A Collision of Hearts and Heroes

Chapter 21

Clarissa's POV

Ceased

"Lyle, may naghahanap sa 'yo. Acozta raw!" Lyle's colleague yelled inside to announce that I'm at the company.

"No, it's okay po. I'll just wait for him," I stopped him for another shout.

Gagi, nakakahiya! Napatingin tuloy sa akin ang ibang employees sa loob. I only told him that I'm waiting for Lyle. Biglaan ba namang tinawag nang nakasigaw. To save myself from severe embarrassment, I covered my face a bit using my phone.

"Out na rin naman namin kaya baka palabas na 'yon," aniya.

It only took a while when I finally saw Lyle coming my way. Agad akong tumayo nang medyo malapit na siya sa akin. Unlike the usual him, he seems casual and formal today. I don't know if it's because he's inside the company or something personal.

"Naparito ka?" Tanong niya sa kalmadong tono.

"I wanna talk to you."

"Saan mo gusto?"

Sa totoo lang ay nanibago ako sa asta ni Lyle ngayon. The way he looks at me and speaks gives off an air of indifference that he's attempting to conceal. I didn't bring it up and brought him to the mini park across from the company building where he was undergoing his on-the-job training. Umupo kami sa bench, kaharap ng fountain na may mga batang nagtatakbuhan at naglalaro sa gilid.

"You came here to tell me to quit," He said with conviction the moment we both settled down. "You know, you don't need to. I already prepared myself that the moment you choose him, that's the endpoint. H'wag ka mag-alala, ire-respeto ko naman kayong dalawa."

"Walang dapat na piliin, Lyle. Yes, I came here to tell you to quit, not because I'm choosing him over you, but to end the commotion between the three of us."

"Wala ka ngang pinili, pero alam kong siya at siya pa rin ang nagwagi."

Then it hits me. I did not choose any of them, but the deep affection I felt for Gasper made it clear that he was the one my heart had chosen. Alam kong hindi ko kasalanan na si Gasper talaga ang nagustuhan ko, pero hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili na makaramdam ng konsensya.

"I'm not blaming you, alright? Hindi ako galit sa 'yo," Agap ni Lyle sa sinabi niya kanina. "It's Gasper whom you love, and you have nothing to feel guilty about it. Siya 'yong gusto mo kaya tama lang na siya ang piliin mo."

He shifted on his seat so he could see me. He then gently lifted my chin to ensure our eyes met. In that moment, our eyes locked, and all I could discern in his gaze was pain intermingled with genuine sincerity.

"I know he's great at loving someone, so I can guarantee that he will love you exactly how you wish to be loved. Alam kong hindi talaga ako, pero gusto kong mapunta ka sa taong alam kong mamahalin at iingatan ka nang tama... At siya 'yon."

My tears fell in an instant. The pain runs profound. Both of them are great in terms of love, and it breaks my heart knowing I've hurt them. They truly deserve so much more than what I've given them.

"You are, too. If you only know how much good you are at protecting my heart." I frowned for a couple of seconds before meeting his gaze. "I really appreciate you, Lyle. Sobra."

Napangiti siya nang konti, pinupunasan ang luha sa magkabila kong pisngi.

"But I am not the girl who deserves that."

"Deserve mo pa rin. Deserve mo lahat," aniya.

Hindi ko na napigilan at nahawa na rin sa mararahan niyang ngiti. I can't believe I hurt such a genuine man like him.