Guitar Strings

Chapter 12: Dead Serious

Tristan Colton's POV

"I love you, Stella Keryll."

I decided to do this today. I hugged her, hoping that she would see the reason why I planned to do this. She looked shocked, as always.

Bagay na bagay sa kanya ung kanta. She really was insecure after what happened between Drew and her. I witnessed how she endured the pain. Nakita ko kung paano siya nagulo after magdesisiyon si Drew na hiwalayan siya.

I know Stella loved Drew. At alam kong minahal rin ni Drew si Stella. Hindi ko lang talaga alam kung bakit siya nakipaghiwalay bigla sa bestfriend ko.

Actually, medyo nagdududa ako sa sarili ko... is my love for Stella as great as Drew's? 'Ung tipong hihigit pa kaya ang lakas ng loob kong gawin ito? But like I said, nagdesisyon na akong gawin 'to: susubukan ko... I'll try to make Stella accept my love, and see if she can love me back.

"Stella, please take a chance on me. You know I loved you ever since we first met. I was just so ignorant that I can't believe myself. And I realized that I do love you far too late. Hawak na ni Drew ung kamay mo... at binigay mo na sa kanya ang puso mo. I was so ignorant... pinaniwala ko ang sarili ko na kaya ganun ang pagtingin ko sa'yo ay dahil bestfriend kita. But, now... I can't go on just watching you from behind... just comforting you whenever you remember Drew. I want to help you move on, Stella. But this time... not just as your bestfriend, but as your lover. Please, Stella... I'm dead serious. Take a chance on me."

Biglang tumahimik ang lahat. Everyone was anticipating for Stella's answer. Eileen and Rayce... Maur and Stef... including Uriel... they are hugging each other in tension. Pati si Nico, nakatingin kay Stella. From the farthest corner, I realized Mrs. Lyn Cervantes was there, too.

"Tristan, I... how should I say this...? Hmm."

Kinabahan ako bigla. Is she going to reject me? Ganito ba ang feeling ng rejection?

*dug dug dug*

Shit, ano un? Puso ko ba un? Tangna, sa tanang buhay ko, ngayon lang ako kinabahan.

"Stella, he loves you. Please give him a chance." – Stef

"Cous, go on, say something!" – Nico

"One, two, three... TAKE A CHANCE ON HIM!" – STRUM (Rayce, Uriel, Maur, Stef, Eileen)

Medyo nabawasan 'ung kaba ko nung narinig ko ung suporta nila. Thanks, guys. Whatever her answer will be, okay na. Pinaghandaan ko na naman 'to eh.

"Tristan. The thing is, I've also... hmmm. I– sheesh! Ouch! I bith mah thung!"

"HAHAHAHAHA"

"Ouch! Sheesh. Okay. Tristan, may gusto rin sana akong aminin sa'yo eh."

"What is it?"

"Tristan Colton... lead guitarist of STRUM... bestfriend ko. Bes, I didn't regret anything I did in the past. All of my mistakes... all those tears... it's just, well, me. Ako 'un eh, 'ung madaldal na iyaking bestfriend mo. Drew became a part of my life, and I'm thankful to him kasi I learned something from our relationship: don't be afraid to take risks. I took a gamble on Drew, and I became happy even from just a year with him. Kung 'di dahil sa kanya, hindi ko marerealize na may mga taong laging nandiyan sa tabi ko. Kung hindi ako nasaktan, I wouldn't have realized na there's so much more in reality than in fairy tales. Nagising ako sa katotohan. Naalala ko na may mga tao pa bukod sa kanya na tumanggap sa pagiging imperpektong ako."