Crossroads [SC SERIES #1]

Wakas

[Klare's POV]

"Ingat ka. I trust you cause I know you're responsible enough." Ngumiti si Mom sa akin at hinalikan ako sa noo.

"Take care of my daughter, Mr. Aguilar," napatingin ako kay Dad dahil sa mahigpit na bilin niya kay Nhelandrie.

"I will, Sir. Iingatan ko siya hanggang sa makita mo na ang magiging apo mo." Napatawa kami ni Mom sa biro niya. Napalunok ito dahil sa nakakatakot na tingin na iginawad sa kanya ni Dad.

"Dad, mauna na kami." I tiptoed and kissed Dad on his cheeks kahit na naiilang ako. I'm not used to hugging nor kissing my family members but I always see Nhelandrie's Mom kissing her husband and Nhelandrie publicly. It was then when I realize that a happy family should stick together and I want my family to be happy too.

"Bibisita kami paminsan-minsan."

"Sure!"

Karga-karga ng mga tauhan ni Dad ang mga gamit ko para ipasok na sa sasakyan ni Nhelandrie. Napangiti ako nung makita si Granny sa garden na nakatayo at pinagmamasdan ang nangyayari. I run towards her and she was caught off-guard when I gave her a tight hug.

"I've never seen you this happy, apo," she hugged me back and chuckled.

"Me too, Gran." Tumabi ako ng tayo sa kanya habang yakap-yakap pa siya sa kanyang gilid.

Naiiyak ako sa tuwa habang abala ang mga mata ko sa panonood sa lalaking naka-pushed back ang buhok. Pinagpapawisan siya at tumatawang kausap si Dad.

"I owe that boy. Do you love him?"

"Yes, Granny. Nhelandrei taught me a lot of things that no one can."

"Live your life to the fullest, Klare. Don't waste your life like our ancestors did." Ngumiti ako at pumasok na sa sasakyan ni Nhelandrie.

Tumingin muna ako sa Mansion Centre, malaki ito at may tatlong palapag. Mas malaki pa nga yung garden at parking space kesa sa Mansion. I took a deep breath and sighed. This is it!

I'll be staying at the Aguilar's for a week. Nhelandrie finally transfered to a new school and his parents were happy that he decided to be concise about his decisions.

"Oh? May pupuntahan ka pa?" Tanong ko nung sa maling kanto siya lumiko. I confusedly looked at him and he's grinning.

"Can you please answer me? I know you're planning something naughty, Nhelandrie." Binigyan ko siya ng matalim na tingin nung tawa lang ang sagot niya.

"Hey!" I poked his arm. It's still bugging me kung saan kami papunta. I saw him pursed his lips and shake his head.

He's not really telling me.

I am the Vice President of Keyyato Private Academy and I was best known for having the longest patience, but Nhelandrie light up the fireworks. I started playing with my fingertips when my mind wanted to hit the brakes and ask him before we could go to wherever we're going.

"Please tell me you love me." Bigla niyang hininto ang kanyang sasakyan at nagulat akong ginawa niya iyun para lang tanungin ako.

"I love you, Nhelandrie. Quit playing, your parents must be waiting for us." My brows furrowed when he keeps smiling like an idiot winning the lottery.

Lumabas ito ng sasakyan at umikot para pagbuksan din ako. After I got out, I realized that we're at the supermarket.

Nauna itong maglakad at nakapamulsa. Sinundan ko siya na laglag ang panga. Every corner of the glass window has a red writing saying, 'You're perfect, know your worth.'

Yung glassdoor ay may ganun din at may mga nakikita rin akong stickers ng happy faces.

Binilisan ko ang paglakad nung huminto si Nhelandrie. Malaki ang ngiting nakatingin ito sa pader kaya gusto ko ring makita kung ano iyun.

"N-nhelandrie," nakangangang sambit ko at tila tumigil ang pag-ikot ng mundo. Ramdam ko ang pangingilid ng mga luha ko habang nakatingin sa painting na nasa pader. We didn't finished it last time pero gulat ako nung tapos na iyun. I can't believe that i'm staring at the most beautiful masterpiece.

The lotus flower was painted in a half kasi nga hindi namin natapos. Sa kabilang side ay painting ng isang mata... mata ko to be exact. The olive color that matches my pale skin. It seems really realistic na parang ang mata ko ay unti-unting naglalaho at nagiging lotus flower.

"You painted this?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko. I know that Nhelandrie only knows how to blend colors but he doesn't really paint.

"Jaden helped me out. He's an old friend, we had our last good bye's and conciliation. We both finally moved on." Tumango ako at ngumiti. I understand what he's talking about. It's about what happened four years ago.

Lumapit ako sa pader at dahan-dahang hinimas iyun. Tuyo na at mas makikita mo ang mga details sa malapitan.

"Thank you, Nhelandrie."

"You're always welcome, Klare."

Naramdaman ko ang mga mata kong napaluha. I could feel the emphasize beating of my heart and it shouts Nhelandrie's name.

"I just want to show you that. Let's go? You can come anytime." Natatawang hinawakan ni Nhelandrie ang kamay ko at iginaya pabalik sa sasakyan namin. Parang ayokong umalis, the painting is just captivating.

Nung pumasok na kami sa sasakyan ay may mga nakikita akong mga tao na napapahinto dahil sa painting at ang iba ay nagpapakuha pa ng litrato.

"Mukhang headlines bukas ang chains of supermarket niyo." Saad ko.

"Baka nga magmakaawa sayo ang mga client ni Dad na pintahan din ang mga franchise nila."

"I'm always happy to paint for you. I just need you in exchange."

"You can have me all you want, Miss Vice President."

Pinaharurot na niya ang kanyang kotse habang ako ay panay ngiti habang umiiling. Unbelievable.

"Date tayo," sabi niya na ikinasalubong ng kilay ko.

"Your parents are waiting, Nhelandrie."

"We have all the time in the world. I promised na idi-date kita diba?" Oo, naalala ko na nangako nga siya nung prom.

"Fine, have it your way, Mr. Aguilar." Napangiti ako nung makita siya bumungisngis na parang bata. I'll never get tired being with this man.

[END]