Shadows of Serendipity - Hambebe AU

Chapter 74

"Gaille... I like you... Gustong-gusto na kita."

Gaille couldn't believe what she's hearing right now. Her thoughts became puzzled, wondering if she's dreaming right now or Serena's really, actually, confessing to her.

Serena's words hung in the air like a delicate thread, connecting them in a way that neither had anticipated, yet both had somehow hoped for.

Gaille blinked, her mouth slightly agape, searching for the right words to say. For a moment, she just stood there, frozen, with Serena's hand still holding hers. She felt the warmth of Serena's touch grounding her amidst the whirlwind of emotions swirling within her.

"Serena..." Gaille finally managed to say, her voice barely a whisper. Her heart was pounding so loudly she could barely hear herself think. "I've already decided to-"

But before Gaille could even finish what she was about to say, Serena had already interrupted, shaking her head rapidly and desperately.

"Gaille, 'wag kang mag-move on, please. Let's start again. Kahit ako pa manligaw sa'yo this time around. Basta bigyan mo 'ko ng chance to prove that I really am serious about you."

Gaille was left speechless, yet again, because of another confession from Serena. However, this time, she let out a little laugh, finding how cute the younger was when she said those words with plea.

"Serena, no." Gaille continued, a genuine smile escaping her lips. "I've never even thought about moving on from you, even when we were apart. How could I when I just fall deeper for you, each time that passes by?"

Serena felt her heart race at Gaille's words. She never expected Gaille to feel this way- to have held on despite the distance that had grown between them. Gaille was just on the same state as her when the older was away- even without the presence of each other, both their mind and heart yearn together.

"You... never even tried to?" The younger questioned.

Gaille shook her head, keeping her gaze towards Serena. "No. Even if I do, I always end up thinking about you. You've always been there in my thoughts, in my heart... And now, you're here, standing in front of me, confessing your feelings. I couldn't be more happier than I am now. There's no way I would even thought of ever moving on now that we're in this situation."

Serena's eyes sparkled with a mix of relief and joy. She bit her lip, trying to hold back a smile that desperately wanted to be seen.

"Before you try and stop me again, what I wanted to say is... I've decided to put an end into our fake relationship." Gaille took a deep breath and squeezed Serena's hand gently, as if grounding herself in this moment. "Serena... let's make it real. Let's make us real, this time onward. No more pretending; no more playing around."

A wide smile finally broke across Serena's face after holding it since earlier.

"I'd like that." She whispered, pulling Gaille again in a warm embrace, her heart fluttering with excitement and a sense of newfound peace.

"So, then," Gaille stated, her arms still wrapped around Serena, "Will you let me court you for real this time?"

Serena pulled away from the hug, the smile not leaving her lips. Instead, she wrapped her arms around Gaille's neck, inching closer to the tall girl's face.

"You've already genuinely courted me back then kahit na fake lang ang relationship natin. Bakit natin patatagalin pa?" Serena whispered, looking directly into the older's eyes.

Gaille's heartbeat started racing like crazy as soon as their eyes met. The fact that their faces are so close to each other that Serena's breath is already fanning against her lips, she couldn't even think and comprehend her words properly.