Daughter Of The Moon (SELENE 2)

Chapter 20

“It wasn't my choice.”

Iyan lang ang tanging rason ko.

It was not my choice to die. I didn't choose to leave, but I need to. My parents chose it. For me to live. Kailangan akong ilayo sa kanila para gumaling at para lumakas. It wasn't my choice to leave him without even saying goodbye. Pero mabuti nga siguro at iyon ang nangyari. Hindi ako nakapag-paalam dahil 'di ko rin naman kayang magpaalam. I couldn't leave them, and that's for sure. I couldn't leave him, even though my feelings for him didn't stand a chance.

“You left without a goodbye. You left, leaving my cold room even colder. You left me crying— worried that it might be the last time I will see you. You left me broken, Selene. I love you, but you left me.”

My breath hitched at the sudden confession. Ang luhang kanina pa tumutulo ay kusang tumigil. Nanlalaki ang mga mata kong tumingin sa kanya. Ramdam ko ang paglakas ng tibok ng puso ko sa nalaman. Pero mas lumakas ito nang makita siyang nakatitig sa akin.

His eyes were full of sorrow and regrets of the past. Kitang-kita ko ang mga emosyon na kailanman ay ngayon ko lang nakita. His eyes were full of love as he stared at me.

“I love you, Selene. That was my truth for you.” He murmurs.

My mouth went agape. Stunned by his words. Did he really said that?

“You didn't have to tell me that you love me or not, Selene. I just want you to know what I feel.” Saad pa niya saka nag-iwas ng tingin.

Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin. I know to myself that I love him too. Minahal ko siya unang araw palang. Walang duda iyon. Pero pinipigilan ko ang sarili ko dahil alam kong wala akong pag-asa sa mga panahon na 'yon. He has Hannah with him. I see how he cares for her and it hurts. Pakiramdam ko'y walang-wala ang pagmamahal ko sa kanya kumpara sa pagmamahalan nilang dalawa.

And now. Now, that he said that he loved me even before. My heart jumped when he said that, at the same time, I can feel it sank. Thoughts of the upcoming war came across my mind. Me being the number one of the Death Arrow's list to kill. My blood.

Para akong binuhusan ng malalmig na tubig at agad na napailing. I can't tell him I love him. Wala akong kasiguraduhan kung mabubuhay pa ba ako sa oras na mangyari 'yon. Masama mang isipin pero ito ang realidad ko. My life is at stake, and I can't let Zach hold on to something I wasn't certain about.

“Can we...” I breathe. “Not talk about it for now? Gusto ko munang pag-usapan natin ang tugkol sa akin.” My tone was almost pleading as I said it.

'Hindi kita kayang paasahin, Zach.'

His lips formed into a thin line while he nodded. Napatango rin ako.

“I'll introduce myself first,” I said.

Tumingin siya sa akin ng may pagtataka. Ang mga mata niya ay nagtatanong kung bakit iyon ang sinabi ko.

Ngumiti ako ng matamis. Sa ngayon, hindi ko muna iisipin ang iba. Hindi ko muna iisipin ang maaring mangyari. Sa ngayon, gusto kong kami muna. Tungkol muna sa amin iisipin ko. At gagawin ko iyon mula sa simula. Ang ipakilala ang totoong ako sa kanya.

Tumayo ako habang nakasunod lang siya ng tingin sa akin sabay lahad ng aking kanang kamay.

“Hi, Alpha Zachary Stone. I'm Selene Carlton, daughter of Queen Serene Carlton, the moon goddess.” Marahan kong pagpapakilala sa sarili.