ONE LAST KISS

CHAPTER 7

"Wow." I exclaimed when we finally entered the art gallery.

I was amazed how nostalgic this place is.
Vintage paintings and arts can be seen here.

Tahimik lang na naglalakad sa tabi ko si Nicholas. He's not even amazed. Maybe he's been here for how many times?

But I know he's happy for sure. He loves painting and arts.

"Do you like this place?" Tanong niya.

Nakatingin na siya sakin nang tumingala ako para tignan siya.

"Yes. Ang ganda." I said as I touched one of the paintings displayed in the gallery.

It was a portrait of a girl. Ang ganda nito.

"Ang ganda nga." He whispered, but not quite enough for me to hear it.

We're too close to each other.

I automatically looked back at the painting when I look up, I already saw him, staring at me. He's not even bothered. He didn't even look away.

My cheeks heated.

"This painting.." he trailed off, also looking at the painting that I was looking at. "Do you wanna know the story behind it?"

I nodded.

"This painting was made by Dencio Salvador, on year 1956. He painted it after his wife, Alyanna, died. After Alyanna died, he painted all their memories and built this gallery to store and display this paintings. In short, this gallery and paintings in here existed because of his love for his wife, Alyanna."

I was amazed, not just because he delivered it and know it well. Guess he's really that passionate in arts. He even knew the stories behind this paintings in here.

Dencio really loves Alyanna that much?

"Dencio really loves Alyanna." I paused. He nod. " I want to experience that too. To be loved genuinely, until eternity. I like to have somone like Dencio. Instead of forgetting his late wife and moved-on, he chose to built this and remembered all their memories."

He stared at me.

"I can be that someone." He stated.

Kumalabog ang dibdib ko sa narinig. Everytime my heart beats, I knew that it's because of him, Nicholas.

"I'm not saying this to pressure you, I just wanna let you know about my feelings. I just want you to feel me. I just can't say that I like you but won't let you feel it."

"Nicholas, I'm not pressured." I said.

He cleared his throat.

"I want to ask you, Elaine."

"What is it?"

"Naramdaman mo bang gusto kita?"

Unti-unting nawala ang ngiti ko.

Oo, sobrang naramdaman ko iyon. Walang araw na hindi mo pinaramdam sakin. Palagi mong pinaramdam sakin yung halaga ko. Gusto kong sabihin ito, pero natatakot ako. Pinangunahan na naman ako ng takot.