A Collision of Hearts and Heroes

Chapter 18

Clarissa's POV

Crumbled

Nakatitig lang ako sa dalawa, hindi malaman kung ano ang sasabihin. I can feel Zedi's presence behind me, but she did not bother to interrupt; she only signaled that she'd go first—perhaps to give us some privacy. Gusto ko siyang pigilan pero tuloy-tuloy siyang naglakad palayo.

"This is for you..." Lyle muttered after seconds of silence.

"I brought this for you..." Si Gasper naman.

I never envision them in this situation, and looking at them right now, pinched my heart.

I evade my gaze to the shore. Malakas ang hampas ng alon ngayon na sinabayan nang marahas na pag-ihip ng hangin. Papalubog na rin ang araw kaya nag-iiba na ang kulay ng kalangitan at kapaligiran.

"I'll accept—"

"My flowers?" Lyle cut me off due to his excitement.

I unconsciously glared at him. Natahimik siya at kunwari zi-nip ang bibig. He stood up properly, resembling a polite kid.

"I'll accept both of your bouquets," I continued. "But I sincerely hope that there won't be another incident like this," tiningnan ko sila isa-isa. "And please... Fix your friendship. I don't know what was going on with you both, but I want you to keep your friendship."

"I apologize because I can't promise," si Gasper ang unang nagsalita.

"Let us deal with it. H'wag mo nang problemahin 'yon, okay? So, please don't worry about our 'friendship'." Lyle emphasized the word friendship—as if implying that it was already tainted.

"Don't be pathetic, guys. Kung talagang genuine ang nararamdaman n'yo sa akin, kahit 'yon nalang, gawin n'yo para sa akin."

They both looked away. Sa paraan ng pag-iwas nila sa isa't isa ay ramdam kong walang magpapakumbaba. I couldn't bear the situation dragging on, so I bravely went closer to them, seizing the flowers they were holding.

"I'll accept the present only this time. Uulitin ko, ayaw ko nang may kasunod." I said and walked away.

Mabibigat ang hakbang ko papunta sa parking lot. Sinalubong ako ni Zedi sa nagtatanong na mukha. I refused to answer her and simply got into the car. Once settled inside, my focus shifted to the bouquets. Nagpakawala ako ng buntong hininga bago inilagay sa backseat ang bigay nilang dalawa.

"Confirmed! They're not in good terms," I said as I started the engine of the car.

"Well, you should expect it. Tinuring na nila 'yong isa't isa na karibal, so..." Zedi shrugged.

Para akong nanlumo. Everything's getting complicated. Sobrang daming what if ang pumapasok sa isip ko ngayon: What if si Lyle lang 'yong nagkagusto sa akin o 'di kaya hindi siya nagkagusto sa akin—at all? What if hindi si Gasper 'yong naging crush ko simula pa lang? What if walang nagkagustuhan talaga? What if si Gasper at Lyle nalang 'yong nagkagusto sa isa't-isa?

Okay, enough. That was nonsense!

I only want to get over Gasper in peace, why is this happening? Mababaliw na ata ako sa mga nangyayari. I'm uncertain about the actions I should take and the decisions I need to make. Pero siguro I need to allow things to unfold naturally and go with the flow? Hindi ko na alam talaga.

On that very evening, Mommy reached out to me and requested that I would take charge of the company for a week, as she will be returning to Panggasinan. Since Kuya Emerson is occupied with MPL, there won't be anyone to fill in for Mom while she's away. Obligado na naman po tayo, opo, kahit may tao tayong ayaw makita.