[Xylandria's POV]
Matamlay na tumango ako kay Mr. Gutierrez at nagpaalam na bago lumabas. Papunta sa parking lot ay natigilan ako nung makita ang magkambal kong pinsan na sina Timothy at Arthur.
"Ate Xy, pinapasundo ka sa amin ni Tito."
"Kaya ko na ang sarili ko. I have my own car." Supladang sagot ko at nilampasan sila para puntahan ang sasakyan ko.
"Ate," pigil sa akin ni Timothy.
"We know what happened. You can't fall in love with a disabled man." Napakunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya. Kinalas ko ang kamay niya mula sa pagkakahawak sa akin.
"I already did. I am in love with him and it's funny to hear all of you stopping me."
"He doesn't deserve you, ate!"
"That's not for you to say!" I shouted back. Nagtataas-bagang tinitigan ako ni Timothy habang inaawat siya ng kakambal.
"You never had a boyfriend, not even once and then you just want to end up with someone like him?!" Napabuhos ang luha ko nung mas tumaas pa ang boses ni Timothy. My cousin never shouted at me. Napahikbi ako at nanlalaban na tinitigan siya sa mga mata.
"Wake up, ate! Don't you know the reason why he stayed away? Because he knows that he's no fit for you. He's just a useless, hideous man sitting on a wheelchair!" I slapped him and it caused a deafening silence. I looked at him in rage. My eyes are sore and my hand felt ache.
"Walter is more than that and Walter deserves love more than any pathetic guys like you."
He was stunned for what I said and before they can even move, I hurriedly went inside my car and started the engine. I looked at the side mirror and saw my cousins looking at me disappointedly.
My eyesight is getting blurry, but I keep wiping the tears off my face. My heart aches for the argument I had with them, but I am left with no choice. I can't just depend on their opinions about my life.
.
"Maam, someone is waiting for you inside."
"Sino?"
"Tita ho siguro ni Mr. Holloway." Natigilan ako at umaapaw ang kaba sa dibdib ko. Si Miss Montivano? Bakit?
Binasa ko ang pang-ibabang labi ko at lakas-loob akong pumasok ng Sky Autumn. May babaeng nakatalikod at nakaupo sa pwesto ko. Pinanliitan ko ito ng mata nung parang hindi siya si Miss Montivano. Sinong Tita ni Walter?
"Good afternoon," bati ko para makuha ang atensyon niya. Agad naman siyang napalingon at nagulat ako nung si Coach Savannah pala iyun.
"Coach!" Bigla akong natuwa. Ilang taon na rin kaming hindi nagkita at wala rin siya sa party nung kamakailan.
"Xylandria, long time no see. You look stunning as always." Umabot ang kanyang ngiti sa seaweed niyang mga mata.
"Thank you. Sabi ni Fiona ay gusto mo raw akong kausapin." Humugot siya ng malalim na hininga at inanyayahan akong maupo.
"I've heard that you're in love with Walter. Xylandria, maganda ka, matalino at talented. Hindi ako magtataka kung libo-libo ang nagkakagusto sayo." Matamis siyang ngumiti sa akin pero bakas ang lungkot sa kanyang mga mata.
"Isang linggo nang hindi pumupunta rito si Walter pero araw-araw ka pa ring naghihintay sa kanya. Nawala na ang nakakahumaling na mukha ng pamangkin ko at baldado na, and yet you chose to fight your love for him. Your love is unconditional, Xylandria."
"Nais niyo rin ba akong lumayo?" She chuckled before taking my hands and gently held it.
"I'm not like Rosalie, Xylandria. I will always seek for my nephew's happiness even if it means hurting him in the end. Gusto ko lang na sumaya siya kahit isang araw lang o isang oras. Walter deserves to be happy, so don't listen to what everyone tells you. Both of you deserves each other."
I'm thankful for what Coach Savannah is saying. I really need someone like her especially that I just had a fight with my cousins. I feel like that everyone is against us and Coach Savannah is an angel.
"W-will you help me then?"
"Of course!" Lumiwanag ang mukha ko sa mabilis niyang pagsagot.
"How?"
"Ako na ang bahala."
.
Coach Savannah invited me to a family gathering. She said that she'll back me up in case Miss Montivano will try to kick me out. Besides, it is only Miss Montivano who has an issue against my feelings to her nephew. Maam Cynthia and Sir Immanuel who are Walter's parents is actually supporting me.
Kaya i'm rest assured na walang magagawa si Miss Montivano. Siya lang ang may ayaw sa akin pero sa family ko naman, lahat sila ay ayaw kay Walter.
I wore an a-line dress and a campbell espadrilles. I didn't bother to wear any make-ups, I just tie my hair in a braid headband and I look naturally perfect just the way I am.
Sa condo unit ako ni Coach Savannah nagbihis para hindi ako mapigilan ng mga magulang ko. I ignored hundreds of their calls. They won't understand me.
"Ready ka na?" Tanong sa akin ni Coach Savannah at napahanga ako nung makita ang umiidlak na gold wrap dress niya.
"O-opo, Coach."
"Just call me Tita. I'm not your Coach anymore, Xy." Masunurin akong tumango.
Sabay kaming bumaba at may naghihintay na sa aming chauffeur. Habang nasa loob kami ng limousine papunta sa Holloway Residence ay hindi ko maiwasang tanungin si Coach sa mga bagay-bagay.
"Where have you been?"
"Traveling the world, being wildly free as I can be."
"Wala ka pa bang anak o asawa?"
"Wala akong plano, Xylandria." Natatawang sagot niya sa akin.
"Mukhang susunod ka rin kay Miss Montivano."
"The only difference is, hindi mainitin ang ulo ko." Sabay kaming napahalakhak. Si Coach ay kapatid ni Tito Immanuel habang si Miss Montivano naman ay kapatid ni Tita Cynthia. Sa magkaparehong side ay meron talagang ayaw mag-asawa.
"Do you think i'm stupid, Tita? Chasing for Walter, I mean."
"Chasing is never been stupid, as long as you know when to stop. Okay lang na maghabol pero hindi yung tipong nagiging marupok ka na. Tell me, sinabi ba ni Walter kung mahal ka ba niya o hindi?"
"W-wala pa po siyang sinasabi."
"Then you have enough reason to chase. If he loves you too, then be with him. 'Pag sinabi niyang ayaw niya sayo, matuto kang sumuko at huwag nang magpumilit."
BINABASA MO ANG
Teardrops on a Sketch Pad
Roman d'amour[COMPLETED] Xylandria Rodriguez, the most gorgeous woman alive who consider things worthy if it possesses beauty. Her ideology took a huge turn after picking up a forgotten sketch pad owned by a world-class athlete, Walter Holloway, who is now stuck...
