Under the Stars (Tonjuarez Series I)

UTS 22

Chapter 22

I had to stop to process what he said, his eyes were full of hope like he's pleading. I don't know but a part of my heart softened. The only part that is soft with him. His gaze touched something in me, I looked away. Couldn't contain the sudden feeling.

"U-Uh. Of course, we can..." I stuttered.

Lumiwanag ang mukha nito.

"Then, let's go?" yaya niya. I nodded to him like I was hypnotized.

Lumabas na ako at isinara ang pinto, we walked silently until we got out of the hotel. Habang papalapit sa dagat, rinig na agad ang malalakas na alon nito.

I smiled and closed my eyes when I reached the seaside. The breeze welcomed me the cold air touching my skin.

Umupo ito tabi ko sa mga buhangin. Ginaya ko siya at umupo rin, he folded his knees at ipinatong ang braso. I also folded my knees and hugged it. I stared at the sea in front of us, the sound of the wave fills something inside me like a healing therapy.

"Happy?" he softly asked.

"Yeah..."

He nodded his head looking satisfied with my short answer. "We can go again tomorrow,"

"Kahit hindi na, hindi naman ito ang pinunta natin dito."

"Gabi ulit?" pagpupumilit niya. I laughed.

"Sige na, bukas ulit ng gabi."

He chuckled.

"By the way, sila Lolo Damien at Lola Rosa. Paano mo sila nakilala?" I curiously asked.

"When we were kids every vacation we go here, Kuya and I always walked to play basketball at the plaza. Napapadaan kami sa bahay nila, lagi nila kaming niyayaya magmerienda. We go there every day and it became a hobby."

Paliwanag nito, habang nakatingin sa dagat.

I can clearly see his side view, the dark surrounding as his background highlighting his high pointed nose, thick lips and chiseled jaw.

"Kaya pala malapit ka sa kanila, sila ang una nating pinuntahan pagdating dito."

He nodded and licked his lips.

"I wanted you to meet them,"

I stared at him again. Speechless.

Parang nahugot ang lahat sa akin na sungitan o magalit sa kanya ngayon. I can't explain it, but his words right now sound so sincere.

"B-Bakit?" my heart started to beat louder as I waited for his answer.

"I promised them before, I will introduce you to them." he looked down, his ears turning red.

Lalong kumabog ang puso ko. Ako? Ipapakilala niya? Dati?

Magkakilala na ba kami noon?

"Akala ko ba, ang huling dalaw mo dito ay bago iyong aksidente? Kilala mo na ba ako noon? Tsaka, bakit ako?" I still had the courage to ask him.

Instead of answering, he pinched the bridge of my nose like I am a little kid. Iniwas ko ang mukha ko pero huli na.

He smiled playfully at me, then looked away. Parang may nakakatawa pero siya lang ang may alam.

"Ano nga?" kulit ko sa kanya. I pulled his arms to bother him. Pero dahil sa laki at lakas niya, parang hindi naman siya nagagalaw.

"Caden!" asar kong saad.

"Maybe someday, you'll know." there is seriousness in his tone. Lalong kumunot ang noo ko, mukha wala talaga siyang balak sabihin.

I pouted at him, binitawan ko na siya. Nabalot na ulit kami ng katahimikan.