[CALL]
Jachin
10:32
Uhm, hello?
Evie? Are you—is everything okay? 'Di ka na nagreply sa'kin.
May—may mali ba akong nasabi?
. . . .
No, no. It's just—I'm just overwhelmed.
I can't—I can't say anything.
It's okay.
Biglaan din ako 'no?
Sorry. . .
It's not that.
Then what is it?
Do you not feel the same way?
No! I do.
Evie breathes heavily.
Evie? Are you okay?
Y-Yes. I am fine.
Pwede ba akong pumunta?
Why?
Kasi gusto ko marinig mula sa 'yo na gusto mo rin ako.
I want you to look me in the eye and tell me.
Kasi tapos na ako sa 'di sigurado. Tapos na ako sa paghihintayin ako.
. . .
I want to feel your warmth.
Jachin felt his smile behind the carefully tucked phone between his chin and shoulder.
Gusto lang pala magpayakap. Sana sinabi mo na kanina.
I want to see you too.
(chuckles)
Evie felt her heart soared to new heights upon hearing his laugh.
Evie?
Huh? Oh, sorry. I just like
hearing your laugh.
. . .
Evie?
Yes?
Thank you for waiting for me. Alam ko na alam mo kung anong nangyari sa'min ni Mila.
. . .
Alam mo kung paano ako umiwas sa kanila, sa kanya. . . just to heal myself, just to feel something.
. . .
Jachin no longer felt numb whenever it was brought up.
He now felt the renewed strength to move forward.
You were so brave for that.
Nung una, hindi ko alam kung paano ulit magsisimula—kung paano makakalimutan 'yong gabing 'yon. I wished I could erase it.
. . .
Pero pinaalala mo sa'kin na kailangan kong maintindihan si Mila para mapatawad ko siya. Na hindi ko dapat unahin 'yong galit ko. Na kailangan ko munang makinig bago magsalita.
Nung bumalik ako sa probinsya, there were nights when only the thought of you kept my heart from breaking.
. . .
Evie heard Jachin's sharp intake of breath.
Kasi 'di mo lang pinulot 'yong mga piraso ng puso ko, you also understood what it needed to heal it back together.
* * *
#ATSWHIwp
BINABASA MO ANG
as the stars would have it
RomanceAFTER HEARTACHES SERIES #1 Evie Santandes was always the odd girl, and she was fine with it. Between caring for her three cats, all with different personalities, volunteering at a local veterinary clinic, and studying, she doesn't have much time on...
