Clouded Hearts

7: Courting

Astraea

"I just want to talk." He said

"Wala ng dapat pagusapan Gael. My friends made it clear to you earlier right? Hindi ka ba natatakot sa kanila?" He shook his head.

"Wala naman akong dapat ikatakot. Like I said, I like you for so long. And I wanna fight for you even if that means I'll go against your friends." He tried to reach for my hand again but failed.

"Gael stop touching me." I licked my lower lip when I saw how desperate he is.

"Maawa ka naman sa sarili mo. You look so desperate. Wala ka na bang kahihiyan? Ayokong maging rebound mo, please lang."

"Hindi kita gagawing rebound. I don't have feelings for Stacy. She's my girlfriend because my father said so. I am just following orders, rhea. But now, I have all the courage to express my real feelings for you. I don't want to be with her anymore, I'm tired already."

Rhea, pick up yourself. He's just making stuffs for you to become soft.

"Stop it Gael. I won't entertain your skits anymore. If you're tired, get a rest and stop pestering me." I firmly said

"I thought you like me?" He said ng tatalikuran ko na siya. I stopped

"Is there no chance? I just need one, rhea. One for me to proove how much I like you." I looked at him.

"Just one chance, rhea." He now successfully held my hand.

"What do you want me to do? Kneel? I am willing to kneel just to have that chance. I'm ready to beg. Just say it." Luluhod na sana siya pero pinigilan ko siya.

"Gael, ano ba! Ayokong magkaroon kami ng conflict ng mga kaibigan ko!" I shook his hand off in mine.

"Sila ba? Sila ba ang humihila sa'yo palayo? Sila ba yung dahilan kaya ayaw mo? Sila ba yung humahadlang para makapagdesisyon ka?" He asked. I shook my head.

"Gael, tama na. Mapagod ka naman. Stacy is suffering because of you. Be like a real man. If you truly like me for so long, you should've pursue me back then and not her. Stop victimizing yourself because you have a choice, we always have a choice."

"I don't! I don't rhea! If I pursue you that time, you wouldn't be here right now. They threatened me rhea, they said they will kill you so I did what I think is right. I did it for you, for your sake."

"STOP MANIPULATING ME GAEL!" I yelled at his face.

"I am not manipulating you. This is the real me, this is is the real reason behind all of it. This is the truth. I assure you, I will tell you everything but for now all I need is a chance." He said full of hope.

I took a deep breath. "Will you stop being like this when I give you a chance?"

"Being what?"

"Being insane." He nodded

I will surely regret this but it's now or never.

"Okay fine. Do whatever you want." I said. His eyes brighten up and his smiled shows.

You're so stupid. I know na magagalit sila Ice. Please, I don't want to have a fight with them but because of this, I think I'll be having a big fight.

Babawiin ko na sana ang sinabi ko ng bigla siyang yumakap sa akin.

"Thank you! Thank you so much rhea! I promise you, I won't waste that chance." He said happily. It's the first time I've seen him this happy. In all the years he's been with Stacy I've never seen him this happy.