Sunrise In Your Embrace (Summer Love Series #1)

Chapter 39

"Pinakilala siya sa 'kin ng kaibigan ko. Noong nag-aaral pa lang ako sa Engineering."

We were sitting on the sand together, I was listening to him while he was telling his story about how she met Klaira. On the side of my head, I wanted to listen to him. Gusto kong malaman dahil alam ko na si Klaira ang naroon. Noong mga panahon na wala ako.

I don't want to get mad at Klaira for trying to get Elias. I wanted to understand her. So, I have decided that I was going to listen to him.

"Klai was just like you. Mayaman ang pamilya nila. Pero nakilala ko 'yong Mommy niya at... mabait sila sa 'kin. They made me stay in their house for a month. Nahihiya ako kaya pinilit kong maghanap ng trabaho para makaalis doon."

"Habang naroon ako sa kanila, naging magkasundo kami ni Klai. Naging magkaibigan kami habang naroon ako sa kanila. I was heartbroken. Palagi kang nasa isip ko kaya kahit sa anong pagkakataon, nakukwento kita sa kaniya. She knows about you. She's a nice woman if you just know her. After a month, I moved out of their house and just rented a small room in Manila. Malapit lang ako kung nasaan ang bahay niyo, minsan nga inaabangan kita sa gate ng village niyo. Hinihintay na baka makita kita roon." Elias played with his tongue, he looked down and bit his lower lip.

"Did you... fall for her?" I gulped and looked at him, waiting for his answer.

Lumingon siya sa 'kin at mahinang natawa. "I did not. Nakikita ko lang siya bilang kapatid. No. I can't say that she was a sister but someone that I also love in a platonic way."

"Kaso parang hindi pa rin," umiling siya. "Hindi ko masabi. Siguro infatuation lang 'yong naramdaman ko sa kaniya. Akala ko gusto ko siya pero.. hindi, kasi kahit saan ako tumingin, ikaw pa rin ang hinahanap ko. Minsan, hindi ko sinasadya pero nakikita na lang kita sa kaniya bigla. That's why at some point in my life.. I let her come to me as a woman." Napalunok ako sa sinabi niya.

"May nangyari ba sa... inyo?" I gulped hardly. Nakatitig lang ako sa kaniya at hindi inaalis ang tingin ko. Natatakot ako sa magiging sagot niya pero mas natatakot akong hindi ko malaman ang totoo.

"Wala." He answered. "But.."

"But?" Huminga ako nang malalim.

I saw his Adam's apple moved up and down. His eyes kept on moving, hindi siya makatingin sa 'kin at mukha siyang nag-aalangan sa sasabihin sa sasabihin niya.

"I'm sorry but this would hurt you..." He held my hand and stared at my eyes. "I touched her."

I bit my lower lip. Mas mabilis pa sa alas kwatro na tumulo ang luha pagkapikit ko ng mga mata ko. Nang dumilat ako ay nakita kong nakatitig siya sa 'kin, eyes full of pain and regret.

"Patawarin mo 'ko, Chantal," mahina niyang sabi. "I feel like I've cheated on you while you were away."

I slightly gave him a nod. Hindi ko alam kung paano ako magrereact sa sinabi niya. Though, I did not feel that he do. I don't feel cheated on because we were not in a relationship when it happened. He have the right to be with a woman. But I couldn't deny the truth that there was a sting of pain I felt on my chest when he admitted that he have touched her.

"Alam kong mali ako. Mali ang ginawa ko kay Klai. Lahat ng nangyayari sa kaniya ngayon, kasalanan ko. I shouldn't have let her get close to me. I couldn't give back the love that she wants to give me. Hindi ko siya kayang mahalin dahil.. may iba pa rin akong mahal. I hope that someday she will understand. Pero kaya kong akuin lahat ng kasalanan, I know I did her wrong. I admit that I was the one at fault."