Love-struck

Chapter 24: New Start

Paris' PoV:

"H-Hey... Wag kang umiyak." But to my surprise, mas lalong lumakas ang paghagol-hagol nya. Natataranta na ako ngayon. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko mapapatahan si Autumn.

I quickly pulled her closer and hugged her. Mabilis na ibinaon ni Taglagas ang ulo nya sa aking leeg at kumapit sa akin nang mahigpit. She's clinging as if her life depends on me. She's afraid.

I can feel her tears. And it hurts me to know that I'm the reason on why she cried. Naninikip ang dibdib ko.

Napapikit ako nang mariin. Parang may mga kutsilyong sumasaksak sa akin. This is my first time to feel this. Talagang sinira na ni Taglagas ang pader na ginawa ko.

I want to slap myself. Sana pala ay hindi ko na inopen pa ang topic na 'yun.

Marahang hinaplos-haplos ko ang buhok ni Autumn. "Stop crying. I didn't meant it at all."

"No!" She exclaimed at sunod-sunod na umiling. "Hindi mo 'yun itatanong kung hindi sasagi sa ideya mo na hiwalayan ako."

My heart softened up. Guilt and regret are starting to eat my whole system. I should say sorry to her.

"I'm sorry, Taglagas. I'm really sorry." I hugged her much tighter. Ramdam ko ang pamumuo ng luha sa aking mata.

"It's just that...." Nagdadalawang-isip ako kung sasabihin ko ba sa kanya ang gustong mangyari ni Dad. I heaved a deep sigh. "You're right. Sumagi nga sa isipan ko 'yun. I wonder kung anong mangyayari sa atin kung maghihiwalay nga tayo."

With that, muling lumakas ang kanyang pag-iyak. She's crying endlessly like a child.

I badly want to slap myself. Aish. I'm really dumb about my choice of words.

Agad kong kinuha ang panyong nasa bulsa ko. I wiped her diamond-like tears. She doesn't deserved this. Autumn's too precious. Her heart is so soft. Hindi ko sya dapat sinasaktan ng ganito.

"That's why I'm sorry. I will never say it again. Hindi ko na ioopen ang topic na 'to." I said in a gentle and soothing voice.

"Please forgive me, my wife." I cupped her cheeks. Marahang dinampian ko ng halik ang kanyang dalawang mata na kanina ay lumuluha.

Kahit na anong anggulo, ang ganda nya pa rin talaga.

She directly looked at my eyes. "Paris, alam kong makulit, masungit, at mataray akong tao pero please, wag mo akong iwan."

"Just say it to me kung naiinis ka na sa akin, I swear, I'm willing to change myself for you."

My heart softened up when I heard those words from her. I admire her determination. I didn't know na ganon pala ang naiisip ni Autumn. But no, hindi nya kailangang gawin 'yon.

"You don't need to change yourself for me." Marahang hinaplos-haplos ko ang kanyang pisngi. "Tanggap kita kahit ano ka man, Taglagas."

"I chose you to be my wife. And I will choose you over and over again. Without pause, without a doubt, in a heartbeat, I'll keep choosing to stay with you, even it takes a lifetime." I leaned closer and kissed her.

The kiss that we shared was a passionate one. Hindi ito nagmamadali at punong-puno ng pag-iingat. Our lips are moving to the rhythm of our heart. Our tongue are dancing while we're exploring each other's mouth. Our heart are beating as one.

She complete me.

Ilang minuto rin kaming naging tahimik. We're still hugging each other. Tumigil na rin sya sa pag-iyak. Autumn makes me feel the comfort, the relaxation, and the peace of mind that I'm looking for. She's my home.