Well, it's indirect way of agreement but I do already have a boyfriend! Sumilay ang ngiti sa labi ko at tinitigan ang senaryo sa aking harapan.

"Wala ka bang sasabihin?" mahinang tanong ko.

Paglingon ko, bakas pa rin ang gulat sa kan'yang mukha. Nakaawang ang labi at may kislap sa mata. Seconds after, he was able to recover from it. He shut his eyes tightly. Pure disbelief was written on his face.

"Valencia." Mas lalong namula ang kan'yang labi nang pakawalan niya ito. Lumapit siya sa pwesto ko.

"You said what?" paanas na tanong niya. Both amusement and joy gleamed in his eyes.

I slowly nodded my head to show that it's really true. He stifled a smile. Tumingin ako sa aming paligid nang hilahin niya ako sa baywang at itinaas sa ere.

"We're official now?" he confirmed, still biting his lower lip.

"Ayaw mo ba? Babawiin ko na ba?"

"I could freely say I love you now?"

"Only if you truly love me, Valencia."

"I love you..."

Those powerful words that could bring false hope. I just want to cherish the memories forever and wish that we could turn back time. A moment to be cherished at the seaside. It was when the dream of the little girl came true. Akala ko kapag nagmahal ka, iyon na. At the end of the day, it will still be you and the one you love.

No conflicts. Because how can we say it's love when it's complicated? But as we grow up, the question will turn out, 'how can we say it's love when it's perfect?'

Hindi ko mapigilan ang pagngiti umaga ng Lunes. Pakiramdam ko ang gaan lang and I wished that I could live with that kind of feeling until the end of the day.

I was so young..and in love with him.

"Prami! Hoy bakit nagb-blush ka? Eh umuulan?"

"Nilalamig ako kaya namumula," mabilis na dahilan ko kay Chloe.

Nangunot ang kan'yang noo. Umupo ako sa aking desk at kunwari ay wala akong narinig sa kan'ya.

"May hindi ka sinasabi? Blooming ka eh! Anong meron?"

Naningkit ang kan'yang mata. Hindi pa rin niya ako nilulubayan ng panunukso.

How would I going to tell my only friend that I already have a boyfriend? Sa katauhan ni Christiano Valencia? Ang pinapangarap ng mga classmates at schoolmates namin na nakakakilala sa kan'ya at sa apelyidong nakakabit sa kan'ya?

"W-wala. Malamig lang. Tsaka dati namang ganiyan ang balat ko ah?"

"Hindi eh. May something talaga pero hindi pa naman siguro iyong tipong nadidiligan na?"

Nangunot ang aking noo. Humagalpak ng tawa si Chloe. Sa kan'ya ko kadalasang sinasabi ang mga pangyayari sa mansion because she truly believed that I have that kind of 'Cinderella story' or any of the Disney movie.

"Anong ibig mong sabihin, Chloe? Anong nadidiligan?"

"Alam mo kasi, iba na 'yong panahon ngayon pero 'yong mga kagaya mo.." she paused. Hinila niya ang tip ng aking buhok at pinaglaruan.