A Collision of Hearts and Heroes

Chapter 8

Clarissa's POV

Application

I stayed at the seashore to witness the setting sun. Gusto kong kuhanan ng larawan ang papalubog na araw kaya dumito muna ako habang sila ay nagluluto pa rin doon. I was looking at the pictures I took when someone stood beside me.

"It looks magical," Lyle said.

When I glanced at him, he appeared to focus intently on the panoramic view. Napatingin na rin ako roon. The sky took on an orange hue, signaling the setting of the sun. Its color was mirrored on the shore, which created a glowing effect.

"So beautiful," I muttered.

"Sobra," aniya.

Napangiti ako at nang tingnan ko siya ay nakatingin na pala siya sa akin. He looks so serious right now while staring at me. Malayong malayo sa mapang-asar at maingay na Lyle. I couldn't help but smile by witnessing him this way. If I ever didn't know him, I would have probably thought that he's mesmerized based on how he gazes at me.

"Bakit ganiyan ka makatingin?" Tanong ko na parang may galit sakaniya.

"May kulangot ka kasi," sabay tawa niya.

I slapped his shoulder. Hinimas niya ito at umarteng nasaktan talaga, pero tumatawa naman. Okay na sana, e. I thought he'd be serious just for this moment, but what do I expect? He's Lyle Raven—playful and witty.

"Na-realized ko lang na may mas igaganda ka pa pala," he said in the middle of laughing.

I instantly turned my gaze toward him, and a cute smile adorned my face. Ngumiti rin siya nang makita ang reaksyon ko. He tapped my head lightly as he took a step sideways to close our distance... sakto lang na magtama ang mga braso namin. His hand remained on my head as if making it a resting place while looking at the scenic view.

"Nagpapa-cute ka pa ha," he murmured.

"I'm not. I'm just naturally cute," mayabang na may halong biro kong sagot.

"Oo na. Pero ano muna 'yong sinabi mo kanina?" Hindi niya pa pala nakalimutan 'yon.

I pouted and crossed my arms over my chest. Naisip ko na naman 'yong sinabi nila Naya at Mitch kanina. I removed Lyle's hand on my head and faced him. Nagtaas siya ng kilay bilang pagtatanong dahil sa biglaan kong galaw.

"Is it possible for you to like me?" Deritsahan kong tanong.

Nagulat siya sa tanong ko na hindi kaagad siya nakapagsalita. I witnessed how he got stunned for a while before licking his lips. Umawang ang labi niya ngunit walang lumabas na salita galing sakaniyang bibig. I hissed after a minute of silence and looked away. I already knew what the answer was. Hindi pa man niya sagutin ay alam ko na ang sagot. Sa reaksyon pa lang na ipinakita niya.

"Forget it. I know you don't like me," I chuckled.

"Bakit mo natanong 'yon?" He asked me instead.

"Wala lang. Naya and Mitch were teasing me about you earlier. Pero hayaan mo na. Alam ko namang hindi ka magkakagusto sa akin," I slightly chuckled. "Let's go back na nga. Tulungan na natin sila."

Hindi ko na hinintay ang sagot niya at umuna na sa paglalakad pabalik sa cottage. Naghahanda na sila para sa kakainan namin nang makarating ako. Lyle arrived right after we settled everything.

Tingnan n'yo nga naman. Iniisip ko pa man din bakit wala pa siya, e sinasakto niya lang pala sa oras ng kainan ang dating niya.

His gaze was on me when he entered. Deri-deritso lang ang lakad niya and I thought he was going somewhere else, but he positioned himself between Alchie and me. Wala na masyadong space sa gitna namin pero pinilit niya talagang isiksik ang sarili sa pagitan namin.