Unfinished Hearts

Chapter 2 - Getting Closer

The next few days flew by me and Anna. After their first meeting at the library, we started hanging out more often. We studied together during lunch breaks, shared snacks, and sometimes even skipped classes just to talk, ganon kami ka close sa isat isa. I found myself looking forward to our time together more and more. Anna was easy to talk to, and every conversation seemed to flow naturally.

One afternoon, after ng napaka habang araw, I sat by the school’s garden waiting for Anna. She had texted me earlier, asking if she wanted to grab a coffee after school, and Anna had agreed. Nag sisimula ng lumubog ang araw, painting the sky with shades of orange and pink. The breeze was cool, and the scent of flowers filled the air.

As I sat there, I couldn’t help but think about how different everything felt when Anna was around. There was something about her, something gentle, yet strong that made me feel comfortable. Na parang kahit totoo ako sa aking sarili, na kahit hindi ako mag panggap. Tanggap nya ko kung ano ako.

When Anna arrived, she had a bright smile on her face. "Sorry I'm late," she said, catching her breath. "I got caught up with something."

"It's okay," I said, smiling back. "I was just thinking. So, are you ready for that coffee?"

Anna nodded, her eyes sparkling. "Definitely. Lead the way! Susundan kita"

We made our way to a nearby cafe, laughing and chatting along the way. It felt like time slowed down when we were together. As we sat down while we were drinking. Hindi ko ma itanggi sakinh sarili ang aking nararamdaman, na hindi lang kaybigan ang namamgitan saming dalawa.

“So, tell me more about your art,” I said, breaking the comfortable silence. “sabi mo you used to love it. Bakit ka tumigil?”

Anna looked down at her cup, her fingers tracing the rim. “I guess I just lost my confidence. Pero karaniwan naman they tell me my drawings are good, pero parang may kulang. I don’t know. It just seems pointless now.”

Thea reached across the table, placing a hand on Anna’s. “wag kang makinig sa sasabihin ng iba. If you love it, that’s enough. Di mo naman kaylangan tumigil sa bagay na will makes you happy, wala silang karapatan na sabihin sayo gusto mong gawin.”

Anna looked up at me, eyes soft with gratitude. “You really think so?”

“I know so,” I said with a gentle smile. “And kung kaylangan mo ng karamay lagi mong tatandaan na, I’m here.”

We shared a quiet moment, and nung araw na yon, I felt a flutter in my chest. I realized na my feelings for Anna were growing stronger, na parang bulaklak na patuloy lang sa pag lago, pero hindi ako sigurado kung parehas ba kami ng nararamdaman. Still, I didn’t want to rush things. I enjoyed our time together, and that was enough for now.

Over the next few weeks, we continued to grow closer. We laughed, studied, and shared our hopes and dreams. But deep down, hindi ko matanggi yung feeling na may kaylanagn akong gawin, something I wasn’t fully ready for.

One afternoon, after another study session at the library, Anna turned to me with a serious expression.

“Thea,” she said quietly. “Can I ask you something?”

I looked up from her book, a little surprised by the sudden change in tone. “Of course. Ano yon?”

Anna hesitated, her gaze drifting away. “Do you think… do you think people can change? I mean, mag bago ng tuluyan?”

I didn’t know how to answer at first. I thought about it for a moment, then nodded slowly. “I think people can. Pero hindi ganon kadali. It takes time and effort. Hmm bat mo natanong?”

Anna bit her lip, her eyes a little distant. “I’ve been thinking a lot lately. About who I am and the choices I’ve made. And… well, I think I’ve made a lot of mistakes.”

I reached out and gently squeezed Anna’s hand. “We all make mistakes. Parte yon ng isang tao. What matters is that you learn from them.”

Anna smiled faintly, but there was something sad in her eyes. “Thanks, Thea. You always know the right thing to say.”

The moment lingered between us, and for the first time, I felt a shift. Anna was opening up to me, and though I didn’t fully understand what was going on in Anna’s heart, I felt like this could be the beginning of something more.

Habang sabay kaming lumabas galing library, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of hope. Maybe, just maybe, things were about to change for both of us. But she also knew that the road ahead wouldn’t be easy. There would be challenges, mistakes, and moments of doubt. Still, for the first time, I felt ready to face it all with Anna by my side.