During her toughest times, Seraphina Ramiro found herself falling harder for Kasper Lacsamana, as every time they were together filled her with hope and a renewed sense of purpose, pulling her back to life.
Kasper, however, was afraid of getting too...
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Sabay na nag-dinner si Kasper at Nana sa isang eatery bago sila tumuloy sa boarding house, the awkwardness was thick between the two of them since they left the coast. Maayos naman silang nag-usap bago nila napagdesisyunan na umuwi, pero bigla nalang silang natahimik at wala nang nag-attempt magsalita.
After nilang kumain, hindi na sila ulit sumakay sa bisikleta dahil malapit na rin naman sila sa rental shop para isauli ito. Hawak ni Kasper ang handle bar habang siya naman ay pilit sinasabayan ang mga hakbang nito.
Hindi maiwasang hindi lumingon si Nana kay Kasper from time to time. It wasn't just about glancing at Kasper's side profile or watching the way his dimples appeared below the corners of his mouth as he quietly swallowed, it was about staring into his very soul.
Nana was trying to read him, to observe every detail, to take in all of him.
A bitter taste then rose in her throat as she clenched her fist tighter with each passing thought. She knew she had no right to be upset, yet she couldn't help herself.
Nanghina ang katawan niya nang marating nila ang boarding house, tiningnan niya ulit si Kasper bago huminto at nakitang nakasilid ang dalawang kamay nito sa bulsa ng suot niyang jacket. He looked rather composed now compared to earlier, she couldn't believe how Kasper could so quickly hide who he really was.
"Let's wrap up the night here," Kasper said, turning to face her. Namumula ang mga mata nito, kahit doon palang ay halata na ang pagod.
Nana didn't want to end the night like that, especially after Kasper had confessed he was sick.
She couldn't let him go after he admitted he was suicidal following his friend's death. Narinig ni Nana ang huling confession na 'yun nang magising siya kanina. Paglingon niya sa tabi ay pareho na silang nakahiga, at nagsasalita si Kasper habang tulog.
He was apologizing in his sleep, repeating the words over and over.
"Your room's up there," Kasper reminded her, pulling her out of her thoughts, itinaas pa nito ang hintuturo para ituro ang kwarto niya. Nang hindi siya sumagot at tanging sinundan lang ang tingin ng kamay niya, saka palang umayos ng tayo si Kasper.
Nana quickly glanced at Kasper's door as an idea formed in her mind.
"You can come over if you still want to talk, but I wouldn't recommend you sleeping here, even if I wanted to. What do you think?"
Kaagad iniling ni Nana ang ulo bilang sagot sa tanong nito, kahit siya ay hindi nagustuhan ang ideyang nabuo sa isip niya. As soon as her answer reached Kasper, he quickly ruffled her hair before turning away. Mabilis na naiyukom ni Nana ang kamao nang panoorin itong maglakad papalapit sa pinto.
"Umakyat kana, hindi ako papasok kapag hindi ka pa nakaakyat."
Sumandal si Kasper sa pinto at hinarap siya ulit. Nana was close to tears as she looked at him again—Kasper's stance, the smile he wore that didn't quite reach his eyes—it was breaking her heart like slow torture.
