We Could Have Been (Could Trilogy #1)

#WCHB15

#WCHB15

Sharyn's POV

"That's probably the worst painting you've ever seen in your life, but I still want to give it to you, Mr. Painter."

I handed Owen the paper bag which contained the painting I made for him. I wasn't good at painting. I can do it and probably pass an art class, but I cannot be an artist. Sakto lang siguro. Tinuruan din ako ni Owen ng mga technique nang mag-date kami noon sa Sip and Gogh. It's a place where you can paint and have some coffee.

What better gift a painter could receive was probably a portrait of him since they were used to making others' portraits so I tried to make one for Owen.

"I tried my best para maging gwapo ka dyan sa painting." I added. "I think I gave justice."

He chuckled a bit. "So, gwapo ako?"

"Yes." I honestly replied. "Kaya nga ang hirap gawin kasi ang gwapo mo."

"Likewise, Attorney."

Ay, ang sarap pakinggan ng Attorney kahit wala pa naman. Next week pa naman ang pasukan. Grabe na nga ang kaba ko, e. Sana huwag ako agad sa recit.

"What do you mean?"

"Check your office tomorrow." He winked at me.

"Wait, you painted me? I mean, you did before...but like a huge one? Like a masterpiece?" Excited na sabi ko. Nabanggit ko sa kanya noon na gusto ko ng malaking portrait na ilalagay ko sa opisina ko.

"Yes."

"Aww. Thank you so much." Hindi ko napigilan na yakapin siya.

Agad din niya akong niyakap. Hinaplos niya ang mahabang buhok ko. I could feel that there's still words left unsaid, but we both decided to have silence between us. He didn't let go kahit na ilang minuto na ang lumipas hanggang sa magsalita na siya.

"I love you, Sharyn." He sincerely whispered. "It will last even though you're not the last one I am going to love because you're the first one."

"That's gonna make me cry...and I don't wanna cry." Bumitaw ako sa yakap niya. "Come on, this isn't a goodbye, Owen."

"I know. I just want to say because maybe if we see each other again, I won't be able to say it. It's either I have someone else in my arms or it could be you."

"Could be both of us." I smiled at him. "We'll never know. But one thing is for sure, I'll be there for you. So you have to send me tickets to your exhibits."

"Yes. You will be the first one to have it."

I nodded and gave him a kiss on his cheeks. Nakita ko ang pamumula ng mukha niya kaya mahinang natawa ako.

"Mahal na mahal mo talaga ako, no?"

"Uh, stop teasing me. I might kiss you."

I immediately covered my lips although I know that Owen will not do it. During those days with him, never once did he take advantage of me.

"Sige na. Kanina pa tinatawag ang flight mo. Baka maiwan ka na ng eroplano," sabi ko. Tinataboy na siya palayo. "Go na."

Tumango siya at naglakad na papunta sa gate habang nanatili akong nakatayo roon. Malayo na siya nang lumingon siya.

"Huh?" I mouthed.

Owen smiled and me and waved his hands. That was the time I felt a fang in my heart. Akala ko ay wala dahil maikli naman ang pinagsamahan naming dalawa. Hindi rin naging kami. Pero masakit pala...masakit lalo na kapag pinahalagaan ka ng tao at ganun ka rin sa kanya.

It wasn't that painful. It's actually tolerable...but the pain just won't let you move for a minute as memories flashback, including those what-ifs and regrets. Although with Owen, I didn't have any of those. I only have happy memories...and the pain of him leaving. Still, there's this hope of coming back.

Malay ba natin kung hindi kami ngayon...pero kami sa future. We would never know.

I lifted my hand and waved at him. Yumuko siya tapos dahan-dahang tumalikod hanggang sa tuluyan na siyang maglaho sa paningin ko.

I wiped the drops of tears that fell from my eyes. Inayos ko ang sling bag sa balikat ko. I turned around and that exact moment someone bumped into me.

Like, seriously?

Nahulog ko ang sling bag ko kaya tumapon ang laman non. I was wearing peach turtleneck long sleeves tucked inside my plaid skirt and paired with my high boots so it was really uncomfortable to pick my things. Thankfully, this guy was so nice to pick it up for me.

I wasn't really sure who wasn't paying attention dahil I turned around...or maybe it was him kasi siya naman ang naglalakad papunta sa way ko.

I still said sorry, though.

"Sorry. I cannot...just..." I said, even though he wasn't paying attention. Busy kasi siya sa pagpulot ng mga nahulog na gamit ko.

It's just my small purse, lip balm, lipstick, compact mirror, tissue, phone, pieces of hair clips, and a pack of Haribo peach candy. Mabilis lang niya na napulot ito at nilagay sa bag ko.

I couldn't describe his face dahil natatakpan ito ng puting baseball cap tapos nakasuot rin siya ng puting cloth mask. Wait, he looks familiar and even his smell. I think he was wearing the scent of Jo Malone woodsage and seasalt.

"Here." Inabot niya sa akin ang bag ng matapos na ito. "I think I was able to pick it all."

"Uh, yeah," sabi ko sabay kuha nito. "Thank you."

Hindi na siya nag-react at mabilis na nilampasan na lang ako. E? Ang sungit.

Lumingon ako at sinundan siya ng tingin. He was only wearing a white polo shirt, white shorts, and white shoes. Ang linis tingnan. Not everyone can pull off an all-white outfit and he did great.

Hindi ko man lang nakita ang mata niya dahil nakayuko siya. Mukha pa namang gwapo siya. Sayang.

Wait, was he Hunter? I felt like they're the same...or was I wrong? Nevermind.

I checked around dahil baka may nakakalat pa ako na gamit. Wala naman na kaya tiningnan ko na lang ulit ang bag ko kung nandoon na ba ang lahat.

Napataas ang kilay ko nang mapansin ang hindi pamilyar na bagay sa loob ng bag ko.

"Eh? Singsing?" Kinuha ko ito at pinakatitingan ng mabuti ang silver ring. It was an infinity ring, and I don't remember having one.

Wait, did he put this by mistake, or did someone lose it and he thought it was mine after picking it up on the floor?

Muli akong lumingon para hanapin ang lalaki ngunit wala na siya sa loob. Umikot ako dahil baka hindi pa siya boarding...but I could no longer find him.

I ended up keeping the infinity ring waiting for someone to claim it.

TO BE CONTINUED...

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If you've reached this point, thank you once again for reading and supporting my story. It took me months to finish this short story, and as you may have noticed, there's an awkward narration, perhaps reflecting the awkwardness between Owen and Sharyn. HAHA. Or maybe it's just me. Anyway, that's how it's supposed to be. After all, this is just the beginning of Sharyn's story, and I hope you will continue to support the two other installments of this trilogy as it revolves around her true main lead—Hunter <3. Feel free to add "Almost Enough" to your reading list. You can also check out my other stories and follow me on Twitter: @artverneilwp.

PS: Sometimes, I wish Jhules and Sharyn had ended up together. Bwisit kasi si Eve (Oo, promoting Flawed O'Clock para mabwisit din kayo kay Eve Ryn. Hihi)