Say Yes

19

Chiara

Tension. It was just too high.

Kumbaga sa bawat love story, eto yata yung moment na make it or break it namin.

Him standing too close beside me makes me shiver to the core, the urge was either to push him or lunge myself for a hug. Hindi ko pinili ang huli as I held myself back.

Hinawakan ko ang braso niya na nasa kaliwa na nakatuon sa pinto, and he laid it down to his side. Humakbang ako palayo, papunta sa bintana.

His proximity, his voice, the questions he would throw to me, alam kong magiging mabigat.

Kailangan kong huminga.

Nakatingin ako sa kalawakan sa labas. Thinking where should I start.

Maybe from where we left off.

Bumaling ako sa kanya habang nakasandal ako sa pasamano ng bintana ng tree house, siya na nakasandal sa pinto na parang gwardya.

As if I am running away.

Have I scarred him that much when I left, na kahit dito sa tree house binantayan na niya ang pinto para hindi ako makalabas? I heard a click sound and saw him locking the door, really worried I might run.

Maybe no. Maybe yes.

"I am sorry Inigo." Yun ang unang lumabas na salita sa bibig ko. "I am sorry for leaving 5 years ago."

He leaned his head back on the door, giving out sharp breaths.

It was a long....

And a nervewracking silence.

"It was mom's 2nd death anniversary. Bago yung graduation. I saw you and Althea in your room."

Nakatingin ako sa kanya. At blangko na tingin lang ang isinukli niya.

"Galing ka nun sa CR, na bagong ligo, and I saw her only wearing your shirt, tulog siya, tapos lumapit ka sa kanya, you were covering her body and tucking her on bed." The memories were still crystal clear to me.

"Tapos narinig ko na kausap mo yung nanay niya, na ikaw na ang bahala sa kanya, that you will take care of her. I was fuming mad. So mad. Sa nanay niya, kay Althea.

.... sayo."

"All my rational thoughts were all out of the window. Never once na nakalimutan mo ako, only that day."

Impit lang ang tawang ibinigay saken ni Inigo, his eyes never leaving mine.

"Hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin ko Chiara---" his hand trailing on his now tousled hair. I can see frustration all over his face.

"Nung nasa kotse tayo, you told me you saved her---

"Sinugod niya si Tito John sa bahay niyo. Hindi ko alam noon kung bakit, pero now I understand after his birthday. Dinala niya si Althea, siguro natakot siya na madatnan mo sa bahay niyo, pero kami lang ni Manang Letty ang nandun. Paalis na sana ako ng bahay nung dinala siya ng daddy mo." Nagsimula ng magkwento si Inigo.

And I knew right then the decision I made 5 years ago was thoroughly messed up.

"I avoided her as much as possible, so si Manang ang nagbantay sa kanya sa kwarto ko hanggang makatulog siya. Tanda mo that time, the villa is getting renovated. The guest rooms are being repainted that time."

Ow yeah, I remember now.

"Tumawag si Daddy that time. Wag ko daw iiwanan si Althea hanggang makarating sila. Nakatulog siya nun, paggising niya----