Traversing with the Infinity (Sun Rays #1)

Chapter 29

Chapter 29

His bare face and ears flushed a deep red, his lips slightly parted in a mix of surprise and confusion. For a moment, he was struck speechless, his gaze shifting away, avoiding my eyes.

I swallowed hard, feeling my own breath catch. Hindi naman ako nagbibiro, ano! I was serious about my decision. Even though he had not responded to what I had said, he slowly unfolded the paper I had given him, and that's when I knew, he had seen the words I had written there.

I just wished he would not mind my handwriting at this point. Wala kayang pinagbago ang sulat ko, ganoon pa rin.

Pero nag effort naman akong ayusin 'yon para hindi siya maurat na magbasa sa sulat ko.

"Magiging boyfriend mo ako?" mahinang aniya habang nakatitig sa papel. He shifted his gaze to meet mine once again. And there, I saw how his eyes gleamed with so much ease and joy.

"Oo, " I answered, full of bravery, but no regrets. Pinilit ko ang sariling huwag mautal bago sundan ang aking sinabi. "Kasi. . . mahal na kita, Jayscen."

In that moment, he began reading the words I had written on the paper. I knew he could breeze through it quickly. It was just one paragraph, after all.

Meanwhile, I found myself fixed on the intensity of his gaze, locked onto the letter. Whirlwind of emotions churned inside me, but the nervousness was the strongest of them all.

I didn't even think about looking away. It wasn't that I couldn't. Honestly, I just could not tear myself away from the view before me. His eyes, so calm and steady as they scanned the page, were strangely mesmerizing.

Slowly, he lifted his gaze, and once again, our eyes met. His face and ears remained a vivid shade of crimson, not a hint of it fading.

Was he blushing? Kinikilig ba siya? I couldn't quite tell. His reaction was unreadable, leaving me uncertain if he was embarrassed, touched, or something else entirely.

"Na-miss kita. . ." he nibbled. "I missed you. . . so much." He almost buried his head on the table, failing miserably because I could still see his red ears and blushing face. "Thank you for loving me. You finally said it, Ritienzy. Wala nang bawian 'yon," he whispered softly.

"Hindi ko naman babawiin. Ang kailangan mo lang gawin, sabihin mo rin sa akin. Kasi. . . hindi matahimik 'to, oh." Even though my face was burning, I still pointed at my chest, right where my heart was, then at my head. "Palagi kang tumatakbo rito."

"Ah, that explains kung bakit nananakit na ang likod ko. I've been running through your mind," he joked

"Para ka namang sira!" reklamo ko at sumimangot.

"But seriously, I'm so happy." He took my hand and squeezed it gently, with so much care. "I was doing fine in the USA. I was deeply motivated. . . by you. You have always been my source of strength, Ritienzy."

"You're welcome, ha!" Labas-ngipin akong ngumiti sa kanya.

"Do you know why I used to call you Sunrize?"

Naalala ko na naman iyon. Sunrize. Ang hula ko nga noon ay pinalitan niya ng Rize iyong 'rise' sa sunrise. But now, why is he asking?

"Bakit?" tanong ko.

"Because it reminds me of the sunrise when we used to walk to school together—the golden light slowly seeping through after the deep blues of misty roads. I don't know, I just realized. . . you were like that light. The warmth of the early morning sun against my skin was something unforgettable, something I don't want to miss everyday. And when it reminded me of you. . . it gave me a reason to wake up, to welcome the morning, to move forward. . . and to meet you. . . again."