Sandali // FayeYoko

Chapter 10

I always thought I could keep my feelings hidden—pretend that as long as I didn't say it out loud, nothing between us would change. Pero mali pala ako. Love has a way of growing, quietly at first, until it fills every space, making it impossible to ignore. And with Yohana, I was beginning to feel that weight, the kind that wouldn't let me rest until I told her how I really felt.

That afternoon, the sun was just starting to dip behind the horizon, casting golden light across the garden. I found her in the garden, sprawled lazily on the grass, her hands tucked behind her head. The golden light of the setting sun bathed her in warmth, and for a moment, I just stood there, taking her in—the curve of her lips, the gentle rise and fall of her breath, the way her presence made everything feel lighter. She looked so peaceful, so at ease, it made me hesitate for a moment.

But I couldn't hold it in any longer.

I sat beside her quietly, hoping my heart wasn't beating loud enough for her to hear.

"Ang ganda ng sunset 'no?" she whispered, still not opening her eyes.

"Yeah," I agreed softly, though my gaze was focused solely on her. I sat down beside her, hugging my knees to my chest as I wrestled with the words that were desperate to escape. For the past few days, it had been eating away at me—the need to tell her, to let her know exactly how I felt.

There was something different about today, something that told me this was the moment. Hindi ko na kayang magpanggap na I was okay with just being her friend, with letting our connection hover just beneath the surface.

I took a deep breath. "Yohana." I began, feeling the words catch in my throat.

She opened her eyes, blinking up at me with that lazy smile of hers. "Hmm?"

"I need to tell you something," I said, my voice wavering ever so slightly.

She sat up, stretching her arms behind her. "Bakit parang seryoso 'to?" she asked, teasing, but her eyes studied my face carefully.

I nodded, barely able to meet her gaze. My hands fidgeted with the hem of my shirt, fingers trembling just enough for her to notice.

"Okay," she said, her tone softening. "I'm listening."

I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of every unspoken word, every lingering look that had passed between us over the past months. Ito na 'yon. No turning back now.

"I think... no, I know—I'm in love with you, Yohana." I finally said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Her expression faltered, just for a second, as if she hadn't expected it—even though I knew deep down she must have known.

She let out a short, almost nervous laugh. "Faylene... seryoso ka ba?" she asked, her smile returning, though it didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Oo, Yo," I said, nodding. "I am."

The laughter in her eyes faded, replaced by something else—fear, maybe, or something close to it. She looked away, running a hand through her hair, the way she always did when she was nervous.

"Fay, hindi kasi ganun kadali," she whispered, her voice quieter now, almost fragile.

"Why not?" I asked, my heart aching with the uncertainty in her voice. "Why does it have to be so complicated?"

"Because I don't want to hurt you," she whispered, her voice cracking just a little.

I reached out to take her hand, but she pulled back, hugging her arms around her knees instead. It felt like a rejection, but I knew better. Yohana wasn't rejecting me—she was scared.