The Beauty of Tomorrow (Montejo Siblings #2)

Chapter 22

CONFESSION

"Pagtitiisan ko nalang muna. I can do that... I can't do anything either." Maddieson said seriously.

I listened to him attentively. Ikenwento niya sakin ang lahat. Kung paano nagalit ang daddy nila, at kung paano nag-away si Darius at ang Mommy nila. And that was really hard for him, I can feel his every emotions.

"I asked her why did she ever came back, after so many years?" He chuckled nonchalantly. "And she said only one thing..."

Humigpit ang hawak niya sa kamay ko. Our hands are interlock and he placed them on his lap. Sa kabila ng malamig na hangin na nagmumula sa labas ng bintana ng kanyang kotse ay ramdam ko ang init na hatid niya.

"...Gusto kong bumawi sa inyo." Napailing siya. "For some reason, I didn't feel anything..."

Nakikinig lang ako sa kanya dahil wala naman akong alam na puwedeng sabihin. My mother told me that it's okay if you're not good at giving advices, as long as you know how to listen, and that is already enough. There's no difference naman. Mag-advice ka man o makinig, pareho mo pa ring mapapagaan ang loob ng isang tao. As long as mailalabas nila ang mgahinanakit nila.

"I suggest to give her time, James..." I breathe. "Give her time and chance to prove herself again."

Nagangat siya ng tingin sakin. My brown eyes met his gray one. Lungkot at kalituhan ang makikita ko sa mga mata niya.

"You think so?"

I nodded. "Walang magagawa ang galit mo. She's still your mother, bali-baliktarin man ang mundo. May nagawa man siyang mali, pero maaari pa din niyang maitama 'yon sa ibang paraan."

He stared at me for long. Ngumiti ako para ipakitang magiging maayos lang ang lahat. I have my own problem, but here I am... dinadamayan siya. Though, it's okay. Gusto kong maging maayos siya.

"Bahala na..." He murmured. "As if I have other choice."

Napangisi ako sa sinabi niya. Yes, he had no other choice. Magalit man siya, alam kong hindi siya makakatiis. Magtampo man siya ay alam kong lilipas din 'yon.

After that he drove me home. Alas-dose na kami nakauwi dahil kumain pa kami. Doon ko lang napagtanto na ang tagal pala namin doon sa lugar na 'yon.

I don't know, but every time we're together I always forgot the time. Parang wala akong pakialam sa oras kapag siya ang kasama ko.

"Thank you for tonight, James..." I said, nakahawak na ako sa pinto ng kotse niya.

He shook his head. "No, I should be the one saying thank you." Aniya.

I shrugged. "Thank you lang?"

Tumaas ang kilay niya at mukhang hindi inasahan ang sinabi kong 'yon. Maya-maya lang ay kinagat niya ang pangibabang labi, nagpipigil ng ngisi.

"Do you have a class tomorrow?" He suddenly asked.

"Yap, sa umaga lang." Sagot ko.

"Let's go somewhere after your class, then." Anyaya niya.

Seryoso niyang sinabi 'yon. Nakatukod pa ang kanyang siko sa steering wheel at ang kamao niya ay nasa kanyang sentido. He licked his lower lip and raised a brow at me. Natauhan tuloy ako.

I fixed my hair, inipon ko 'yon mula sa likod at dinala sa aking kaliwang balikat. He watches my every move.

"Saan naman tayo pupunta?" I curiously asked.

"Lalabas tayo ng Ilocos Sur, you want that?"

My mouth parted. "Talaga?" Na-excite agad ako!

Kung matutuloy man kami bukas ay talagang magiging isa 'yon sa pinaka paborito kong tagpo na kasama siya. I suddenly thought of something... Na what if something unexpected happens that we will have to separate... how can I forgot him, if he is the only one who made me feel all my first time in life?