That Summer Night of August

Kabanata 33

Kabanata 33

Habang nagluluto ng breakfast, hindi ko maiwasang isipin kung bakit nandoon si White kagabi. Alam kong matagal na silang hiwalay ni Gabriel, pero hindi ko pa rin maiwasang hindi makaramdam ng kaunting selos. Stacey told me that Gabriel kept pushing him away that night, but still, I'm annoyed.

Napalingon ako sa pintuan ng kusina nang pumasok pumasok doon si Gabriel.

"Good morning, Love," Gabriel greeted as he entered the kitchen, massaging his temple due to his hangover.

"Good morning," I greeted back, trying to keep my tone even. "Inumin mo 'to," I said, handing him a glass of water and a pain reliever tablet.

He took the glass, his eyes squinting against the bright kitchen lights. "Thank you, Love. How did I get here?"

I sighed. "Stacey drove you here. You were completely wasted last night."

He flinched, probably both from the headache and my tone. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to go that far."

I crossed my arms, feeling the weight of my worry and frustration. "You need to control yourself at these parties, Gabriel. This can't keep happening. Paano kung wala si Stacey d'on? Magmamaneho ka nang lasing?"

"I know, I know," he said, rubbing his temple and looking down. "I just... lost track last night."

"Well, next time, don't," I said, my voice sharper than intended. "I worry about you."

He nodded, his expression softening with guilt. "I'll do better. I promise."

"Good," I replied, my anger ebbing slightly.

Naiinis ako nung nalaman kong naroon pala si White. Hindi ko alam kung bakit, pero may kung anong bumagabag sa akin. I always see him at school, pero wala kaming interaksyon. Well, hindi naman kami close. Pero iba pa rin ang pakiramdam. Sa tuwing naiisip ko, hindi ko maiwasang sumimangot.

Napansin ni Gabriel ang pagsimangot ko kaya agad din itong nagtanong. "Did anything else happen last night? You're frowning, Love."

I took a deep breath, struggling to find the right words. "Hindi naman sa may nangyari. It's just... I wasn't prepared to know that White was there. You didn't tell me."

Agad namang tumayo si Gabriel mula sa stool at naglakad papunta sa akin. He gently caressed my cheeks as he smiled.

"I'm all yours, Dee. Always, Love."

His words melted some of the tension within me, but a hint of unease still lingered. I looked into his eyes, searching for reassurance.

"Talaga? Even with him around?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Gabriel nodded, his eyes never leaving mine. "Yes, Dee. Even with him around. I already shut him out in my life. It's just you. Always has been. And I didn't know he was coming, maybe I was already drunk before he came so I didn't noticed."

I let out a sigh, my heart beginning to believe his words. Gabriel's hand moved from my cheek to gently hold my hand, squeezing it softly.

"Love," he continued, his voice steady and filled with sincerity. "There's no one else I want to be with."

Tumango ako nang bahagya, "I trust you, Gabriel. It's just...sometimes, it's hard not to worry."

Growing up with walls built around me, I've always been afraid to trust others freely. The reason why I built the walls was because I've always wanted to protect myself from getting hurt. I was scared that if I let them in, they would just leave me in the end.