[DIALOGUE]
< EVIE'S ROOM. MORNING. >
They both sat on the floor in the silence of her room, just watching Lulu walk around and sniff around. Mukha talaga itong lumakad na ulap.
Evie
So cute! I missed you, baby bear!
Jachin
Bilis lumaki 'no?
Evie
Yes! She was just a small baby a few weeks ago. Behave ka ba?
Lulu let out a bark and wagged her tail at Evie. Dinampot siya ni Evie at mahigpit na niyakap.
Jachin
Behave naman siya. Hindi tumatae sa loob ng bahay kasi may potty na siya sa labas. Tapos araw araw din kaming nagwa-walk tuwing madaling araw.
Evie
You wake up early?
Jachin
Oo, kahit minsan puyat. Nakakatanggal din kasi ng stress maglakad sa umaga. Tapos nakakapag-isip din ako.
Evie lifted her gaze from Lulu and let it rest on Jachin who was sitting cross-legged in front of her. Nakatingin na ito sa kanya nang lumingon siya.
Evie
Uhm. . . about what?
She felt shy seeing him again after a while. He still wore the arm sling he got after the encounter with his father, but he was a lot better now.
Jachin
You. Us.
Evie
Me? Why?
Jachin
Hindi ka naman nawala sa isip ko. Araw araw, bub. Nandito at nandito ka.
He pointed at his head and chest.
Jachin
I'm sorry. I didn't mean what I said.
She knew it was about what happened over a month ago. What he said was hurtful and unexpected. It gave her nightmares she couldn't run from, and yet she knew deep inside her heart that it was far from what he wanted at that very moment.
The silence cut through them. They were both grappling for sentences and trying to stitch words to coherent feelings.
Evie
You did.
Jachin's heart fell. Her words came with a slight shake of her breath, and he just knew that no matter what he says, it still left a scar on her that he'd never be able to mend.
Evie
You did because you were scared, right?
He nodded and slowly moved a little closer to Evie, and then, his hand wrapped around her own, the feel of her fingers were familiar, warm, and secure.
It was Evie in all the ways he wanted.
Jachin
Ayoko lang makita at maramdaman mo 'yon. Ayokong makita mo 'yong parte ng buhay ko na 'yon kasi nakakahiya. . . at masakit.
Jachin
Habang buhay ko dadalhin 'yong takot at sakit na 'yon.
Evie reached for his head and gave his hair a gentle stroke before she moved her hand down and started massaging the back of his head, just below his hairline.
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...
