Find me in your pages | THE WATTYS 2023

Chapter 19:

We were at the top of a hotel building. We did book for a night but I paid for our meals to keep it even. Nakatingin kami sa taas, ang daming bitwin, the moon was only showing a crescent shape, but still. It was beautiful. "Xerena...The moon is beautiful, isn't it?" Tanong nya sa akin na may ngiti sa kaniyang labi.

Maybe I was too stupid to realize what she meant by that for now. "Very. It's very beautiful." Sagot ko sa kanya. I wasn't even aware of what it really meant. But I did admire the way the moon looked for tonight.

If I could put what I feel into words, I can safely say that the skies looked as beautiful as her. "You're lost in your own thoughts again..."

"Nothing...I'm just a bit exhausted I guess. But the skies are really pretty...I'm glad I was able to share this moment with you." I whispered habang nasa malayo na naman ang tingin. I wish I could write this moment in my memories. It was precious. It was golden.

Bumalik na kami sa room namin makalipas ang isang oras na pagtambay namin sa May rooftop. "Are you tired, Xerena? You should go and take a bath muna before we sleep so you'll feel fresh!"

"Then...I can hug you?"

"All night long, of course!" Masaya na alok sa akin ni Cleo. My heart beats twice faster around her. I feel butterflies on my stomach, she was beautiful and sweet. "Now go. I'll take a bath after you."

"Hmm fine...Sabi mo eh." Tamad ko na bulong kay Cleo bago ako pumunta sa loob nang cr dala ang towel.

I turned on the shower right after I got naked and after I locked the door. I adjusted it to the right temperature for me. Sana hindi na mauling pa yung nangyari sa amin ni Nikolai. I can trust Cleo, pero what if magkulang ako sa magiging relasyon naming dalawa? I didn't want to overthink about those things but that thought alone makes me feel anxious.

Am I doing enough?

Am I doing the right thing?

I'm not doing anything that would make her leave, right?

My thoughts were flooding my mind habang nagbababad ako sa ilalim bang shower. I didn't even notice the time passing. "Xerena you've been there na for almost an hour! Are you okay ba?" Cleo asked worriedly habang kumakatok sa cr and that's the moment when I snapped back to reality.

"Not yet but I'm fine here. Don't worry about me." Paalala ko sa kanya as I finally washed my hair and my body.

I don't deserve her.

But I'll be better to deserve that love she has to offer.

Natapos na ako mag shower as I wrapped my body with the bath robe na nasa loob nang cr. Lumabas ako with my hair wrapped in towel at napatingin naman sya agad. "You're so beautiful, Xerena...Are you even real?" Tanong nya pa sakin habang malambing na hinawakan ang aking mga pisngi. "Can I call you mine ba?"

"I'm already yours. We just need the label. But don't rush." Pinisil ko ang pisngi ni cleo at nginitian sya. "I won't run away from you. I'm not going anywhere." I reassured her and she believed it. May tiwala sya sa akin, and I wanna keep that trust with her. Just as badly as I want to keep her with me. "Now go take a bath sweetie. Magbibihis lang ako dito."

"R-right. That was my plan naman but oh god...You're just too handsomely beautiful to handle that I couldn't help but stare! I can't believe you're my future boyfie!"

"Get used to it." Kinindatan ko sya at mukha naman syang mamamatay na sa kilig bago sya pumasok sa banyo para maligo.

What we had felt nice. Maybe I was falling for her. I'm falling hard for her. Nothing could possibly go wrong, as long as I'm being careful with what I do, as long as I'm careful with her heart.