Tough & Classy

Chapter 58

Chapter 58: "Then he kissed me. And finally, it felt like the world was no longer burning around me."

"Why?"

Without warning, a tidal wave of emotions washed over me, tears brimming in my eyes. I ambled towards the wall of the master bedroom, where he had thoughtfully and artistically assembled a gallery of cherished photographs. I remember all the photos of us he placed on the wall; each one has a significant story of our journey together.

One photo was taken on our first day as a couple. I was seated at the rear of his pickup truck, with him standing between my legs. My arms were wrapped around him in a loving embrace from behind. Love and happiness were evident on our faces. 

"Claire?" He was standing by the door, shocked to see me.

Despite the tears running down my cheeks, I smiled at him and said, "I remember this one perfectly," I uttered, touching one photo. "It was our first out of the country trip. Japan. Just the two of us."

Slowly, he walked towards me. 

"Naalala mo, I made a detailed itinerary of our trip kase I wanted it to be perfect kaso palpak lahat."

He nodded, looking at the photo. "You were quite frustrated and cranky."

"Yes. And unfortunately, ikaw yung naging tagasalo ng frustration ko," I said, chuckling. "But you were so patient and understanding. I remember pa na you told me to screw it and be spontaneous kase it's more fun that way. And you were so right. After that, I learned to be more spontaneous."

The memory was so vivid like it only happened yesterday. 

He smiled a little and pointed at the photo above. "You remember that one?"

I wiped my tears. "How could I not? It was our first Coachella. Initially, nag-iinarte pa ako diyan kase I don't like crowded places, 'di ba? Pero sabi mo it would be fun. And again, you were right. I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to attend it as often as possible."

I took a deep breath. "Grabe. We have so many fun and meaningful memories together. You were a huge part of my life."

Looking at the photos and realizing that we would never have those moments back made me break down in tears. Sadness filled me up suddenly.

"Sorry. I'm sorry. Hindi ako nagpapaawa sa'yo ha? It's just that the photos..." I just clacked my tongue and turned my back as my tears wouldn't stop. "I should go." 

Leave, Claire, before your will gets weaker. But there's something I want to ask him before I close this chapter of my life. 

I turned to face him and looked him in the eye. "Why? Why put all those photos there? Para saan?"

As soon as I voiced out the questions in my head, I immediately regretted it. Why did I even have to ask? Masokista ba talaga ako? Ano ba ang ini-expect ko na sagot mula sa kanya? I raised my hands to stop him.

"No. You don't need to answer that. It was a stupid question." I shook my head, thinking how stupid I really was. "I might miss my flight. I should get go-"

"I am still madly, deeply, irrevocably in love with you." 

My mouth parted in surprise. 

His mouth curved into a small smile. "I tried to live my life without you. Akala ko kaya ko. Pero ilang araw pa lang na wala ka, para na akong masisiraan ng ulo sa lungkot." He took a deep breath. "I was longing for you so much that I found myself putting all those photos there."