Endless Pen [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

ATHANASIA'S POV

I couldn't help but scold myself as Bangun and I walked backstage of the book signing event. How could I have forgotten the event today? Such stupidity, Asia!

Hindi pa ako tapos sa pakikipag-usap sa sarili ko nang maramdaman ko ang pagpihit ni Bangun sa akin paharap sa kanya. He then cupped my chin and leveled his face on mine. "Hey, kalma ka lang. You'll still do great." He kissed the tip of my nose.

I then sighed when he let my chin go. "I look weird, don't I?" I asked as I pointed out my swollen eyes.

Bangun shook his head. "You look beautiful in my eyes." Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko saka tumingin ng diretso sa aking mga mata habang nakangiti. "Pero ayokong nakikita kang umiiyak, Athanasia."

Nagbaba naman ako ng tingin. "I'm sorry. It's just that I couldn't take the reason for my curse. Alam kong pumapatay ako noon pero alam kong ring labag 'yun sa loob ko. Pero ngayon? Yung ginagawa ko noon?" I looked deep into his eyes, making him see how broken I am inside. "I was merciless, Bangun. Matatanggap mo pa rin ba ako kahit alam mong wala akong konsensyang pumapatay ng mga inosente?"

He now cupped my face then kissed me on my forehead. "I have loved you right from that start, okay? Masyado ka lang manhid at bulag para hindi malaman 'yun." He messed my hair a little. "Plus, I only see the real you, hmm?" Bangun softly pinched my nose. "Now, tigilan mo ang pagiging cute at baka mahulog na naman ako sayo, though hindi ko naman aayawan 'yun."

Inirapan ko na lang siya. "Ang seryoso ng tanong ko eh."

He then chuckled. "At seryoso ko rin namang sinagot ah. Mag-uusap pa ulit tayo tungkol dito mamaya—" Pilit kong itinago ang lungkot na aking nadama. "—pero sa ngayon ay maghanda ka na, okay? I'll be your surprise again later so act like you're surprised."

Natawa na lang ako sa huling sinabi niya saka tumingin sa kanya ng seryoso. "I treasure you, Bangun." Napansin ko naman ang paghinto niya sa paghinga habang nanlalaki ang mga matang nakatingin sa akin. Mahina naman akong natawa saka siya hinalikan sa ilong. "Tara na."

Akmang mauuna na akong umalis nang hawakan ni Bangun ang kamay ko at pinihit ako paharap sa kanya. Ang sunod kong naramdaman ay ang labi niya sa labi ko. I closed my eyes and savored our kiss. When we're finally out of breath, he let me go and showed me his most genuine smile. "Mahal na mahal kita. Tandaan mo 'yan ha?" Nakangiti akong tumango. He gave me a peck on my lips. "Gusto kitang i-uwi tapos yakapin na lang."

Natawa naman ako sa sinabi niya. "Silly. Let's go. We still have fans to meet and entertain."

He kissed me on my forehead one last time before letting my hand go. "Fine. Fine. Alis na. Mauna ka na sa pwesto mo tapos saka ako pupunta sa pwesto ko."

Naiiling na lang ako habang nakangiti pero sinunod ko pa rin naman ang sinabi niya. "See you later then," paalam ko/

"Mami-miss kita," he said, which made my heart skip a beat.

"Then hurry back to me," I teased him, which made him frown. "Dali na. Nang makapagsimula na tayo." He saluted before he waited for me to be out of his view.

Umupo naman ako saka nagsimula ang nangyari rin noon. I made sure that I will enjoy every moment, every laugh, every smile, every praise that me and my fans will share. Hindi ko na alam kung kailan ko ulit mararanasan ang sayang iyon pagkatapos ng mangyayari ngayong gabi. So I'll do everything I can just to make sure to remember them all.

I did not complain when my wrists started to hurt. I knew the smiles I received from these admirers—these fans—were all worth the pain. Muli ko na namang nakita ang dalagang umiyak noon. She did and said the same words, and so did I.