A Collision of Hearts and Heroes

Chapter 25

Clarissa's POV

Failed

I was driven by my emotions that I did not even hesitate to give him permission. Maybe it was his heartfelt plea that convinced me. And I hate to address this, but his demeanor suggests he still feels the same way he did five years ago.

Agad siyang umayos ng upo matapos kong sabihin iyon. I saw how his eyes lit up with gratitude as he stared at me, and I can't quite understand why I feel this way. Na para bang pakiramdam ko ay may humaplos sa puso ko.

I withdrew my aviator from my eye, and for the first time in five years, I have been able to directly stare into his eyes-so raw, brimming with warmth and depth. Nagkatitigan kami habang dahan-dahan niyang tinanggal ang mask na suot ko. Nang sa wakas ay tuluyan niya itong natanggal ay nagpakawala ako ng konting ngiti, hindi bumitaw sa titigan naming dalawa.

"Nice meeting you again, Gasper," I muttered.

He did not say anything; he's just staring straight into my eyes, so deep and filled with longing. Hinaplos niya ang pisngi ko habang tinititigan ang buong mukha ko. His eyes roamed around the details of my face-from my eyes, cheeks, nose, and down to my lips. His stare remained focused there for a while before he looked up to meet my gaze.

"I'm sorry I did not-"

"It doesn't matter," he cut me off.

Sa ilang minuto naming titigan ay nag-iwas siya ng tingin. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly before fixing his gaze on me again. His eyes were a storm of emotions that I could no longer fathom.

"Gusto kitang yakapin," may halong pag-aalinlangan niyang sambit.

"You can," I bit the insides of my cheek after I said it.

He unbuckled his seatbelt and gently embraced me. Bumilis ang pintig ng puso ko nang tuluyan ko nang maramdaman ang kaniyang yakap. Makalipas ang ilang segundo ay humigpit ang yakap niya. Sa paaraan ng pagkakayakap niya sa akin ay naalala ko ang huling nangyari limang taon na ang nakalipas.

I don't mean to reminisce about the past, but the way he hugs me feels so nostalgic. The feeling of his embrace, the tightness of his hold, his familiar scent, and the way he buries his face on my neck-it all takes me back. Hindi ko alam kong guni-guni ko lang pero ramdam ko ang kaniyang pananabik.

"Have you been doing well?" He asked while we were still hugging.

"Yeah, especially now that I became a pro. Ikaw ba?" Pagbalik ko sa tanong.

"Not quite enough until I met you again," he replied.

Tangina.

He spoke as though he was still in love with me. Ang tagal na no'n kaya ang imposible naman kung hindi pa siya nakaka-get over sa 'kin. I'm even certain that he dated multiple girls after me, so I suppose by now he has gotten over me already.

I softly pushed him to pull away from the hug, so I could get a clear view of him.

"I'm happy for you, Gasper. This is precisely the fulfillment I wished for you to achieve, and you've certainly attained it now," I suppressed a small smile.

"At alam mo kung sino ang naging inspirasyon ko?"

Para akong nabulunan sa sarili kong laway. I couldn't think of any words to throw. Hindi naman siguro ako? Bakit naman magiging ako 'di ba?

"Uh, you're family of course."

He tilted his head as he raised his eyebrows. "Hindi ba talaga sumagi sa isipan mo ang sarili mo?"