RISQUÉ 1: Forbidden Temptation

Epilogue (Wattpad Version)

Peridot
#E6E200

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HALOS maluha si Diana nang masilayan niya ang mukha ng lalaking kanyang pinakananais. After she left, she could only see him in her dreams and imagination, but now that he was only a step away from her, looking straight into her eyes with longing and pouring affection, she melted like the first time.

Diana wiped her tears and tried to glare at him but failed. "I told you not to look for me, didn't I?"

"I did not, baby... I was here because of—" A realization must have crossed his mind when he suddenly stilled for a moment and then exhaled in amusement. Nilapitan siya nito ng puno nang paghanga habang maluha-luha pa. "It was you! It was you all along! I never thought I was looking for you for seven years now?"

Naguguluhang napatingin si Diana rito, nagtuloy-tuloy na ang luha sa pag-tulo. "W-What are you talking about?"

"You were the artist of Casa Ezperanza," wika ni Cormac dahilan upang mamilog ang kanyang mga mata sa gulat.

"P-Paano mo nalaman? That was supposed to be my secret," tugon ni Diana at biglang nataranta. "Walang nakakaalam niyan kundi ako lang. Kahit na si Mike. Kahit na ang mga tao sa bahay-ampunan na ito. Kahit na ang curator na nagbenta ng painting ko. Ako lang. Ako lang ang dapat may alam sa bagay na 'yon. How... how did you know?"

"Nalaman ko kasi ako ang bumili ng painting na 'yon seven years ago," sagot ni Cormac sabay napangiti nang mapasinghap siya sa gulat. "Nandito ako para hanapin ang pintor na 'yon at sa wakas nakilala ko na siya. Ikaw ang pintor na 'yon, Miss Diana Tolentino."

Diana's mouth fell open and then it quivered when she held up her sob. "Ikaw ang bumili ng Casa Esperanza? That was my first and last oil painting. Iyon ang pininta ko bago ako ikinasal kay Mike. I didn't expect that it was you who brought my painting."

"I figured since you mentioned it in your letter, I just don't understand why you have to stop painting just because Mike wants you to. He should have never cut your wings even if he was willing to fly for you. He should have fly with you," wika ni Cormac para tuluyan na siyang mapahikbi sa harap nito. "I would fly with you, Diana."

"Nakakainis ka!" paghagugol ni Diana sabay pinalo-palo ang dibdib nito. "You should have forgotten me, Cormac. You should have met someone in that two years that we are apart and choose to be happy with your own, but then here you are... making me fall for you even deeper. Wala ka ng ibang ginawa kundi kuhanin ang loob ko... ang paibigin ako. Sa dalawang taon na paghihintay ko, hindi ka napalitan sa puso ko. Nobody even came close. Not even the slightest."

"I guess we are the same then." Tinanggap ni Cormac ang kanyang mga palo hanggang sa hinintay siya nitong matapos bago siya nito niyakap. "I refused to believe that it was the end of us because I know someday we will meet again. That's why I waited. I endured. And all of it was worth it because I did not only meet the artist behind the painting but it also leads me to you. Hindi ko akalain na nasa harap ko na pala noon pa ang matagal kong hinahanap."

Mas lalong napahagulgol si Diana at humigpit ang pagkakahawak niya kay Cormac. She missed his musky, earthy mint, and sandalwood smell. Sa mga oras na iyon, gusto niya na lamang isubsob ang mukha sa dibdib nito at manatili na lamang doon habang buhay.

"I'm sorry if I wasn't able to figure it out sooner. I have overlooked your talent because of my desire for you," paghingi nito ng tawad at hinalikan ang kanyang ulo. "You were a great painter, Diana. You still are. You earned my utmost appreciation and I fear that everything you do entices me."