Taste of Sanity (Seven Deadly Sinners #4)

Chapter 32

"ANG GANDA ng buwan, 'no?"

She lightly squeezed my hand that made me look at her. "Honey, did you know that the phrase 'The moon is beautiful, isn't it?' in Japanese, is like a confession of one's love to another?" Kwento niya habang mabagal na naglalakad kami sa dalampasigan.

Malakas ang alon kaya nararamdaman sa paa namin ang malamig na tubig. Maging ang ihip ng hangin ngayong hating-gabi ay malamig, at niyayakap kami sa paraan na hindi namin maaaring makalimutan. I will certainly remember the feeling of serenity in this night.

The full moon reflects through the great sea that makes it appear more charming and captivating. The scenery is breathtaking enough to be adored by mere humans. Madilim, pero nagliwanag dahil dito. It illuminates through the darkness that made the desperate souls try to hold onto that obscure light.

The universe and heavens never fail to amuse me and bring tranquility into my system, as though its aesthetic beauty alone is sufficient enough to fill the gap inside one's longing heart, yet at the same time, it triggers the bitter memories of the grievous past.

"Mahal naman talaga kita." Simpleng sgot ko kaya malawak siyang napangiti. She's making my every day better.

"What did you love about me, sweetie?" She randomly asked while we're walking to no particular destination. We are lost with each other's presence.

"Hindi ko alam, Eve." Nagkibit-balikat ako at nilanghap ang malamig na hangin. "Hindi naman din kailangan ng rason para magmahal. There's so many reasons to dislike you, but I found myself helpless in your presence. I must say, I chose you."

Tumatama ang alon ng dagat sa mga paa namin dahil nakapaa lang kami. Malamig, pero may mainit na pakiramdam sa loob ko dahil kasama ko siya. This feels therapeutic.

Naalala ko ulit ang usapan namin ni Tita noong nagkita kami para malaman ko ang gusto niyang mangyari. I shook my head to dismiss my thoughts and looked up at my gorgeous Eve, who's currently admiring the night sky and its stars.

How can I leave the woman I love most? How can I leave her when she's this happy with me? It will definitely destroy her. Or worse, she might take her life just to follow me.

What should I choose?

Who... must I choose?

I breathed shakily while stuck with the agonizing frustrations inside my chest. I must hold it. All I have to do is to be happy here, with her. I must be.

"Polaris, love, what are you scared of?"

I gulped at her question because it seems like she can feel my anxiousness. "Death." Simpleng sagot ko para pagtakpan ang nararamdaman. "Nakakatakot mamatay." Bahagya akong ngumiti sa kan'ya. "Hindi dahil sa sarili ko, kundi dahil maiiwanan kita." Pinisil ko ang kamay niyang hawak ko. "Ayokong iwanan ka..."

"Then don't leave." She said as if it's such a simple thing.

"Paano kung kailangan?"

"What do you mean?"

Umiling ako sa kan'ya pero imbes na maglakad ulit kami ay hinawakan niya ako sa magkabilang pisngi para ipaharap sa kan'ya. "Baby, what is it?" Masuyong tanong niya, at may pag-iingat sa paghawak niya sa akin.

Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko na sumiksik sa kan'ya. "Evion, paano kung... h-hindi kita piliin?" I asked hesitantly and it felt like there's a huge lump in my throat, preventing me to speak my truth. Maging ako ay hindi ko gusto ang bagay na iyon.